Eight months ago, a group of Berkeley High parents, appalled to find 180 freshmen failing two or more classes at Berkeley High, decided to take matters into their own hands. 

They demanded, and got, money from the school district and the city to start the Rebound program for 54 failing students.  

On Friday morning, parents, teachers and school administrators packed the Berkeley High Parent Resource Center to watch 41 of the original 54 students graduate from the program. 

“At your (high school) graduation, I’m going to be looking for you,” said an emotional Katrina Scott-George, a favorite math teacher for the Rebound students over the last eight months. 

“Katrina, she never let me give up,” said Cofi Barrow, a Berkeley High freshman who went from getting almost all F’s on her report card last fall to all A’s and B’s this summer. 

From January until last week, the students, almost all of them of African American or Latino heritage, became part of a separate community at Berkeley High. They attended English and math classes that were twice as long and half the size of regular freshman English and math classes. They worked one-on-one with Rebound’s five teachers, who were dedicated to helping them not just survive Berkeley High, but graduate with enough credits to be eligible for college. 

(In keeping with national trends, most of these minority students had arrived at Berkeley High with reading and math skills well below grade level. In some cases, the students’ academic deficiencies were so pronounced that meaningful participation in the school’s regular freshman curriculum seemed impossible.) 

Not all Rebound students improved their grades as dramatically as Barrow. But most improved at least from failing grades to passing grades during the second semester, and then, over the summer, made up the credits they were missing from the fall semester.  

“If it weren’t for y’all, I wouldn’t be going to the 10th grade to tell you the truth,” said one Rebound student Friday, thanking the Parents of Children of African Descent and others who supported the Rebound program. 

Nearly all the students were more engaged in the Rebound classes than regular classes, Rebound staff said. They attended class more regularly and made more use of tutoring and counseling services available at the school. 

As Scott-George put it, “Learning is a very internal process. We learn because we want to learn; because we have some motivation to learn. I think Rebound was a success in providing these kids a place where they wanted to learn.” 

A key element in the success of the program, PCAD members said Friday, was the incredible efforts Rebound teachers and program coordinator Leslie Plettner, a Berkeley High teacher who stepped in to help guide the program last winter, made to involve the parents of Rebound students in the program.  

More than 30 Rebound parents paid a visit to their children’s classrooms at least once during the program, Plettner said. After teachers met with students each Friday to go over their progress (a fairly radical innovation in itself, at a school where large class sizes make such student-teacher relationships difficult to maintain), they called parents to give them an update as well. 

Consistent outreach to parents “held the students more accountable because the parents and teachers were on the same page,” said Plettner. “I think the (Rebound) community showed what is possible. If all the players are invested in education, then we can work to achieve an equitable outcome.” 

The Friday ceremony was bittersweet for many, however. 

PCAD member Michael Miller said he was concerned that, with Rebound coming to an end, students might have a difficult time readjusting to the regular high school environment. 

“These kids have been under some amazing care these last few months,” Miller said. “Now they have to take wing and go out on their own. And that’s kind of scary.” 

Still, Miller said the taste of success that Rebound gave to students and parents alike may go a long way to sustaining the students academic momentum. 

“If there was any question about whether the kids could do it, that’s resolved,” Miller said. “I think the parents who have been involved will continue to be involved. They understand what their kids can do.” 

And the Rebound program will not come screeching to a halt, said Irma Parker, a PCAD member and a parent liaison in Berkeley High’s Parent Resource Center. The community formed through the Rebound program will continue to thrive, she said. PCAD has already used the last of the Rebound funds to hire a guidance counselor to work specifically with the Rebound graduates, at least for the first half of the coming school year, to help them stay on track. 

Part of the legacy of the Rebound program, said Miller and others, is to demonstrate how the district can begin to address the achievement gap more effectively. 

“We have a group of students who come to Berkeley High whose needs cannot be met by the structure of the present school,” said Berkeley School Board President Terry Doran after the ceremony Friday. “It takes extraordinary means. So our challenge is, where do we find the means to duplicate this program.”  

While almost everyone can agree that smaller class size is critical to helping students bridge the gap, Doran said, California school districts simply don’t have enough funding to make this a reality. 

Even for those students who participated in Rebound – only a fraction of the freshman who failed one or more classes this past year – it may not be enough, said Scott-George. The reasons for the achievement gap, from economic inequality to institutional racism, are “very complex,” she said. 

“It’s much bigger than Berkeley High School. They’re still swimming against a tide that’s very powerful.” 

Some said they look to the Rebound students themselves to begin to “change the culture” at Berkeley High, by succeeding against the odds and showing next year’s freshman the way. 

With new study skills, strong friendships, and a shared vision of success, Rebound students said Friday they were ready to meet the challenge.  

“I got her back and she got mine,” said Barrow of her best friend, fellow Rebound student Kandis Session. 

Said Session, “We’re going in there knowing what to do now. We’re not going to mess up. We’re going to college.” 

Saturday, Aug. 4

Free Sailboat Rides  

1 - 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday 

Cal Sailing Club 

Berkeley Marina 

The Cal Sailing Club, a non-profit sailing and windsurfing cooperative, give free rides on a first come, first served bases on the first full weekend of each month. Wear warm clothes and bring a change of clothes in case you get wet. Children must be at least 5 and accompanied by an adult.  

Visit www.cal-sailing.org  

Robert Bowman 

7 - 9 p.m. 

Friends Church 

1600 Sacramento St.  

Retired Air Force and NASA Official and Presidential Candidate, Dr. Robert Bowman will speak against the weaponization of space. 663-8065. 

Animal Picnic Family  

Workshop 

10 - 10:50 a.m.;11 - 11:50 a.m. 

Lawrence Hall of Science 

Touch and hold a variety of animals and see how they eat their lunch. For children 3 - 8 and an accompanying adult. Registration required, $8 - $25. 642-5132 

Berkeley Farmers’ Market 

10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. 

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

Annual Tomato Tasting, an opportunity to sample the range of tomato varieties at the market. Also, the grand opening of the Food Court. 548-3333 

Poetry Reading 

3 - 5 p.m. 

1527 Virginia Street 

The Bay Area Poets’ Coalition presents an open reading outdoors on the front lawn. 

527-9905; poetalk@aol.com 

Bay Area Eco-Crones 

10:30 a.m. - noon 

Epworth Church, Youth Room 

1953 Hopkins 

Discuss ecological significance of mushrooms and bats; plan rituals for habitat restorations projects.  

874-4935 

Foster Parent Certification Class 

10 a.m. - 3 p.m. 

South Branch Library 

1901 Russell St. 

This class will cover all aspects of Foster Parenting and is open to anyone interested in attending. Free.  

Call Bob at 641-6200; nailahfs@pacbell.net. 

Sunday, Aug. 5

Live Oak Concerts 

7:30 p.m. 

Berkeley Art Center 

1275 Walnut St. 

B.A.C.H. (Baroque and Classical Harmonies), the vocal and instrumental ensemble, will perform Aaron Copland’s Appalachian Spring and Vivaldi’s Gloria. $10  

644-6893 

Anti-Nuclear Vigil 

1 - 3 p.m. 

UC Berkeley, Lawn at West Entrance, 

Oxford and University Ave. 

Remembering Hiroshima and Nagasaki; opposing UC weapons labs’ contracts; urging UC Berkeley to host a national TV debate on nuclear weapons ban.  

Circle of Concern  

848-8055. 

Buddhism 

6 p.m. 

Tibetan Nyingma Institute 

1815 Highland Place 

Mark Henderson on “Four Thoughts that Awaken the Heart.” Free.843-6812 

West Berkeley Market 

11 a.m. - 5 p.m. 

University Ave., between Third and Fourth Streets  

Family-oriented weekly market. Crafts, music, produce, and specialty foods. 

654-6346 

Monday, Aug. 6

Intensive Production  

Urban Gardening Training 

10 a.m. - 4 p.m. 

Santa Fe Bar & Grill 

1310 University Ave. 

Growing Gourmet: A free urban gardening training & potluck lunch.  

Learn ways to intensively and organically grow produce for your own use or for an urban market garden. A hands-on training in the garden located behind the restaurant and potluck lunch at 1 p.m. Katherine Webb 

841-1110. 

Osteoporosis: How to put 

Bone Loss on Hold 

9 - 10 a.m. 

Summit Campus 

Cafeteria Annexes B & C 

350 Hawthorne Ave. in Oakland 

A free lecture by Dr. Elliot Schwartz, co-director of the Foundation for Osteoporosis Research and Education. Learn how to create a program that will help minimize bone loss.  

Ellen Carroll: 869-6737. 

Tuesday, Aug. 7 

Intelligent Conversation  

7 - 9 p.m.  

Berkeley Richmond Jewish Community Center 

A discussion group open to all, regardless of age, religion, viewpoint, etc. This time the discussion will center on sex and drugs: Free will? Must laws be obeyed? Informally led by Robert Berend, who founded similar groups in L.A., Menlo Park, and Prague. Bring light snacks/drinks to share. Free  

527-5332 

Berkeley Camera Club  

7:30 p.m. 

Northbrae Community Church  

941 The Alameda  

Share your slides and learn what other photographers are doing. Monthly field trips. 

Call Don, 525-3565 

Writing and Resistance  

In A Culture of Amnesia 

6 - 7:45 p.m. 

La Peña Cultural Center 

3105 Shattuck Avenue 

Classroom #2 

Part of a workshop series on concepts and strategies for resistance through the spoken and written word, taught by Joyce E. Young. $12. 849-2568 www.lapena.org 

Berkeley Farmers’ Market 

2 - 7 p.m. 

Derby Street at MLK Jr. Way 

548-3333 

Free Early Music Group 

10 - 11:30 a.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave. (at MLK) 

Small group sings madrigals and other voice harmony every Tuesday morning. Call Ann, 655-8863 

Free Computer Class for Seniors 

9:30 - 11:30 a.m. and 1 - 3 p.m.  

South Berkeley Senior Center, 2939 Ellis St. 

This free course offers basic instruction in keyboarding, Microsoft Word, Windows 95, Excel and Internet access. Space is limited, call ahead for a reservation. 644-6109 

Strawberry Creek Daylighting 

Strategy Workshop 

6:30 - 7:30 p.m. 

Corporation Yard Green Room 

1326 Allston Way 

A workshop to develop an effective strategy for promoting the daylighting of Strawberry Cree. Call to RSVP at 848-4008 or bjanet@earthlink.net 

— compiled by Guy Poole 

Wednesday, Aug. 8

A Day at the Beach 

Noon - 2 p.m. 

Lawrence Hall of Science 

UC Berkeley 

Part of the Lawrence Hall of Science Wednesday FUN-days. Build sand castles with sand sculptor Kirk Rademaker. Museum admission $3 - $7. 

642-5132 

— compiled by Guy Poole 

Thursday, Aug. 9

Ancient Native Sites of the East Bay 

7:30 p.m. 

Room 160 Kroeber Hall, University of California Campus 

Sean Dexter, archaeologist, will discuss the recent Data Recovery Program at the Emeryville Shellmound/South Bayfront site. Jakki Kehl, a Mutsun Ohlone, will discuss protecting cultural resources by developing partnerships and encouraging good stewardship of the land. $10 

841-2242 

Salsa Dance Classes 

7:30 p.m. 

Berkeley Richmond Jewish Community Center 

1414 Walnut St. 

Classes every Thursday with live percussionists, light refreshments, DJ playing Latin music. $10 or $15 for two. 

237-9874 

Sea Kayaking 

7 p.m. 

REI 

1338 San Pablo Avenue 

Learn about the best sea kayaking spots in Northern California from Roger Schumann and Jan Shriner. Free. 

527-4140 

Free Computer Class for Seniors 

9:30 - 11:30 a.m. and 1 - 3 p.m.  

South Berkeley Senior Center, 2939 Ellis St. 

This free course offers basic instruction in keyboarding, Microsoft Word, Windows 95, Excel and Internet access. Space is limited, call ahead for a reservation. 

644-6109 

Kensington 55+ Activity Center 

9 a.m. - 2 p.m. 

Social Hall of Arlington Community Church 

52 Arlington Ave. 

Conversation, Apple II computer instruction, massage therapy, German conversation group, meditation and relaxation techniques, watercolor art class, tea and coffee. Special 11 a.m. program: Safety, Pat Caftel presents Neighborhood Disaster Preparedness. For more information call 526-9146 or 547-1969. 

New power plants - get ready for assault on environment 

The Daily Planet received this letter addressed to the mayor and council: 

The brisk, cool breezes smelled fresh the last few days. Usually, our breezes arrive more from the west, according to maps at the city library... Except in winter months. 

After the new power plant in Hayward goes into operation, will the south breezes seem fresh and clean to our delicate senses? 

The State Energy Commission holds hearings soon; do we all feel softened up for this new potential assault on the environment? Will our beautiful East Bay become the latest heavy industrial center? Guess how big the plant may be? Want to pick its color? Shall we plant a couple trees? Will it hummmm, day and night? 

Maybe the local media already explored and exhausted the relevant impacts. Doesn’t that word, “impact,” have a kind of stimulating thump to it, like exploding refineries, deep-throated, belching smokestacks, and the like. 

Terry Cochrell 

Berkeley 

Union support of Arctic drilling is shocking 

The Daily Planet received this letter addressed to John Sweeney, president of the AFL-CIO: 

I come from a working class labor union family. Several weeks ago I was spending time in discussion convincing a student about the importance of unions. 

Now today I hear on the news that the AFL-CIO has backed the drilling for oil in the Arctic. I was stunned. My parents who are passed-on would be stunned. 

Growing up as a child of union workers who grew up during the depression had taught us not to waste resources and to take care of things and to have a respect and reverence for nature. I have acted upon that within my adult life.  

These values – when I act upon them in advocating for using less and protecting what gives us life--has pegged me as as an “other” as in one of “those environmentalists.” This caring for the earth and the ecosystems that support life has been denounced by many of who wish to continue to exploit or consume more than necessary. 

Long Term Sustainable Jobs that have been created with new technologies replacing the one time extraction concept that does not provide permanent jobs. We have the amazing technological know how to create options that profit the well being of the earth. 

Is that student’s analysis correct? – does labor have “a myopic self interest that does not care about the impact we are having on the planet and continue to suck up to the Oil industry bosses that always throws them crumbs?  

If industry came from a place of justice to begin with we would not need unions!” How can one argue that truth? 

I personally have cut my fuel consumption 75 percent and am walking more to save fuel in contrast to the urban consumers who own SUV’s, many that I see parked outside the high tech gyms and quite a few parked outside REI with what a paradox!)mountain bikes strapped to them!  

We can save the wild Arctic Refuge, one of the last keystone ecosystems & migratory paths for many species by just simply cutting back unnecessary trips and trading in gas guzzling SUV’s for similar but fuel efficient vehicles.  

The Bush energy plan IGNORED energy efficiency, fuel economy, global warming and alternative to fossil fuels.  

It is not about wild places or our justification using wild places as a commodity for our consumption,it is about how we have taken the concept of “stewardship” for self to satisfy wants vs. needs. 

We are so busy with our human pursuits that we cannot see that many species and ecosystems that are life support systems to the planet now need a helping hand. 

“We are the fire which burns the country” - Bantu Proverb 

Redwood Mary 

Berkeley 

7-story building to support arts, housing and Brower center 

Editor: 

I was pleased to see your story (7/31/01) concerning the arts center proposed to be part of the David Brower building at the Oxford Street Parking Lot. I’d like to clarify a few of the points in Ben Lumpkin’s excellent article.  

What Kind of Arts Center? – We are proposing a center that would encompass all of the arts. The Berkeley Performing Arts Center would present a wide variety of the traditional performing arts -- theater, dance, and music -- while our partner, the Berkeley Art Center, would manage a fine arts facility with an art gallery and classroom space for art education.  

We’re very excited by the prospect of having visual arts, performing arts, book-readings, poetry, film, and the other arts, all bumping into each other and interacting in the same building.  

How Big is the Arts Center? -- We’ve been talking about a 30,000 sq ft facility. This would include a 420-set theater, a 99-seat theater, a smaller “black-box” multi-purpose theater, a cabaret/restaurant, and 3,000 sq ft for the Berkeley Art Center. That figure needs some clarifying; the actual floor space, including room for bathrooms and administrative areas, would be around 15,000 sq ft. The rest of the square footage – known a “gross floor area” – would be from the 20-30-foot ceiling height required by the theater spaces.  

How Big Should the Brower Building Be? – This may turn out to be the critical question. The 5-story building proposed by the Planning Commission clearly would not be large enough to contain the Brower Center, two floors of affordable housing, retail space, and a substantial arts center. We would like to see the building get bigger – at least seven stories, maybe more. Housing advocates and urban environmentalists agree with us that the site is appropriate for a well-designed taller building.  

The City Council has asked the City staff to study the feasibility of a larger arts space and a larger building, and we hope that this study will lead to something more substantial than the Planning Commission’s version. 

We hope you’ll continue covering this story as it develops. We’re confident that we’ll end up with a first-class arts center that Berkeley can be proud of.  

Mickey Tenenbaum 

Chairman, Berkeley Performing Arts 

Berkeley 

Cigarettes and Walgreens - a perfect match 

Editor:  

Where on earth did the Berkeley Tobacco Coalition get the idea that Walgreens selling cigarettes is somehow contradictory?  

There's not a single item on any of their shelves that has anything remotely to do with health. A wide variety of junk food, dangerous drugs, chemical applications and toxic household products keeps the money flowing, but has compromised our health, weakened our children's immunity and drained our vitality.  

How many of us are willing to change our degenerative American diet and lifestyle; to take personal responsibility for their health (and children's health)? 

Michael Bauce 

Berkeley 

Editor: 

It's touchy at best, but we have to look at ourselves and see how our 

well-intentioned policies have created damages to our 

communities. We've tried to see crime by people who, in our society, have long been 

abused because of their color in a different 

light, taking into account their oppression. Berkeley has gone so overboard in this 

direction as to come up with the kind of 

problem we're seeing when looking at the Lakireddy situation. Their crime is being 

reviewed as though their excuses have some 

merit. 

Their excuses are subtended by Berkeley's traditional concern with their community's 

calling us racist. They are also using the 

customs/culture argument although in roundabout language. '...it is our 

custom/culture...' to rape/abuse girls/women/poor 

people/people who are back in the villages providing us our support so we can keep 

abusing them all. 

These murdering rapists need to be set away from our troubled society for the rest 

of their lives. We need to be protected against 

this kind of monstrosity. It's bad enough we grow it locally, on our own, without 

it having to appear that since it's done 

elsewhere, there's any rationale for it, or that its perpetrators can be reformed. 

The people who have done these terrible acts 

have been here long enough to perceive that their actions, while occurring around 

here,too, are no way acceptable, and were not 

only criminal but brutal, sexist and age-ist as well. 

If we'd clean up in one place, we might begin to render justice further in our 

community. These arguments for these intolerable 

actors are vomitous - I get literally ill seeing us protect that behavior in any 

way, any where. 

Yours truly, 

Norma J F Harrison 

1312 Cornell 

Berkeley 94702 Ca., USA 

1-510-527-9584 

normaha@pacbell.net 

When local composer Phil Freihofner first saw the classic silent film “Der Golem” (Germany, 1920), it struck him that this film needed an appropriate musical soundtrack. 

He had been arranging music for a double-reed quartet for several years and decided to apply what he had learned to this project.  

The result will be presented Sunday at the Fine Arts Cinema, when a quartet of two oboes, English horn and bassoon will play Freihofner’s evocative score while the movie is screened.  

This performance is in the tradition of the time of the movie’s release, when cinema theaters were the biggest employers of musicians.  

Nowadays we tend to believe that silent films were generally accompanied by a solo keyboard player, but this is actually a result of financial pressures during the declining years of silent films, rather than aesthetics. 

Recently the Clubfoot Orchestra and other bands have been exploring the possibilities of composing and performing scores for silent films. Freihofner’s work further develops this concept in a different orchestration. 

The Golem was a clay man brought to life by sorcery. It was created to protect the Jewish community of Prague against attacks by Christians.  

Of course there are problems with controlling and decommissioning the monster. The film also introduces a love story and court intrigue to add drama.  

Freihofner calls up some of the moods of Dukas’ “Sorcerer’s Apprentice,” klezmer tunes, Chopin mazurkas and even Wagnerian melodrama, all the while utilizing original material and skillful manipulation of the limited resources of a quartet of woodwinds.  

He conceived of the film as occurring in three worlds: the Jewish ghetto, the ruling Court, and the world of Magic. So the various scenes and moods are addressed differently in each world, while maintaining a sense of organic wholeness by invoking motivic links between the worlds. 

Fans of virtuoso technique should know that the lead oboe parts will be performed by Mark Weiger from the famous double reed quartet “Wizards.” Some sections require serious chops, but mostly the music does not call attention to itself in a way which might distract the audience away from the action on the screen. 

Also worthy of attention are the occasional moments of silence in the score. The composer understands the value of a pause for the audience to hear the eery reaction of the film catching its breath. 

Although many in the audience will consider this event a music concert with a film providing context for the composition being played, others will be amazed by the stunning visual spectacle, and may even allow the music to become incidental commentary on this unique film.  

Clearly many aspects of this film influenced “Frankenstein” and other monster films. The sinister curves of the interior sets and the stylized costumes offer plenty of eye candy to divert the attention away from the music. 

Yet those audience members will derive the most pleasure who manage to integrate the two into a kind of “Gesamtkunstwerk”, an integrated work of art, which Wagner was always striving to produce.  

This soundtrack can clearly stand by itself as a piece of music, but it is so clearly intended to augment a specific flow of imagery, action and emotions.  

Freihofner intends to be a trailblazer in the way he distributes the score.  

Whoever rents the film will have the option of also renting the score to be played live by four musicians, so other audiences might have a chance to experience this enhanced and improved film. 

This presentation might be just the beginning.  

If this instigates a happy trend of restoring appropriate live music to silent films, Sunday’s performance will be an important premiere.

924 Gilman St. Music at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Aug. 4: Toxic Narcotic, Menstrual Tramps, Emo Summer, Four Letter Word, Shitty Wickets; Aug 10: 90 Day Men, Assembly of God, Strong Intention, Under a Dying Sun; Aug 11: Toys That Kill, Scared of Chakra, Soophie Nun Squad, Debris; Aug 12: 5 p.m. Citizen Fish, J-Church, Eleventeen. $5. 924 Gilman St. 525-9926. 

Anna’s Place Aug. 4, 11 and every Saturday night 10:30 p.m. - midnight, Ducksan Distones. The following play at 8 p.m. – Aug. 4, Robin Gregory and Bliss Rodriguez; Aug. 5: “Danubius,” Hungarian quartet; Aug. 6: “The Renegade Sidemen;” Aug. 7: open mic.1801 University Ave. 849-2662.  

Ashkenaz Aug. 5: 9 p.m. Roots Reggae featuring Groundation and Tchiya Amet. $10. 11317 San Pablo Ave. 525-5099 www.ashkenaz.com 

Eli’s Mile High Club Doors open at 8 p.m. Every Friday, 10 p.m. - 2 a.m., Funky Fridays Conscious Dance Party with KPFA DJs Split Shankin and Funky Man. $10; 3629 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Oakland. 655-6661 

Freight and Salvage Coffee House All music at 8 p.m. Aug 4: Adam Levy, Will Bernard; Aug 5: MonTango; Aug 6: Frank Yamma; Aug 8: San Francisco Klezmer Experience; Aug 9: John Renbourn; Aug 10: Jody Stecher, Kate Brislin; Aug 11: Al Stewart. $16.50 - $19.50. 1111 Addison St. 548-1761 www.freightandsalvage.org 

Jupiter Aug. 4: Solomon Grundy, from Orange County, combining jazz, calypso, and world beat; Aug. 7: Joshi Marshal Project, jazz, soul and hiphop; Aug. 8: Broun Fellini’s, jazz/funk/hiphop grooves; Aug. 9: Beatdown with DJ’s Delon, Yamu and Add1; Aug. 10: Steven Emerson, singer/songwriter mixes cool jazz and sweat soul; Aug. 11: J Dogs, funk-soul; Aug. 14: Chris Shot Group, folk-rock and soul combo; Aug. 15: Lithium House, electro/drum & bass styles with live jazz; Aug. 16: Beatdown with DJ’s Delon, Yamu and Add1; Aug. 17: The Mind Club, Old school funk grooves with sonic swirls of acid jazz; Aug. 18: Blue & Tan, Bassist Vicki Grossi brings in the crew for elctro-acid-jazz funk stylings; All music starts at 8:00 p.m. www.jupiterbeer.com; or call the hotline: THE-ROCK. 843-7625  

La Peña Cultural Center Aug 4: 8 p.m. Grito Serpentino, Small Axe Project, Jime Salcedo-Malo & Leticia Hernandez $10; Aug 5: 7 p.m. Insight in concert $10; Aug 10: 8:30 p.m. Ire $8; Aug 11: 9:30 p.m. Fito Reynoso’s Ritmo y Armonia. $10, $13 for dance class starting at 8:15; Aug 12: 5, 7:30 p.m. “Say Yo Business” Linda Tillery & The Cultural Heritage Choir. $18 in advance, $20 at the door. In the Cafe, 3105 Shattuck Ave. 849-2568 

La Note/Jazzschool Aug 5: 4:30 p.m. Vocalists’ Series (Denine Monet), 5:30 p.m. Instrumentalists’ Series (Pelo Mar); Aug 12: 4:30 p.m. The Freedom Project, 5:30 Eli Sundelson Trio. 2377 Shattuck Ave. 845-5373 

Shattuck Down Low Lounge Every Tuesday: 9:30 p.m., Posh Tuesdays with DJ’s Yamu, Delon, Add1, and Tequila Willie. Shattuck at Allston. www.thebeatdownsound.com  

Downtown Restaurant and Bar August 6: 7 p.m. Jesse Colin Young of the sixties hit group, The Youngbloods, will be performing at a No Nukes evening, sponsored by Greenpeace. The evening commemorates the 56th anniversary of the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima. The proceeds go to Tri-Valley CAREs and Citizen Alert. Tickets are $100. 2102 Shattuck Ave. 800-728-6223 

The Greek Theatre Aug. 4: 7 p.m., The String Cheese Incident, $29.75. Hearst Avenue and Gayley Road 444-TIXS, or (415) 421-TIXS www.sfx.com 

Ali Akbar College of Music Aug. 10, 7:30 p.m. A concert of Indian classical music. Rita Sahai, vocals; Rachel Untersher, violin; Madhukar Malayanur, tabla; $20 general; $15 students. St. John's Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave., (415) 454-6264 or www.aacm.org 

Yoshi’s Aug. 4 and Aug. 5. Oregon, World jazz fusion. $18 to $22 general; Sunday matinee, $10 adult with one child and $5 children; Aug. 7. Claudia Acuna $14; Aug. 8 through Aug. 12: Steve Turre Quintet, trombone and conch shell master in small group setting. Wednesday and Thursday, $18; Friday and Saturday, $22; Sunday matinee, $5 kids, $10 adults with one child, $18 general; Sunday, $22. 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 762-2277 www.yoshis.com 

Julia Morgan Center for the Arts Aug 4: 8 p.m. “Cuatro maestros Touring Festival” two-hour theatrical event of music and dance performed by four elder folk artists and their talented young counterparts. Adults $18 Children $12; Aug. 10: 7:30 p.m. & Aug. 11, 12, 5 p.m. Campers from Stage Door Conservatory’s “On Broadway” program for grades 5-9 will perform Fiddler on the Roof, Jr. $12 adults, $8 kids. 2640 College Ave. 845-8542 ext. 302 

“The Great Sebastians” Through Aug. 11: Friday and Saturday evenings 8 p.m. plus Thursday, Aug. 9, presented by Actors Ensemble of Berkeley. A tale about a mind-reading act touring behind the Iron Curtain. A communist general believes the act and “invites” the Sebastians to his villa where the humor and excitement follows. $10. Live Oak Theatre, 1301 Shattuck (at Berryman). For reservations call 528-5620 

“Iphegenia in Aulis” Through Aug. 12: Sat. and Sun. 5 p.m. Special dawn performance on August 12 at 7 a.m. A free park performance by the Shotgun Players of Euripides’ play about choices and priorities. With a masked chorus, singing, dancing, and live music. Feel free to bring food and something soft to sit on. John Hinkel Park, Southhampton Place at Arlington Avenue (different locations July 7 and 8). 655-0813 

“The Lady’s Not for Burning” Through Aug. 4: 8 p.m. Set in the 15th century, a soldier wishes to be hanged and a witch does not want to be burned at the stake. Written by Christopher Fry, directed by Susannah Woods. $5 - $10. South Berkeley Community Church 1802 Fairview st. 464-1117 

“Loot” Through Aug 25, Thursdays - Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 7 p.m. Special Performance Aug 20, 8:00 p.m. General Admission: $15, Students / Seniors: $10 La Val’s 1834 Euclid Avenue 655-0813 

“Orphans” Through Aug. 5: Fri. and Sat. 8 p.m., Sun. 7 p.m. Lyle Kessler’s dark comedy about a mysterious stranger invading the home of two orphaned brothers. $15. The Speakeasy Theater, 2016 Seventh St. 326-8493 

“Reefer Madness” Aug. 8, 9, Aug. 22, 23: 9 p.m. A new one-act theatre piece adapted from a 1936 government-funded film opens a critical eye to the control of our society. Performed by The Elemental Theatre Group La Pena Cultural Center 3105 Shattuck Avenue. Wednesdays are “pay what you can,” Thursdays $5 - $10. Contact Zachary Rouse or Tisha Sloan for more info at 655-4150 

“Romeo & Juliet” Aug 11 - Sep 2, Tuesdays - Thursdays. Bruns Memorial Amphitheater. Shakespeare’s classic about a young couple that meets, falls in love and dies in just five days. Adults: $22 - $41 youth (under 16): $12 - $41. 

“Barnum” Through Aug. 12. The story of legendary circusmaster P.T. Barnum, with plenty of musical theater and circus acrobatics. Splash Circus’ aspiring young circus artists will perform an hour before each show. $15 to $27. Friday through Sunday, 8 p.m. Joaquin Miller Park, 3300 Joaquin Miller Road, Oakland. 531-9597 www.woodminster.com 

Films 

Pacific Film Archive Aug 4: 7 p.m. Human Desire, 8:50 p.m. Hangmen Also Die; Aug 5: 3 p.m. The Yearling, 5:30 p.m The Woman Who Touched Legs; Aug 7: 7:30 p.m. Figures of Motion; Aug 8: 7:30 p.m. Confessions of an Opium Eater; Aug 9: 7:30 p.m. The Return of Frank James; Aug 10: 7 p.m. Alone on the Pacific, 9:05 p.m. Her Brother; Aug 11: 7 p.m. While the City Sleeps, 9 p.m. Beyong a Reasonable Doubt; Aug 12: 3 p.m. Charlotte’s Web, 5:30 p.m. Tokyo Olympiad. New PFA Theatre 2575 Bancroft Way 642-1412 

“7th annual Brainwash Movie Festival” Aug. 3-5: (bring a chair) at the Pyramid Ale brewery, 901 Gilman Street 527-9090 ext. 218. Festival Pass: $30, Individual tickets: online: $8, door: $10 

“Lumumba” Aug. 10 at Shattuck Cinemas. Biogrophy of the slain African political figure Patrice Lumumba. In French with English subtitles. 

“Roommates” Aug. 12. Max Apple’s true story of his immigrany grandfather who moved in with him when he was in college (in the 60’s). Peer led discussion following movie. $2 Suggested donation. Berkeley Richmond Jewish Community Center 1414 Walnut Street 848-0237 

Exhibits 

“BACA National Juried Exhibition: Works on Paper” Through August 31: Wed. - Sun. Noon - 5 p.m. Berkeley Art Center 1275 Walnut St. 644-6893 

“Bernard Maisner: Illuminated Manuscripts and Paintings” Through Aug. 8 Maisner works in miniature as well as in large scales, combining his mastery of medieval illumination, gold leafing, and modern painting techniques. Flora Lamson Hewlett Library 2400 Ridge Road 849-2541 

“Debbie Moore’s Autobiographical Paintings” Through Sep 30 at Good Vibrations. Portraits of the artist’s sensual explorations spanning 25 years and reflecting changing ways of intimacy and body play. 2504 San Pablo Avenue 848-1985 

“The Decade of Change: 1900 - 1910” chronicles the transformation of the city of Berkeley in this 10 year period. Thursday through Saturday, 1 – 4 p.m. Through September. Berkeley History Center, Veterans Memorial Building, 1931 Center St. Wheelchair accessible. 848-0181. Free.  

“A Fine Line” Through August 24, Tuesday - Friday, noon - 5 p.m. or by appointment. An exhibition works by Kala Fellowship winners for the years 2000 and 2001. Kala Art Institute 1060 Heinz Avenue 549-2977 

“Geographies of My Heart” Collage paintings by Jennifer Colby through August 24; Flora Lamson Hewlett Library 2400 Ridge Road 649-2541 

“MFA Survey Exhibition 2001” third annual exhibition of works of recent graduates from Bay Area master of Fine Art programs. This year featuring artists working in three-dimentional media. Through Aug 18 Tuesday - Saturday, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Traywick Gallery 1316 Tenth Street 527-1214 

“Musee des Hommages” Masterworks by Guy Colwell Faithful copies of several artists from the pasts, including Titian’s “The Venus of Urbino,” Cezanne’s “Still Life,” Picasso’s “Woman at a Mirror,” and Boticelli’s “Primavera” Ongoing. Call ahead for hours 2028 Ninth St. (at Addison) 841-4210 or visit www.atelier9.com 

“New Visions: Introductions 2001” Through Aug. 18: Wed. - Sat.: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Juried by Artist- Curator Rene Yanez and Robbin Henderson, Executive Director of the Berkeley Art Center, the exhibition features works from some of California’s up-and-coming artists. Pro Arts 461 Ninth St., Oakland 763-9425 

“Sistahs: Ethnofraphic Ceramics” through Aug. 22, Reception July 29 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. Womens Cancer Resource Center Gallery 3023 Shattuck Avenue 548-9286 ext. 307 

“Ten Years Here” Exhibit celebrating the 10 year anniversary of Turn of the Century Fine Arts. Aug. 4 - Sept. 14, Sat & Sun 1-5 p.m. Reception Aug 4 2:00 - 7:00 p.m. 2510 San Pablo Avenue 849-0950 

Readings 

Boadecia’s Books Aug 4: Dyke Open Myke! Coffeehouse-style open mike night featuring both established and emerging talent; Aug 10 Susann Cokal reads from her novel “Mirabilis” set in 14th-century France; Aug 11: Trina Robbins discusses her latest work “Eternally Bad: Goddesses with Attitute”. All events start at 7:30 p.m. and are free. 398 Colusa Avenue 559-9184 

Black Oak Books Aug 8: William Turner discusses his new memoir “Rearview Mirror: Looking Back at the FBI, the CIA and Other Tails”; Aug 9: Robert Clark reads from his new novel “Love Among the Ruins”; Aug 15: Molly Giles reads from her debut novel “Iron Shoes”. All shows at 7:30 p.m. free of charge. 1491 Shattuck Avenue 486-0698 

Cody’s Books Aug 5: Justin Chin, Gerry Gomez Pearlberg; Aug 8: Jane Mead, Mark Turpin. $2 donation. Readings at 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted. 2454 Telegraph Ave. 845-0837 

Cafe de la Paz “Poetry Nitro” Weekly poetry open mike. Aug 6: featuring Andrena zawinski. 6:30 p.m. sign-up, 7 p.m. reading. 1600 Shattuck Ave. 843-0662  

Coffee Mill Poetry Series Aug. 7: Featured readers JC and Bert Glick. 7-9 p.m.; August 21: Featured Readers: Victoria Joyce and Therese Bamberger; Both 7-9 p.m. Free. 3363 Grand Ave., Oakland for info. (510)465-3935 or (510)526-5985, or Email: ksdgk@earthlink.net 

Tours 

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Fridays 9:30 - 11:45 a.m. or by appointment. Call ahead to make reservations. Free. University of California, Berkeley. 486-4387 

Golden Gate Live Steamers Grizzly Peak Boulevard and Lomas Cantadas Drive at the south end of Tilden Regional Park Small locomotives, meticulously scaled to size. Trains run Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Rides: Sunday, noon to 3 p.m., weather permitting. 486-0623  

Museums 

Habitot Children’s Museum “Back to the Farm” An interactive exhibit gives children the chance to wiggle through tunnels, look into a mirrored fish pond, don farm animal costumes, ride on a John Deere tractor and more. “Recycling Center” Lets the kids crank the conveyor belt to sort cans, plastic bottles and newspaper bundles into dumpster bins. $4 adults; $6 children age 7 and under; $3 for each additional child age 7 and under. 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. (closed Sundays, Memorial Day through Labor Day) Kittredge Street and Shattuck Avenue 647-1111 or www.habitot.org  

UC Berkeley Museum of Paleontology Lobby, Valley Life Sciences Building, UC Berkeley “Tyrannosaurus Rex,” ongoing. A 20 by 40-foot replica of the fearsome dinosaur 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” A suspended skeleton of a flying reptile with a wingspan of 22-23 feet. The Pteranodon lived at the same time as the dinosaurs. Free. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. 642-1821 

UC Berkeley Phoebe Hearst Museum of Anthropology will close its exhibition galleries for renovation on October 1. It will reopen in early 2002. On View until October 1, 2001: “Ishi and the Invention of Yahi Culture.” “Sites Along the Nile: Rescuing Ancient Egypt.” “The Art of Research: Nelson Graburn and the Aesthetics of Inuit Sculpture.” “Tzintzuntzan, Mexico: Photographs by George Foster.”  

$2 general; $1 seniors; $.50 children age 17 and under; free on Thursdays. Wednesday, Friday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Thursday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Kroeber Hall, Bancroft Way and College Ave. 643-7648 or www.qal.berkeley.edu/~hearst/ 

Lawrence Hall of Science “Science in Toyland,” through Sept. 9. Exhibit uses toys to demonstrate scientific principles and to help develop children's thinking processes. Susan Cerny’s collection of over 200 tops from around the world. “Space Weather,” through Sept. 2. Learn about solar cycles, space weather, the cause of the Aurorae and recent discoveries made by leading astronomers. This interactive exhibit lets visitors access near real-time data from the Sun and space, view interactive videos and find out about a variety of solar activities. “Within the Human Brain,” ongoing. Visitors test their cranial nerves, play skeeball, master mazes, match musical tones and construct stories inside a simulated “rat cage” of learning experiments. “Saturday Night Stargazing,” First and third Saturdays each month. 8 - 10 p.m., LHS plaza. Space Weather Exhibit now - Sept. 2; now - Sept. 9 Science in Toyland; Saturdays 12:30 - 3:30 p.m. $7 for adults; $5 for children 5-18; $3 for children 3-4. 642-5132 

Holt Planetarium Programs are recommended for age 8 and up; children under age 6 will not be admitted. $2 in addition to regular museum admission. “Constellations Tonight” Ongoing. Using a simple star map, learn to identify the most prominent constellations for the season in the planetarium sky. “How Big Is the Universe?” Aug. 1 through Aug. 24. Learn how to determine the distance of celestial objects, one of the purposes of the Hubble Space Telescope. Daily, 2:15 p.m. $7 general; $5 seniors, students, disabled, and youths age 7 to 18; $3 children age 3 to 5; free children age 2 and younger. Daily, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Centennial Drive, 642-5132 or www.lhs.berkeley.edu Daily, 3:30 p.m. $7 general; $5 seniors, students, disabled, and youths age 7 to 18; $3 children age 3 to 5 ; free children age 2 and younger. Daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Centennial Drive, UC Berkeley 642-5132 or www.lhs.berkeley.edu  

The UC Berkeley Art Museum is closed for renovations until the fall. 

Send arts events two weeks in advance to Calendar@berkeleydailyplanet.net, 2076 University, Berkeley 94704 or fax to 841-5694. 

Initial results of a Harrison Park air study confirmed predictions that airborne particulate matter has increased over the soccer field and alarmed some city officials with an increase as much as 60 percent above state-recommended levels. 

“I expected higher numbers, but was surprised at the level of increase,” said Hazardous Materials Supervisor Nabil Al-Hadithy. 

Parks and Waterfront Director Lisa Caronna cautioned that the findings are preliminary and there is still more testing to be done.  

“We don’t have all the data yet and when we do, we will take whatever is the most appropriate action.” 

The $40,000 study began at the newly-finished soccer field July 1 and will continue for 11 months. The data for the month of July was released Aug. 2 and is considered preliminary. The study will be carried out over the course of a year to monitor air quality under all kinds of weather conditions. 

A 1997 study has been criticized by members of the Community Environmental Advisory Commission as insufficient because it was conducted over a period of only two days. 

The city contracted with private consultant Applied Measurement Science to perform the study. The contract called for analysis of two different sizes of particulate matter. The study will also analyze the air for traces of the carcinogen chromium 6. 

The two particulates are Particulate Matter 10 (PM10), which are particles about 10 micrograms in size, and the even smaller Particulate Matter 2.5 (PM2.5), which is 2.5 micrograms in size, or about one-seventh the width of a strand of hair, according to Bay Area Air Quality Management District spokesperson Ralph Borrmann. 

Particulate matter is small airborne pieces of liquid or solid matter that comes from a variety of sources, but is most often associated with exhaust from automobiles, according to Borrmann.  

Eric Winegar, who is carrying out the analysis for Applied Measurement Science, said the equipment he was using to measure PM2.5 was not working correctly so the results are unavailable. But he did provide a month’s worth of data on PM10. 

Both particulates can infiltrate the lungs but the more dangerous of the two is PM2.5 because it is so small it can deeply penetrate the membranes in the lungs.  

“PM2.5 is more of a sensitive issue for people who are more naturally sensitive to respiratory problems such as children, seniors and those who suffer from respiratory problems,” Borrmann said. “It can increase the frequency and severity of asthma attacks and bronchitis for example.” 

The initial test results show that on nine occasions in July, the levels of PM10 rose above the state Environmental Protection Agency’s recommended level of .050 micrograms per cubic meter. In one case, on July 2, the 24-hour average was 35 micrograms or 60 percent above what the state regards as acceptable.  

Al-Hadithy said he can’t say whether the high numbers constitute a health hazard until a toxicologist examines the test results. 

According to an Aug. 2 staff report from the Toxics Management Division, there was an expectation of higher numbers because the field is located near a section of Interstate 80 that was recently widened, which resulted in a 20-percent increase in the traffic volume during heavy commute times. Another 18-percent increase is estimated by 2005 according to the report. 

The initial results show the worst times of day at the soccer field are between 10 a.m. and noon. The hours caused Community Environmental Advisory Commissioner LA Wood to speculate the particulates were coming from the city’s refuse transfer station located next to the park at Harrison and Second streets or perhaps from two industrial sites in the area. 

Al-Hadithy said the monitoring equipment was placed in an area where it would be close to the transfer station and the freeway so test results would show a “worst case scenario.” 

“I’m very interested in the sources of the particulate matter,” Wood said. “I’m surprised that there’s no mention of the possibility of Berkeley Asphalt or Pacific Steel as possible contributors.” 

Both businesses are within three blocks of the playing field. 

Wood also said he was suspicious of the faulty equipment that was unable to produce the more hazardous PM2.5 results. 

“There’s two things that make me wonder if the city is sitting on more results, the test has been going on for the last month and there should be more information then what’s been released,” he said, “and the city’s historic tendency to sweep air issues related to Harrison Park under the carpet.”

When he speaks about the book he wrote in 1999, Ken Moshesh describes it as the narration of a tragedy, his tragedy.  

It is the story of a man who once taught at UC Berkeley and is now a homeless person banned from campus. 

“It’s an insider look at what this situation is like in terms that a person that hasn’t experienced it would hopefully be able to relate to it,” he said holding one of the three existing copies of his manuscript – “Cobblestoning Quicksand Mazes.” 

Since he was arrested for sleeping outdoors Jan. 18, Moshesh has been one of the most vocal advocates for Berkeley’s approximately 1,000 homeless people. After his arrest, he decided to challenge the constitutionality of the so-called “lodging law,” which forbids people to sleep on any property without the owner’s permission. He soon became the leader of an active campaign against the criminalization of the homeless in Berkeley. 

Within a few months, the movement registered two important victories. In April, the City Council voted for a moratorium of the enforcement of the lodging law, and earlier this month a local judge ruled the law unconstitutional in Moshesh’s case. 

But Moshesh’s activism started much earlier. Like many people of his generation, he first got involved in social movements in the 1960s. 

Born in Oakland in 1946 as the second child of a family of 10 children, Moshesh grew up in a low-income environment but made his way through to higher education. He received a degree in sociology and teaching credentials at UC Berkeley, while participating in the People’s Park movement.  

Ever since these days of protest and strategic meetings on the rooftops of Telegraph Avenue, Moshesh has had one purpose in life: to make sure that even the most disadvantaged sector of the population has equal opportunities. 

“Even if I had managed to go through coming from a very large very poor family I realized that the actual instruction was not set up for a person like me,” he said. “So I was trying to make it more likely for persons coming from my background to reach their goals.” 

With this mission in mind he later became one of the co-founders of the African American studies program at the university’s Department of Ethnic Studies and a teacher in Oakland’s elementary schools. 

“My goal was to bring the university closer to the community rather than move it, in an elitist manner, away from it,” said Moshesh who also advocated in favor of early childhood education. “We needed an effective feeder system to get our students where they were to be.” 

Harvey Dong from the Ethnic Studies Department remembers Moshesh as a level-headed person who taught martial arts and Asian philosophy. He also remembers his political fire.  

“There were a lot of African-American students who were involved in establishing Ethnic Studies at that time and they put in a lot of time and energy to fight for the department,” he said. “When there were problems in terms of funding, Moshesh got himself involved supporting the students.” 

Moshesh’s ideas on education however were not always appreciated. Increasing discrepancies between his views and the administration’s goals ultimately forced him to leave the Ethnic Studies Department in 1972. The same happened 14 years later with the Oakland school district. 

Moshesh soon found a new way to serve the community. In 1986 he started working in low-income housing construction in west Oakland. But by that time serious issues that affected him for years had become hardly manageable. In Moshesh’s mind, these problems were in large part the result of the FBI counterintelligence’s effort to stop his activism. “Quite a few people were commissioned to do whatever they could to stop people who were involved in creating social change,” he said. Moshesh said his family members were involved in drug trafficking. He thinks they were bribed into intimidating him. Among other things, he said he was attacked several times on his work site. He consequently quit his job and became homeless. That was in 1993.  

Moshesh receives Supplemental Security Income benefits for a mental disability. 

Since then, Moshesh has found ways to write a book, work with a multi-media publication specializing in low-income issues called Poor Magazine and make seven video films on homelessness. One of them, “Endangering the Species,” won an award for excellence at Berkeley Video Festival last year. 

His style combines images, prose, poetry and music. Creativity, Moshesh thinks, is the best vehicle for his fight for social justice.

Some 140,000 people died as a result of the atomic bomb dropped Aug. 6, 1945 on Hiroshima, Japan. Others were burned, blinded, became diseased and scarred for life. 

Bay Area anti-nuclear activists say they haven’t forgotten. And they don’t want others to forget. They say they also haven’t forgotten that it was the University of California’s Los Alamos Lab that built the bomb. 

Physicians for Social Responsibility, Women for Peace, the Circle of Concern and the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom are holding a vigil Sunday to commemorate the bombing. 

The vigil is on the grounds of UC Berkeley, because the campus is part of the University of California system. Vigil organizers are calling on the university to cut its ties with the Los Alamos laboratory and the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, where nuclear weapons are researched and designed. 

A UC spokesperson, however, defends the labs’ role as a “public service.” He argues that possession of a nuclear arsenal is, in fact, a deterrent to their use. 

Margaret Olney of Berkeley has helped organize the annual vigil every year since its beginnings in 1979. “We want to stop the university from managing the weapons labs,” she said. “By managing the labs, it gives all its prestige to building the weapons.” 

The coalition of anti-nuclear groups has demanded that the university sponsor televised public debates on its role in overseeing the weapons work. UC Berkeley held the first of three forums in the spring. It wasn’t televised, however. 

The forum was a good beginning, Olney said, but there are a number of topics still to be addressed in the public arena: What’s the effect of fear of nuclear war as the main deterrent? she asked. “What’s the relationship between inner and outer violence? and, how much is spent on weapons that could be spent on more productive things?” 

Jeff Garberson, University of California spokesperson on laboratory issues, explained the long history of the university’s involvement with the labs. In Berkeley, the Radiation Laboratory was set up by the university on the campus in 1929. (Today the national labs in Berkeley are off campus and do not do nuclear weapons research or design, according to lab personnel.) 

The Los Alamos Lab was founded in World War II and is credited with creating the first atomic bomb. The Lawrence Livermore Laboratory was set up in 1952, during the cold war. 

Why does the university manage the labs? “In a historic sense, the United States needed someone with expertise in managing complex laboratories,” Garberson said. “The university felt as a public service it should respond to the government (request.) We’re proud of the public service, done for a nation which wants this work to be done and done well.” 

The vigil is Sunday at the west entrance to the UC Berkeley Campus. At 1 p.m., there will be a silent vigil, remembering Hiroshima and Nagasaki; at 2 p.m., there will be speakers from physicians for social responsibility, the Berkeley City Council, and the Circle of Concern. For information, call 849-3020 or 848-8055. 

The 800 block of Delaware Street is the location of the first settlement in Berkeley that grew into a true community.  

In the 19th century, Delaware Street connected Jacob’s Landing (1853) with Bowen’s Inn (1854) on the old Contra Costa Road (now San Pablo Avenue). The block is a city historic district and the pioneer feeling of the streetscape is still somewhat intact.  

The community that developed in the vicinity of Delaware Street was called Ocean View because from here the ocean was visible through the Golden Gate. Remnants of 19th century Ocean View still exist.  

Queen Anne houses and workman’s cottages are scattered on surrounding streets. Some are still on their original lots, while others were moved or raised to accommodate new uses.  

The house at1814 Sixth St. was built around 1880. The small single-story structure sits on its original lot and has not been altered.  

The first floor is raised above the street about four feet to protect it from flooding, which was once common in west Berkeley.  

It is interesting to note the care given to the decorative details of this tiny home, which is only 20 feet wide by 30 feet deep.  

The most prominent elements of the cottage are the two tall sash windows containing eight lights surrounded by wide wood moldings.  

The windows are capped with an elaborate hood molding which has curved brackets, floral carvings, dentils, and molded framed paneling.  

There are carved wood moldings on either side of the entry, and above the front door is a transom window.  

Other Victorian elements include channel siding and an open gable with five triangular brackets. Although it is not known who built this house, it is known that Thomas Andrews was living next door at 1812 Sixth Street with his wife, Annie, in 1880.  

Such information is sometimes found in old city directories, block books, and voter registrations available at the Oakland Public Library’s History Room or the Bancroft Library.  

Susan Cerny writes “Berkeley Observed” in conjunction with the Berkeley Architectural  

Heritage Association.

BERKELEY — Two weeks after being injured by fishing hooks and fishing lines, five brown pelicans hobbled out of their cages and jumped onto the rocks at the Berkeley Marina Thursday. 

About 50 pelicans have been brought to the rescue center so far this year. The birds get injured while diving for fish, winding up with the hooks embedded in their wings and fishing wire wrapped around their bodies. 

But not all of them can be saved. If fishing wire cuts off a bird’s leg or it is too emaciated, the pelican is euthanized, said Jay Holcomb, director of the International Bird Rescue Research Center in Cordelia. 

The rescue center is beginning a campaign to educate anglers that cutting fishing lines in the water or leaving hooks behind is dangerous for birds. Although the campaign will center in brown pelicans, because the are an endangered species, it stressed all birds that scour for fish are in danger. 

Brown pelicans were once on the brink of extinction from the effects of the pesticide DDT on breeding. They were listed as endangered in 1970 and the pesticide was banned in the United States two years later.

SAN FRANCISCO — Hundreds of dogs of all sizes and breeds gathered with their owners Friday outside City Hall to protest a proposed citywide dog policy tightening off-leash restrictions. 

The proposal by the city Recreation and Parks Department would set aside designated dog play areas within city parks. But opponents argue the rules are too restrictive. 

“What has raised dog-owners’ hackles is nearly a decade of tightening restrictions and narrowing options for off-leash recreation in the Bay Area,” said Laura Cavaluzzo, an organizer of the Critical Mutt rally. 

Siobhan Maize, 29, attended the event with her lab mix, Deacon. 

“I thought it was important to come today because I can see the attempts to control dogs getting out of control,” she said.  

“It’s very important for dogs to get off-leash and exercise and socialize with other dogs.” 

A spokeswoman for the parks department told the San Francisco Chronicle that the parks are in the first year of a 10-year capital improvement plan, which includes considering dog use at all parks. 

“There’s going to be a lot of things going on in the parks and off-leash areas are going to have to be a part of the change ... It’s going to take some compromises,” said spokeswoman Becky Ballinger. 

The draft proposal is open to public comment until Aug. 13. 

SACRAMENTO — A 41-year-old Turlock man charged with breaking into the state Capitol with his bare hands Friday has reignited a debate over Capitol security. 

The incident comes eight months after a man with a history of mental problems drove his fully loaded big rig into the Capitol’s south steps, killing himself and causing severe damage to the south porch when his truck burst into flames. 

On Friday, Antonio Richard Mariscal drove up to the Capitol’s west steps about 6:30 a.m., parked his compact car on the lawn, pushed through a reinforced window using his arms and hands, then crawled inside, the California Highway Patrol said. 

He was immediately stopped by two CHP officers on duty inside. 

“He became somewhat combative,” said Capt. Troy Abney, but carried no weapons and made no threats. 

The incident lends more credence to proposals to install vehicle barriers around the Capitol, said Jon Waldie, a spokesman for the Legislature’s Joint Rules Committee that oversees security there. 

The CHP has made recommendations to the committee in the wake of January’s assault, and those will be considered when lawmakers return from their summer break, Waldie said. 

“It’s pretty similar to past reports. They’re going to lean pretty strongly to some type of security,” he said. 

However, the CHP stopped short of recommending the Capitol grounds be fenced off as was proposed previously when security was reviewed, Waldie said. Instead, the focus has been on heavy concrete flower planters that would block vehicles while allowing pedestrians free access. 

While vehicle barriers might have stopped Mariscal from driving on to the lawn, the incident also raises concerns about how Mariscal was able to use his bare hands to push reinforced glass out of its frame, Waldie said. 

And that, in turn, highlights questions raised by many lawmakers over how to boost security without interfering with the public’s right of access to their state Capitol. 

“If he’d waited a half-hour, he could have walked in,” Waldie said. The building opens to the public at 7 a.m. 

The rules committee’s consideration of new security measures has been delayed while legislators were preoccupied with the budget and energy crisis, Waldie said, but will likely be given new urgency by Friday’s break-in. 

Abney declined comment on Capitol security arrangements. 

He said Mariscal sustained minor cuts and was treated by a CHP paramedic at the scene. He was booked into Sacramento County Jail on charges of burglary and resisting arrest. No bail had been set pending a Tuesday court appearance. Mariscal made no statements to police. 

“It does appear he was acting alone,” Abney said. “We have no idea what his motivation was at this time.” 

Sgt. Mike Brock said there was no apparent connection to January’s incident. 

“There were no threats on anything like that – nothing even related to that incident that happened on the south steps (in January),” Brock said. 

Crime scene tape blocked the west steps Friday as workers cleaned up the broken glass. There was a board over the broken two feet wide-by-five feet tall window, and handprints on an adjacent unbroken window. 

Meanwhile, the attorney general’s office and Department of General Services are continuing negotiations with Salt Lake City-based Dick Simon Trucking Co. and its insurance carrier over reimbursement for repairs from January’s crash, said department spokesman Robb Deignan. 

The company supplied the rig and employed the driver, Mike Bowers, 37, of Hemet. The state wants the company or its insurer to pay the estimated $13.5 million in repairs. 

That’s lower than the earlier estimate of $16.5 million. Deignan said there was less cost to clean up interior water damage, and a smaller area on the outside of the Capitol that needed sandblasting and replacement of the granite facade. 

A heavily damaged Senate committee room is likely to be reopened at month’s end, he said. The entire restoration is scheduled for completion in May. 

PASADENA— NASA’s Galileo will swoop within 124 miles of the north pole of Io on Sunday, a close shave that may take the aging robotic spacecraft through a giant plume of volcanic gases erupting from the moon of Jupiter. 

The probe will make its closest approach to Io – the most volcanic body in the solar system – at 9:59 p.m. PDT on Sunday. Just seconds later, the spacecraft’s path should take it through an area where a giant volcanic plume was seen belching as high as 239 miles from the volcano Tvashtar in December. 

If the plume has persisted, the glitch-prone Galileo will fly through the top quarter of the column of gas. While volcanic ash can gum up jetliner engines here on Earth, the tenuous plume of gas should not damage Galileo. 

During the flyby, scientists expect Galileo to take readings of the moon to determine whether it produces its own magnetic field or if it is induced by Jupiter’s field. It will be two months before images and data from the flyby will be returned to Earth. 

It will mark the first of Galileo’s three passes by Io. Others are scheduled in October and January. After that, the $1.4 billion probe will swing past the tiny moon Amalthea before plunging to a fiery death in the crushing atmosphere of Jupiter in 2003. 

Galileo, launched in 1989, has orbited Jupiter since 1995. 

Io is the innermost of Jupiter’s four largest moons, discovered by Italian astronomer Galileo Galilei – the Galileo spacecraft’s namesake – in 1610. 

The gravitational pull of nearby Jupiter tugs on the moon with tidal regularity, heating the moon and causing its tremendous volcanism. NASA scientists estimate as many as 300 volcanoes pock the surface of the moon, which is just slightly larger than the Earth’s moon. 

——— 

On the Net: http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/galileo/ 

SACRAMENTO — Despite being the only Republican holding statewide office, Secretary of State Bill Jones is battling lukewarm reception from his own party and scant financial support for his gubernatorial campaign. 

With seven months before the primary, the Jones campaign has less than $1 million in the bank – one-thirtieth of the amount amassed by Democratic Gov. Gray Davis and a third of that raised by Republican candidate William E. Simon Jr. 

And Jones’ potentially biggest political threat is yet to come. Former Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan, a Republican with the personal wealth to rival Davis’ war chest and the backing of President Bush, has yet to say whether he will run for governor. 

“A lot of people in the political community and the contributing community are just hanging back,” said John Pitney Jr., a Claremont McKenna College government professor who studies Republican party activity. 

Riordan has said he will decide in the next 90 days whether to run, but he has formed an exploratory committee and is touring the state. 

Jones’ campaign chairman, former Gov. George Deukmejian, concedes that Riordan’s waiting to decide is affecting the campaign’s budget. 

“He is only helping Gray Davis, because many traditional contributors are waiting to see who all of the candidates are going to be,” Deukmejian said. 

But Deukmejian said Jones will focus on Davis’ handling of a statewide energy crisis and will “raise enough money to be victorious in the election.” Jones’ camp also plans to focus on the fact that Simon has never held a public office and Riordan has donated to Democratic campaigns including Davis’ in the past. 

In recent weeks, Jones has driven a barrage of news stories criticizing energy consultants and others in Davis’ office for having financial interest in energy companies. 

Some, including members of his own party in private, have questioned his using stationery and staff from his government office for press releases and events attacking Davis. 

Republican insiders say Jones’ campaign treasury simply won’t cut it in a predominantly Democratic state where he must advertise in two expensive television markets. 

Davis spent $35.3 million to get elected in 1998. He came from behind to beat two self-financed candidates, airline executive Al Checchi and Rep. Jane Harman, in the 1998 primary. The four major candidates for governor spent a combined $38 million, most of it on TV ads, in a two-month period before the 1998 primary. 

Politically, Pitney and others say Jones is fighting several other battles in his run for governor. He hails from Fresno, which provides a small support base compared to the Los Angeles home of Davis, Simon and Riordan. 

He lost backers – including Bush and his supporters – last year when he first endorsed Texas Gov. George W. Bush and then switched to back maverick GOP presidential candidate Sen. John McCain of Arizona. And though he holds a constitutional office, secretary of state doesn’t attract much public attention. 

“When Republicans pull out their political Geiger counters, they detect radioactivity,” Pitney said. “They realize that, of all the people in California, Bill Jones is probably not the favorite of the Bush White House.” 

Still, Jones has support from some parts of the state’s largest industry, the agricultural community that made up the bulk of his campaign donations in the first six months of this year.  

He boasts years of government experience as a lawmaker and secretary of state. And he has proven he can collect votes from across a state where Democrats dominate. 

Jones campaign manager Rob Lapsley said it is too early in the race to write off Jones as a force. 

“We have between now and March 5 to build the resources that we need and we are absolutely confident that we will do that,” Lapsley said. 

——— 

On the Net: Campaign finance reports at http://cal-access.ss.ca.gov and Jones’ campaign Web site at www.BillJones.org 

MODESTO — Rep. Gary Condit returned Friday to face an uncertain future with his California constituents, leaving behind growing unrest among his Washington colleagues. 

Arriving at San Francisco’s airport, Condit began his summer congressional recess the same way he has spent most of the past three months – avoiding photographers and the reporters who wanted to question him about affairs and missing intern Chandra Levy. 

He said nothing as he rolled his duffel bag toward an exit. He has not been publicly spotted since – not in Modesto at his home or office. 

One senior Democrat has pronounced his career over. California’s senior senator has said he lied to her. And his partner in forming a group of conservative Democrats has accused him of discrediting Congress. 

Still another California Democrat, Anna Eshoo, who had earlier defended Condit, said, “It’s hurtful to all of us. It’s held against the whole place.” 

Condit has maintained his public silence about Levy, although a police source has said he admitted to an affair with the 24-year-old constituent who was in Washington for a federal internship. 

Levy, 24, has been missing since early May, and police have no clues about her whereabouts. They have said that Condit is not a suspect in her disappearance, but they have interviewed him four times, taken a DNA sample and searched his apartment. 

Modesto residents say they’re weary of Condit’s silence and feel betrayed by the man who portrayed himself as a politician who chooses the moral high ground. 

“When this first came out, he should’ve come out with any information that could’ve helped police find the girl,” said Steve Cary, a 57-year-old merchant seaman. 

Democrat Carlos DeLaRosa, 28, said he’d vote for Condit again, but thinks he’s in the minority. 

“I remember him since I was a little kid,” he said. “He was always a big part of the community. I know he’s made some mistakes, but I don’t think this should affect his political career.” DeLaRosa said most of his friends and neighbors disagree. And he acknowledged that Condit’s “career is pretty much over, unfortunately.”  

Condit could face a House ethics investigation into allegations that he obstructed the Levy investigation by urging other women to remain quiet. Condit denies those allegations. The House ethics committee has deferred a decision while the police investigation continues. 

Meanwhile, Condit must decide whether to say anything about Levy while he is home in Modesto. His staff refused to release his schedule, and chief of staff Michael Lynch said he had no idea whether Condit would address constituents about Levy. He did not visit his office on Friday. Condit’s silence has also brought rising criticism from fellow lawmakers. 

“Congressman Condit’s failure to come forward and to be fully candid, combined with the conduct involved, really does violate the public trust and affects his integrity and credibility as a legislator,” said Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif. 

Earlier in the week, Feinstein spoke bluntly in relating a conversation in which she said Condit had denied a romantic relationship with Levy. “He lied to me,” she told McClatchy Newspapers. 

Rep. Charles Stenholm, D-Texas, Condit’s seatmate on the Agriculture Committee and a co-founder with him of the Blue Dog group of conservative Democrats, issued a searing statement late last month. 

“I will say that through his actions and behaviors, Congressman Condit has brought controversy and discredit to his family, his district and the Congress,” Stenholm said. 

Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., said Condit should have followed the advice he gave President Clinton to “tell the public everything about your private life.” 

Leahy, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, told Fox News, “His political career as a practical matter, I assume, is gone.” 

Condit, an easy winner last year, reported raising and spending in the first half of this year about as much as he did in the same period two years ago. He has said nothing about his plans. 

SACRAMENTO — In California this summer, energy prices have stabilized, the lights have stayed on and Gov. Gray Davis keeps raising millions of dollars for his re-election bid. 

But the heat’s still on for the leader of the nation’s most populous state. 

Instead of rolling blackouts, Davis has been hit with revelations that his energy consultants owned stock in the same companies with which they negotiated taxpayer-backed power contracts. 

“We are moving from an energy crisis into a political crisis,” said Doug Heller, consumer advocate with the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights. 

Last week, Davis fired five consultants who acknowledged they owned stock in Calpine, a San Jose-based power generator that has received about $13 billion in electricity contracts with the state over the next 20 years. 

The following Monday, Davis’ chief spokesman Steve Maviglio revealed he bought $12,000 worth of Calpine stock on June 20. On Thursday, Davis’ office said Maviglio had sold the stock, and Maviglio said he wouldn’t quit, despite a Los Angeles Times editorial calling for his resignation. 

Meanwhile, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission began investigating last week to see if Davis’ consultants had broken any security fraud laws, according to a Los Angeles Times report. SEC officials have declined to say whether the agency is investigating. 

And two of Davis’ financial advisers for energy, Joseph Fichera and Michael Hoffman, sent letters Friday to his chief of staff saying they do not have any stock holdings in companies providing power through the Department of Water Resources. 

Fichera acknowledged in his letter that the managers of an account he owns, but said he does not actively manage, sold options to acquire stock in The Williams Companies, Inc. But that was “prior to my commencement of substantive work for the Department of Finance or the Department of Water Resources,” he wrote. 

The unfolding controversy comes as Davis has managed to deflect many potential political obstacles. He signed a $103 billion budget that, although a month overdue, saw him use his veto power to make cuts legislators could not. His conservation plan has seen Californians make dramatic cuts in their power use. 

And this week Davis filed his campaign finance reports that show he raised $5.8 million for his 2002 campaign during the first six months of the year. That gives him $30.5 million in the bank, more than 10 times the total of any of his announced opponents. One of those opponents, Republican Secretary of State Bill Jones, is leading the latest attacks. Other Republicans, who were bruised by the scandal that forced Insurance Commissioner Chuck Quackenbush to resign last year, have been quick to jump in. 

“By avoiding blackouts thus far, he should have had a nice quiet summer once you got past the state budget, and the worst possible political nightmare is now occurring for him,” said Rob Stutzman, a political consultant for the state Republican Party. 

Aides to the Democratic governor accuse Republicans of trying to divert attention from Davis’ aggressive approach to easing the state’s power woes. 

“They are trying to incite a political witch hunt based on rumor and innuendo,” said Davis spokeswoman Hilary McLean. 

Davis, she said, had acknowledged the possible conflicts and moved quickly to fix them. 

When blackouts hit, “we were in a crisis mode,” McLean said, and the administration didn’t ask the consultants to make the financial disclosures that are required of state officials. 

At best, the stock revelations show poor judgment, critics said, and corruption at worst. Senate Republican leader Jim Brulte called the Davis administration “ethically challenged” and needs to be prodded by legislative hearings to tell the truth. 

Because the energy crisis had ebbed somewhat, Davis’ power victories may be overshadowed by scrutiny of his consultants, said Mark Baldassare, a pollster for the Public Policy Institute of California. 

“This is a very important time politically for the governor,” said Baldassare, whose poll in May showed Davis’ popularity slipped to its lowest point. 

“A lot of attention will turn to the fiscal and political issues surrounding the development of the state’s energy policy,” he said.

LOS ANGELES — In an unusual hearing, a frail elderly woman who witnessed a Sacramento-area bank holdup in 1975 gave testimony Friday for use in the upcoming trial of former SLA fugitive Sara Jane Olson on charges of trying to kill police officers. 

Dorothy White, 77, underwent conditional examination in her Sacramento home because she is very ill with heart problems and “may die before this case goes to trial,” Los Angeles County district attorney’s spokeswoman Sandi Gibbons said. 

The judge in Olson’s case was present as White was questioned by a prosecutor and a defense lawyer. Her deposition will be submitted as evidence at Olson’s much-delayed trial, currently expected to begin on Sept. 24. 

Olson, 54, is accused of trying to murder Los Angeles police officers by planting bombs under police cars in 1975 in retaliation for the deaths of six members of the Symbionese Liberation Army in a fiery shootout. The bombs did not explode. 

Indicted in 1976 under her former name, Kathleen Soliah, she was a fugitive until her 1999 capture in Minnesota. During those 23 years, she took a new name and was living as a doctor’s wife, mother and active community member. She is free on $1 million bail. 

The prosecution claims that Olson was involved in two Sacramento-area bank holdups in 1975 that allegedly were committed by members of the SLA, the radical group that kidnapped newspaper heiress Patty Hearst. 

Prosecutors want to use the testimony of White and two other elderly women as circumstantial evidence to show Olson’s involvement in SLA actions. Her lawyers say the robberies are irrelevant to the Los Angeles case. 

White has said that just before the holdup of Guild Savings and Loan, she saw a man outside the bank who matched the description of James Kilgore, Olson’s former boyfriend. 

Prosecutors plan to interview the other women in a Sacramento courtroom on Aug. 10. 

Marceline Jones, 80, and Evelyn Burns, 78, both have said they saw a woman suspect during a bank holdup in Carmichael. 

Olson has denied that she was involved in the bomb case or the bank robberies. 

HAMILTON, N.J. — Seven years ago, Maureen Kanka and her husband thought they would live in their house for the rest of their lives. As she looks toward the small park across the street, she’s no longer sure. 

The home that once stood there is gone, replaced with flowers, benches and a goldfish pond fed by a small waterfall. The Kankas no longer have to look at the place where their 7-year-old daughter was beaten, raped and strangled by a convicted sex offender. 

“It’s very hard to live here,” Kanka said. “Even though it’s beautiful now, the house is always there.” 

Seven years ago, the man who lived in that house, Jesse Timmendequas led police to the body of Megan Kanka, hidden in tall weeds in a nearby park. He was later sentenced to death. 

Since then, laws bearing Megan’s name have been passed throughout the country requiring convicted sex offenders to register with authorities. New Jersey expanded its version just last month. There is also a federal law. 

But state and federal courts have sharply restricted public notices of sex offenders’ presence to protect their right to confidentiality. While the U.S. Supreme Court has not yet weighed in, critics say the case has already changed the way some civil liberties are handled in court. “Megan’s Law has done more to cancel redemption as a societal good than anything else that’s been enacted legislatively in the last century,” said Jack Furlong, a defense lawyer who has fought to limit New Jersey’s version of the law. 

“Judges now routinely think that it’s OK to bypass the Constitution in the name of political expediency.” 

“It used to be in America you could pay your debt to society and move on,” added Edward Mallett, a Texas attorney and president of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. “You still can if you’re an armed robber, or a killer or a writer of bad checks.” 

Almost since the day of Megan’s death, Maureen and Richard Kanka have pushed to allow communities easier access to information about sex offenders. Had they known Timmendequas was living across the street with two other convicted sex offenders, they say, Megan would be alive today. 

Kathryn Flicker, now the director of the state Division of Criminal Justice, prosecuted the case in Mercer County. She met the Kankas for the first time when they arrived at the medical examiner’s office to identify their daughter’s body the day after it was found. 

“Her daughter’s death brought her forward with a mission,” Flicker said. “I’m sure if this had not happened, you would never have heard of Maureen Kanka. I’m sure she wishes you’d never heard of her.” 

Megan’s death was not unique. What the Kankas did, Flicker believes, was put people on guard in a way many had not been before. 

“They were the personification of Americans who were in the suburbs trying to do the best by their children,” said Flicker, who keeps a photo of Megan in her office on a shelf with photos of her own family. “It was sort of the culmination of a moment when people realized we had sexual predators and people weren’t dealing with it.” 

Last month, New Jersey joined some 30 other states with a law that will establish an Internet registry of sex offenders. The measure allows exceptions for juveniles and incest crimes. 

Megan’s mother believes laws are not enough. When she lectures before parents’ groups, she tells them they need to talk to their children frankly about pedophiles. 

“I often wonder what kind of impact she would have had if she had lived,” she said of her daughter. “I know what kind of impact she had in death, but I wonder.” 

——— 

On the Net: 

State site: www.state.nj.us/lps/dcj/megan/meghome.htm 

Advocate link: http://www.parentsformeganslaw.com 

Defense lawyers: http://www.criminaljustice.org 

A group in North Carolina plans to protest the “overwhelming number of illegal Hispanic workers invading the area.” A California coalition urges people to lobby against giving legal status to undocumented immigrants. 

And on New York’s Long Island, the topic at a conference this weekend is the “illegal immigration disaster.” 

Sparked by changing demographics, examples of anti-immigration sentiment seem to be cropping up with increasing frequency around the country. 

Observers say much of the hard feeling is directed at Hispanics, whose numbers grew 58 percent to more than 35 million in the last decade, according to census figures. 

Anti-immigration advocates feel newcomers lower wages, increase unemployment, pollution, traffic and crime, and strain hospitals, parks and energy resources. 

They’re also upset that President Bush is weighing a proposal to grant legal residency to some undocumented Mexicans in the United States. 

“It’s because it’s getting more in your face,” said Gordon Lee Baum, head of the Council of Conservative Citizens, which says it has 25,000 members. 

“All of the sudden they see it happening in their community. They wake up one morning like the people at the Alamo, and say ’Where did the Mexicans come from?”’ 

Lisa Navarrete, a spokeswoman for the National Council of La Raza, a Hispanic advocacy group, said community organizations report violence against Hispanics is growing, although La Raza does not formally track such crimes. 

In the middle-class community of Farmingville, on Long Island, a county official vetoed a proposal last spring to build a hiring center for day laborers. The workers, many of them undocumented Mexicans, congregate in Farmingville seeking work in landscaping, painting and construction. 

Last September, two Mexican day laborers were beaten, allegedly by two men posing as contractors. One of the men, Christopher Slavin, is now on trial in Suffolk County Criminal Court. 

“The backlash came the minute they walked across the border,” said Ray Wysolmierski, a spokesman for Sachem Quality of Life Organization, the Farmingville citizens group that is sponsoring this weekend’s conference on illegal immigration. In June, a Minnesota man was sentenced to more than seven years in prison for first-degree assault after hitting a Salvadoran immigrant in the head with a piece of wood. Prosecutors said the man decided to attack after hearing the immigrant speak Spanish. 

And in Arizona, hundreds of ranchers are patrolling their lands along the border, detaining immigrants and turning them over to the Border Patrol, said Roger Barnett, who carries a pistol while cruising his 22,000-acre Douglas ranch. 

“They don’t need to be on my place, and they don’t need to be in this country,” Barnett said. “Our government is doing nothing about it.” While such dramatic examples of anti-immigrant sentiment are sporadic, observers say the feeling has manifested itself in other ways. 

The Newton, N.C., rally later this month will protest an “alien invasion,” as well as the North American Free Trade Agreement and trade with China. The event is being sponsored by the local chapter of the Council of Conservative Citizens. 

The Ku Klux Klan last August held a rally in Siloam Springs, Ark., where Hispanics make up the largest minority group. In response, the Hispanic Women’s Organization of Arkansas helped organize a cultural diversity fair, dubbing it “pinatas for peace.” 

And in February 2000, former Klansman David Duke told Siler City, N.C., residents their town will be overrun by a wave of immigration from Mexico. 

Messages like that are painful to immigrants, said Ilana Dubester, director of Siler City’s Hispanic Liaison. “They are trying to adjust, working really hard, they have their families, they go to church, and yet somehow are not made to feel welcome,” she said. 

Some groups are using billboard campaigns to criticize immigration. 

A few miles from the state line between California and Arizona, a billboard sponsored by the California Coalition for Immigration Reform reads “Welcome to California, the illegal immigration state. Don’t let this happen to your state.” A second, near Porterville says, “Deport all illegal aliens. The job you save may be your own.”

WASHINGTON— President Bush seems to bolt from the White House every chance he gets. He begins a monthlong vacation on his Texas ranch Saturday, and by the time he returns he will have spent nearly two months of his presidency there. 

And that doesn’t include the many weekends he’s spent at Camp David, the presidential retreat in Maryland’s Catoctin Mountains. 

The White House calls the Texas trip a working vacation and notes that he’ll have staff with him to help him attend to presidential chores.  

He also plans trips outside Texas a few days each week, using the 1,600-acre spread in Crawford, near Waco, as his base. 

There is no denying Bush’s impulse to get away from the office. 

“I think it is so important for a president to spend some time away from Washington, in the heartland of America,” he said the other day, discussing his love for the ranch he and Laura Bush bought two years ago with proceeds from the sale of his share in the Texas Rangers baseball team. 

“Whenever I go home to the heartland, I am reminded of the values that build strong families, strong communities and strong character, the values that make our people unique.” 

Bush prefers wide-open spaces where he can run, hike and walk his dogs to the confining White House environs. He also says he likes to get in touch with “real” people outside the Beltway. 

He has spent 14 weekends at Camp David, bringing paperwork and an aide or two along. He played host to Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and Prime Minister Tony Blair of Britain there. Bush also logged a long weekend last month at the family’s Kennebunkport, Maine, compound, throwing horseshoes, playing golf, fishing. 

Sensitive to suggestions that the president might be loafing, the White House has dubbed the remainder of August as Bush’s “Home to the Heartland Tour.” 

“It’s going to be a working vacation in the classic definition of the word,” presidential press secretary Ari Fleischer said Friday. 

Presidents have a lot more flexibility on taking vacations than the average salaried employee. And Bush has a lot of help in making travel arrangements. 

He has a fleet of helicopters and a jumbo jet at his disposal. 

He also faces unique pressures in his job. Most Americans don’t live inside a gated compound with snipers on the roof and tourists peering in. 

Bush says he plans to “work and take a little time off” in Texas. 

Using the ranch as a base, he will promote White House initiatives in Rocky Mountain National Park, Denver, Albuquerque, Milwaukee, Pittsburgh and San Antonio. 

Aides also expect him to make a decision on the divisive question of whether to allow federal funding for embryonic stem cell research, and announce it before Congress returns. 

Ken Khachigian, who wrote speeches for Presidents Reagan and Nixon, said getaways provide invaluable downtime for presidents. 

“They just want to get away from Northwest Washington and have a little privacy and relax,” said Khachigian, who spent time with both Republican presidents during their California vacations.  

“They want to feel like they don’t have to wake up in the morning and go to some boring meeting with a budget guy, or have to listen to a Cabinet officer talk about something.” 

Nixon established a “Western White House” in San Clemente, Calif., designating a Cabinet Room and offices for top staff in temporary buildings. 

Reagan was more determined to unwind, tolerating Khachigian and the speechwriting chores he brought to the Santa Barbara ranch. Reagan personally drove Khachigian back to his car when the work was done, the speechwriter said. 

Reagan spent all or part of 335 days of his eight-year presidency on his ranch. 

The first president Bush spent 153 days in Kennebunkport vacationing, and 390 at Camp David. 

President Clinton went to Camp David an average of about once a month, and generally took two weeks off in the summer; a week at Christmastime; and a week in late winter. Favorite destinations were Martha’s Vineyard, Jackson Hole and the Virgin Islands. 

While Bush is gone, aides will mind the shop at the White House. Vice President Dick Cheney, won’t be among them. He will be at his own vacation home in Jackson Hole, Wyo., until Labor Day, though in contact with Bush whenever needed, a spokeswoman said.

Dear Tom and Ray: 

You guys goofed! Your article on the cargo capacities of pickup trucks was completely wrong.  

A truck designated an F150 means the truck is rated for a half-ton of payload, not one and a half tons of payload, as you had said.  

An F250 is rated for a three-quarter-ton payload, not two and a half tons, as you stated. And an F350 means it's rated  

for one ton of payload. Please correct it before someone blows out his tires trying to carry too much weight. — Brian 

TOM: We goofed on our numbers, Brian. We both must have been passing brain stones that day. We know that traditionally, a truck with a designation of 150 (Ford) or 1500 (Chevy and Dodge) has been known as a "half-ton pickup," meaning that it has a payload capacity (the amount of weight it can carry, including passengers) of 1,000 pounds, or half a ton.  

The 250/2500 and 350/3500 pickups have traditionally carried three-quarter-ton and one-ton designations, respectively. 

RAY: But after we got your letter (and letters from about 10,000 other readers), we decided to do a little more research, and we discovered that the traditional designations are completely wrong, too. 

TOM: It turns out that the Ford F150, Chevy Silverado 1500 and Dodge Ram 1500 have payload capacities in the range of 1,500 to 2,000 pounds (if you want the exact numbers, you can look them up on our Web site, the Car Talk section of www.cars.com under "Model Reports").  

That means the 150/1500s are actually three-quarter and one-ton pickups! 

RAY: But wait, it gets even more confusing. The Ford F250, Chevy Silverado 2500 and Dodge Ram 2500 have payload capacities of between 3,000 and 4,700 pounds. So that's between one and a half tons and nearly two and a half tons. 

TOM: You still with us? Because the 350s and 3500s have payloads of 4,500 to almost 6,000 pounds, or between two and three tons. 

RAY: So the old notions of half-ton, three-quarter-ton and one-ton pickups no longer apply. And if you're planning to carry serious cargo, you really have to check out the specific payload capacity of the truck you're interested in. Even between different versions of the same truck, payload capacities can differ quite a bit. 

TOM: I still think Mercedes has the best and clearest payload designations. As we said in our previous article, they use designations like ML320 and ML430, which everybody can understand. It means those vehicles can carry 3.2 and 4.3 mothers-in-law, respectively.  

••• 

Dear Tom and Ray: 

Is it possible that my van (’94 Dodge Grand Caravan) burned on its own? Or was it vandalized? The whole engine compartment burned up. I hadn't driven it since 4 p.m., and at 3 a.m. my daughter woke me up to tell me that the front yard was on fire (it was actually my van in the driveway). Can a vehicle spontaneously combust? — Chaya 

RAY: Yes it can, Chaya. It's actually not spontaneous, but it would seem that way to you. 

TOM: Cars usually catch fire because a wire gets chafed somewhere. The initial damage happens most often during an accident or a subpar post-accident body repair.  

But it can also happen during regular engine repairs or when a misrouted wire harness has its insulation rubbed away by another part of the car. 

RAY: Once the bare wire is sufficiently exposed, it can short out against the car's body or frame and then start drawing current from your battery. 

TOM: And if it draws enough current over a long enough time, it can generate enough heat to make the wire's insulation smolder. And from there, it's a short leap to igniting surrounding parts, the fuel line and the front lawn. 

RAY: I'd say vandalism is very unlikely in this case, Chaya. Especially since the fire was in the engine compartment. I think it was just bad luck. 

TOM: So just be glad that you and your daughter were both unhurt and that the only casualty of the whole affair was a 1994 Caravan. I think that's what doctors would call "an extremely positive outcome."  

When one of Wall Street’s best-known prognosticators said this past week that the Dow Jones industrials would reach 12,500 by year’s end, at least a few market watchers were flabbergasted. 

For the blue chips to reach the goal set by Goldman Sachs chief market strategist Abby Joseph Cohen, they’d have to rise more than 19 percent over the next five months although investors, with little inclination to buy, have kept stocks mired in a narrow trading range. 

Cohen’s prediction for the Standard & Poor’s 500 index, a broader measure of the market, was even more bullish – a gain of 28 percent to 1,550 by the end of 2001. 

“It’s an excellent time to look at technology,” Cohen told CNBC Wednesday, adding that she also likes consumer cyclicals, including home builders and retailers, that tend to do better in stronger economies. She also recommended financial services firms. 

But her enthusiasm is far from universal on Wall Street. With the major indexes still below where they started the year – the Dow down nearly 3 percent, the Nasdaq composite index off 16 percent and the S&P lagging by 8 percent – there is a lot of persuading to do. 

“It’s unlikely. Nothing’s impossible, but I would say there’s still no indication that we are on the cusp of the kind of rally that would create something like this,” said Richard Dickson, technical analyst at Hilliard Lyons. 

“I’d say that 1,550 is on the optimistic end,” said Charles Crane, strategist for Victory SBSF Capital Management. “A lot of things have to go right for the market to achieve those levels. Earnings estimates especially will have to start to rise.” 

Many say it will be next year before the market really starts to rise. 

Tom Galvin, chief market officer at Credit Suisse First Boston, issued his own forecast for the S&P during the week, putting it at 1,500 – for the end of 2002. Previously, he had predicted the index would reach 1,550 by that time. 

Still, he sees the beginnings of a market recovery by late this year, even if the actual economic revival doesn’t take hold for another few months. The market normally advances or falls before the economy does. But Galvin’s enthusiasm is limited, particularly when it comes to technology. 

While stalwarts like healthcare are expected to continue their strong growth, the outlook for transportation, technology and cyclical stocks – those whose performance is tied to the economy – is less promising. He said that’s because companies still have too much inventory and the economy isn’t growing quickly enough to justify new orders. 

The inability to guess when business will improve, particularly in the area of technology, also has been a significant obstacle to the market’s advancement. Many investors, unsure of what to expect next, are reluctant to do the kind of buying needed to support a broad advance across the indexes. 

That was true this past week. Although semiconductor stocks, which are frequently considered a precursor to a wider advance, enjoyed a nice bump up — the widely-followed Philadelphia Semiconductor Index rose about 7 percent — the buying only marginally nudged the broad market forward. 

Galvin believes Wall Street is still waiting for a firm signal that better times are ahead before buying. 

“To make this market show any substantial rise, it’s not just going to be less bad news but materially obviously good news, like new orders or a bigger than expected rate cut by the Fed,” he said in an interview. “Until that happens it’s going to be slow grinding ahead.” 

In the big picture, though, the major stock indexes’ progress may be of limited value.  

The Dow, S&P and Nasdaq are based on a select group of mostly large-cap stocks. 

They don’t reflect the track record of specific segments of the market, like healthcare, energy, or smaller-sized companies’ stocks. 

“I would pay attention to investor sentiment, where value might be,” said Crane, the Victory SBSF strategist. “I spend very little time worrying about indexes and I think investors should spend virtually no time on then.” 

The market ended the week mostly flat, although gains in semiconductor stocks did help the Nasdaq. The index gained 1.8 percent or 37.26 over the week, overcoming a Friday loss of 21.05 that left the Nasdaq at 2,066.25. 

The Dow ended the week up 96.11 points or 0.9 percent, despite falling 38.40 to 10,512.78 Friday. The S&P 500 index rose 8.53 for the week, a 0.7 percent rise. It slipped 6.40 Friday to 1,214.35. 

The Russell 2000 index, which tracks the performance of smaller company stocks, slipped 1.84 to 487.15 Friday. It ended the week up 2.14, or 0.4 percent. 

The Wilshire Associates Equity Index, the market value of New York Stock Exchange, American Stock Exchange and Nasdaq issues, was $11.242 trillion Friday, down $77.74 billion from the previous week. A year ago, the index was $13.619 trillion. 

Lisa Singhania is a business writed for The Associated Press

If it weren’t for the consumer – the courageous, spendthrift, debt-be-damned U.S. consumer – the economy might now be in the midst of recession. 

Instead, while the new electronic economy seemed to vanish and the old industrial economy fell into a now 12-month deterioration, the broad economic numbers have skirted the line between growth and decline. 

But, according to the latest Commerce Department figures, consumers are still spending.  

Personal consumption rose 0.4 percent in June, double expectations, as consumers spent on cars and houses, travel and tickets. 

Making such behavior all the more remarkable are the circumstances in which the consumer performance has been staged. Their assets have shrunk. The jobless rate has risen, albeit slowly. Their debts have mounted. 

Last year, the net worth of American families declined for the first time in decades, partly due to the stock market, partly because homeowners tapped into their home equity for money to pay bills and enjoy life. 

Federal Reserve figures show that the total net worth of households and nonprofit organizations fell last year to $41.4 trillion, more than $840 billion less than at year-end 1999. 

True, home prices rose, giving a boost to homeowner confidence, but so did mortgage debt.  

The homeowner equity to debt ratio fell to 54 percent as of last December, a decline from 70 percent in less than two decades. 

All this doesn’t necessarily mean households are unaware of what they’re doing. Various surveys show them concerned about current economic conditions. But the same surveys show them confident about the future. 

The assumption seems to be that the future will be similar to the recent past, a period that included a soaring economy, spectacular rises in stock values, rising wages, falling unemployment and stable prices. 

That perspective seems also to include the assumption that the current economic weakness is a mere hiatus, a recess from the frantic pace of the past decade, and that the next decade will be as rewarding as the 1990s. 

It might be; it might not. 

One practical lesson from the past is that opinions delivered by so-called experts never are accompanied by guarantees.  

And without guarantees, households would seem to be taking a casino-type gamble. 

Well, perhaps not. Finance authorities will tell you that it is wise to borrow when borrowing rates are low, as they are today, and especially when the money is to be invested in growing assets, as houses have been. 

Averaged for geographical regions, home ownership has been rewarding. To a great extent, rising home equity has provided consumers with the borrowing power they’ve used to keep the economy this side of recession. 

In that sense, America’s consumers, usually referred to as either confident or cautious, have shown they are courageous too.  

It takes courage to take on risks, even the most prudent of risks. 

And nobody can assure America’s consuming households that the risks they are taking are prudent. 

John Cunniff is a business analyst for The Associated Press

WASHINGTON — The yearlong slide in factory jobs slowed a bit and service jobs gained some ground in July, holding the nation’s unemployment rate steady at 4.5 percent. 

While the better-than-expected showing in the Labor Department’s report offered a glimmer of hope, analysts said, dangers still remain for the economy, which has been mired in a slowdown for a year. 

“We certainly are not out of the woods yet. The economy is very, very soft, but perhaps one can sense the rate of decline in the economy is slowing,” said Mark Zandi, chief economist for Economy.com.  

“It may be the economy is nearing the end of the worst of its problems.” 

Although payrolls fell for the second month in a row, the drop wasn’t as big: 42,000 jobs were eliminated in July, compared with 93,000 in June. Manufacturing led July’s decline but the loss of factory jobs was the smallest since December. 

“This is the first sign that the hemorrhage of job losses in manufacturing is beginning to ease,” said Jerry Jasinowski, president of the National Association of Manufacturers, whose industry has been bearing the brunt of the slowdown. 

Labor Secretary Elaine Chao said the fact that the jobless rate was unchanged “suggests some stability in the economy.” 

The jobless rate has remained at 4.5 percent for three of the last four months.  

While it represents the highest unemployment level reached during the slowdown, the rate is still low by historical standards. 

However, many economists predict the unemployment rate, which is considered a lagging economic indictor, will rise in the months ahead, possibly passing 5 percent by year’s end. 

“Hiring is not going to get back on track until companies’ sales and profits do,” said Carl Tannenbaum, chief economist with LaSalle Bank/ABN AMRO. “Businesses are anxious for more tangible signs that the bottom has passed and aren’t seeing them yet.” 

To avert the first recession in the United States in 11 years, the Federal Reserve has cut interest rates six times this year, totaling 2.75 percentage points. 

Many analysts believe Fed policy-makers will order another rate reduction, probably by a quarter-point, at their next meeting Aug. 21, and said Friday’s report would justify such a move. 

The Bush administration and many private economists are hopeful that the Fed’s aggressive credit easing along with tax-rebate checks now arriving in mailboxes will permit the country to dodge a recession this year. 

Still, that hope hasn’t erased economists’ biggest fear and the greatest potential threat to the economy: A major pullback in consumer spending, a main force keeping the economy afloat. If the employment climate seriously deteriorates, consumers would probably curtail spending and throw the economy into recession. 

“The economy is still teetering on the edge of a recession. We can handle another few months of moderate job losses, but if it gets much worse, consumer spending ... could sink and take the whole economy down with it,” said Bill Cheney, chief economist at John Hancock Financial Services. 

Manufacturing, which many believe is suffering through a recession of its own, continued its employment slide, losing 49,000 jobs last month. But that was less than half the size of the losses in factory jobs in each of the prior three months, heartening some economists. 

In the last 12 months, manufacturers — coping with slumping demand and excess stocks of unsold goods — have cut a total of 837,000 jobs. 

Meanwhile, employment in the service sector grew by 5,000 in July, the smallest number of jobs added in nearly a year. Much of the weakness came from temporary employment companies, which have lost 429,000 jobs in the last 10 months. 

But employment at health-services firms grew by 25,000 in July, and engineering and management companies added 13,000 jobs. Bars and restaurants gained 40,000. 

Government employment rose by 31,000 last month, with most of the strength coming from state and local governments hiring education workers. 

——— 

On the Net: 

Labor Department: http://www.dol.gov 

When a San Francisco police officer stopped him in his car eight months ago, Pablo, a 27-year-old Berkeley day laborer from Honduras, knew what to expect. It was the fifth time this had happened to him since he moved to the United States in 1996. 

“Me quitaron el carro (they took my car),” he said. “They didn’t even let me take what I had left inside it.”  

That day, Pablo also spent seven hours in jail and was fined.  

The reason? His work permit was still being processed, and although illegal immigrants like Pablo are not permitted to have a California driver’s license, he was behind the wheel. 

But things could change. A number of legislators, including Asemblymember Dion Aroner, D-Berkeley, are supporting a bill that would allow immigrants to get a driver’s license while waiting for legal documentation. Introduced in December 2000 by assemblyman Gil Cedillo, D-Los Angeles, AB 60 passed the state Senate Transportation Committee on a 10-2 vote July 10 and should reach the Senate floor later this month. 

“Assemblyman Cedillo feels that as a matter of public safety, all drivers should get an opportunity to get a driver’s license,” said David Galaviz, Cedillo’s legislative director. “The Department of Motor Vehicle is not an immigration office. It shouldn’t be checking people’s immigration status.” 

Under the current law, individuals applying for a driver’s license must submit their Social Security numbers to prove that they are legally on U.S. soil. The bill would delete this requirement and only ask immigrants to present proof that they are in the process of getting legal status. According to Cedillo’s office, about a million immigrants in the state could benefit from the proposed legislation. 

Labor leaders across California also support the bill. They believe it will rectify laws that are unfair to immigrants, while increasing safety on streets and highways.  

“The prohibition is simply vindictive; it’s to make (immigrants’) life more difficult,” said Carol Zabin, chair of the Center for Labor Research and Education at UC Berkeley. “It’s not a deterrent. So if they are here because of the economic reality of their country, to just send them underground and have them do things that are not safe for them or the rest of us is absurd.” 

To the many illegal immigrants who work as day laborers, having a car can be critical to getting a job. That’s why so many of them drive illegally, including employers’ vehicles. 

Since the police took his car, Pablo said he has about 30 percent fewer job opportunities. 

“For us a car is not a luxury, it’s a need,” he said. “I’ve been offered jobs in areas with no public transportation that I couldn’t take because I don’t have a car.”  

Another advantage of the bill, Pablo said, is that it would allow some illegal immigrants to have some kind of U.S. identification. 

“The bill is very important, because you are well identified, and you can go to work with the confidence that you won’t have any problems,” he said. 

A similar bill was vetoed by Governor Gray Davis in 2000, but Cedillo’s office is currently trying to reach an agreement with the governor to make sure he signs the legislation. 

“We want the governor’s office to come up with a proposal on what can be done to address this issue,” said Galaviz. 

The governor’s office was unavailable for comment Thursday afternoon. 

Pablo said authorities forget that many illegal immigrants would like to comply with California law. But the system doesn’t allow it. Now that he has a work permit, Pablo said he is still unable to get a driver’s license because he owes about $6,000 in fines for driving illegally. He can’t afford to pay them and doesn’t want to risk a new arrest. 

“I don’t like jail. That’s why I haven’t bought another car,” he said. “I want to do everything legally. I still carry this fear inside. It’s hard.”

Friday, Aug. 3  

Therapy for Trans Partners  

6 - 7:30 p.m.  

Pacific Center for Human Growth  

2712 Telegraph Ave. 

A group open to partners of those in transition or considering transition. The group is structured to be a safe place to receive support from peers and explore a variety of issues, including sexual orientation, coming out, feelings of isolation, among other topics. Intake process required. Meets Fridays through Aug. 17.  

$8 - $35 sliding scale per session  

548-8283 x534 or x522 

Saturday, Aug. 4 

Free Sailboat Rides  

1 - 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday 

Cal Sailing Club 

Berkeley Marina 

The Cal Sailing Club give free rides on a first come, first served bases on the first full weekend of each month. Wear warm clothes and bring a change of clothes in case you get wet. Children must be at least 5 and accompanied by an adult. Visit www.cal-sailing.org  

Robert Bowman 

7 - 9 p.m. 

Friends Church 

1600 Sacramento St.  

Retired Air Force and NASA Official and Presidential Candidate, Dr. Robert Bowman will speak against the weaponization of space. Following the speech and rally there will be a procession to the gates of the Livermore Lab for a nonviolent, risk arrest action. 

Livermore Conversion Project: 663-8065. 

Animal Picnic Family  

Workshop 

10 - 10:50 a.m.;11 - 11:50 a.m. 

Lawrence Hall of Science 

Touch and hold a variety of animals and see how they eat their lunch. For children 3 - 8 and an accompanying adult. Registration required, $8 - $25. 

642-5132 

Berkeley Farmers’ Market 

10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. 

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

Annual Tomato Tasting, an opportunity to sample the range of tomato varieties at the market. Also, the grand opening of the Food Court. 548-3333 

Poetry Reading 

3 - 5 p.m. 

1527 Virginia Street 

The Bay Area Poets’ Coalition presents an open reading outdoors on the front lawn. 

527-9905; poetalk@aol.com 

Bay Area Eco-Crones 

10:30 a.m. - noon 

Epworth Church, Youth Room 

1953 Hopkins 

Discuss ecological significance of mushrooms and bats; plan rituals for habitat restorations projects.  

874-4935 

Foster Parent Certification Class 

10 a.m. - 3 p.m. 

South Branch Library 

1901 Russell St. 

This class will cover all aspects of Foster Parenting and is open to anyone interested in attending. Free. Call Bob at 641-6200; nailahfs@pacbell.net. 

Sunday, Aug. 5  

Live Oak Concerts 

7:30 p.m. 

Berkeley Art Center 

1275 Walnut St. 

B.A.C.H. (Baroque and Classical Harmonies), the vocal and instrumental ensemble, will perform Aaron Copland’s Appalachian Spring and Vivaldi’s Gloria. $10  

644-6893 

Anti-Nuclear Vigil 

1 - 3 p.m. 

UC Berkeley, Lawn at West Entrance, 

Oxford and University Ave. 

Remembering Hiroshima and Nagasaki; opposing UC weapons labs’ contracts; urging UC Berkeley to host a national TV debate on nuclear weapons ban.  

Circle of Concern 848-8055. 

Buddhism 

6 p.m. 

Tibetan Nyingma Institute 

1815 Highland Place 

Mark Henderson on “Four Thoughts that Awaken the Heart.” Free. 843-6812 

West Berkeley Market 

11 a.m. - 5 p.m. 

University Ave., between Third and Fourth Streets  

Family-oriented weekly market. Crafts, music, produce, and specialty foods. 654-6346 

Monday, Aug. 6 

Intensive Production  

Urban Gardening Training 

10 a.m. - 4 p.m. 

Santa Fe Bar & Grill 

1310 University Ave. 

Growing Gourmet: A free urban gardening training & potluck lunch.  

Learn ways to intensively and organically grow produce for your own use or for an urban market garden. A hands-on training in the garden located behind the restaurant and potluck lunch at 1 p.m. Katherine Webb 

841-1110. 

Osteoporosis: How to put  

Bone Loss on Hold 

9 a.m. - 10 a.m. 

Summit Campus 

Cafeteria Annexes B & C 

350 Hawthorne Ave. in Oakland 

A free lecture by Dr. Elliot Schwartz, co-director of the Foundation for Osteoporosis Research and Education. Learn how to create a program that will help minimize bone loss. 869-6737 

Tuesday, Aug. 7 

Intelligent Conversation  

7 - 9 p.m.  

Berkeley Richmond Jewish Community Center 

A discussion group open to all, regardless of age, religion, viewpoint, etc. This time the discussion will center on sex and drugs: Free will? Must laws be obeyed? Informally led by Robert Berend, who founded similar groups in L.A., Menlo Park, and Prague. Bring light snacks/drinks to share. Free  

527-5332 

Berkeley Camera Club  

7:30 p.m. 

Northbrae Community Church  

941 The Alameda  

Share your slides and learn what other photographers are doing. Monthly field trips. 

Call Don, 525-3565 

Writing and Resistance  

In A Culture of Amnesia 

6 - 7:45 p.m. 

La Peña Cultural Center 

3105 Shattuck Avenue 

Classroom #2 

Part of a workshop series on concepts and strategies for resistance through the spoken and written word, taught by Joyce E. Young. $12. 

849-2568 www.lapena.org 

Berkeley Farmers’ Market 

2 - 7 p.m. 

Derby Street at MLK Jr. Way 

548-3333 

Free Early Music Group 

10 - 11:30 a.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave. (at MLK) 

Small group sings madrigals and other voice harmony every Tuesday morning. Call Ann, 655-8863 

Free Computer Class  

for Seniors 

9:30 - 11:30 a.m. and 1 - 3 p.m.  

South Berkeley Senior Center, 2939 Ellis St. 

This free course offers basic instruction in keyboarding, Microsoft Word, Windows 95, Excel and Internet access. Space is limited, call ahead for a reservation. 644-6109 

— compiled by Guy Poole 

Strawberry Creek Daylighting 

Strategy Workshop 

6:30 - 7:30 p.m. 

Corporation Yard Green Room 

1326 Allston Way 

A workshop to develop an effective strategy for promoting the daylighting of Strawberry Creek downtown. Learn about current daylighting concepts and develop a working plan for the next year and beyond. Facilitated by Louis Hexter of MIG. Call Janet Byron to RSVP at 848-4008 or bjanet@earthlink.net 

Wednesday, Aug. 8 

A Day at the Beach 

Noon - 2 p.m. 

Lawrence Hall of Science 

UC Berkeley 

Part of the Lawrence Hall of Science Wednesday FUN-days. Build sand castles with sand sculptor Kirk Rademaker. Museum admission $3 - $7. 

642-5132 

Thursday, Aug. 9 

Ancient Native Sites of the East Bay 

7:30 p.m. 

Room 160 Kroeber Hall, University of California Campus 

Sean Dexter, archaeologist, will discuss the recent Data Recovery Program at the Emeryville Shellmound/South Bayfront site. Jakki Kehl, a Mutsun Ohlone, will discuss protecting cultural resources by developing partnerships and encouraging good stewardship of the land. $10 

841-2242 

Salsa Dance Classes 

7:30 p.m. 

Berkeley Richmond Jewish Community Center 

1414 Walnut St. 

Classes every Thursday with live percussionists, light refreshments, DJ playing Latin music. $10 or $15 for two. 

237-9874 

Sea Kayaking 

7 p.m. 

REI 

1338 San Pablo Avenue 

Learn about the best sea kayaking spots in Northern California from Roger Schumann and Jan Shriner. Free. 

527-4140 

Free Computer Class for Seniors 

9:30 - 11:30 a.m. and 1 - 3 p.m.  

South Berkeley Senior Center, 2939 Ellis St. 

This free course offers basic instruction in keyboarding, Microsoft Word, Windows 95, Excel and Internet access. Space is limited, call ahead for a reservation. 

644-6109 

Kensington 55+ Activity Center 

9 a.m. - 2 p.m. 

Social Hall of Arlington Community Church 

52 Arlington Ave. 

Conversation, Apple II computer instruction, massage therapy, German conversation group, meditation and relaxation techniques, watercolor art class, tea and coffee. Special 11 a.m. program: Safety, Pat Caftel presents Neighborhood Disaster Preparedness. For more information call 526-9146 or 547-1969. 

Friday, Aug. 10  

Therapy for Trans Partners  

6 - 7:30 p.m.  

Pacific Center for Human Growth  

2712 Telegraph Ave. (at Derby)  

A group open to partners of those in transition or considering transition. The group is structured to be a safe place to receive support from peers and explore a variety of issues, including sexual orientation, coming out, feelings of isolation, among other topics. Intake process required. Meeting Fridays through Aug. 17.  

$8 - $35 sliding scale per session  

Call 548-8283 x534 or x522 

Saturday, Aug. 11 

Sixth Annual Reggae Worldbeat Festival  

Noon - 5 p.m.  

People’s Park  

Telegraph & Haste St. (behind Amoeba)  

Featuring: Obeyjah & The Saints with the Village Culture Drummers, Dancehall King; Major P., Wawa Sylvestre and The Oneness Kingdom Band and many more. Free, but donations encouraged.  

Free Classical Music Concert 

8 p.m. 

Hertz Hall, UC Berkeley Campus 

UC Berkeley Summer Symphony, Gene Chang, Henry Shin, Directors.  

Debussy, Stravinsky, Brahms. Free admission.  

For more information: 665-5631 

Sunday, Aug. 12 

Live Oak Concerts 

7:30 p.m. 

Berkeley Art Center 

1275 Walnut St. 

Composition vs. Improvisation, Music/Structures by Tom Swafford.  

$10 644-6893 

Hands-On Bicycle Repair Clinics  

11 a.m. - Noon  

Recreational Equipment, Inc.  

1338 San Pablo Ave.  

Learn front and rear derailleur adjustments from one of REI’s bike technicians. Tools provided. All you need to bring is your bike. Free.  

527-4140 

Buddhist Architecture In the West 

6 p.m. 

Tibetan Nyingma Institute 

1815 Highland Place 

Mark Henderson on “Building a Buddhist Temple.” Free. 

843-6812 

Steel Drums and Sand Castles 

1 - 3 p.m. 

Lawrence Hall of Science 

UC Berkeley 

Kirk Rademaker teaches sand sculpting while Richmond Bloco entertains with steel drum music. Museum admission $3 - $7. 

642-5132 

West Berkeley Market 

11 a.m. - 5 p.m. 

University Ave., between 3rd and 4th Streets  

Family-oriented weekly market. Crafts, music, produce, and specialty foods. 

654-6346 

Opus Q Auditions 

7 - 9 p.m. 

The University Lutheran Chapel 

2425 College Ave. 

Opus Q - The East Bay Men’s Chorale is preparing for its first full season. Gay men and their allies are invited to audition for the world’s newest GALA ensemble. For more information: www.opus-q.com or call 664-0260. 

Monday, Aug. 13 

Auditions for Tom Stoppard’s “Travesties” 

7 p.m. 

Live Oak Theatre 

1301 Shattuck (at Berryman) 

Held by the Actors Ensemble of Berkeley, there are parts for five men and three women 20 - 70. Director Mikel Clifford asks that auditioners present a two-minute piece or read from a script. No appointment is needed, and there is no pay. For more information phone 525-1620 or visit www.actorsensembleofberkeley.com. 

Tuesday, Aug. 14 

Berkeley Camera Club  

7:30 p.m. 

Northbrae Community Church  

941 The Alameda  

Share your slides and learn what other photographers are doing. Monthly field trips. 

Call Don, 525-3565 

Writing and Resistance  

In A Culture of Amnesia 

6 - 7:45 p.m. 

La Peña Cultural Center 

3105 Shattuck Avenue 

Classroom #2 

Part of a workshop series on concepts and strategies for resistance through the spoken and written word, taught by Joyce E. Young. $12. 

849-2568 www.lapena.org 

Free Early Music Group 

10 - 11:30 a.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave. (at MLK) 

Small group sings madrigals and other voice harmony every Tuesday morning. Call Ann, 655-8863 

Free Computer Class for Seniors 

9:30 - 11:30 a.m. and 1 - 3 p.m.  

South Berkeley Senior Center, 2939 Ellis St. 

This free course offers basic instruction in keyboarding, Microsoft Word, Windows 95, Excel and Internet access. Space is limited, call ahead for a reservation. 

644-6109 

Auditions for Tom Stoppard’s “Travesties” 

7 p.m. 

Live Oak Theatre 

1301 Shattuck (at Berryman) 

Held by the Actors Ensemble of Berkeley, there are parts for five men and three women ages 20 - 70. Director Mikel Clifford asks that auditioners present a two-minute piece or read from a script. No appointment is needed, and there is no pay. For more information phone 525-1620 or visit www.actorsensembleofberkeley.com. 

The Candy Cottage 

1:30 p.m. & 2:30 p.m. 

Hall of Health 

2230 Shattuck Ave. (Lower Level) 

“The Candy Cottage” is a short comedy written and performed by the Hall of Health staff, for children ages 3 to 12. The play provides information about eating healthy, the food pyramid, and what vitamins and minerals do for your body. The Hall of Health is a hands-on community health-education museum and science center sponsored by Children’s Hospital of Oakland. Free. For more information call: 549-1564. 

Wednesday, Aug. 15 

Space Weather 

Noon - 2 p.m. 

Lawrence Hall of Science 

UC Berkeley 

Part of the Lawrence Hall of Science Wednesday FUN-days. Explore the Space Weather exhibit, talk to NASA researchers, look for sun spots, make a sundial, cast sun prints. Museum admission $3 - $7. 

642-5132 

Berkeley Communicator Toastmasters Club 

7:15 a.m. 

Vault Cafe 

3250 Adeline 

Learn to speak with confidence. Ongoing first and third Wednesdays each month. 

527-2337 

Support Group for Family/Friends  

Caring for Older Adults 

4 - 5:30 p.m. - 3rd Wednesday of each month 

Alta Bates Medical Center  

Herrick Campus 

2001 Dwight Way 

3rd floor, Room 3369B (elevator - B) 

The group will focus on the needs of the older adult with serious medical problems, psychiatric illnesses, substance abuse, and their caregivers. Facilitated by Monica Nowakowski, LCSW. 

Free. For more information call 802-1725 

Thursday, Aug. 16 

Berkeley Metaphysical Toastmasters Club  

6:15 - 7:30 p.m.  

2515 Hillegass Ave.  

Public speaking skills and metaphysics come together. Ongoing first and third Thursdays each month.  

Call 869-2547 

Ancient Native Sites of the East Bay 

7:30 p.m. 

Room 160 Kroeber Hall, University of California Campus 

Christopher Dore will discuss “Space and Place at Two East Bay Shellmounds.” Jason Claiborne, archaeologist with Archeotec, Inc., will discuss his recent work and the delicate position of playing “archaeo-police” versus serving the client in a talk entitled “Insuring the Future of the Past.” $10 

841-2242 

Salsa Dance Classes 

7:30 p.m. 

Berkeley Richmond Jewish Community Center 

1414 Walnut St. 

Classes every Thursday with live percussionists, light refreshments, DJ playing Latin music. $10 or $15 for two. 

237-9874 

Free Computer Class for Seniors 

9:30 - 11:30 a.m. and 1 - 3 p.m.  

South Berkeley Senior Center, 2939 Ellis St. 

This free course offers basic instruction in keyboarding, Microsoft Word, Windows 95, Excel and Internet access. Space is limited, call ahead for a reservation. 

644-6109 

Kensington 55+ Activity Center 

9 a.m. - 2 p.m. 

Social Hall of Arlington Community Church 

52 Arlington Ave. 

Conversation, Apple II computer instruction, massage therapy, German conversation group, meditation and relaxation techniques, watercolor art class, tea and coffee. Special 11 a.m. program: Travel, Jackie Hetman presents “A 17-Day Train Trip Through Namibia.” For more information call 526-9146 or 547-1969. 

The Candy Cottage 

1:30 p.m. & 2:30 p.m. 

Hall of Health 

2230 Shattuck Ave. (Lower Level) 

“The Candy Cottage” is a short comedy written and performed by the Hall of Health staff, for children ages 3 to 12. The play provides information about eating healthy, the food pyramid, and what vitamins and minerals do for your body. The Hall of Health is a hands-on community health-education museum and science center sponsored by Children’s Hospital of Oakland. Free. For more information call: 549-1564. 

Friday, Aug. 17  

Therapy for Trans Partners  

6 - 7:30 p.m.  

Pacific Center for Human Growth  

2712 Telegraph Ave. (at Derby)  

A group open to partners of those in transition or considering transition. The group is structured to be a safe place to receive support from peers and explore a variety of issues, including sexual orientation, coming out, feelings of isolation, among other topics. Intake process required. Meeting Fridays through Aug. 17.  

$8 - $35 sliding scale per session  

Call 548-8283 x534 or x522 

Opus Q Auditions 

3 - 5/ p.m. 

The University Lutheran Chapel 

2425 College Ave. 

Opus Q - The East Bay Men’s Chorale is preparing for its first full season. Gay men and their allies are invited to audition for the world’s newest GALA ensemble. For more information: www.opus-q.com or call 664-0260. 

Saturday, Aug. 18 

Berkeley Farmers’ Market 

10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. 

Center Street @ Martin Luther King Jr. Way 

12th Annual Cajun & More Festival. Live music by: Motor Dude Zydeco, Johnny Harper’s Carnival, Creole Belles, Sauce Picuante. Food, crafts fair, micro-breweries, and free Cajun dance lessons with Pattie Whitehurst. Free event open to the public. For more information call: 548-3333 or visit www.ecologycenter.org 

Sunday, Aug. 19 

Hands-On Bicycle Repair Clinics  

11 a.m. - Noon  

Recreational Equipment, Inc.  

1338 San Pablo Ave.  

Learn how to fix a flat from one of REI’s bike technicians. All you need to bring is your bike. Tools are provided. Free  

527-4140 

Tibetan Culture 

6 p.m. 

Tibetan Nyingma Institute 

1815 Highland Place 

Stephanie Hoffman on “Preserving the Tibetan Literary Heritage.” Free. 

843-6812 

West Berkeley Market 

11 a.m. - 5 p.m. 

University Ave., between 3rd and 4th Streets  

Family-oriented weekly market. Crafts, music, produce, and specialty foods. 

654-6346 

Opus Q Auditions 

4 - 6 p.m. 

The University Lutheran Chapel 

2425 College Ave. 

Opus Q - The East Bay Men’s Chorale is preparing for its first full season. Gay men and their allies are invited to audition for the world’s newest GALA ensemble. For more information: www.opus-q.com or call 664-0260. 

Monday, Aug. 20 

Tuesday, Aug. 21 

Intelligent Conversation  

7 - 9 p.m.  

Berkeley Richmond Jewish Community Center 

A discussion group open to all, regardless of age, religion, viewpoint, etc. This time the discussion will center on fears and phobias: getting and overcoming them. Informally led by Robert Berend, who founded similar groups in L.A., Menlo Park, and Prague. Bring light snacks/drinks to share. Free  

527-5332 

Berkeley Camera Club  

7:30 p.m. 

Northbrae Community Church  

941 The Alameda  

Share your slides and learn what other photographers are doing. Monthly field trips. 

Call Don, 525-3565 

Free Early Music Group 

10 - 11:30 a.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave. (at MLK) 

Small group sings madrigals and other voice harmony every Tuesday morning. Call Ann, 655-8863 

Berkeley Fibromyalgia Support Group 

12 - 2 p.m. every 3rd Tuesday 

Alta Bates Medical Center  

Maffly Auditorium - Herrick Campus 

2001 Dwight Way 

Rap session. For more info call D.L. Malinousky: 601-0550 

Free Computer Class for Seniors 

9:30 - 11:30 a.m. and 1 - 3 p.m.  

South Berkeley Senior Center, 2939 Ellis St. 

This free course offers basic instruction in keyboarding, Microsoft Word, Windows 95, Excel and Internet access. Space is limited, call ahead for a reservation. 

644-6109 

Wednesday, Aug. 22 

Magic Mike 

Noon - 2 p.m. 

Lawrence Hall of Science 

UC Berkeley 

Part of the Lawrence Hall of Science Wednesday FUN-days. Bay Area favorite Magic Mike with theatrical illusions and electric comedy. Museum admission $3 - $7. 

642-5132 

Thursday, Aug. 23 

Salsa Dance Classes 

7:30 p.m. 

Berkeley Richmond Jewish Community Center 

1414 Walnut St. 

Classes every Thursday with live percussionists, light refreshments, DJ playing Latin music. $10 or $15 for two. 

237-9874 

Free Computer Class for Seniors 

9:30 - 11:30 a.m. and 1 - 3 p.m.  

South Berkeley Senior Center, 2939 Ellis St. 

This free course offers basic instruction in keyboarding, Microsoft Word, Windows 95, Excel and Internet access. Space is limited, call ahead for a reservation. 

644-6109 

Kensington 55+ Activity Center 

9 a.m. - 2 p.m. 

Social Hall of Arlington Community Church 

52 Arlington Ave. 

Conversation, Apple II computer instruction, massage therapy, German conversation group, meditation and relaxation techniques, watercolor art class, tea and coffee. Special 11 a.m. program: Holistic Health, Jan Stecher leads in Rosen Movement. For more information call 526-9146 or 547-1969. 

Friday, Aug. 24 

Saturday, Aug. 25 

Astrojax Playday 

1 - 4 p.m. 

Lawrence Hall of Science 

UC Berkeley 

Astrojax is part yo-yo, part juggling balls and a lasso. The inventor, theoretical physicist Larry Show, will give a demonstration and instruction. Museum admission $3 - $7. 

642-5132 

Cerrito Creek Work Party 

10 a.m. 

Meet at Creekside Park (south end of Belmont Street), El Cerrito 

Join Friends of Five Creeks in removing brush to make a new trail along Cerrito Creek. Bring work gloves and clippers if you have them.  

For more information: 848-9358 or f5creeks@aol.com, or www.fivecreeks.org. 

Sunday, Aug. 26 

Healing 

6 p.m. 

Tibetan Nyingma Institute 

1815 Highland Place 

Sylvie Gretchen on “Healing Mind.” Free. 

843-6812 

West Berkeley Market 

11 a.m. - 5 p.m. 

University Ave., between 3rd and 4th Streets  

Family-oriented weekly market. Crafts, music, produce, and specialty foods. 

654-6346 

Tuesday, Aug. 28 

Berkeley Camera Club  

7:30 p.m. 

Northbrae Community Church  

941 The Alameda  

Share your slides and learn what other photographers are doing. Monthly field trips. 

Call Don, 525-3565 

Free Computer Class for Seniors 

9:30 - 11:30 a.m. and 1 - 3 p.m.  

South Berkeley Senior Center, 2939 Ellis St. 

This free course offers basic instruction in keyboarding, Microsoft Word, Windows 95, Excel and Internet access. Space is limited, call ahead for a reservation. 

644-6109 

Free Early Music Group 

10 - 11:30 a.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave. (at MLK) 

Small group sings madrigals and other voice harmony every Tuesday morning. Call Ann, 655-8863 

Thursday, Aug. 30 

Salsa Dance Classes 

7:30 p.m. 

Berkeley Richmond Jewish Community Center 

1414 Walnut St. 

Classes every Thursday with live percussionists, light refreshments, DJ playing Latin music. $10 or $15 for two. 

237-9874 

Lost in the Wilderness 

7 p.m. 

REI 

1338 San Pablo Avenue 

Jason Flesher, a Search and Rescue member for almost 20 years, will share his nine rules for surviving in the wilderness. Free. 

527-4140 

Free Computer Class for Seniors 

9:30 - 11:30 a.m. and 1 - 3 p.m.  

South Berkeley Senior Center, 2939 Ellis St. 

This free course offers basic instruction in keyboarding, Microsoft Word, Windows 95, Excel and Internet access. Space is limited, call ahead for a reservation. 

644-6109 

Kensington 55+ Activity Center 

9 a.m. - 2 p.m. 

Social Hall of Arlington Community Church 

52 Arlington Ave. 

Conversation, Apple II computer instruction, massage therapy, German conversation group, meditation and relaxation techniques, watercolor art class, tea and coffee. Special 11 a.m. program: Music, Hugh Kelly plays harmonica and leads sing-along. For more information call 526-9146 or 547-1969. 

Friday, Aug. 31 

By Earl Ofari Hutchinson 

Pacific News Service 

LOS ANGELES -- When some organizers of the upcoming United Nations conference on racism in Durban, South Africa, threatened to tack incendiary resolutions on the agenda denouncing Zionism and demanding reparations for slavery, the predictable happened. President Bush screamed foul and said that the United States would stay home. Congress quickly passed a non-binding resolution backing him. The resolution’s backers, mostly reparations activists and representatives from Arab countries, instantly branded Bush a racial obstructionist for ducking these issues. 

This is a convenient label to plaster on him. In the past few weeks, Bush’s foes -- and even some friends – called him an environmental obstructionist for refusing to endorse the Kyoto Accords on Global Warming. He’s been called a health obstructionist for not committing more U.S. dollars to the global fund to fight AIDS and other diseases in Africa and Asia. And he’s been tagged as a peace obstructionist for backing out of germ warfare talks and attempting to scrap arms control agreements. 

Though Bush can be pilloried for soft-peddling affirmative action, racial profiling, hate crimes, and the death penalty, and saying and doing nothing about the Florida voting debacle that still rankles many Blacks, the racial obstructionist label is one that doesn’t fit. His demand that the conference excise any resolution condemning Zionism from the agenda is consistent with U.S. policy. Then President Jimmy Carter, and every president since, denounced the U.N. resolution passed in 1975 that equated Zionism with racism and relentlessly demanded that the resolution be repealed. A decade ago, the United Nations finally dumped it and even the Palestinian Liberation Organization publicly rejected the slogan. 

Still, this doesn’t mean that Israel’s divisive domestic and aggressive military policies toward the Palestinians is not a legitimate subject for the conference to debate. 

The issue of slave reparations is just as touchy a policy issue for the Bush administration. It insists that slavery ended decades ago, that the slaves and their slavemasters are long dead, that the U.S. government has no legal obligation to pay reparations, and that the issue is racially inflammatory. Bush and former President Bill Clinton scrupulously avoided any public mention of bills introduced by Rep. John Conyers, D-Miss., in Congress during the past decade to establish a commission to study the reparations issue. They also ignored a bill twice introduced by Rep. Tony Hall, D-Ohio, that called for Congress to apologize for slavery. Clinton, whom of all presidents would have been the most likely to support this call, touched off a brief flurry by raising the possibility of an apology, but then quickly backing away from it. 

But even though Bush’s opposition to reparations is consistent with past and present U.S. hostility toward the subject, this doesn’t mean that it should not be discussed. The U.S. government encoded slavery in the Constitution, and protected and nourished it in law and public policy for more than a century. And, in the near century after slavery’s end, legal segregation, peonage, and racial terrorism has saddled the Black poor with a terrible legacy of poverty, violence, and education and health neglect. The United States also applauded the decision by German corporations to pay compensation to slave laborers in Nazi concentration camps, and helped broker a deal in which Swiss bankers agreed to pay billions to Holocaust victims for pillaging their bank accounts. 

While Bush should not make the colossal mistake of using reparations and the Zionism issues as an excuse to boycott the conference, conference organizers also must not make the equally colossal mistake of permitting these issues to sink the conference. It is an historic milestone that European nations, Canada and the United States, finally acknowledge that racism fuels much of the inequality and poverty in Asia and Africa and perpetuates conflict and division between these nations and the West. The conference also presents the golden opportunity for western nations to go on record firmly opposing racism and intolerance and to pledge to combat their corrosive affects. The conference also could wring greater commitments from the wealthy nations to move faster on debt relief, pour more funds into AIDS treatment and prevention programs, vastly increase development aid, and negotiate more equitable trade pacts with non-white nations. 

The stakes are much too high to let political pettiness and ideological demagoguery torpedo the once-in-a-millennium chance nations have to come to grips with the monster evils of racial bigotry and intolerance that have wreaked havoc on the world for centuries. Bush must do everything he can to make sure that the U.S. is present and accounted for at Durban, and conference organizers must do everything they can to make sure that it is. 

Pacific News Service Commentator Earl Ofari Hutchinson (ehutchi344@aol.com) is a nationally syndicated columnist and president of The National Alliance for Positive Action. 

What does it mean to be brainwashed? 

Dave Krzysik of the Brainwash Film Festival can’t explain it, but he knows it when he sees it. He and a loose collection of cohorts have cobbled together a five-day presentation of largely loony short films and videos that are as difficult to categorize as they are to rationalize. 

A computer-generated poem about a toy animal with no head. Bad gastronomical decisions on New Orleans. Swimming with chickens. The films of Brainwash laugh at intellect and instead demand to be intuited. 

“Brainwash is a little elusive,” said Krzylic from his Rockridge home. He credits festival programmer Vikki Vaden’s ability to mesmerize audiences with an impressionistic arrangement of films. After last year’s showing at a San Francisco alternative film venue, The Werepad, Brainwash had to turn up the house lights to get the audience to leave. 

This year the festival plays for three days beginning Friday at the Pyramid Ale brewery/restaurant on Gilman Street in Berkeley. The selections were chosen because there were “Brainwash,” said Krzylic, an amorphous criteria, part of which was a tendency for low production values. 

“Tour Tips #14” by Danny Plotnick, is the first foray into video for the heretofore reigning “King of the Super-8.” It tells a very brief story told with clip-art collage of a drummer in a touring rock band who gets sick from overeating in New Orleans. Presented as a spoof of a television public service announcement, “Tour Tips” is a visually sharp and clean depiction of a disgusting incident in the life of an indulgent rock and roller.  

“Fowl Play” is a spoof of paranoia and sexual deceit as two women lie in bed idly surfing through a montage of random television images. The implied lesbian domestic scene is darkened by an ominous, telltale smell. The sweat of guilt beads on the guilty woman’s forehead as she tries to hide her crimes of poultry and chlorinated water. 

In a particularly bawdy moment, the nervous woman furtively smells her fingers as though they were the smoking gun. 

“That was completely improvised,” said Berkeley-based filmmaker Mary C. Mathews, crediting her actress for making the absurd sexual metaphor more explicit. The film started as a humble three-panel cartoon which Mathews developed into a one-minute play for a New York City festival of one-minute plays. She won that festival award then further developed the idea into a three-minute film for a festival of short films created last year by San Francisco radio station Alice. 

“We wanted to make something really out there,” said Mathews, whose film did not play at the Alice festival but its crazy humor gave it that elusive “Brainwash” quality. Chickens, as any comedian knows, are inherently funny things. 

Brainwash has a taste for the bizarre, and its pedigree encourages acts of deflating artistic pomposity. Krzylic claims the festival lineage can be traced back to the original Merry Pranksters, a 1960’s troupe of heads and hipsters led through counter-culture antics by Ken Kesey and the “Further” bus. 

The descendant generations of cultural noisemakers called themselves the Suicide Club, the Cacophony Society (instrumental in creating the annual Burning Man desert freak-out) and now the tech-savvy pranksters communicate via the Laughing Squid internet server. 

Now in its seventh year, the Brainwash festival began with the cumbersome title “1st Annual Cacophony Drive-In Movie Festival.” “’Brainwash’ says all that,” said Krzylic who renamed the festival after a San Francisco laundromat, “and it’s a lot shorter.”  

The drive-in aspect of the original festival has not been completely lost. The screenings at Pyramid Ale today, Saturday and Sunday will be outdoors. It will not be possible to actually drive up to the screen, however, and Krzylic encourages moviegoers to dress warmly and bring their own chairs. 

MUSIC 

924 Gilman St. Music at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted. 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; Aug 10: 90 Day Men, Assembly of God, Strong Intention, Under a Dying Sun; Aug 11: Toys That Kill, Scared of Chakra, Sophie Nun Squad, Debris; Aug 12: 5 p.m. Citizen Fish, J-Church, Eleventeen. $5. 924 Gilman St. 525-9926. 

Anna’s Place Aug. 4, 11 and every Saturday night 10:30 p.m. - midnight, Ducksan Distones. 1801 University Ave. 849-2662. 

Ashkenaz Aug. 3: 9:30 p.m. DJ Dougie Swing; Aug. 4: 9:30 p.m.Tropical Vibrations; Aug. 5: 9 p.m.Roots Reggae featuring Groundation and Tchiya Amet; Aug. 8: 9 p.m., Brenda Boykin and Home Cookin’; Aug. 9: 10 p.m. Greatful Dead night with DJ Digital Dave. 11317 San Pablo Ave. 525-5099 www.ashkenaz.com 

Eli’s Mile High Club Doors open at 8 p.m. Every Friday, 10 p.m. - 2 a.m., Funky Fridays Conscious Dance Party with KPFA DJs Split Shankin and Funky Man. $10; 3629 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Oakland 655-6661 

First Congregational Church Aug. 3, 7:30 p.m. George Cleve conducts the Midsummer Mozart Festival Orchestra in Symphony in B-flat, K 391, Piano Concert in F Major, K 459, German Dances, K 571 and Symphony in C Major, K 425, 2345 Channing Way. (415) 292-9620. 

Freight and Salvage Coffee House All music at 8 p.m. Aug 3: Wylie & the Wild West, the Waller Brothers, Aug 4: Adam Levy, Will Bernard; Aug 5: MonTango; Aug 6: Frank Yamma; Aug 8: San Francisco Klezmer Experience; Aug 9: John Renbourn; Aug 10: Jody Stecher, Kate Brislin; Aug 11: Al Stewart. $16.50 - $19.50. 1111 Addison St. 548-1761 www.freightandsalvage.org 

Jupiter Aug. 3: Mas Cabezas, Rhodes-based latin jazz trio with local vet Ezra Gale; Aug. 4: Solomon Grundy, from Orange County, combining jazz, calypso, and world beat; Aug. 7: Joshi Marshal Project, jazz, soul and hiphop; Aug. 8: Broun Fellini’s, jazz/funk/hiphop grooves; Aug. 9: Beatdown with DJs Delon, Yamu and Add1; Aug. 10: Steven Emerson, singer/songwriter mixes cool jazz and sweat soul; Aug. 11: J Dogs, funk-soul; Aug. 14: Chris Shot Group, folk-rock and soul combo; Aug. 15: Lithium House, electro/drum & bass styles with live jazz; Aug. 16: Beatdown with DJs Delon, Yamu and Add1; Aug. 17: The Mind Club, Old school funk grooves with sonic swirls of acid jazz; Aug. 18: Blue & Tan, Bassist Vicki Grossi brings in the crew for elctro-acid-jazz funk stylings; All music starts at 8:00 p.m. www.jupiterbeer.com; or call the hotline: THE-ROCK 2181 Shattuck Ave. 843-7625.  

La Peña Cultural Center Aug 3: 8 p.m. Los Delicados, Aya de Leon $10; Aug 4: 8 p.m. Grito Serpentino, Small Axe Project, Jime Salcedo-Malo & Leticia Hernandez $10; Aug 5: 7 p.m. Insight in concert $10; Aug 10: 8:30 p.m. Ire $8; Aug 11: 9:30 p.m. Fito Reynoso’s Ritmo y Armonia. $10, $13 for dance class starting at 8:15; Aug 12: 5, 7:30 p.m. “Say Yo Business” Linda Tillery & The Cultural Heritage Choir. $18 in advance, $20 at the door. In the Cafe 3105 Shattuck Avenue 849-2568 

La Note/Jazzschool Aug 5: 4:30 p.m. Vocalists’ Series (Denine Monet), 5:30 p.m. Instrumentalists’ Series (Pelo Mar); Aug 12: 4:30 p.m. The Freedom Project, 5:30 Eli Sundelson Trio. 2377 Shattuck Avenue 845-5373. 

Shattuck Down Low Lounge Every Tuesday: 9:30 p.m., Posh Tuesdays with DJs Yamu, Delon, Add1, and Tequila Willie. Shattuck at Allston. www.thebeatdownsound.com  

Downtown Restaurant and Bar August 6: 7 p.m. Jesse Colin Young of the sixties hit group, The Youngbloods, will be performing at a No Nukes evening, sponsored by Greenpeace. The evening commemorates the 56th anniversary of the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima. The proceeds go to Tri-Valley CAREs and Citizen Alert. Tickets are $100. 2102 Shattuck Ave. 800-728-6223 

The Greek Theatre Aug. 3 and Aug. 4, 7 p.m. The String Cheese Incident, $29.75. Hearst Avenue and Gayley Road 444-TIXS, or (415) 421-TIXS www.sfx.com 

Ali Akbar College of Music Aug. 10, 7:30 p.m. A concert of Indian classical music. Rita Sahai, vocals; Rachel Untersher, violin; Madhukar Malayanur, tabla; $20 general; $15 students. St. John's Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave., (415) 454-6264 or www.aacm.org 

Yoshi’s Aug. 3: 9 p.m, Woody Allen's New Orleans Jazz Band, $50; Aug. 4 and Aug. 5. Oregon, world jazz fusion. $18 to $22 general; Sunday matinee, $10 adult with one child and $5 children; Aug. 7. Claudia Acuna $14; Aug. 8 through Aug. 12: Steve Turre Quintet, trombone and conch shell master in small group setting. Wednesday and Thursday, $18; Friday and Saturday, $22; Sunday matinee, $5 kids, $10 adults with one child, $18 general; Sunday, $22. 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 762-2277 www.yoshis.com 

THEATER 

Julia Morgan Center for the Arts Aug 4: 8 p.m. “Cuatro maestros Touring Festival” two-hour theatrical event of music and dance performed by four elder folk artists and their talented young counterparts. Adults $18 Children $12; Aug. 10: 7:30 p.m. & Aug. 11, 12, 5 p.m. Campers from Stage Door Conservatory’s “On Broadway” program for grades 5-9 will perform Fiddler on the Roof, Jr. $12 adults, $8 kids. (For info call 527-5939); 2640 College Avenue 845-8542 ext. 302 

“The Great Sebastians” Through Aug. 11: Friday and Saturday evenings 8 p.m. plus Thursday, Aug. 9, presented by Actors Ensemble of Berkeley. A tale about a mind-reading act touring behind the Iron Curtain. A communist general believes the act and “invites” the Sebastians to his villa where the humor and excitement follows. $10. Live Oak Theatre, 1301 Shattuck (at Berryman). For reservations call 528-5620 

“Iphegenia in Aulis” Through Aug. 12: Sat. and Sun. 5 p.m. Special dawn performance on August 12 at 7 a.m. A free park performance by the Shotgun Players of Euripides’ play about choices and priorities. With a masked chorus, singing, dancing, and live music. Feel free to bring food and something soft to sit on. John Hinkel Park, Southhampton Place at Arlington Avenue (different locations July 7 and 8). 655-0813 

“The Lady’s Not for Burning” Through Aug. 4: 8 p.m. Set in the 15th century, a soldier wishes to be hanged and a witch does not want to be burned at the stake. Written by Christopher Fry, directed by Susannah Woods. $5 - $10. South Berkeley Community Church 1802 Fairview st. 464-1117 

“Loot” Through Aug 25, Thursdays - Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 7 p.m. Special Performance Aug 20, 8:00 p.m. General Admission: $15, Students / Seniors: $10 La Val’s 1834 Euclid Avenue 655-0813 

“Orphans” Through Aug. 5: Fri. and Sat. 8 p.m., Sun. 7 p.m. Lyle Kessler’s dark comedy about a mysterious stranger invading the home of two orphaned brothers. $15. The Speakeasy Theater, 2016 Seventh St. 326-8493 

“Reefer Madness” Aug. 8, 9, Aug. 22, 23: 9 p.m. A new one-act theatre piece adapted from a 1936 government-funded film opens a critical eye to the control of our society. Performed by The Elemental Theatre Group La Pena Cultural Center 3105 Shattuck Avenue. Wednesdays are “pay what you can,” Thursdays $5 - $10. Contact Zachary Rouse or Tisha Sloan for more info at 655-4150 

“Romeo & Juliet” Aug 11 - Sep 2, Tuesdays - Thursdays. Bruns Memorial Amphitheater. Shakespeare’s classic about a young couple that meets, falls in love and dies in just five days. Adults: $22 - $41 youth (under 16): $12 - $41. 

“Barnum” Aug. 3 through Aug. 12. The story of legendary circusmaster P.T. Barnum, with plenty of musical theater and circus acrobatics. Splash Circus’ aspiring young circus artists will perform an hour before each show. $15 to $27. Friday through Sunday, 8 p.m. Joaquin Miller Park, 3300 Joaquin Miller Road, Oakland. 531-9597 www.woodminster.com 

FILMS 

Pacific Film Archive Aug 3: 7:00 A Full-Up Train, 9:00 The Men of Tohoku; Aug 4: 7:00 Human Desire, 8:50 Hangmen Also Die; Aug 5: 3 p.m. The Yearling, 5:30 p.m The Woman Who Touched Legs; Aug 7: 7:30 p.m. Figures of Motion; Aug 8: 7:30 p.m. Confessions of an Opium Eater; Aug 9: 7:30 p.m. The Return of Frank James; Aug 10: 7 p.m. Alone on the Pacific, 9:05 p.m. Her Brother; Aug 11: 7 p.m. While the City Sleeps, 9 p.m. Beyong a Reasonable Doubt; Aug 12: 3 p.m. Charlotte’s Web, 5:30 p.m. Tokyo Olympiad. New PFA Theatre 2575 Bancroft Way 642-1412 

“7th annual Brainwash Movie Festival” Aug. 3-5: 9 p.m. (bring a chair) at the Pyramid Ale brewery, 901 Gilman Street 527-9090 ext. 218. Festival Pass: $30, Individual tickets: online: $8, door: $10 

“Lumumba” Aug. 10 at Shattuck Theater, Biogrophy of the slain African political figure Patrice Lumumba. In French with English subtitles. 2230 Shattuck Ave.  

“Roommates” Aug. 12. Max Apple’s true story of his immigrany grandfather who moved in with him when he was in college (in the 60’s). Peer led discussion following movie. $2 Suggested donation. Berkeley Richmond Jewish Community Center 1414 Walnut Street 848-0237 

Exhibits 

“BACA National Juried Exhibition: Works on Paper” Through August 31: Wed. - Sun. Noon - 5 p.m. Berkeley Art Center 1275 Walnut St. 644-6893 

“Bernard Maisner: Illuminated Manuscripts and Paintings” Through Aug. 8 Maisner works in miniature as well as in large scales, combining his mastery of medieval illumination, gold leafing, and modern painting techniques. Flora Lamson Hewlett Library 2400 Ridge Road 849-2541 

“Debbie Moore’s Autobiographical Paintings” Through Sep 30 at Good Vibrations. Portraits of the artist’s sensual explorations spanning 25 years and reflecting changing ways of intimacy and body play. 2504 San Pablo Avenue 848-1985 

“The Decade of Change: 1900 - 1910” chronicles the transformation of the city of Berkeley in this 10 year period. Thursday through Saturday, 1 – 4 p.m. Through September. Berkeley History Center, Veterans Memorial Building, 1931 Center St. Wheelchair accessible. 848-0181. Free.  

“A Fine Line” Through August 24, Tuesday - Friday, noon - 5 p.m. or by appointment. An exhibition works by Kala Fellowship winners for the years 2000 and 2001. Kala Art Institute 1060 Heinz Avenue 549-2977 

“Geographies of My Heart” Collage paintings by Jennifer Colby through August 24; Flora Lamson Hewlett Library 2400 Ridge Road 649-2541 

“MFA Survey Exhibition 2001” third annual exhibition of works of recent graduates from Bay Area master of Fine Art programs. This year featuring artists working in three-dimentional media. Through Aug 18 Tuesday - Saturday, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Traywick Gallery 1316 Tenth Street 527-1214 

“Musee des Hommages” Masterworks by Guy Colwell Faithful copies of several artists from the pasts, including Titian’s “The Venus of Urbino,” Cezanne’s “Still Life,” Picasso’s “Woman at a Mirror,” and Boticelli’s “Primavera” Ongoing. Call ahead for hours 2028 Ninth St. (at Addison) 841-4210 or visit www.atelier9.com 

“New Visions: Introductions 2001” Through Aug. 18: Wed. - Sat.: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Juried by Artist- Curator Rene Yanez and Robbin Henderson, Executive Director of the Berkeley Art Center, the exhibition features works from some of California’s up-and-coming artists. Pro Arts 461 Ninth St., Oakland 763-9425 

“Sistahs: Ethnofraphic Ceramics” through Aug. 22, Reception July 29 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. Womens Cancer Resource Center Gallery 3023 Shattuck Avenue 548-9286 ext. 307 

“Ten Years Here” Exhibit celebrating the 10 year anniversary of Turn of the Century Fine Arts. Aug. 4 - Sept. 14, Sat & Sun 1-5 p.m. Reception Aug 4 2:00 - 7:00 p.m. 2510 San Pablo Avenue 849-0950 

Readings 

Boadecia’s Books Aug 3: Mabel Maney (author of the Nancy Clue/ Cherry Aimless and Hardly Boys mysteries) reads from her new book “Kiss the Girls and Make them Spy” featuring Jane Bond, James’ lesbian twin sister; Aug 4: Dyke Open Myke! Coffeehouse-style open mike night featuring both established and emerging talent; Aug 10 Susann Cokal reads from her novel “Mirabilis” set in 14th-century France; Aug 11: Trina Robbins discusses her latest work “Eternally Bad: Goddesses with Attitute”. All events start at 7:30 p.m. and are free. 398 Colusa Avenue 559-9184 

Black Oak Books Aug 8: William Turner discusses his new memoir “Rearview Mirror: Looking Back at the FBI, the CIA and Other Tails”; Aug 9: Robert Clark reads from his new novel “Love Among the Ruins”; Aug 15: Molly Giles reads from her debut novel “Iron Shoes”. All shows at 7:30 p.m. free of charge. 1491 Shattuck Avenue 486-0698 

Cody’s Books Aug 5: Justin Chin, Gerry Gomez Pearlberg; Aug 8: Jane Mead, Mark Turpin. $2 donation. Readings at 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted. 2454 Telegraph Ave. 845-0837 

Cafe de la Paz “Poetry Nitro” Weekly poetry open mike. Aug 6: featuring Andrena zawinski. 6:30 p.m. sign-up, 7 p.m. reading. 1600 Shattuck Ave. 843-0662  

Coffee Mill Poetry Series Aug. 7: Featured readers JC and Bert Glick. 7-9 p.m.; August 21: Featured Readers: Victoria Joyce and Therese Bamberger; Both 7-9 p.m. Free. 3363 Grand Ave., Oakland for info. (510)465-3935 or (510)526-5985, or Email: ksdgk@earthlink.net 

Tours 

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Fridays 9:30 - 11:45 a.m. or by appointment. Call ahead to make reservations. Free. University of California, Berkeley. 486-4387 

Golden Gate Live Steamers Grizzly Peak Boulevard and Lomas Cantadas Drive at the south end of Tilden Regional Park Small locomotives, meticulously scaled to size. Trains run Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Rides: Sunday, noon to 3 p.m., weather permitting. 486-0623  

Museums 

Habitot Children’s Museum “Back to the Farm” An interactive exhibit gives children the chance to wiggle through tunnels, look into a mirrored fish pond, don farm animal costumes, ride on a John Deere tractor and more. “Recycling Center” Lets the kids crank the conveyor belt to sort cans, plastic bottles and newspaper bundles into dumpster bins. $4 adults; $6 children age 7 and under; $3 for each additional child age 7 and under. 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. (closed Sundays, Memorial Day through Labor Day) Kittredge Street and Shattuck Avenue 647-1111 or www.habitot.org  

UC Berkeley Museum of Paleontology Lobby, Valley Life Sciences Building, UC Berkeley “Tyrannosaurus Rex,” ongoing. A 20 by 40-foot replica of the fearsome dinosaur 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” A suspended skeleton of a flying reptile with a wingspan of 22-23 feet. The Pteranodon lived at the same time as the dinosaurs. Free. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. 642-1821 

UC Berkeley Phoebe Hearst Museum of Anthropology will close its exhibition galleries for renovation on October 1. It will reopen in early 2002. On View until October 1, 2001: “Ishi and the Invention of Yahi Culture.” “Sites Along the Nile: Rescuing Ancient Egypt.” “The Art of Research: Nelson Graburn and the Aesthetics of Inuit Sculpture.” “Tzintzuntzan, Mexico: Photographs by George Foster.”  

$2 general; $1 seniors; $.50 children age 17 and under; free on Thursdays. Wednesday, Friday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Thursday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Kroeber Hall, Bancroft Way and College Ave. 643-7648 or www.qal.berkeley.edu/~hearst/ 

Lawrence Hall of Science “Science in Toyland,” through Sept. 9. Exhibit uses toys to demonstrate scientific principles and to help develop children's thinking processes. Susan Cerny’s collection of over 200 tops from around the world. “Space Weather,” through Sept. 2. Learn about solar cycles, space weather, the cause of the Aurorae and recent discoveries made by leading astronomers. This interactive exhibit lets visitors access near real-time data from the Sun and space, view interactive videos and find out about a variety of solar activities. “Within the Human Brain,” ongoing. Visitors test their cranial nerves, play skeeball, master mazes, match musical tones and construct stories inside a simulated “rat cage” of learning experiments. “Saturday Night Stargazing,” First and third Saturdays each month. 8 - 10 p.m., LHS plaza. Space Weather Exhibit now - Sept. 2; now - Sept. 9 Science in Toyland; Saturdays 12:30 - 3:30 p.m. $7 for adults; $5 for children 5-18; $3 for children 3-4. 642-5132 

Holt Planetarium Programs are recommended for age 8 and up; children under age 6 will not be admitted. $2 in addition to regular museum admission. “Constellations Tonight” Ongoing. Using a simple star map, learn to identify the most prominent constellations for the season in the planetarium sky. “How Big Is the Universe?” Aug. 1 through Aug. 24. Learn how to determine the distance of celestial objects, one of the purposes of the Hubble Space Telescope. Daily, 2:15 p.m. $7 general; $5 seniors, students, disabled, and youths age 7 to 18; $3 children age 3 to 5; free children age 2 and younger. Daily, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Centennial Drive, 642-5132 or www.lhs.berkeley.edu Daily, 3:30 p.m. $7 general; $5 seniors, students, disabled, and youths age 7 to 18; $3 children age 3 to 5 ; free children age 2 and younger. Daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Centennial Drive, UC Berkeley 642-5132 or www.lhs.berkeley.edu  

The UC Berkeley Art Museum is closed for renovations until the fall. 

Send arts events two weeks in advance to Calendar@berkeleydailyplanet.net, 2076 University, Berkeley 94704 or fax to 841-5694. 

Six years after the concept was approved, bicyclists, day trekkers and bay enthusiasts can expect the completion of the Berkeley Bay Trail by January. 

“The trail has been long awaited but it will be a very exciting link for commuting and recreation once it’s completed,” said Parks and Waterfront Director Lisa Caronna. 

Ultimately the new trail will be a link in a ribbon of 400 miles of pathways that will encircle the San Francisco and San Pablo bays. 

The City Council gave its stamp of approval to the trail design July 24 and the city manager was given authorization to sign a contract with Richmond-based Bauman Landscaping Company, to construct the paved trail. Construction is tentatively scheduled to begin in September. 

According to supervising civil engineer, Apurba Chatterjee, the 14-foot-wide trail will extend from Point Emery, near the end of Ashby Avenue, and run along the west side of West Frontage Road to Virginia Street where it will link with an existing section of the trail that extends to the Richmond Marina.  

Berkeley signed an agreement with Caltrans to construct the trail in May of 1996. Originally the cost was estimated to be $2.4 million but has since increased to $3 million, including engineering costs. The state will fund most of the project and Berkeley will pony up about $78,000, according to the staff report. 

The state Senate approved the “Ring Around the Bay” plan in 1987. The plan was authored by then Senator Bill Lockyer, now the state’s attorney general. The project is being overseen by the Association of Bay Area Governments which has been responsible for trail design and administration of the plan. 

The Berkeley section of the trail will be part of the larger San Francisco Bay Trail which will connect nine Bay Area Counties and 47 cities with 400 miles of trail, paths and roadway that will encircle the San Francisco and San Pablo bays. According to the project’s official website, 210 miles of the trail is already completed. 

The website describes the trail as having many uses.  

“The Bay Trail provides easy accessible recreational opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts including hikers, joggers, bicyclists and skaters,” the description reads. “It also has important transportation benefits, providing a commute alternative for cyclists, and connecting to numerous public transportation facilities such as ferry terminals, light-rail lines, bus stops and Caltrans, Amtrak and BART stations.” 

According to the website, the trail will eventually cross all the major toll bridges in the Bay Area. 

The trail will wind through beaches, marinas, fishing piers and over 130 parks and wildlife preserves for a grand total of 57,000 acres of open space. The trail also passes through urban areas such as downtown San Francisco.  

The various sections will consist of paved multi-use paths, dirt trails, bike lanes and city streets. 

Caronna said the Berkeley Bay Trail will also complete bicycle and pedestrian access to the Berkeley Marina from the Pedestrian Overpass once it’s completed. 

“We have just received a Coastal Conservatory grant of $200,000 to study linking the trail to the Berkeley Marina,” Caronna said. “It’s very exciting to have these pathways that are connecting everything.” 

For more information about the San Francisco Bay Trail go to the ABAG’s website at www.abag.ca.gov/bayarea/baytrail/index.html

Many casual listeners believe that Mexican music consists of a single style.  

But in fact there is a huge variety within the culture south of the border.  

The concert will present master musicians from four different regions, emphasizing the diversity, strength and quality of traditional Mexican and Mexican-American music and dance. This program features elder master artists together with talented and dedicated young artists. 

Julián Gonzaléz plays violin in the traditional form of mariachi from Jalisco, Mexico, which he performs without the modern addition of trumpets. He learned his technique and repertory from his father and uncle, who learned it from their father. This version of mariachi has the deep soul of legitimate folk music, in contrast to the commercial caricatures which we often hear. 

Atilano López sings many of his songs in Purepecha, one of the native languages of Michoacan.  

Traditionally musicians in this region also dance, so it is likely that López will put down his vihuela and demonstrate a few fancy steps. The troupe of dancers also perform an important role as percussionists.  

López is joined by his two sons, Atilano and Roberto, among the members of his band. 

Santiago Jimenez Jr. learned the art of Tex-Mex accordion from his father, Santiago Jimenez Sr. who was one of the pioneers of this style. Although his brother Flaco combines elements of rock ’n‘ roll and pop music in his version of Tex-Mex, Santiago is proud of the fidelity with which he preserves the flavor of his father’s music. This is the real deal, straight and undiluted. 

Andrés Vega plays music with obvious Caribbean spice. With his son’s harp sounds providing a bouncy rhythmic framework, the other musicians improvise melodic variations and complex counterrhythms.  

The band plays several exotic instruments which are in the same family as guitars and vihuelas, but are used only in Veracruz. This music inspires a party atmosphere, so the hall becomes a fandango with several generations of revelers celebrating together. 

Even though the focus of this program is the grand old masters, perhaps the brightest stars are the young local musicians called Los Cenzontles (Mockingbirds), who play a short set to begin each half of the concert, and also dance and sing during several of the numbers of the various master musicians. In this way, we get to see these traditions being passed on right before our eyes, as the new generation polishes techniques with guidance from their respected elders. 

The members of this local group study traditional Mexican music and dance at Los Cenzontles Mexican Arts Center in San Pablo.  

They demonstrate deep mastery of all four styles of music being presented on this program, justifying the name “Cenzontles” for mockingbirds are famous for learning the songs of other birds and for their general musical virtuosity. 

This concert is a treasure-store for musicologists or fans of world music.  

Any one of these four master musicians would be worthy of a journey crosstown, yet they are all playing the same venue on the same night. 

Also the dancers perform in authentic folkdance styles. This is not “Ballet Folklorico” in glittering costumes. These are the flirtatious rituals of farmers and cowboys close to the earth. 

Of course, anybody who is already familiar with the riches of Mexican folk music and dance will understand how exciting this concert will be.  

Those who are unfamiliar with these styles should prepare for a treat.

LOS ANGELES — NASA has begun releasing the most accurate global map ever created – 3-D images of mountains, valleys and plains that were put together from a trillion measurements of the Earth’s surface collected by a space shuttle crew last year. 

The digital topographical maps were crunched from the 8 terabytes of data gathered during the 11-day Shuttle Radar Topography Mission, which ended in February 2000. The data – equal to 160 million pages of text – includes precise measurements of 80 percent of the Earth’s land mass. 

“The map is going to be 100 times better than any other global map that we have,” said Tom Farr, the mission’s deputy project scientist at the NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena. 

Astronauts collected the data with two large radar antennas, one tucked in the shuttle cargo bay and one on the end of a 197-foot mast. The two simultaneously imaged the surface of the Earth. When combined and processed, the data gathered reveal a stereo view of the topography. 

NASA expects maps created from the data – available over the Web – will help pilots dodge remote mountain peaks, scientists study drainage patterns in valleys where they’ve never set foot and the Defense Department – the mission’s main customer – better guide missiles. 

More than 160 military and intelligence systems will use the digital terrain elevation data, said Thomas Hennig, the project’s manager at the National Imagery and Mapping Agency, which underwrote much of the $142 million mission. 

Other uses include settling border disputes, like those that arose while hammering out the 1995 Dayton peace accord that ended the war in Bosnia. 

“They can see immediately if we move it, it does this for me, and it does that for you,” Hennig said. 

For now, the data will come at a trickle, with JPL releasing one mapped area each week to scientists. The first, which covers an 8,000-square-mile swath of Colorado, was released Tuesday. 

“For many parts of the world that have been poorly mapped this will be a tremendous benefit to lots of people,” said Allen Carroll, chief cartographer for the National Geographic Society. 

The first continental map of North America is slated for release next spring. The last of six large releases, showing the world’s islands, should come by the end of 2002. Steve Young, a researcher at NASA’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Va., works on a project that will use the data to create a synthetic vision system pilots can use for navigation. 

Such a virtual reality display would meld global positioning satellite information and topographic data to show pilots their position in three-dimensional space — including the location of obstacles. 

“Hopefully, it would help to eliminate accidents due to loss of situational awareness, either in the fog or soup, with respect to where the ground, towers or mountains are,” Young said. 

——— 

On the Net: 

Mission site: http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/srtm

PALO ALTO — A jury convicted a Palo Alto man of second-degree murder Thursday for beating and strangling his wife of 33 years. 

Prosecutors believe real estate consultant Kenneth Fitzhugh, 57, may have killed music teacher Kristine Fitzhugh, 52, because she was about to reveal that he was not their son’s biological father. 

But the exact motive was unclear because Fitzhugh was angry about several issues with his wife, prosecutor Michael Fletcher said outside Santa Clara County Superior Court. 

“There were other dynamics in this relationship that were stressors,” he said. Fitzhugh needs to “buck up and start being honest about this,” he added. 

The six-man, six-woman jury deliberated for three days before determining that Fitzhugh killed his wife, though not with premeditation, a requirement for a first-degree murder conviction. Fitzhugh faces 15 years to life in prison when he is sentenced Oct. 10. 

Fitzhugh sat quietly and didn’t appear to show any emotion as the verdict was read. His lawyer said he will appeal. 

Fletcher said at trial that Kristine Fitzhugh was about to tell her oldest son, Justin, that his biological father was a longtime family friend, not Kenneth Fitzhugh. DNA testing proved that 23-year-old Justin Fitzhugh’s father is former lawyer Robert Brown of Placerville. 

Police at first considered the death an accident, but an autopsy showed Kristine Fitzhugh had been killed by a blow to the head. The defense claimed an intruder killed Kristine Fitzhugh. Nolan said his client was the victim of sloppy police work and investigators who jumped to conclusions. No weapon was found and no motive was proved. 

Kenneth Fitzhugh said he was looking for a church site in San Bruno for a client when his wife was killed, and he returned home to find her dead at the bottom of the stairs. He testified that he never suspected his wife and his best friend had had an affair. 

Both Kenneth Fitzhugh and his wife’s son, Justin, took the stand during the monthlong trial. 

The jury also saw a dramatic police video of Kenneth Fitzhugh from the day of his wife’s death. He pounded the table and screamed that his wife’s shoes were responsible for her death. He said she had previously fallen while wearing the shoes found beside her body and that he had repeatedly told her to get rid of them. 

Police had found a pair of shoes, a paper towel and a shirt in Kenneth’s 1999 Chevrolet Suburban. All were flecked with his wife’s blood. His lawyer claimed a traumatized and dazed Kenneth Fitzhugh took the items to his vehicle after finding his wife’s dead body. 

OAKLAND — The boy who was mauled by three pit bulls in June is showing signs of improvement, but hospital officials said Thursday he likely will not get to go home any time soon. 

Shawn Jones, 10, is receiving speech and physical therapy. Doctors hope the daily sessions will help him regain motor skills and help them recognize the damage done. 

”(Today) he sang to his doctor a Whitney Houston song. He also sings songs he makes up,” said Carol Hyman, media director of the Children’s Hospital in Oakland. 

Hyman said doctors could not estimate how long the boy will stay in the hospital, but said it could be many months. He still must undergo muscle and nerve reconstruction. 

Shawn was riding his new bicycle in his Richmond neighborhood on June 18 when he was attacked by the dogs. His injuries included dozens of puncture wounds on his upper body and both his ears were torn from his head. His hearing was not affected. All but one of his wounds have closed. 

“He is working very hard in physical therapy,” Hyman said. “Dr. Elaine Pico (a rehabilitation physician) said he was even complaining, and that is a good sign because it means he is pushing himself to the limits.” 

Since Monday, Shawn has been in a regular room with another boy his age in the rehabilitation unit, and had a trip to the playroom Thursday. 

Two of the three dogs are in the custody of animal control officers. The third was never found. 

The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office has charged the owner of the pit bulls, Benjamin Moore, 27, with two misdemeanor counts of allegedly concealing the dogs after the attack. A hearing for Moore was scheduled for Aug. 8.

BERKELEY — The American Nonsmokers' Rights Foundation says that longtime leader Julia Carol is one of five recipients of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's "Innovators Combating Substance Abuse'' award, which comes with a $300,000 grant. 

According to the foundation, Carol, the former executive director and current director of special programs, has been "instrumental'' in creating a smoking prevention program called "Teens As Teachers'' and eventually eliminating smoking on domestic airline flights. She has worked for 17 years to clear secondhand smoke from the air, raise a generation of smoke-free youth, and counter "Big Tobacco's'' influence. 

“It is a tremendous honor for me and everyone affiliated with The American Nonsmokers' Rights Foundation to be recognized by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation,'' Carol said.  

She added that it is through grants and rewards that the 

foundation has been able to grow from a local grassroots organization into a 

national team of public health professionals. 

The Innovators Award includes a $300,000 grant, which the foundation plans to use to create a Web site that would be a resource database for health advocates, reporters, policy makers and researchers.

SACRAMENTO — California’s fourth- and eighth-graders, including students who must take the state’s new graduation test, scored near the bottom again in the latest national math test released Thursday. 

The sobering results of the 2000 National Assessment of Educational Progress in math, known as the nation’s report card, came despite years of concentrated education reforms and billions of dollars spent on public schools. 

Only 15 percent of California fourth-graders and 18 percent of eighth-graders performed at or above the proficient level in 2000. That was an improvement from 11 percent and 17 percent in 1996, but below the national averages of 25 percent for fourth-graders and 26 percent for eighth-graders. 

State fourth-graders scored 214, up from 209 in 1996, but well below the national average of 226. Of the 40 states that gave the test, only Mississippi scored lower. The perfect score was 500. 

State eighth-graders had a score of 262, down from 263 four years before and below the national average of 274. Of 39 states participating, only Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and New Mexico had lower scores. 

However, state education officials quickly cautioned that many of the math-related changes are just starting to take effect and probably won’t be reflected until the next NAEP math test in 2004. 

“The report card released by NAEP today shows that California schools, teachers, parents and students have a lot of work ahead to improve student achievement and reach the higher standards we have set,” said Kerry Mazzoni, education secretary for Gov. Gray Davis, who made school improvements the focus of his first two years in office. 

Mazzoni noted that the test was given in February 2000 to 1,750 fourth and eighth graders in this state, before the Davis-proposed spending of $298 million to train math teachers and before the approval of tough new math books last winter. 

State school Superintendent Delaine Eastin also said the state has “a lot of work to do,” particularly for minority and poor students. 

However, she said California’s NAEP scores are “artificially deflated” because more non-English-speaking students are included here than elsewhere in the country. 

California’s sample included 27 percent limited-English-proficient students in fourth grade and 19 percent in eighth grade, compared with 6 percent and 4 percent nationally. 

In addition, 49 percent of California’s tested students in fourth grade were eligible for free or reduced-price lunches, compared with 35 percent nationally. 

Eastin said she was pleased that fourth graders, who have benefitted from smaller class sizes in their first four grades, improved their score. She also pointed to modest improvements for minority students. 

The eighth-graders who lost ground are the class of 2004, the first who must take the state’s new high school test to graduate. That test covers language arts and math, including algebra and statistics. 

Eastin says the test shows more focus and resources are needed for middle schools, such as smaller class sizes, additional after-school or summer classes and higher salaries for qualified teachers in poor schools. 

On the Net: NAEP results: http://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard

The FBI on Thursday discounted an anonymous tip to an Internet site alleging that Chandra Levy’s body was buried under a parking lot near a Virginia military base 130 miles south of Washington. 

The FBI investigated the tip that alleged the missing intern was buried near Fort Lee, an Army training base south of Richmond, said Mary Johlie, an FBI spokeswoman in Richmond. 

“The FBI, in concert with Fort Lee officials, have determined that there is no site on or around the Fort Lee military base that corresponds with information provided in the anonymous tip,” Johlie said in a statement. 

Police who have investigated Levy’s disappearance in Washington had asked authorities at Fort Lee to search the site, but the FBI announced late Wednesday that no search would be conducted until the tip was investigated. 

Police said the tip, which came from a California crime tip Web site, was just one of hundreds of leads being pursued since Levy disappeared three months ago. 

Terrance Gainer, Washington’s No. 2 police official, said police requested the search after some information in the tip about the purported location of Levy’s body – a parking lot – and a description of construction in the area checked out. 

“We called down there and confirmed obviously that there’s a Fort Lee, Va., that there’s construction and there’s a parking lot,” Gainer said. 

“This is a little better than a tip like, ’I had vision last night she is in dark water,”’ he said. “There is more specificity. And it is geographically accurate. But that is not necessarily unusual.” 

Fort Lee is a 5,000-acre Army training base about 30 miles south of Richmond. 

Levy, 24, of Modesto came to Washington last year for an internship at the federal Bureau of Prisons and was last seen April 30. 

Police have interviewed Rep. Gary Condit, D-Calif., four times. Condit, who is married, acknowledged in his third police interview that he had an affair with Levy, according to a police source. Police say he is not a suspect in her disappearance. 

Washington police Sgt. Joe Gentile said WeTip, a California organization that accepts crime tips and passes them on to authorities, faxed the anonymous tip Tuesday night. 

——— 

On the Net: 

WeTip: http://www.WeTip.com 

SAN DIEGO — A 15-year-old boy who allegedly was lured away from his family in 1999 returned to San Diego on Thursday after he was stopped at Disneyworld for trespassing. 

Michael Pringle embraced his 17-year-old brother, his mother and friends as he arrived at the airport amid of crowd of reporters and photographers who had been alerted by the FBI. 

Michael was picked up by sheriff’s deputies last week after he was stopped for trespassing at the Orlando, Fla., theme park, FBI agent Darrell Foxworth said. 

An alert social worker recognized Michael from a photo on the Web site of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, he said. 

Michael disappeared from Chula Vista in May 1999, where he had been living in a home for troubled youth. At the time, the family had been experiencing hardship, with his mother suffering from clinical depression and his father out of work, according to his brother, Robert. 

An older man, whom authorities and the family declined to identify, offered Michael trips and gifts, his mother, Mercedes Pringle, said. 

“He didn’t seem like a bad guy,” she said. “He seemed to be a nice character. We didn’t think anything about it. But by the time we realized it, it was too late. They were gone.” 

A week after disappearing, Michael phoned his brother to report he was fine, but wouldn’t say where he was. It was the last time they spoke. 

Speaking to reporters Thursday, Michael declined to say where he had been or what he had been through. 

“I don’t feel like getting into that right now,” he said, betraying little emotion. 

Though investigators say he was lured away, Michael disputed that. He said was not held against his will. 

“I thought of trying to come back. I just didn’t,” he said. “I’m back now.” 

Mrs. Pringle, a medical assistant, described the last few years as “a nightmare.” 

“It breaks my heart. I blame myself,” she said. “It’s my fault because I should have caught some things ... like one time this guy gave my son a pager and a cellular phone. Now what in the world are you going to do with a cellular phone on a 12-year-old kid?” 

Foxworth said the case is under investigation, but no arrests have been made. 

“This child has been missing since he was 12 years old. There’s a lot of questions as far as what’s happened, where he’s been for the two and a half years, what his experiences have been, what he’s been subjected to.” 

Michael said he was happy to be home and looking forward to restarting the relationship with his family. He also wants to resume school, though after more than two years away from classes he couldn’t say what grade he’d be in. 

Asked what he planned to do next, Michael bowed his head in thought. His brother jokingly interjected: “He’s going to Disneyland.” 

Giving his brother a stoney look, Michael remained silent. 

MARINA DEL REY — The California Coastal Commission, faced with a lawsuit, promised Thursday to begin reviewing this Santa Monica Bay community’s coastal development plan this year, a move that might result in recommending a halt to new development. 

“We are hopeful that this review ... will help us save a slice of this coastal paradise that is now accessible to all of the residents of the Los Angeles regions,” said David DeLange, president of the Coalition to Save the Marina, which had sued the commission. 

Under terms of a consent decree settling the suit, the commission agreed to begin its review of land-use plans for popular Marina del Rey and part of the Ballona Wetlands open area this year. 

After the review is completed, the commission will make recommendations to Los Angeles County officials on whether development plans for the area should be modified and how.  

The county is not required to follow those recommendations, however. 

Activists said development plans for high-rise condominium towers, hotels and shopping centers threaten the natural feel of Marina del Rey, an unincorporated area 15 miles southwest of Los Angeles. 

A plan by a Saudi Arabian sheik to build a 20-story luxury hotel was singled out by activists as the kind of project they’re trying to stop.  

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to authorize negotiations with Sheik Abdul Aziz al-Ibrahim to extend the lease he already has on public land at the marina. 

“The very character and charm of Marina del Rey is at stake,” DeLange said.  

“We intend to fight to preserve this way of life.” 

The coastal commission is required by the state’s coastal act to review each of the state’s Local Coastal Programs – land-use and zoning directives that outline regulations for development along the state’s coast – every five years. 

The commission has only reviewed two LCPs out of more than 50 since it was created in 1972, said Sarah Christie, the agency’s legislative coordinator. 

“The commission has never had the budgetary and staff capabilities to carry out this program,” Christie said. “Regrettably, we’re in violation of our own statute.” 

Next year’s state budget had included $1.4 million for the commission to perform more reviews, but Gov. Gray Davis cut that money out with a line-item veto when he signed the budget. 

Christie said that regardless of funding concerns the commission is committed to performing the Marina del Rey LCP review. 

“We don’t know where we’re going to get the staff to do it, but we’ll find a way,” she said.

SANTA FE SPRINGS — Christian Coalition founder Pat Robertson’s effort to reopen a defunct oil refinery and build a power plant faced scrutiny Thursday by some who questioned the safety of such an operation. 

It was the latest round in a battle between the televangelist’s company, Robertson Charitable Remainder Unitrust, which claims the concerns have been chiefly raised by environmental activists, and the opposition group Communities for a Better Environment. 

While Communities for a Better Environment held a town hall meeting to discuss possible health risks posed by opening the Cenco Refining Inc. plant, refinery officials were offering residents tours to allay any fears. 

Caught in the middle were residents who want the suburban Los Angeles community to prosper but worry about a repeat of the plant’s previous problems, such as ammonia and sulfur leaks. 

“I want to know why, why don’t they put it somewhere else. Why can’t they put it in Beverly Hills or Westwood or Santa Monica,” said Francis Fuentes, who moved to the South Fulton Village senior citizen residential complex just blocks from the refinery in 1998. “I want them to tell me they won’t open it.” 

Fuentes was one of 75 people who attended the public meeting to discuss possible health risks posed by opening the Cenco Refining Inc. plant. 

But Robertson’s company liaison, Don Brown, said the company has addressed any potential health risks the plant might pose to the community. 

“This is a small plant. It really doesn’t take up any space. It isn’t going to be noticed by the public,” Brown said, adding if opened the operation would refine 50,000 barrels of oil a day and include a plant to power refinery equipment. 

Activists and some residents have accused Robertson’s company of trying to push the plant on a vulnerable community, which is predominantly working class and Hispanic. 

“These are people already fighting pollution problems,” said Scott Kuhn, a CBE attorney. 

Brown said the allegations were untrue. 

“How do you fight something like that? This plant was already here,” he said. 

CBE sued Robertson’s company last year, claiming the plant should go through the same permitting process as other plants.  

The group contends reopening the plant would expose residents to increased pollution and the threat of toxic gases. 

Brown said the company plans to spend $170 million to install state-of-the-art pollution controls and monitoring equipment.  

He also said the state’s conditional use permit makes clear gas leaks or other problems could shutter the plant. 

“This is not going to be like the old plant. If anything happens like that, the state will close us down,” he said. 

Robertson’s family trust purchased the closed Powerine Refinery Inc. in 1998 using money from the sale of some of his family’s broadcasting interest. He said he’s been seeking bank financing to reopen it ever since, renaming it Cenco Refining Co.

SAN FRANCISCO — A federal appeals panel ruled Thursday the California Department of Corrections cannot punish Muslim inmates who miss prison work assignments to attend a Sabbath service. 

The case stems from a class-action suit representing about 300 Muslim inmates at a medium-security state prison in Vacaville. The prison reduces time for prisoners who work at the prison. Inmates sued the prison in 1996, saying they were being unfairly punished for missing work schedules when they attended a Friday service on prison grounds. A three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals sided with the prisoners, saying the prison’s policy violated their rights to freedom of religion. The penalties for missing work assignments include suspension of privileges, confinement to cells and a loss of early release credits. 

Judge Dorothy W. Nelson wrote that freedom of religion in prisons “is obviously in the public interest,” and noted that attendance of religious services are “commanded by the Koran.” 

The decision upholds a federal judge’s injunction that prohibited the department from punishing inmates who miss work to attend services. 

The case is Mayweathers v. Newland, 00-16708. 

LONDON — Depression is at least as common during pregnancy as it is after childbirth, and should be diagnosed because it may be harmful to the baby, new research indicates. 

While doctors are careful to spot and treat postnatal depression, they are not so vigilant about looking out for depression during pregnancy because they don’t expect to see it, said the study’s lead investigator Jonathan Evans, a senior lecturer in psychiatry at Bristol University in England. 

“This will be a surprise to many because most people think that women are protected from depression during pregnancy, that it is a time of emotional well-being,” agreed Dr. Ruta Nonacs, a perinatal psychiatrist at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston who was not involved in the study. “But this shows that over 10 percent of women have depression during pregnancy – the same as at any point in their lives.” 

Previous studies have suggested that depression and anxiety during pregnancy may be linked to low birth weight, premature birth and reduced blood flow in the womb. Evans called for urgent research to clarify the potential consequences to the baby of a mother’s depression during pregnancy.  

In the end, it will come down to whether the depression itself, or the drugs used to treat it, are worse for the fetus, experts said. 

Postnatal depression is different from the “baby blues,” a transient tearfulness that afflicts most women in the first few days following childbirth. 

A more severe mental illness after childbirth called postpartum psychosis, which affects about one in 1,000 women after delivery, can in extreme cases involve mothers harming their children. It usually strikes in the first two weeks to one month after delivery. 

In the study, published this week in the British Medical Journal, more than 9,000 British women recorded their moods through pregnancy and after childbirth in a series of questionnaires.  

They were assessed for depression at 18 and 32 weeks of pregnancy and eight weeks and eight months after giving birth. 

The scientists found that 13.5 percent of the women passed the threshold for depression when they were 32 weeks pregnant, while 9.1 percent scored at that level eight weeks after delivery. 

Normally, depression occurs in about the same proportion of women – between 10 to 15 percent of them – at other times of life. 

“It’s actually a popular myth that postnatal depression is a specific syndrome,” Evans said.  

“Clearly, people do get depressed postnatally. But it has entered public consciousness as a sort of condition somehow separate from the rest of depression and what we are saying is that it is depression like depression at any other time and it occurs no more frequently than at any other time in a woman’s life.” 

Although the study found that rates were slightly higher during pregnancy than postpartum, some experts said some cases of postnatal depression may have been missed because the first measure occurred at eight weeks after birth. 

“I think there is a syndrome that they’ve missed, that happens much more immediately after childbirth and gets resolved by eight weeks,” said Dr. David Mrazek, chairman of psychiatry and psychology at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. 

Also, some of the most depressed women dropped out toward the end of the study and did not complete the postnatal questionnaires.  

The postpartum figure is an underestimate, but how important an underestimate is unclear, Mrazek said. 

“The single most striking thing is this unremitting level of between 8 and 11 percent of young women who come up seriously depressed,” Mrazek said, adding that efforts need to be focused on treating such women to prevent suicide and other complications. 

——— 

On the Net: 

Postpartum Support International, http://www.chss.iup.edu/postpartum/ 

SACRAMENTO — Hospitals that perform a relatively small number of bypass surgeries did well in the first report measuring how California hospitals do in bypass operations. 

The study, released Thursday by a state agency and coalition of employers, shows that hospitals that do a small number of surgeries “can perform quite well,” said Dr. David M. Carlisle, the director of the Office of Statewide Health. 

Of the 79 hospitals that volunteered data for the study, only four performed worse than expected. Hospitals were ranked by whether their results were better, worse, or the same as expected. The expectations were based on the risk level of the patients. 

There are 118 hospitals that perform coronary artery bypass grafts in California. 

Of the hospitals that participated, three did better than expected, and four performed worse. 

The three hospitals that performed better than expected were Summit Medical Center in the Bay area, Sutter Memorial in Sacramento, and Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian in Orange County. Mercy San Juan Hospital in Sacramento, John Muir Medical Center in the Bay Area, Downey Community Hospital in Downey, and Presbyterian Intercommunity Hospital in the Los Angeles area performed worse than expected. 

About 27,000 Californians undergo coronary bypass graft bypass surgery each year. 

California, where hospitals are not required to release detailed information about performance results, is the fourth state to do a voluntary study, Damberg said. New York, Pennsylvania and New Jersey have also done voluntary studies. 

A coronary artery bypass graft reroutes blood to the heart after the vessels to the heart have narrowed by creating new vessels from veins in the leg. The overall in-hospital death rate associated with the procedure is 2.6 percent. 

The study is the first in a series of reports on bypass surgery mortality. The results were based on data from 70 percent of bypass surgeries done from 1997-1998. 

The next report, which will show results for 1999, is scheduled for release later this year. 

——— 

On the Net: 

Read the full report at the Office of Statewide Health Planning Web site http://www.oshpd.state.ca.us 

or at the Pacific Business Group on Health Web site at http://www.pbgh.org 

MENLO PARK — The future of Geron Corp. – and of millions of people who suffer from Parkinson’s disease, diabetes and other ailments – could well lie in a nondescript business park, guarded by sophisticated electronics and patent attorneys. 

Dozens of vials of human embryonic stem cells – fuzzy, microscopic balls formed in the first days after conception – are kept alive here in an enzyme soup that helps them multiply. Some scientists believe they can prod these cells to grow into tissues that can replace damaged cells and organs. 

This is long-shot science. It is also fraught with mind-numbing economic and social implications – and has become mired in a contentious debate over whether the federal government should pay for such research. 

Geron’s fortunes are deeply enmeshed in the politics of genetic medicine. 

On Wednesday, the company’s stock dropped by 7.8 percent after the House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly to criminalize human cloning – even though Geron doesn’t rely on cloned human embryos for its stem cells as do some of its competitors. 

The stock was already trading so low that Geron’s board of directors recently approved a poison pill defense to fend off possible hostile takeover attempts. 

Long-term investors in Geron are apt to be hurt – and drug development delayed – if President Bush orders a permanent ban on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. 

With or without federal funding, if human embryonic stem cells ever live up to their potential as cures for everything from cancer to brain diseases, Geron is uniquely positioned to dominate the emerging field of regenerative medicine. 

The company owns 62 patents involving an anti-aging enzyme, cloning techniques and related technology for regenerative medicine. The company has also applied for about 40 more patents involving stem cells. 

In addition, Geron pays other stem cell patent holders for exclusive commercial rights, making it the largest financial backer of the research in the United States. 

Geron gets its stem cells from the University of Wisconsin, which extracts them from 4-day-old embryos obtained from fertility clinics. 

The idea is to grow the stem cells into adult cells, which can then be kept ageless and dividing through telomerase, an enzyme that controls cell aging. Geron patented the enzyme six years ago while researching ways to make old cells young again. 

“Where we are going with this is cells in a bottle,” said Thomas Okarma, Geron’s chief executive. “Living cells will be tomorrow’s pharmaceuticals.” 

While Geron researchers work on developing cures, the company’s lawyers and financial executives are busy attempting to corner commercial markets with strategic investments. 

This year, Geron is investing at least $4.7 million with academic researchers studying embryonic stem cells at the University of Wisconsin, Johns Hopkins University, Cornell University and other schools. Next year, Geron plans to spend at least $3.4 million. 

By contrast, the next biggest contributor to stem cell research, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, spent only $1.2 million last year. 

Geron’s investments give it commercial rights to the research. Geron provided nearly all the funds that enabled Wisconsin researcher Jamie Thomson to discover human embryonic stem cells in 1998. 

Wisconsin has since grown generations of stem cells from the same initial embryos, becoming the nation’s largest human embryonic stem cell manufacturer and providing Geron with a constant supply. 

But some researchers have complained of difficulty coaxing Wisconsin stem cells to grow and differentiate into usable tissue. They press for the creation of many more colonies of stem cells. 

And hence the political debate. Abortion opponents argue that it is immoral to harvest the stem cells because doing so requires killing a human embryo. Since 1996, the government has banned all federal funding of research that would harm, damage or destroy human embryos. 

Bush is reviewing the policy. A decision to allow federal funds for stem cell research could prompt substantial new investments. Blocking federal money altogether could severely limit Geron’s potential. 

But if Bush decides on a compromise – allowing money for research involving existing stem cells, but blocking funds for research that would destroy more embryos – Geron could wind up with a near-monopoly over the most promising areas of human embryonic stem cell technology. 

Whatever happens, Geron will still face competition and scientific obstacles. 

Its founder, Michael West, left in 1998 after Geron’s board refused to spin off the company’s stem cell unit. 

Texas oilman Miller Quarles, one of Geron’s initial investors, then sold most of his Geron stock and helped West finance his acquisition of Advanced Cell Technology in Worcester, Mass., which now competes with Geron. 

Advanced Cell wants to personalize medicine through cloning, using a patient’s own cells to repair damage – the technique the House voted to ban. 

Other companies work with adult stem cells, which may be less useful to science but are certainly less problematic politically than the embryonic cells that Geron uses. 

The National Institutes of Health last year contributed $147 million to human adult stem cell research by both private and government labs, and it expects to top that figure this year. 

It will take years for stem cells to pay off – if ever. 

Immune rejection remains a key stumbling block. Our bodies reject foreign cells. Heart transplant recipients, for instance, require anti-rejection drugs that have serious side effects and often don’t work at all. 

Until researchers find a solution, regenerative medicine remains theoretical and keeps Geron’s future speculative. All of that makes investors impatient – to say nothing of the sick and aging. 

“I’m 86 years old and I don’t have much time left,” Quarles said. “They better find something pretty damn quick.”

LOS ANGELES — NetZero Inc., one of the few remaining providers of free Internet access, is slashing staff, selling a subsidiary and reducing its free service to save money, company officials said Thursday. 

In another sign that its business model isn’t working, the Westlake Village-based company has eliminated 66 positions and will reduce the number of free hours available to basic service customers from 40 to 10 a month, effective Oct. 1. 

It also sold subsidiary RocketCash, an e-commerce company best known for its partnership with the Sprite soda brand. RocketCash has 27 employees and cost NetZero several million dollars a year to operate. 

The sale closed Wednesday, but neither the name of the buyer nor the terms of the deal were disclosed. 

“If we have a business tangential to our core business, and if we are spending a lot of time or effort on that, this market will not give us credit for that,” NetZero chief executive Mark Goldston said. “We can’t afford the diversion.” 

The 66 layoffs at NetZero and the sale of RocketCash resulted in a 26 percent overall reduction in staffing. 

With the news, shares of NetZero rose 5 cents to close at 65 cents a share on Thursday. 

Goldston said NetZero wanted to make the cost-cutting moves before its merger with New York-based Juno Online Services in a deal that will create the world’s second-largest Internet service provider behind AOL. NetZero hopes to close the stock deal by year end. 

Goldston declined to estimate how much the changes might save his money-losing company, saying only that it will be in the millions of dollars. 

The slashing of service hours will affect about 30 percent of the company’s free-access customers, Goldston said. The goal is to move people from free service to a “Platinum” plan that costs $9.95 a month. 

About 3.4 million people used NetZero services in June, but only about 210,000 were billable subscribers. 

Analysts described the NetZero changes as part of a larger move away from free Internet service. When the firm opened nearly four years ago, it was the first to offer free Web access to customers willing to share personal information and look at targeted advertising. 

Last month, e-tailer BlueLight.com of San Francisco said it would discontinue its free Internet service. 

Free access companies simply have not been able to make the advertising-based model pay, said David Smith, vice president of Internet strategy at Gartner Inc. in Stamford, Conn. 

“The free lunch is over,” he said. “See if those 10 free hours are there six months from now.” 

In preparation for the next earthquake, a geological survey team has been drilling in various locations around west Berkeley to determine which areas will experience the most violent shaking. 

Since June, Geologist Tom Noce of the U.S. Geological Survey, has been leading the USGS Earthquake Hazards Team around west Berkeley in a 22-ton truck boring 1.5 inch-wide holes deep into the ground to assess which parts of the city will shake more than others. There will be a total of 40 borings and the tests are expected to go on until mid August. 

The study is focused on west Berkeley because the ground is less dense and more prone to intense shaking during an earthquake compared to the hills areas, which is mostly comprised of bedrock and therefore more stable. 

The city manager’s chief of staff, Arrietta Chakos, said the survey data will be compiled in the Comprehensive Earthquake Hazard Map, which city planners will use to develop structural requirements for building and remodeling projects. In addition, emergency response teams will be able to use the maps immediately after an earthquake to determine which sections of the city are most likely to suffer significant injuries and damages. 

Chakos said the survey is mandatory under the State Hazards Mapping Act of 1990, which requires cities and counties across the state to map out high-risk areas and take whatever damage-prevention measures possible. 

Chakos said the project is being paid for through the federal Project Impact Program, which works with communities throughout the nation to better prepare families, businesses and local governments for natural disasters.  

Chakos said the hazard maps should be complete in about a year. Once completed, city planners and Berkeley’s Seismic Technical Advisory Group will analyze the data and make suggestions about building and structural retrofitting in the high-risk areas. 

“The maps will basically give us some guidance for building and zoning,” Chakos said. “For example, a developer building in a high-risk area may be required to have a soil engineer study the site and assess potential risks.” 

The Seismic Technical Group, is comprised of seismic experts at UC Berkeley. The group has been advising the city for the last six years on earthquake preparedness in city buildings. 

“They’ve advised us on the Civic Center, the Public Safety Building and the new library building,” Chakos said. “We’re really quite fortunate to have them.” 

Tom Noce, who has conducted similar surveys in Oakland, Alameda and Santa Clara County, said the drilling process so far has been mostly carried out at the Berkeley Marina, which is landfill and more likely to experience intense shaking and ground failure during an earthquake. 

He said the USGS Earthquake Hazards Team uses equipment housed in a 22-ton, three-axle truck. A 1.5 inch drill bores a hole approximately 100 feet below the surface. As the drill is driven into the ground, it collects electronic data about the characteristics of the soil at various levels.  

The drill does not bring soil the surface to be analyzed. 

Once the ground conditions have been measured, Noce creates a mini earthquake by striking the surface with a sledge hammer. The reaction, which is called a sheer wave, is measured. Then Noce estimates the intensity of shaking during a quake by comparing the sheer wave measurement to the characteristics of the soil. 

The public is invited to witness the process Friday at 10:30 a.m. behind the Martin Luther King, Jr. Civic Center. 

For more information about emergency preparedness in Berkeley you can visit the city’s web site at www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/projectimpact or call the Office of Emergency Service at 644-8736.

Through three games of the Slam N’ Jam Elite 8x2 Tournament, the Oakland Soldiers had blown past overmatched opponents with a whole lot of flashy plays and very little effort. But when it came down to the championship game, it was good old-fashioned muscle that carried them past a halftime deficit to the title. 

Facing a Next Level team that very few people expected to make it to the final, the Soldiers found themselves in real trouble on Wednesday evening for the first time this week. Despite pulling off some spectacular plays in the first half, they found themselves trailing 38-32 at the intermission. The Next Level players, fresh off of upset wins over EBO and the Michigan Hurricanes, weren’t psyched out by the Soldiers’ dunks and alley-oops; they just went back down and scored some baskets of their own. Their backcourt trio of Brandon Worthy, Joe Calderon and Steve Cotton were able to penetrate the Oakland defense for some easy baskets, and proved a tough matchup for the favored host team. 

With the highlight reel not getting them anywhere, the Soldiers turned to Leon Powe and John Winston to get some easy points inside to regain the lead early in the second half. 

Powe started the half with a nice move that resulted in an easy dunk for the 6-foot-7 junior. He then tipped in a LeBron James miss to pull his team within two points. A couple of minutes later, he captured the lead for his squad with a score that was pure muscle, overpowering two Next Level defenders for a layup. 

“I knew I had to pull us through, even though I was a little tired,” Powe said. “But we had to win this one. You have to win your home tournament.” 

Then Winston got into the act. The Salesian High star got a putback on a DeMarcus Nelson miss, then made a three-point play the hard way, driving to the basket for a bucket and foul. He scored again off of penetration a minute later, and the Soldiers had a 48-43 lead that they would never relinquish.  

Winston is one of the players that sometimes falls into the background playing with stars like Powe, James and Marquis Kately, but he proved that he can play with the best of them. 

“We’ve got 10 of the best ballplayers in the country, and sometimes it’s a little hard to find the best five in any game,” Soldiers coach Mark Olivier said. “But we win with scoring by committee and by playing tough defense.” 

Next Level’s Marcus Martinez tried to rally his team with a 3-pointer, but John Sharper answered with two bombs of his own to widen the Oakland lead to 57-50. All that was left was a few highlight plays by the Soldiers down the stretch, and the hosts walked away with the trophy. 

Powe led all scorers with 24 points, after only scoring 14 in the semi-final victory against the LA Paladins earlier on Wednesday. James had a fairly quiet 18 in the final, but showed why many consider him to be the best prep player in the country with some spectacular passes and deft ballhandling. Jayson Obazuaye led Next Level with 22 points. 

The Soldiers’ semi-final was a tough game early, but turned into a blowout in the second half, as James, Powe and Kately put on another show with alley-oops and breakaway dunks. Paladin point guard Deric Clark showed a nice game, breaking off a couple of sweet crossovers and leading his team with 17 points, and Doug Thomas showed a lot of heart despite a lack of size against the Soldier big men, but the Los Angeles team was clearly overmatched. 

In the other semi-final, Next Level prevented the matchup the Soldiers really wanted with the Hurricanes when Cotton tied the score with a 3-pointer with two seconds left to force overtime. Five different Next Level players scored in overtime, and six points by star point guard Anthony Roberson couldn’t carry the Hurricanes to the final. 

NOTES: Kately’s top four college choices are Cal, Arizona, North Carolina and UCLA, but he said he’s “still open to hearing from other schools.” The Riordan (San Francisco) wingman has attracted a lot of attention this summer after missing most of the last high school season... St. Mary’s (Berkeley) teammates Sharper and DeShawn Freeman have benefited from increased exposure this summer with the Soldiers, and each has several schools after him. Freeman listed his top schools as UTEP, Mississippi State, Pepperdina and UC Santa Barbara, while Sharper is considering Portland, Santa Clara, Dartmouth and Yale.

Through three games of the Slam N’ Jam Elite 8x2 Tournament, the Oakland Soldiers had blown past overmatched opponents with a whole lot of flashy plays and very little effort. But when it came down to the championship game, it was good old-fashioned muscle that carried them past a halftime deficit to the title. 

Facing a Next Level team that very few people expected to make it to the final, the Soldiers found themselves in real trouble on Wednesday evening for the first time this week. Despite pulling off some spectacular plays in the first half, they found themselves trailing 38-32 at the intermission. The Next Level players, fresh off of upset wins over EBO and the Michigan Hurricanes, weren’t psyched out by the Soldiers’ dunks and alley-oops; they just went back down and scored some baskets of their own. Their backcourt trio of Brandon Worthy, Joe Calderon and Steve Cotton were able to penetrate the Oakland defense for some easy baskets, and proved a tough matchup for the favored host team. 

With the highlight reel not getting them anywhere, the Soldiers turned to Leon Powe and John Winston to get some easy points inside to regain the lead early in the second half. 

Powe started the half with a nice move that resulted in an easy dunk for the 6-foot-7 junior. He then tipped in a LeBron James miss to pull his team within two points. A couple of minutes later, he captured the lead for his squad with a score that was pure muscle, overpowering two Next Level defenders for a layup. 

“I knew I had to pull us through, even though I was a little tired,” Powe said. “But we had to win this one. You have to win your home tournament.” 

Then Winston got into the act. The Salesian High star got a putback on a DeMarcus Nelson miss, then made a three-point play the hard way, driving to the basket for a bucket and foul. He scored again off of penetration a minute later, and the Soldiers had a 48-43 lead that they would never relinquish.  

Winston is one of the players that sometimes falls into the background playing with stars like Powe, James and Marquis Kately, but he proved that he can play with the best of them. 

“We’ve got 10 of the best ballplayers in the country, and sometimes it’s a little hard to find the best five in any game,” Soldiers coach Mark Olivier said. “But we win with scoring by committee and by playing tough defense.” 

Next Level’s Marcus Martinez tried to rally his team with a 3-pointer, but John Sharper answered with two bombs of his own to widen the Oakland lead to 57-50. All that was left was a few highlight plays by the Soldiers down the stretch, and the hosts walked away with the trophy. 

Powe led all scorers with 24 points, after only scoring 14 in the semi-final victory against the LA Paladins earlier on Wednesday. James had a fairly quiet 18 in the final, but showed why many consider him to be the best prep player in the country with some spectacular passes and deft ballhandling. Jayson Obazuaye led Next Level with 22 points. 

The Soldiers’ semi-final was a tough game early, but turned into a blowout in the second half, as James, Powe and Kately put on another show with alley-oops and breakaway dunks. Paladin point guard Deric Clark showed a nice game, breaking off a couple of sweet crossovers and leading his team with 17 points, and Doug Thomas showed a lot of heart despite a lack of size against the Soldier big men, but the Los Angeles team was clearly overmatched. 

In the other semi-final, Next Level prevented the matchup the Soldiers really wanted with the Hurricanes when Cotton tied the score with a 3-pointer with two seconds left to force overtime. Five different Next Level players scored in overtime, and six points by star point guard Anthony Roberson couldn’t carry the Hurricanes to the final. 

NOTES: Kately’s top four college choices are Cal, Arizona, North Carolina and UCLA, but he said he’s “still open to hearing from other schools.” The Riordan (San Francisco) wingman has attracted a lot of attention this summer after missing most of the last high school season... St. Mary’s (Berkeley) teammates Sharper and DeShawn Freeman have benefited from increased exposure this summer with the Soldiers, and each has several schools after him. Freeman listed his top schools as UTEP, Mississippi State, Pepperdina and UC Santa Barbara, while Sharper is considering Portland, Santa Clara, Dartmouth and Yale.

Thursday, Aug. 2

Free Computer Class  

for Seniors 

9 - 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 - 3 p.m.  

South Berkeley Senior Center, 2939 Ellis St. 

This free course offers basic instruction in keyboarding, Microsoft Word, Windows 95, Excel and Internet access. Space is limited, call ahead for a reservation. 644-6109 

Community Environmental Advisory Commission 

7 p.m. 

Planning and Development Department - First Floor Conference Room 

2118 Milvia St. 

Among the items on the agenda are residential woodburning and the Harrison Street Skate Park. 

Kensington 55+ Activity Center 

9 a.m. - 2 p.m. 

Social Hall, Arlington Community Church 

52 Arlington Ave. 

Conversation, Apple II computer instruction, massage therapy, German conversation group, meditation and relaxation techniques, watercolor art class, tea and coffee. For more information call 526-9146 or 547-1969. 

Ancient Native Sites of the East Bay 

7:30 p.m. 

Room 160 Kroeber Hall, University of California Campus 

A panel discussion on ancient sites $10 841-2242 

Friday, Aug. 3

Therapy for Trans Partners  

6 - 7:30 p.m.  

Pacific Center for Human Growth  

2712 Telegraph Ave. 

A group open to partners of those in transition or considering transition. The group is structured to be a safe place to receive support from peers and explore a variety of issues, including sexual orientation, coming out, feelings of isolation, among other topics. Intake process required. Meets Fridays through Aug. 17.  

$8 - $35 sliding scale per session  

548-8283 x534 or x522 

Saturday, Aug. 4

Free Sailboat Rides  

1 - 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday 

Cal Sailing Club 

Berkeley Marina 

The Cal Sailing Club, a non-profit sailing and windsurfing cooperative, give free rides on a first come, first served bases on the first full weekend of each month. Wear warm clothes and bring a change of clothes in case you get wet. Children must be at least 5 and accompanied by an adult.  

Visit www.cal-sailing.org  

Robert Bowman 

7 - 9 p.m. 

Friends Church 

1600 Sacramento St.  

Retired Air Force and NASA Official and Presidential Candidate, Dr. Robert Bowman will speak against the weaponization of space. Following the speech and rally there will be a procession to the gates of the Livermore Lab for a nonviolent, risk arrest action. 

Livermore Conversion Project: 663-8065. 

Animal Picnic Family Workshop 

10 - 10:50 a.m.;11 - 11:50 a.m. 

Lawrence Hall of Science 

Touch and hold a variety of animals and see how they eat their lunch. For children 3 - 8 and an accompanying adult. Registration required, $8 - $25. 

642-5132 

Berkeley Farmers’ Market 

10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. 

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

Annual Tomato Tasting, an opportunity to sample the range of tomato varieties at the market. Also, the grand opening of the Food Court. 548-3333 

Poetry Reading 

3 - 5 p.m. 

1527 Virginia Street 

The Bay Area Poets’ Coalition presents an open reading outdoors on the front lawn. 

527-9905; poetalk@aol.com 

Bay Area Eco-Crones 

10:30 a.m. - noon 

Epworth Church, Youth Room 

1953 Hopkins 

Discuss ecological significance of mushrooms and bats; plan rituals for habitat restorations projects.  

874-4935 

Foster Parent Certification Class 

10 a.m. - 3 p.m. 

South Branch Library 

1901 Russell St. 

This class will cover all aspects of Foster Parenting and is open to anyone interested in attending. Free. Call Bob at 641-6200; nailahfs@pacbell.net. 

Sunday, Aug. 5

Live Oak Concerts 

7:30 p.m. 

Berkeley Art Center 

1275 Walnut St. 

Baroque and Classical Harmonies, the vocal and instrumental ensemble, will perform Aaron Copland’s Appalachian Spring and Vivaldi’s Gloria. $10 644-6893 

Anti-Nuclear Vigil 

1 - 3 p.m. 

UC Berkeley 

Oxford and University Ave. 

Remembering Hiroshima and Nagasaki; opposing UC weapons labs’ contracts; urging UC Berkeley to host a national TV debate on nuclear weapons ban.  

Circle of Concern 848-8055. 

Buddhism 

6 p.m. 

Tibetan Nyingma Institute 

1815 Highland Place 

Mark Henderson on “Four Thoughts that Awaken the Heart.” Free. 843-6812 

West Berkeley Market 

11 a.m. - 5 p.m. 

University Ave., between Third and Fourth Streets  

Family-oriented weekly market. Crafts, music, produce, and specialty foods. 654-6346 

Monday, Aug. 6

Intensive Production  

Urban Gardening Training 

10 a.m. - 4 p.m. 

Santa Fe Bar & Grill 

1310 University Ave. 

Growing Gourmet: A free urban gardening training & potluck lunch.  

Learn ways to intensively and organically grow produce for your own use or for an urban market garden. A hands-on training in the garden located behind the restaurant and potluck lunch at 1 p.m. Katherine Webb 841-1110. 

Osteoporosis: How to put Bone  

Loss on Hold 

9 a.m. - 10 a.m. 

Summit Campus 

Cafeteria Annexes B & C 

350 Hawthorne Ave. in Oakland 

A free lecture by Dr. Elliot Schwartz, co-director of the Foundation for Osteoporosis Research and Education. Learn how to create a program that will help minimize bone loss. 869-6737. 

Tuesday, Aug. 7

Intelligent Conversation  

7 - 9 p.m.  

Berkeley Richmond Jewish Community Center 

A discussion group open to all, regardless of age, religion, viewpoint, etc. Discussion will center on sex and drugs: Bring light snacks/drinks to share. Free  

527-5332 

More time to comment 

Editor: 

It’s official. UC Berkeley has graciously extended the 45-day comment period on its biggest-ever construction initiative – the Northeast Quadrant Science and Safety (NEQSS) Projects – for 14 more days.  

This is 23 percent of the 60-day extension that Berkeley City Council requested in its July 24 resolution and that was reiterated in the city manager’s fax to Chancellor Berdahl of last Thursday. 

The city had also asked for an additional public hearing on the NEQSS Draft EIR and another one prior to the submission of the NEQSS Final EIR to the UC Regents for certification (now scheduled in November). 

Written responses to the NEQSS Draft EIR are now due by 5 p.m., Wednesday, August 15.  

For additional official information, or the two-volume Draft EIR itself, please contact UCB Principal Planner Jennifer Lawrence at 642-7720 or .  

For unofficial information, feel free to contact me via email at itsa@dnai.com or at 841-7271.  

You can fax your NEQSS DEIR comments to 642-9442 or mail (or hand carry them) to Capital Projects, University of California, 300 A & E Building, Berkeley CA 94720 or UC Physical and Environmental Planning Office, Room 300, 1936 University Ave., 94704. 

Jim Sharp 

Berkeley 

Pharmacies want profit, not health 

Editor: 

Thanks for that great article by Ben Lumpkin about pharmacies in Berkeley. 

I just want to add that Walgreens doesn’t just “sell” tobacco products. The hypocrisy of their ads on television about their wonderful, healthy pharmacy atmosphere is shown in the gross way they promote cigarettes in all four stores in Berkeley. They don’t just sell, they push and they push hard.  

They have allowed Philip Morris to BOLDLY advertise Marlboro in huge displays.  

If they would cut back the promotion, hide the cigarettes from view and accompany any sale of cigarettes with a brochure about quitting, then their wonderful tv image might make some sense. Right now PROFIT is their only goal. 

The Corporate Walgreens people respond to my comments and photos of their Marlboro displays in Berkeley stores by saying they are sending it to the “higher ups.” 

In other words, they have no logical excuse for what they are doing so rather than sticking their foot in their mouths, they will stop saying anything and continue to promote tobacco in their stores. 

If we get any earthquaking changes in their disgusting habits, we’ll let you know. 

Tim Moder 

member, Berkeley Tobacco Coalition 

Problem is that free market’s not really free 

Editor: 

Invoking my name in her Aug. 1 letter, Marion Syrek gives examples of legal “scams” that she says show that “free enterprise” is a racket. It was very perceptive to put “free enterprise” in quotes, because we need to carefully distinguish today’s distorted markets from a truly free market. A pure free market and true free enterprise are voluntary for the whole society. What we have today instead are larcenous markets skewed by government force. The scams are not due to markets as such, but to the privileges and subsidies granted by government, with the costs imposed by government on the public. A slave market, for example, steals the labor of the slave, but the basic fault lies with the government in legalizing and enforcing this theft.  

It is confusing to blame markets for today’s scams. Once you realize the fundamental problem is government-granted privileges and force, the effective remedy becomes clear. 

Fred Foldvary 

Berkeley 

Cigarette sales subvert drug store mission 

Editor: 

Ben Lumpkin’s excellent story about cigarette sales in pharmacies (July 26) highlights a strange hypocrisy on the part of retail chain stores. 

The same places that offer many cures also sell the only legal product that, when taken as intended, can kill you. 

Is the desire for profit so great that these health professionals can’t make a decision to stop selling a killer drug? Maybe they ought to look into a way of legalizing the sale of heroin – there’s lots of profit there too. 

“Police don’t sell guns,” Lumpkin quoted one customer as saying...a good comparison for Walgreens and Longs to consider. 

I would think that the mission of a pharmacy is subverted by selling “cancer sticks;” maybe the City Council should consider prohibiting the sale of tobacco products in health care facilities such as hospitals, medical offices and pharmacies. 

Paul Fletcher, 

Oakland 

Old UC Theater, not Oxford lot, place for arts 

Editor: 

Re: Mickey Tenenbaum’s quest since 1975 for a Berkeley performance complex of at least 500 seats for his favorite arts groups (Daily Planet, 7/31/2001): I’ve found it!  

It’s the former UC Theatre, on University Ave. near Shattuck. It’s now empty, it’s enduringly elegant, and everyone loves it. It has 1,300 seats. If that’s too many, founder Gary Meyer has suggested dividing it into three performance halls of different sizes. 

Restoring the UC (including necessary seismic work) would cost less than ballooning the size and cost of the proposed new Oxford Lot development. And bringing the UC back to life wouldn’t crowd the Cal campus’ edge, or block anyone’s view. 

For the public, the UC offers many other advantages over the Oxford site: It’s closer to BART and major bus lines. It’s directly adjacent to great restaurants and cafes (which have long depended on the UC as the block’s “anchor” tenant). It’s right beside the city’s designated “Arts District” on Addison. And it’s far from residences whose tenants might be disturbed by patrons leaving nighttime performances. This last point is a real issue for the proposed 90-apartment complex on Oxford Street as your article paraphrased theatrical impresario George Coates, “The more choices, the bigger the crowds.” 

Founder Gary Meyer is reportedly interested in personally helping to reopen the UC as a performing-arts center. Come on, property owners! Come on, Mayor Dean and City Council! Come on, fellow arts patrons! Let’s help make this happen! 

One last point: When your article described the travails of theater groups forced to perform in “the basement of La Val’s Pizza parlor on Durant Avenue,” I think you actually meant La Val’s Subterranean on Euclid Ave., north of the campus. This is a wonderful place to catch performances. Sure, it’s cramped and funky – like the Haight-Ashbury coffeehouses and Greenwich Village basement folk-music clubs where the 1960s were born. But this is what cutting-edge culture should feel like in a university town. Let’s not dis the fine Subterranean – let’s go there to enjoy emerging local talent before they graduate to a larger space like the UC.  

Michael Katz 

Berkeley,  

Oscar London, a pseudonymous Berkeley internist who practices out of a two-story sole proprietorship on Webster Street, has published his second collection of satiric essays, a sequel to “Kill as Few Patients as Possible.” 

“From Voodoo to Viagra” vents on such topics as: “The 7 Habits of Highly Obnoxious Patients” and “How to Cut Your Doctor’s Bill in Half.” (For his next collection, maybe Dr. London will cover “How not to complain after spending long lonely hours in pain in a doctor’s waiting room, only to become the target of a sarcastic essay.”)  

But I quibble, for the writing in “From Voodoo to Viagra” is witty and tart, informative on a array of issues and surprisingly fun, despite the acerbic point of view piercing as one of those long – loooong – needles about to give you a shot.  

Dr. London does have his not-so-secret lusts: for Krispy Kreme donuts from Union City; for dissing alternative medical modalities such as the use of St. John’s Wort in treating depression and the use of magnets in reducing pain; and methinks Dr. London moans a bit much over the trials and travails of having the occasional celebrity patient. 

Many of Dr. London’s ideas are original and even impressive, such as that “the bloated burger billionaires should direct their charitable funds to the American Heart Association, much as the tobacco execs, out of the goodness of their prosecutor’s hearts, are contributing a bundle to Lung Cancer research.” He also has fascinating things to say about testosterone. 

But Dr. London’s voice soars to its most inspiring heights when he recounts his happy experience of making an apt and unusual double diagnosis (in non-English speaking cousins) of Mitral Stenosis – a rare, life-threatening, but potentially quite curable condition. Dr. London loves the practice of medicine: “trading in arthritic broken-down joints for shiny, metallic models that run like brand-new Audi TT coupes” and hitting upon the perfect drug or combination of drugs to effect a cure on even the most bedraggled and hopeless of patients.  

While laughter is, indeed, strong medicine, these memoirs primarily show how humor can motivate and soothe the physician.  

Nothing wrong with that. 

When all’s said and done, Dr. London comes across as sweet. He greatly admires firefighters, and he attributes the fact that married men live longer than bachelors to the way most wives take such careful care of their husbands: “I’ve never seen a husband drag his wife to the doctor. I’ve seen a thousand wives drag their husbands into my office.” He adores his family and – bless him – works hard to serve the “25 patients a day” the HMOs require him to see.  

As he says, “in the end, all of us will be most remembered not for what we did but for how deeply we loved.”  

Sari Friedman’s work appears in literary magazines and anthologies. She teaches writing in local community colleges.

MUSIC 

924 Gilman St. Music at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted. 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; Aug 10: 90 Day Men, Assembly of God, Strong Intention, Under a Dying Sun; Aug 11: Toys That Kill, Scared of Chakra, Soophie Nun Squad, Debris; Aug 12: 5 p.m. Citizen Fish, J-Church, Eleventeen. $5. 924 Gilman St. 525-9926. 

Ashkenaz Aug. 5: 9 p.m. Roots Reggae featuring Groundation and Tchiya Amet. $10. 11317 San Pablo Ave. 525-5099 www.ashkenaz.com 

Eli’s Mile High Club Doors open at 8 p.m. Every Friday, 10 p.m. - 2 a.m., Funky Fridays Conscious Dance Party with KPFA DJs Split Shankin and Funky Man. $10; 3629 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Oakland 655-6661 

Freight and Salvage Coffee House All music at 8 p.m. Aug 2: George Kuo, Narin Pahinui & Aaron Mahi; Aug 3: Wylie & the Wild West, the Waller Brothers, Aug 4: Adam Levy, Will Bernard; Aug 5: MonTango; Aug 6: Frank Yamma; Aug 8: San Francisco Klezmer Experience; Aug 9: John Renbourn; Aug 10: Jody Stecher, Kate Brislin; Aug 11: Al Stewart. $16.50 - $19.50. 1111 Addison St. 548-1761 www.freightandsalvage.org 

Jupiter Aug. 2: Beatdown with DJ’s Delon, Yamu and Add1; Aug. 3: Mas Cabezas, Rhodes-based latin jazz trio with local vet Ezra Gale; Aug. 4: Solomon Grundy, from Orange County, combining jazz, calypso, and world beat; Aug. 7: Joshi Marshal Project, jazz, soul and hiphop; Aug. 8: Broun Fellini’s, jazz/funk/hiphop grooves; Aug. 9: Beatdown with DJ’s Delon, Yamu and Add1; Aug. 10: Steven Emerson, singer/songwriter mixes cool jazz and sweat soul; Aug. 11: J Dogs, funk-soul; Aug. 14: Chris Shot Group, folk-rock and soul combo; Aug. 15: Lithium House, electro/drum & bass styles with live jazz; Aug. 16: Beatdown with DJ’s Delon, Yamu and Add1; Aug. 17: The Mind Club, Old school funk grooves with sonic swirls of acid jazz; www.jupiterbeer.com; or call the hotline: THE-ROCK (843-7625)  

La Peña Cultural Center Aug 3: 8 p.m. Los Delicados, Aya de Leon $10; Aug 4: 8 p.m. Grito Serpentino, Small Axe Project, Jime Salcedo-Malo & Leticia Hernandez $10; Aug 5: 7 p.m. Insight in concert $10; Aug 10: 8:30 p.m. Ire $8; Aug 11: 9:30 p.m. Fito Reynoso’s Ritmo y Armonia. $10, $13 for dance class starting at 8:15; Aug 12: 5, 7:30 p.m. “Say Yo Business” Linda Tillery & The Cultural Heritage Chior. $18 in advance, $20 at the door. In the Cafe 3105 Shattuck Avenue 849-2568 

La Note/Jazzschool Aug 5: 4:30 p.m. Vocaists’ Series (Denine Monet), 5:30 p.m. Instrumentalists’ Series (Pelo Mar); Aug 12: 4:30 p.m. The Freedom Project, 5:30 Eli Sundelson Trio. 2377 Shattuck Avenue 845-5373. 

Shattuck Down Low Lounge Every Tuesday: 9:30 p.m., Posh Tuesdays with DJ’s Yamu, Delon, Add1, and Tequila Willie. Shattuck at Allston. www.thebeatdownsound.com  

“Midsummer Mozart Festival” All shows at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 3: Four pieces including “Symphony in B Flat.” $32 - $40. First Congregational Church 2345 Channing Way (415) 292-9620 www.midsummermozart.org  

“Downtown” Restaurant and Bar August 6: 7 p.m. Jesse Colin Young of the sixties hit group, The Youngbloods, will be performing at a No Nukes evening, sponsored by Greenpeace. The evening commemorates the 56th anniversary of the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima. The proceeds go to Tri-Valley CAREs and Citizen Alert. Tickets are $100. 2102 Shattuck Ave. 800-728-6223 

The Greek Theatre Aug. 3 and Aug. 4, 7 p.m. The String Cheese Incident, $29.75. Hearst Avenue and Gayley Road 444-TIXS, or (415) 421-TIXS www.sfx.com 

THEATER 

Julia Morgan Center for the Arts Aug 4: 8 p.m. “Cuatro maestros Touring Festival” two-hour theatrical event of music and dance performed by four elder folk artists and their talented young counterparts. Adults $18 Children $12; Aug. 10: 7:30 p.m. & Aug. 11, 12, 5 p.m. Campers from Stage Door Conservatory’s “On Broadway” program for grades 5-9 will perform Fiddler on the Roof, Jr. $12 adults, $8 kids. (For info call 527-5939); 2640 College Avenue 845-8542 ext. 302 

“The Great Sebastians” Through Aug. 11: Friday and Saturday evenings 8 p.m. plus Thursday, Aug. 9, presented by Actors Ensemble of Berkeley. A tale about a mind-reading act touring behind the Iron Curtain. A communist general believes the act and “invites” the Sebastians to his villa where the humor and excitement follows. $10. Live Oak Theatre, 1301 Shattuck (at Berryman). For reservations call 528-5620 

“Iphegenia in Aulis” Through Aug. 12: Sat. and Sun. 5 p.m. Special dawn performance on August 12 at 7 a.m. A free park performance by the Shotgun Players of Euripides’ play about choices and priorities. With a masked chorus, singing, dancing, and live music. Feel free to bring food and something soft to sit on. John Hinkel Park, Southhampton Place at Arlington Avenue (different locations July 7 and 8). 655-0813 

“The Lady’s Not for Burning” Aug. 2 - 4: 8 p.m. Set in the 15th century, a soldier wishes to be hanged and a witch does not want to be burned at the stake. Written by Christopher Fry, directed by Susannah Woods. $5 - $10. South Berkeley Community Church 1802 Fairview st. 464-1117 

“Loot” Through Aug 25, Thursdays - Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 7 p.m. Special Performance Aug 20, 8:00 p.m. General Admission: $15, Students / Seniors: $10 La Val’s 1834 Euclid Avenue 655-0813 

“Orphans” Through Aug. 5: Fri. and Sat. 8 p.m., Sun. 7 p.m. Lyle Kessler’s dark comedy about a mysterious stranger invading the home of two orphaned brothers. $15. The Speakeasy Theater, 2016 Seventh St. 326-8493 

“Reefer Madness” Aug. 8, 9, Aug. 22, 23: 9 p.m. A new one-act theatre piece adapted from a 1936 government-funded film opens a critical eye to the control of our society. Performed by The Elemental Theatre Group La Pena Cultural Center 3105 Shattuck Avenue. Wednesdays are “pay what you can,” Thursdays $5 - $10. Contact Zachary Rouse or Tisha Sloan for more info at 655-4150 

“Romeo & Juliet” Aug 11 - Sep 2, Tuesdays - Thursdays. Bruns Memorial Amphitheater. Shakespeare’s classic about a young couple that meets, falls in love and dies in just five days. Adults: $22 - $41 youth (under 16): $12 - $41. 

Films 

Pacific Film Archive Aug 2: 7:30 Kadosh; Aug 3: 7:00 A Full-Up Train, 9:00 The Men of Tohoku; Aug 4: 7:00 Human Desire, 8:50 Hangmen Also Die; Aug 5: 3 p.m. The Yearling, 5:30 p.m The Woman Who Touched Legs; Aug 7: 7:30 p.m. Figures of Motion; Aug 8: 7:30 p.m. Confessions of an Opium Eater; Aug 9: 7:30 p.m. The Return of Frank James; Aug 10: 7 p.m. Alone on the Pacific, 9:05 p.m. Her Brother; Aug 11: 7 p.m. While the City Sleeps, 9 p.m. Beyong a Reasonable Doubt; Aug 12: 3 p.m. Charlotte’s Web, 5:30 p.m. Tokyo Olympiad. New PFA Theatre 2575 Bancroft Way 642-1412 

San Francisco Jewish Film Festival Aug 2: 1 p.m. “Fighter”, 3:15 “Brownsville Black and White”, 5:15 “Inside Out”, “Grrly Show”, 8:45 p.m. “Jewish Luck”, “SF Klezmer Experience”. General admission: $8.50, Matinees (up to and including 4 p.m.): $7, Students/Seniors/Groups: $6.50. Wheeler Auditorium, UC Berkeley. (925)866-9559 http://www.sfjff.org 

“7th annual Brainwash Movie Festival” Aug 3-5: (bring a chair) at the Pyramid Ale brewery, 901 Gilman Street 527-9090 ext. 218. Festival Pass: $30, Individual tickets: online: $8, door: $10 

“Lumumba” Aug 10 at Shattuck Cinemas. Biogrophy of the slain African political figure Patrice Lumumba. In French with English subtitles. 

“Roommates” Aug 12. Max Apple’s true story of his immigrany grandfather who moved in with him when he was in college (in the 60’s). Peer led discussion following movie. $2 Suggested donation. Berkeley Richmond Jewish Community Center 1414 Walnut Street 848-0237 

Exhibits 

“BACA National Juried Exhibition: Works on Paper” Through August 31: Wed. - Sun. Noon - 5 p.m. Berkeley Art Center 1275 Walnut St. 644-6893 

“Bernard Maisner: Illuminated Manuscripts and Paintings” Through Aug. 8 Maisner works in miniature as well as in large scales, combining his mastery of medieval illumination, gold leafing, and modern painting techniques. Flora Lamson Hewlett Library 2400 Ridge Road 849-2541 

“Debbie Moore’s Autobiographical Paintings” Through Sep 30 at Good Vibrations. Portraits of the artist’s sensual explorations spanning 25 years and reflecting changing ways of intimacy and body play. 2504 San Pablo Avenue 848-1985 

“The Decade of Change: 1900 - 1910” chronicles the transformation of the city of Berkeley in this 10 year period. Thursday through Saturday, 1 – 4 p.m. Through September. Berkeley History Center, Veterans Memorial Building, 1931 Center St. Wheelchair accessible. 848-0181. Free.  

“A Fine Line” Through August 24, Tuesday - Friday, noon - 5 p.m. or by appointment. An exhibition works by Kala Fellowship winners for the years 2000 and 2001. Kala Art Institute 1060 Heinz Avenue 549-2977 

“Geographies of My Heart” Collage paintings by Jennifer Colby through August 24; Flora Lamson Hewlett Library 2400 Ridge Road 649-2541 

“MFA Survey Exhibition 2001” third annual exhibition of works of recent graduates from Bay Area master of Fine Art programs. This year featuring artists working in three-dimentional media. now - Aug 18 tuesday - saturday, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Traywick Gallery 1316 Tenth Street 527-1214 

“Musee des Hommages” Masterworks by Guy Colwell Faithful copies of several artists from the pasts, including Titian’s “The Venus of Urbino,” Cezanne’s “Still Life,” Picasso’s “Woman at a Mirror,” and Boticelli’s “Primavera” Ongoing. Call ahead for hours 2028 Ninth St. (at Addison) 841-4210 or visit www.atelier9.com 

“New Visions: Introductions 2001” Through Aug. 18: Wed. - Sat.: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Juried by Artist- Curator Rene Yanez and Robbin Henderson, Executive Director of the Berkeley Art Center, the exhibition features works from some of California’s up-and-coming artists. Pro Arts 461 Ninth St., Oakland 763-9425 

“The Saints Are Coming... To Bring Hope” Through July 30: Tue., Wed., Sat. 12 - 5, p.m., Fri. 1 - 5 p.m., An art installation featuring Fred DeWitt, Leon Kennedy, Josie Madero, Esete Menkir, Belinda Osborn, Arline Lucia Rodini, April Watkins, and Carla Woshone. The Art of Living Center 2905 Shattuck Ave. 848-3736  

“Sistahs: Ethnofraphic Ceramics” through Aug. 22, Reception July 29 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. Womens Cancer Resource Center Gallery 3023 Shattuck Avenue 548-9286 ext. 307 

“Ten Years Here” Exhibit celebrating the 10 year anniversary of Turn of the Century Fine Arts. Aug. 4 - Sept. 14, Sat & Sun 1-5 p.m. Reception Aug 4 2:00 - 7:00 p.m. 2510 San Pablo Avenue 849-0950 

“The Trip to Here: Paintings and Ghosts by Marty Brooks” Through July 31: Tues. - Sun. 11 a.m. - 1 a.m. View Brooks’ first California show at Bison Brewing Company 2598 Telegraph Ave. 841-7734  

Readings 

Grand Lake Theater August 2: Vincent Bugliosi will be speaking and signing his book, “The Betrayal of America: How the Supreme Court Undermined our Constitution and Chose our President.” 7 p.m. Tickets are a $15 donation. 3200 Grand Ave., Oakland. 

Boadecia’s Books Aug 3: Mabel Maney (author of the Nancy Clue/ Cherry Aimless and Hardly Boys mysteries) reads from her new book “Kiss the Girls and Make them Spy” featuring Jane Bond, James’ lesbian twin sister; Aug 4: Dyke Open Myke! Coffeehouse-style open mike night featuring both established and emerging talent; Aug 10 Susann Cokal reads from her novel “Mirabilis” set in 14th-century France; Aug 11: Trina Robbins discusses her latest work “Eternally Bad: Goddesses with Attitute”. All events start at 7:30 p.m. and are free. 398 Colusa Avenue 559-9184 

Cody’s Books Aug 5: Justin Chin, Gerry Gomez Pearlberg; Aug 8: Jane Mead, Mark Turpin. $2 donation. Readings at 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted. 2454 Telegraph Ave. 845-0837 

Cafe de la Paz “Poetry Nitro” Weekly poetry open mike. Aug 6: featuring Andrena zawinski. 6:30 p.m. sign-up, 7 p.m. reading. 1600 Shattuck Ave. 843-0662  

Coffee Mill Poetry Series August 7: Featured readers JC and Bert Glick. 7-9 p.m.; August 21: Featured Readers: Victoria Joyce and Therese Bamberger; Both 7-9 p.m. Free. 3363 Grand Ave., Oakland for info. (510)465-3935 or (510)526-5985, or Email: ksdgk@earthlink.net 

Tours 

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Fridays 9:30 - 11:45 a.m. or by appointment. Call ahead to make reservations. Free. University of California, Berkeley. 486-4387 

Golden Gate Live Steamers Grizzly Peak Boulevard and Lomas Cantadas Drive at the south end of Tilden Regional Park Small locomotives, meticulously scaled to size. Trains run Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Rides: Sunday, noon to 3 p.m., weather permitting. 486-0623  

Museums 

Habitot Children’s Museum “Back to the Farm” An interactive exhibit gives children the chance to wiggle through tunnels, look into a mirrored fish pond, don farm animal costumes, ride on a John Deere tractor and more. “Recycling Center” Lets the kids crank the conveyor belt to sort cans, plastic bottles and newspaper bundles into dumpster bins. $4 adults; $6 children age 7 and under; $3 for each additional child age 7 and under. 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. (closed Sundays, Memorial Day through Labor Day) Kittredge Street and Shattuck Avenue 647-1111 or www.habitot.org  

UC Berkeley Museum of Paleontology Lobby, Valley Life Sciences Building, UC Berkeley “Tyrannosaurus Rex,” ongoing. A 20 by 40-foot replica of the fearsome dinosaur 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” A suspended skeleton of a flying reptile with a wingspan of 22-23 feet. The Pteranodon lived at the same time as the dinosaurs. Free. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. 642-1821 

UC Berkeley Phoebe Hearst Museum of Anthropology will close its exhibition galleries for renovation on October 1. It will reopen in early 2002. On View until October 1, 2001: “Ishi and the Invention of Yahi Culture.” “Sites Along the Nile: Rescuing Ancient Egypt.” “The Art of Research: Nelson Graburn and the Aesthetics of Inuit Sculpture.” “Tzintzuntzan, Mexico: Photographs by George Foster.”  

$2 general; $1 seniors; $.50 children age 17 and under; free on Thursdays. Wednesday, Friday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Thursday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Kroeber Hall, Bancroft Way and College Ave. 643-7648 or www.qal.berkeley.edu/~hearst/ 

Lawrence Hall of Science “Science in Toyland,” through Sept. 9. Exhibit uses toys to demonstrate scientific principles and to help develop children's thinking processes. Susan Cerny’s collection of over 200 tops from around the world. “Space Weather,” through Sept. 2. Learn about solar cycles, space weather, the cause of the Aurorae and recent discoveries made by leading astronomers. This interactive exhibit lets visitors access near real-time data from the Sun and space, view interactive videos and find out about a variety of solar activities. “Within the Human Brain,” ongoing. Visitors test their cranial nerves, play skeeball, master mazes, match musical tones and construct stories inside a simulated “rat cage” of learning experiments. “Saturday Night Stargazing,” First and third Saturdays each month. 8 - 10 p.m., LHS plaza. Space Weather Exhibit now - Sept. 2; now - Sept. 9 Science in Toyland; Saturdays 12:30 - 3:30 p.m. $7 for adults; $5 for children 5-18; $3 for children 3-4. 642-5132 

Holt Planetarium Programs are recommended for age 8 and up; children under age 6 will not be admitted. $2 in addition to regular museum admission. “Constellations Tonight” Ongoing. Using a simple star map, learn to identify the most prominent constellations for the season in the planetarium sky. “How Big Is the Universe?” Aug. 1 through Aug. 24. Learn how to determine the distance of celestial objects, one of the purposes of the Hubble Space Telescope. Daily, 2:15 p.m. $7 general; $5 seniors, students, disabled, and youths age 7 to 18; $3 children age 3 to 5; free children age 2 and younger. Daily, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Centennial Drive, 642-5132 or www.lhs.berkeley.edu Daily, 3:30 p.m. $7 general; $5 seniors, students, disabled, and youths age 7 to 18; $3 children age 3 to 5 ; free children age 2 and younger. Daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Centennial Drive, UC Berkeley 642-5132 or www.lhs.berkeley.edu  

The UC Berkeley Art Museum is closed for renovations until the fall. 

For Michele Lawrence, Berkeley’s new superintendent of schools, Wednesday morning was a watershed of sorts: an eagerly awaited dining room table was delivered to her new Berkeley home. 

“I’ve got a bed to sleep in and, now, a table to eat on,” said a well-satisfied Lawrence, who confessed that she’d been eating breakfast and dinner from a card board box since she moved up from Los Angeles County earlier this month.  

Lawrence served as superintendent of the Paramount Unified School District for 10 years before accepting the Berkeley post this spring. 

Two weeks into the Berkeley job, Lawrence has taken advantage of a time when most parents, students, teachers and school board members are away on vacation to pour over school district documents and get up to speed on critical issues.  

She’s visited a number of school sites and met with principals and district department heads. She’s met with a range of Berkeley groups involved in public education, including citizen advisory committees that support the school board, groups who work with Berkeley schools’ organic gardens, the Parents of Children of African Descent group at the high school, the League of Women Voters, the Berkeley Alliance, the mayor and the chief of police. 

“I’m trying to evaluate where I need to start first and what impedes progress,” Lawrence said. 

But the new superintendent has wasted no time in getting a central message across to the district’s central office staff and others: the message that the Berkeley Unified School District, as an organization, has serious internal problems that must be fixed quickly if Berkeley schools are to get the support they need. 

Some of the most basic services for which schools rely on the central office – educational materials, budget and assessment information, and the maintenance and repair of equipment and facilities - are in critically bad shape, Lawrence said, echoing the concerns voiced by many school board members in recent months. 

“As a result, there seems to be frustration with every group I’ve been meeting with about the district’s ability to respond to their needs,” she said. 

Lawrence is already hard at work on some preliminary measures for addressing these issues. After visits to some Berkeley schools, notably the high school, Lawrence is assigning maintenance crews to give “filthy” rooms a thorough going over before class begins Aug. 29.  

Under a bond measure passed in November, the school district will see its annual maintenance budget more than double to $3.8 million. Lawrence expects to oversee the hiring and training of several new maintenance workers this fall to significantly bolster the maintenance support available to schools. 

“You can’t have a crew go in and fix the school and then allow it to go back and deteriorate,” Lawrence said. “We have to have an ongoing process for routine cleanup and maintenance.” 

In the central office, Lawrence said nothing short of a reorganization the staff was needed to help implement greater accountability. Rather than having one manager oversee a large number of employees, as happens under the current system, there needs to be more managers, Lawrence said – each with a relatively narrow focus of responsibility. 

“That’s a more tightly structured system, so there is a direct link between evaluation and performance,” she explained. 

Cathy James, associate superintendent for support services, is leaving the district at the end of this summer at after 11 years. But, until she leaves, she is working closely with Lawrence to help her settle in.  

James said the new superintendent is a quick study and wastes no time communicating her expectations to staff. 

“It’s really hard to come into an organization that’s this complex and kind of get what all the nuances are,” James said. “I think that she’s very candid with people about what she’s thinking and what her approach is.” 

Lawrence has struck a firm but supportive tone when communicating her concerns to central office staff, James added. Her style has been not to point the finger at any individual but to encourage the whole staff to join in a massive effort to turn things around, she said. 

“There’s a lot of work to be done, and that’s a little bit intimidating. But I don’t think anybody’s objecting to the goal,” James said. “Some of us flinch because we know that (the criticisms are) true. A lot of it is stuff that we are all frustrated about.” 

James warned, however, that, at least in the budget area, much of the difficulties with providing information in the past year were caused by the double curse of staff turnover and an old, dysfunctional data processing system. The district has been battling to replace the system since last year, James said – but the battle is not yet won.  

Lawrence said one of the central office staff’s top priorities this fall must be to improve the quality and organization of information – budgetary or otherwise – provided to school board members prior to their biweekly meetings. By cutting out a lot of the guess work for board members, Lawrence hopes to help them get right to the heart of matters that come before them. 

“It’s the staff’s responsibility to make certain that we are providing the board with the information necessary to make an informed decision, rather than one than is a response to emotions projected at a board meeting,” Lawrence said. “Rather than argue about whether the figures are accurate you ought to be arguing about where you’re putting your priorities.” 

An added bonus, said Lawrence, could be shorter board meetings. While Berkeley school meetings often run from 7:30 p.m. until 1 a.m. the following morning, Lawrence’s board meetings at Paramount were almost always over by 10 p.m., she said. 

“I really admired and enjoyed watching the democratic process in probably it’s purest form,” Lawrence said of her first experience at a Berkeley school board meeting last month. “But I wonder if you can actually do the district’s business at (1 a.m.). 

“We might just want to start with the target that (meetings) should end on the same day that they start.” 

As part of its struggle to protect homeless people’s civil rights, the nonprofit organization Building Opportunities for Self-Sufficiency is doing a survey of the needs of Berkeley’s homeless individuals. 

The survey, which began in June and should be done by September is part of the BOSS effort to decriminalize homelessness in Berkeley and to address the lack of services for homeless people. 

“We are conducting the survey for two purposes,” said BOSS director boona cheema. “To have a sense of what the needs continue to be and to be able to go to the city with documentation around the entire issue of the interactions between the police and homeless individuals.” 

The survey, cheema said, is directly linked to the Homeless Human and Civil Rights Resolution approved by the City Council in April. In addition to declaring a moratorium on the enforcement of legislation forbidding homeless people to sleep outdoors, the resolution recommended funding for detox, daytime respite care, rainy day vouchers and storage units. The council approved the first part of the resolution, but included no funding for the program in its 2001-2002 budget.  

Councilmember Kriss Worthington said he thinks funding might be found in the mid-year adjusted budget or through a state grant. 

This survey aims at helping the city document the need for these services. 

BOSS plans to survey about 120 people by the end of summer. The study is done through one-on-one interviews that focus on issues such as access to shelters, employment, and health care. The survey, cheema said, is conducted on food lines, in shelters and on the streets all around Berkeley. 

BOSS plans to have a full report ready by the time the City Council comes back from its summer recess in September. Nevertheless, the organization already submitted preliminary findings at the last City Council meeting on July 24. 

Eighteen individuals had been surveyed. Their ages ranged from 20 to 53. A large number of them were white males. The preliminary findings showed that one-third of those polled have some kind of physical disability and/or alcohol or drug use problem. Three-quarters of them reported mental illness. 

The preliminary findings also indicated that all the interviewees would use a legal campground if available and that two-thirds of them had no safe storage space for their possessions. Finally, 11 of the 18 respondents reported they had no safe place to sleep and that they had been awaken at least once by police during the month preceding the interview. 

Although the survey doesn’t reveal anything really new about the homeless community, cheema said it brings a new insight into some of the challenges homeless individuals face. 

“The issue of sleep deprivation and what it does to people, that’s a connection that nobody had made before,” she said. “We’ve always said that homeless people’s behavior is related to mental illness or drug and alcohol use.” 

Worthington, who sponsored the resolution, praised BOSS’ initiative for giving a voice to the homeless community. 

“There is a lot to be learned from listening from the people who are homeless themselves,” he said. 

The BOSS Survey is not the only study on homeless needs conducted in Berkeley. In 1997 the Housing Department issued a report on homelessness after polling nearly 200 homeless individuals. And Alameda County is currently gathering information on homeless people who use shelters, transitional housing and drop-in centers. 

Tim Stroshane a senior planner in Berkeley’s Housing Department and the chair of Alameda County’s Data Collection and Management Committee, said that the county is also trying to assess the needs of those homeless who stay away from services. 

“The data collection and management committee is studying ways of doing a regular street level estimation of homeless people who prefer not to use services,” he said. Thereby, he added, service-providers will better know how to meet the specific needs of these people. 

From those findings, BOSS concludes that the homeless desperately need a detoxification center, more storage units, rainy day vouchers, and daytime respite care.

Make-a-Circus came to Civic Center Park for the 12th consecutive year Wednesday, playing music, juggling, clowning and tumbling in front of more than 100 children, before teaching the youngsters to perform as well. 

The nonprofit organization has been touring California for 27 years, each year teaching new lessons about health, friendship, the environment and a range of other topics to young children through a unique brand of interactive circus-theater. 

“When you’re in theater, jobs like this are really terrific because it’s a rewarding type of gig and you get to work out in the sunshine,” said Sara Moore, Make-a-Circus’ Artistic Director and a former clown with Ringling Brothers. “You get to teach kids and be really hands on. You get to perform for them and make them laugh, and then you get to teach them, so you’re giving all the way around.” 

This year’s performers’ program, titled “Penelope Puddle’s Problematic Playground,” was set in a daycare center ran by a cynical Puddle and follows the students in the program and shows how they help each other through various problems. 

At the end of the performance Puddle’s daycare catches fire and she is saved by her students, causing her to turn over a new leaf and become a much more optimistic and friendly woman. 

Many members of the Make-a-Circus team are students from its Teen Apprentice Program. TAP is a program that teaches circus skills such as clowning, stilt walking, juggling and acrobatics. 

Bobby Hartman is Make-a-Circus’ Program Director and Teen Supervisor. He performed in Make-A-Circus in 1999 and became the Teen Supervisor for the 2000 tour. He stayed with the program during the year and revamped the TAP program. 

“(Hartman) took over a Teen Apprentice Program that didn’t have adequate leadership and completely mobilized it,” said Moore. “He got them doing their own production and this coming year they will actually be doing their own circus play.” 

Lauren and Julia Yee are 15-year-old twin contortionists from Oakland who got involved in Make-a-Circus through the TAP program. 

“We met (Hartman) at a juggling festival, and he invited us to join the program,” said Lauren grinning widely, “so we did.” 

Johannes Magr, Make-a-Circus’ Musical Director has been composing original music for every show over the last five years. 

“It’s a great opportunity to do a show for kids, it’s a great opportunity to write music, it’s a great living,” said Magr. “We give attention to a lot of kids who deserve to be paid attention to.” 

Several Berkeley summer programs including Berkeley Youth Alternatives, the Young Adult Project and the Inclusion Program attended the event. 

Children from these camps and various others were taught clowning, juggling, tumbling, and even how to make a human pyramid. 

“The best part was being on stage,” said 9-year-old Zachary Tanenbaum, a standout in the juggling workshop. 

The children showed off their newly acquired skills in the second performance of the day. The second story was about a woman named Miss Moody who had mood swings and went through many steps to become Miss Chipper. 

Acrobatic interludes including “the Symphony of Mood Swings,” “Juggling Pills” and “As the Pyramid Stands” were worked into the script as students from each workshop got their opportunity to be on stage. 

Make-a-Circus also sponsors the Clown Therapy Program, a program that teaches physically, developmentally and emotionally challenged youth clowning and the circus arts. 

The troupe tours parks throughout California in the summer, and puts on a scaled-down, more educational version of their show for schools when they are in session. 

For more information about Make-a-Circus, TAP or Clown Therapy call (415) 242-1414 or write to clowns@makeacircus.org. 

History volume on UC Berkeley library shelves 

Alan Ritch, librarian assistant at UC Berkeley’s Doe Library confirmed Wednesday that the university has received the recently published Volume 26 of a series of history books on U.S. foreign relations and that it is available to those using the university library system 

The book, which was published by the Government Printing Office, has been the object of controversy across the country since the CIA decided a few days ago to recall it from libraries. The book reveals details of U.S. involvement in anti-communist massacres in Indonesia during the 1960s. 

Ritch however said the university’s library system has received no request from the CIA to send the volume back to Washington, D.C. 

“I’m happy to say that we have not received a formal letter from the Government Printing Office asking us to withdraw this document,” he said. “It is on the shelves where people can use it.” 

Workshops scheduled  

for BART districts’ change 

The BART Board of Directors will hold three workshops for the public to give input and comment regarding the redistricting of BART board districts. 

In accordance with the Public Utilities Code, BART will adjust the boundaries of the election districts so they are nearly equal in population according to 2000 U.S. Census data. 

The workshop closest to Berkeley will be held Aug. 9 at 5:30 p.m. at BART’s Lake Merritt Administration Building, 800 Madison St. 

Workshops will also be held at 5:30 p.m., Aug. 7, Concord Police Department, Community Meeting Room, 1350 Galindo St. and 5:30 p.m., Aug. 8, San Francisco City Hall, Committee Room 408, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, San Francisco. 

For more information, visit the BART Web site at www.bart.gov or contact the BART District Secretary at 464-6085. 

Julia Morgan Center  

for the Arts receives grant 

The Koret Foundation has awarded a $35,000 grant to the Julia Morgan Center for the Arts on College Avenue to support an arts education program based on New York’s Lincoln Center Institute for the Arts in Education.  

The newly formed institute at JMCA is the first in Northern California and one of 26 affiliated with the Lincoln Center Institute in the United States, Hong Kong and Australia.  

Based on an aesthetic education concept pioneered by philosopher/ educator Maxine Greene, the learning model focuses on engaging teachers with specific works of art from the point of view of the artist. Teachers trained in the method take a renewed sense of discovery back to the classroom for the benefit of their students, according to a JMCA press statement. This model of aesthetic education has been in practice for 25 years in New York. 

“We’re breaking down the barriers between art and education, and between art and the rest of our lives,” said Sabrina Klein, JMCA executive director. 

Holiday Open Studios seeks artists, craftspeople 

Berkeley Artisans Holiday Open Studios is looking for professional artists, craftspeople and galleries to be part of the 11th annual Berkeley Artisans Holiday Open Studios event which takes place on four weekends, starting Nov. 24 and 25 and going through Dec. 15 and 16. Deadline is Sept. 1. Artisans participate from their studios/workshops, giving the public a glimpse into the creative process. Interested artists and galleries should call 845-2612.

In a spacious room on the top floor of St. Mark’s Church, just a few blocks form the intersection of Telegraph Avenue and Bancroft Way, homeless youth arrive to the rumble of rock music and the scent of hot food wafting from the kitchen.  

“Clients” are greeted by UC Berkeley students around their own age. After some small talk, they’re invited to help with the meal preparation.  

Two years in development, Berkeley’s new Monday night Youth Clinic is the vision of UC Berkeley seniors Shawn Mattison and Jessica Woan, who have served as co-coordinators of the clinic since it opened.  

As freshmen, both Mattison and Woan volunteered at the Suitcase Clinic, a homeless clinic sponsored by UC Berkeley and run by university students that has served some 11,000 homeless since it opened in 1989. While the clinic was thriving, Mattison and Woan noticed a conspicuous absence of both women and youth taking advantage of its basic medical services.  

When the Suitcase Clinic opened a center to cater to only to women and small children in 1998, Woan took over as coordinator for two years. Meanwhile, she and Mattison began planning, and pursuing funding for, a youth clinic. With a $10,000 grant from the Donald A. Strauss Foundation, they launched the venture in January.  

It didn’t take long for word of the Youth Clinic to circulate through the fairly close-knit community of homeless teens and twenty-somethings who hang out on and around Telegraph Avenue. One Youth Clinic regular, who gave her name as Kittie, said the clinic seemed to catch on overnight. 

“I was hanging out, and everybody had disappeared. So I asked one of the guys, ‘Where did everybody go?’” And he said, ‘the drop-in clinic,’ ” Kittie said. 

Curious, Kittie made her way to St. Mark’s Episcopal Church. What she found was, by her estimation, a refuge from the anxiety and depression of her street existence that she would scarcely have imagined possible. 

“It was like some little secret place,” Kittie said. “The people who are here really do care, and they try their best to give us what we need.” 

For homeless youth, it’s not just a question of having a place to go, said Youth Clinic staff. It has to be the right kind of place. 

Since many homeless youth come from backgrounds of abuse – many have run away from home to escape abusive situations – there is a tendency to be distrustful of homeless service centers where both the staff and the clientele are predominantly adults, said Jason Albertson, a social worker who staffs the Monday night Youth Clinic.  

The Youth Clinic takes a low-key, user-friendly approach to providing social services for the 100 to 200 youth between the ages of 13 and 23 estimated to be living on the streets of downtown Berkeley. Mattison and Woan have made their number one priority for the Monday night clinic to simply do all they can to make youth feel comfortable and at ease for three hours a week.  

Youth who may have spent the last week battling the hunger, sleeplessness and anxiety that often accompanies life on the street find themselves suddenly immersed in an environment reminiscent of a sleepover party at the Youth Clinic.  

“We base the whole model around trying to be sensitive to the youth culture,” Mattison said. 

Based on the demographic information Youth Clinic volunteers were able to gather from 115 clients earlier this year, about 45 percent of those who use the clinic are between the ages of 18 and 21. Another 40 percent are in their 20s. 

Last Monday about 30 homeless youth turned up at the clinic for dinner. Afterwards, some settled in for a couple hours of socializing, entertainment, or rest.  

Art supplies were spread out on some tables for those youth – and their were many – who want to translate some of the stresses of their day or week into poetry, short stories or drawings. One UC Berkeley volunteer tapes the day’s output to scrap paper, which she will later take home, photocopy, and staple into a crude magazine to be circulated the following Monday. 

“The creative output is just amazing to me,” said Woan. “They just take time in the evenings and let all their thoughts spill out.” 

Razors, soap and other amenities are available for those who want to get cleaned up. 

The center’s UC Berkeley student volunteers are trained to help with medical and dental referrals, legal advice and job hunting, among other things. On most Monday’s a physician is on site to consult with clients. Every other week a volunteer veterinarian provides check-ups for clients’ pets – mostly cats and dogs.  

“Whatever the goals are that they want to reach, we have people who are willing to meet with them outside (of the clinic) and help,” said Mattison.  

Nevertheless, the most popular services seem to be things aimed at giving the youth an opportunity to unwind and relax. 

As Albertson put it, “For people who live outside, to have a space that they can control and feel real safe in is really rare.” 

Foot-washes given by the UC Berkeley volunteers are popular. Hope McDonnall, an acupuncturist who runs a detox clinic for Alta Bates Hospital in Berkeley, is in constant demand at the clinic. She offers 30-minute “full-body” treatments to help alleviate foot pain, back pain and flu symptoms that many youth pick up from living and sleeping on the streets.  

“It’s a youth-specific place,” McDonnall said of the clinic. “They own the space, they own the treatment. They feel at home here.” 

A homeless youth who called himself “Monsoon” agreed with this assessment. Going to the clinic is “like going to a friend’s house,” he said. 

Monsoon was one of about a dozen youth Monday drawn small television showing the movie “Army of Darkness” – and happily heckling the film’s cheesy attempts at depicting evil. 

“With entertainment comes relaxation,” Monsoon said. 

Monsoon has been living on the streets since he lost his job four months ago, he said. He knows clinic staff could help him plan a strategy for breaking back into the job market, when he’s ready. 

But, for the time being, Monsoon said he’s just glad to have a space to come each week with people he relates to easily.  

“That’s probably one of the best medicines out there, is being able to relate to somebody and have them relate to me,” Monsoon said. 

Woan and Mattison said this type of medicine flows both ways at the Youth Clinic. 

“Through the clinic, I’ve probably met the strongest, bravest people I’ve met in my life,” said Woan. 

The Youth Clinic is constantly looking for more collaborators, funders and volunteers. In particular, they’d like to be able to offer chiropractic treatment, educational services and expanded medical and mental health care in the future. To volunteer your services or make a donation, contact Shawn Mattison at (510) 540-8658 or sdm411@aol.com. 

Wednesday, Aug. 1

The LHS 500:  

Virtual Racecars 

Noon - 2 p.m. 

Lawrence Hall of Science 

UC Berkeley 

Part of the Lawrence Hall of Science Wednesday FUN-days. Build and test drive a virtual racecar to find out what makes an efficient vehicle. Museum admission $3 - $7. 

642-5132 

Berkeley Communicator Toastmasters Club 

7:15 a.m. 

Vault Cafe 

3250 Adeline 

Learn to speak with confidence. Ongoing first and third Wednesdays each month. 

527-2337 

Extreme Pizza’s  

Grand Opening 

5:30 p.m. 

2352 Shattuck Ave. 

Mayor Shirley Dean will welcome Extreme Pizza to Berkeley. There will be a comedy show at 8:30 p.m. featuring 10 local comedians including Tommy Devine and Leslie Choler. The evening will be hosted by Tony Sparks.  

486-0770 

Berkeley Metaphysical Toastmasters Club  

6:15 - 7:30 p.m.  

2515 Hillegass Ave.  

Public speaking skills and metaphysics come together. Ongoing first and third Thursdays each month.  

Call 869-2547 

Quit Smoking Class 

6 - 8 p.m. 

South Berkeley Senior Center 

2939 Ellis Street 

A six week quit smoking class. 

Free to Berkeley residents and employees. 

Call 644-6422 or email at: quitnow@ci.berkeley.ca.us 

Salsa Dance Classes 

7:30 p.m. 

Berkeley Richmond  

Jewish Community Center 

1414 Walnut St. 

Classes every Thursday with live percussionists, light refreshments, DJ playing Latin music. $10 or $15 for two. 237-9874 

Adventuring With Kids 

7 p.m. 

REI 1338 San Pablo Avenue 

Karen and Paul Amstutz share stories and slides of family adventures with their one- and three-year-old daughters. Free.  

527-4140 

Free Senior Computer Class  

9 - 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 - 3 p.m.  

South Berkeley Senior Center, 2939 Ellis St. 

This free course offers basic instruction in keyboarding, Microsoft Word, Windows 95, Excel and Internet access. Space is limited, call ahead for a reservation. 644-6109 

Community Action Team 

Advisory Group (CATAG) 

7 p.m. 

Over 60’s Clinic 

Town Hall Summit Update, group addresses city’s health disparities. For more information call Sheryl Walton 665-6809 or  

Candace Miles-Threatt 665-6837. 

Thursday, Aug. 2

Free Computer Class for Seniors 

9 - 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 - 3 p.m.  

South Berkeley Senior Center, 2939 Ellis St. 

This free course offers basic instruction in keyboarding, Microsoft Word, Windows 95, Excel and Internet access. Space is limited, call ahead for a reservation. 644-6109 

Community Environmental Advisory Commission 

7 p.m. 

Planning and Development Department - First Floor Conference Room 

2118 Milvia St. 

Residential woodburning, Harrison Street Skate Park update, arsenic in playgrounds - follow up, diesel generators, recycling of universal waste, microwaves - update are among the items on the agenda of the CEAC. 

Kensington 55+ Activity Center 

9 a.m. - 2 p.m. 

Social Hall of Arlington Community Church 

52 Arlington Ave. 

Conversation, Apple II computer instruction, massage therapy, German conversation group, meditation and relaxation techniques, watercolor art class, tea and coffee. Special 11 a.m. program: Ancient Architectures, Virginia Walker presents slides of pyramids, temples, Gothic and other churches. For more information call 526-9146 or 547-1969. 

Ancient Native Sites of the East Bay 

7:30 p.m. 

Room 160 Kroeber Hall, University of California Campus 

A panel discussion on ancient sites featuring Sandra Sher, freelance historian and author of The Native Legacy of Emeryville; Richard Schwartz, author of Circle of Stones and Berkeley 1900; Perry Matlock, native advocate and volunteer with the International Indian Treaty Council; and Randy Grandin, explorer of West Contra Costa County native sites. Stephanie Manning, moderator. $10 841-2242 

Friday, Aug. 3

Therapy for Trans Partners  

6 - 7:30 p.m.  

Pacific Center for Human Growth  

2712 Telegraph Ave. (at Derby)  

A group open to partners of those in transition or considering transition. The group is structured to be a safe place to receive support from peers and explore a variety of issues, including sexual orientation, coming out, feelings of isolation, among other topics. Intake process required. Meeting Fridays through August 17.  

$8 - $35 sliding scale per session  

Call 548-8283 x534 or x522 

Saturday, Aug. 4

Free Sailboat Rides  

1 - 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday 

Cal Sailing Club 

Berkeley Marina 

The Cal Sailing Club and windsurfing cooperative, give free rides on a first come, first served bases on the first full weekend of each month. Wear warm clothes and bring a change of clothes in case you get wet. Children must be at least five years old and must be accompanies by an adult.  

www.cal-sailing.org  

Robert Bowman 

7 - 9 p.m. 

Friends Church 

1600 Sacramento St. (@ Cedar)  

Retired Air Force and NASA Official and Presidential Candidate, Dr. Robert Bowman will speak out against the weaponization of space. Following the rally there will be a procession to the gates of the Livermore Lab for a nonviolent, risk arrest action. For details call Livermore Conversion Project,  

663-8065. 

Animal Picnic Family Workshop 

10 - 10:50 a.m. and 11 - 11:50 a.m. 

Lawrence Hall of Science 

UC Berkeley 

Touch and hold a variety of animals and see how they eat their lunch. For children ages 3 - 8 and an accompanying adult. Registration required, $8 - $25. 

642-5132 

Berkeley Farmers’ Market 

10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. 

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

Annual Tomato Tasting, an opportunity to sample the whole range of tomato varieties at the Market. Also, the grand opening of the Food Court.  

548-3333 

Poetry Reading 

3 - 5 p.m. 

1527 Virginia Street (one block from N. Berkeley BART) 

The Bay Area Poets Coalition presents an open poetry reading outdoors on the front lawn. For more information call 527-9905 or 845-8409 or poetalk@aol.com 

Bay Area Eco-Crones 

10:30 a.m. - Noon 

Epworth Church, Youth Room 

1953 Hopkins 

Discuss ecological significance of mushrooms and bats; plan rituals for habitat restorations projects. 874-4935 or 527-4582 

Foster Parent Certification Class 

10 a.m. - 3 p.m. 

South Branch Library 

1901 Russell St. (at MLK) 

This class will cover all aspects of Foster Parenting and is open to anyone interested in attending. Free.  

For more information call Bob at 641-6200 or nailahfs@pacbell.net. 

Sunday, Aug. 5

Anti-Nuclear Vigil 

1 - 3 p.m. 

U.C. Berkeley, Lawn at West Entrance, 

Oxford and University Ave. 

Remembering Hiroshima and Nagasaki; Opposing U.C. weapons labs contracts; Urging U.C.B. to host a national TV debate on nuclear weapons ban. For more information call Circle of Concern 848-8055. 

Buddhism 

6 p.m. 

Tibetan Nyingma Institute 

1815 Highland Place 

Mark Henderson on “Four Thoughts that Awaken the Heart.” Free. 

843-6812 

West Berkeley Market 

11 a.m. - 5 p.m. 

University Ave., between 3rd and 4th Streets  

Family-oriented weekly market. Crafts, music, produce, and specialty foods. 

654-6346 

— compiled by Guy Poole 

Monday, August 6

Intensive Production Urban Gardening Training 

10 a.m. - 4 p.m. 

Santa Fe Bar & Grill 

1310 University Ave. 

Growing Gourmet: A free urban gardening training & potluck lunch.  

Learn ways to intensively and organically grow produce for your own use or for an urban market garden. A hands-on training in the garden located behind the restaurant and potluck lunch at 1 p.m. For more information call Katherine Webb, 841-1110. Free community training, meets the first Monday each month. 

Osteoporosis: How to put Bone Loss on Hold 

9 a.m. - 10 a.m. 

Summit Campus 

Cafeteria Annexes B & C 

350 Hawthorne Ave. in Oakland 

A free lecture by Elliot Schwartz, MD, Co-Director of the Foundation for Osteoporosis Research and Education. Learn how to create a program that will help minimize bone loss. For more information or to make a reservation, contact Ellen Carroll at 869-6737. 

Mayor Shirley Dean to Receive  

Delegation of Japanese Scouts 

10 a.m. 

City Hall 

2180 Milvia St. 

A contingent of 38 Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts from Osaka, Japan, will present an official proclamation from the mayor of Sakai, Japan, to Mayor Shirley Dean. For more information call 841-8117. 

Tuesday, August 7

Intelligent Conversation  

7 - 9 p.m.  

Berkeley Richmond Jewish Community Center 

A discussion group open to all, regardless of age, religion, viewpoint, etc. This time the discussion will center on sex and drugs: Free will? Must laws be obeyed? Informally led by Robert Berend, who founded similar groups in L.A., Menlo Park, and Prague. Bring light snacks/drinks to share. Free  

527-5332 

Berkeley Camera Club  

7:30 p.m. 

Northbrae Community Church  

941 The Alameda  

Share your slides and learn what other photographers are doing. Monthly field trips. 

Call Don, 525-3565 

Writing and Resistance  

In A Culture of Amnesia 

6 - 7:45 p.m. 

La Peña Cultural Center 

3105 Shattuck Avenue 

Classroom #2 

Part of a workshop series on concepts and strategies for resistance through the spoken and written word, taught by Joyce E. Young. $12. 

849-2568 www.lapena.org 

Berkeley Farmers’ Market 

2 - 7 p.m. 

Derby Street at MLK Jr. Way 

548-3333 

Free Early Music Group 

10 - 11:30 a.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave. (at MLK) 

Small group sings madrigals and other voice harmony every Tuesday morning. Call Ann, 655-8863 

Free Computer Class for Seniors 

9:30 - 11:30 a.m. and 1 - 3 p.m.  

South Berkeley Senior Center, 2939 Ellis St. 

This free course offers basic instruction in keyboarding, Microsoft Word, Windows 95, Excel and Internet access. Space is limited, call ahead for a reservation. 

644-6109 

Strawberry Creek Daylighting 

Strategy Workshop 

6:30 - 7:30 p.m. 

Corporation Yard Green Room 

1326 Allston Way 

A workshop to develop an effective strategy for promoting the daylighting of Strawberry Creek downtown. Learn about current daylighting concepts and develop a working plan for the next year and beyond. Facilitated by Louis Hexter of MIG. Call Janet Byron to RSVP at 848-4008 or bjanet@earthlink.net 

Wednesday, August 8

A Day at the Beach 

Noon - 2 p.m. 

Lawrence Hall of Science 

UC Berkeley 

Part of the Lawrence Hall of Science Wednesday FUN-days. Build sand castles with sand sculptor Kirk Rademaker. Museum admission $3 - $7. 

642-5132 

Thursday, August 9

Ancient Native Sites of the East Bay 

7:30 p.m. 

Room 160 Kroeber Hall, University of California Campus 

Sean Dexter, archaeologist, will discuss the recent Data Recovery Program at the Emeryville Shellmound/South Bayfront site. Jakki Kehl, a Mutsun Ohlone, will discuss protecting cultural resources by developing partnerships and encouraging good stewardship of the land. $10 

841-2242 

Salsa Dance Classes 

7:30 p.m. 

Berkeley Richmond Jewish Community Center 

1414 Walnut St. 

Classes every Thursday with live percussionists, light refreshments, DJ playing Latin music. $10 or $15 for two. 

237-9874 

Sea Kayaking 

7 p.m. 

REI 

1338 San Pablo Avenue 

Learn about the best sea kayaking spots in Northern California from Roger Schumann and Jan Shriner. Free. 

527-4140 

Free Computer Class for Seniors 

9:30 - 11:30 a.m. and 1 - 3 p.m.  

South Berkeley Senior Center, 2939 Ellis St. 

This free course offers basic instruction in keyboarding, Microsoft Word, Windows 95, Excel and Internet access. Space is limited, call ahead for a reservation. 

644-6109 

Kensington 55+ Activity Center 

9 a.m. - 2 p.m. 

Social Hall of Arlington Community Church 

52 Arlington Ave. 

Conversation, Apple II computer instruction, massage therapy, German conversation group, meditation and relaxation techniques, watercolor art class, tea and coffee. Special 11 a.m. program: Safety, Pat Caftel presents Neighborhood Disaster Preparedness. For more information call 526-9146 or 547-1969. 

The market is a racket 

Editor, 

Fred Foldvary and others may choose to believe that the market economy is not a racket. But there are people who choose to believe that the earth is flat. What are the facts? 

Stockholders receive dividends, for which they do no work. Moneylenders receive interest for which they do no work. Big landlords receive rent for which they do no work. When people who don’t work live off the labor of people who do, what else can you call this but a racket? The fact that these scams are legal simply shows that the entire “free enterprise” system is a racket.  

As the world changes, the old rackets can be eliminated. The slaveowners once had a great racket, but slavery is now virtually extinct. Absolute monarchs once had their racket, and claimed to rule by divine right. They too are almost extinct.  

When enough people become aware that the wealthy perform no necessary function, we will be able to change things. The parasitic stockholders, landlords and moneylenders will all be driven out of the temple and will have to go to work.  

Marion Syrek 

Oakland 

Oxford lot wish list may be too long for height limit 

Editor: 

I must respond to a characterization (as a “sneer”) by Zelda Bronstein (Letters, Daily Planet, July 30) of a remark I made to a reporter regarding the proposed Oxford Lot downtown development. She then opined, “Perhaps Smith would like to explain.” 

Ms. Bronstein is the vice chair of the city’s Planning Commission. Here is my response to her challenge: 

The City Council approved last week the Planning Commission’s recommendation to develop the current city parking lot on Oxford Way at Kittredge Street in an extraordinary combination of nonprofit office and display space (for an environmental center to be named for David Brower); affordable housing; community arts space that would include a performance stage and galleries; two floors of (very costly) underground parking, and retail shops. 

Add to this the fact that Ms. Bronstein and other Planning Commission spokespeople have said that all these components must be enclosed in a structure that cannot exceed five stories! 

The Civic Arts Commission, which it is my pleasure to chair, is in favor of the Oxford Lot structure including the largest feasible cultural arts space, as the Planning Department staff works on meshing all these great ideas into a proposal that will honestly address how much all this will cost and whether or not a developer, and the city and Brower Center as partners, will all realistically be able to afford to build it along the lines of this initial proposal. 

It will be some time – many months – before the details are hammered out and the costs estimated (this is called “penciling out”) as the city goes out to seek proposals from the development community. 

Quite the opposite of “sneering” at supposed extravagance, I was simply telling the truth as I see it: that the initial proposal is a compendium of wonderful desires, probably all of which will have to be adjusted to literally fit within the structure as it is currently limited (five floors, 50,000 square feet per floor). When the reporter asked what I thought of the chances for everyone involved with the project getting their heart’s desire, that’s when I indicated that some of what is being wished for will doubtless have to fall away. Anyone who thinks that is not going to happen does not have a grasp of economic reality, to wit: the city’s budget is not a bottomless pit, and developers must have a financial incentive to bid on a project. 

I regret that Ms. Bronstein decided to express her feelings in a personal attack, but once she did so I felt I had no choice but to set the record straight. 

Sherry Smith 

Civic Arts Commission chair 

Anti-tobacco folk go too far 

Editor, 

Perhaps Ben Lumpkin would do another article about the anti-cigarette folks. How do members of the Tobacco Prevention Coalition differentiate themselves from other anti-choice groups and factions? Which of their own behaviors do they hope will be legislated against – for their own good? Have all coalition members stopped driving their cars, as these pollute our shared air? Have any ever purchased cigarettes, or gas? 

After TPC folk beat down the pharmacies, will they then move on to bookstores which sell books of which members disapprove, or theaters showing films members find distasteful? Also, as friend once said to me, “Won’t they be surprised when they get to die of nothing?”  

A Berkeley non-driver, by individual choice who is not evangelical about my own choices! 

Sangwan Zimmerman 

Berkeley 

Media needs to pay attention 

Editor, 

We went to the Federal Courthouse on Tuesday July 24 to witness Judge Armstrong’s sentencing of Lakireddy Bali Reddy’s rich and powerful brother and sister-in-law – Jayaprakash and Annapurna Lakireddy – for their part in the importation of undocumented aliens from India for sexual and labor exploitation. As with Reddy, the attorneys had agreed to absurdly lenient sentences of a maximum of 16 months for Jayaprakash and a maximum of 12 months for Annapurna. We had earlier written to Judge Armstrong to ask her to reject the attorney’s plea bargain and to instead sentence the Lakireddys to at least 10 years each.  

Jayaprakash and Annapurna Lakireddy had willfully falsified visa applications and other immigration documents so that Reddy and his sons would have sexual slaves to rape as frequently as they pleased, and so that they could share in the profits from exploiting the labor of many other indentured servants to build their financial empires.  

We told Judge Armstrong that deliberately pimping young girls for pedophiles should not be tolerated. We emphasized that exploiting vulnerable people for cheap labor to build financial empires on their backs should also not be tolerated.  

Just as Judge Armstrong had given Reddy a scandalously light sentence of only 8 years on June 19, we anticipated that she might follow this pattern with the Lakireddys. This would be consistent with the typically unjust practice of preserving a double standard of justice – one for the rich and powerful and another for everyone else. Consider the fact that Judge Armstrong readily granted Reddy’s request to serve his sentence in Lompoc Prison, a luxury institution nicknamed “Club Fed.” Why would she voluntarily add to his privileged treatment in this way when it isn’t required by the legal system that criminals choose where they are to be incarcerated? We wondered if she would grant this same privilege to the Lakireddys. 

We were surprised and disappointed to note the lack of media interest in the sentencing of the Lakireddys. Despite our colorful protest before Judge Armstrong convened her Court, only one cameraman was waiting outside – too bored, it seemed, to even take a picture of us. This, despite the fact that the courtroom was nearly filled by interested individuals. How does the media decide that two pimps who are guilty of the trafficking in young girls for a serial sexual pervert, among other crimes, is of no interest to the public? 

After secret negotiations in the courtroom, Judge Armstrong postponed the sentencing of the Lakireddys until September 18. The Lakireddys looked distressed by this decision. We wondered if they, too, were expecting to get a token rap on the knuckles for their crimes. The media will have another opportunity to treat Jayaprakash and Annapurna Lakireddy’s sentencing with the seriousness it deserves. And hopefully Judge Armstrong will have time to reflect on the injustice of handing out light sentences to criminals merely because they are rich and/or powerful.  

Dr. Diana Russell 

Marcia Poole 

Berkeley 

924 Gilman St. Music at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted. 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; Aug 10: 90 Day Men, Assembly of God, Strong Intention, Under a Dying Sun; Aug 11: Toys That Kill, Scared of Chakra, Soophie Nun Squad, Debris; Aug 12: 5 p.m. Citizen Fish, J-Church, Eleventeen. $5. 924 Gilman St. 525-9926. 

Ashkenaz Aug. 5: 9 p.m. Roots Reggae featuring Groundation and Tchiya Amet. $10. 11317 San Pablo Ave. 525-5099 www.ashkenaz.com 

Eli’s Mile High Club Doors open at 8 p.m. Every Friday, 10 p.m. - 2 a.m., Funky Fridays Conscious Dance Party with KPFA DJs Split Shankin and Funky Man. $10; 3629 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Oakland 655-6661 

Freight and Salvage Coffee House All music at 8 p.m. Aug 2: George Kuo, Narin Pahinui & Aaron Mahi; Aug 3: Wylie & the Wild West, the Waller Brothers, Aug 4: Adam Levy, Will Bernard; Aug 5: MonTango; Aug 6: Frank Yamma; Aug 8: San Francisco Klezmer Experience; Aug 9: John Renbourn; Aug 10: Jody Stecher, Kate Brislin; Aug 11: Al Stewart. $16.50 - $19.50. 1111 Addison St. 548-1761 www.freightandsalvage.org 

Jupiter Aug. 2: Beatdown with DJ’s Delon, Yamu and Add1; Aug. 3: Mas Cabezas, Rhodes-based latin jazz trio with local vet Ezra Gale; Aug. 4: Solomon Grundy, from Orange County, combining jazz, calypso, and world beat; Aug. 7: Joshi Marshal Project, jazz, soul and hiphop; Aug. 8: Broun Fellini’s, jazz/funk/hiphop grooves All music starts at 8:00 p.m. www.jupiterbeer.com; or call the hotline: THE-ROCK (843-7625)  

La Peña Cultural Center Aug 3: 8 p.m. Los Delicados, Aya de Leon $10; Aug 4: 8 p.m. Grito Serpentino, Small Axe Project, Jime Salcedo-Malo & Leticia Hernandez $10; Aug 5: 7 p.m. Insight in concert $10; Aug 10: 8:30 p.m. Ire $8; Aug 11: 9:30 p.m. Fito Reynoso’s Ritmo y Armonia. $10, $13 for dance class starting at 8:15. In the Cafe 3105 Shattuck Avenue 849-2568 

La Note/Jazzschool Aug 5: 4:30 p.m. Vocaists’ Series (Denine Monet), 5:30 p.m. Instrumentalists’ Series (Pelo Mar); Aug 12: 4:30 p.m. The Freedom Project, 5:30 Eli Sundelson Trio. 2377 Shattuck Avenue 845-5373. 

Shattuck Down Low Lounge Every Tuesday: 9:30 p.m., Posh Tuesdays with DJ’s Yamu, Delon, Add1, and Tequila Willie. Shattuck at Allston. www.thebeatdownsound.com  

“Midsummer Mozart Festival” All shows at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 3: Four pieces including “Symphony in B Flat.” $32 - $40. First Congregational Church 2345 Channing Way (415) 292-9620 www.midsummermozart.org  

“Downtown” Restaurant and Bar August 6: 7 p.m. Jesse Colin Young of the sixties hit group, The Youngbloods, will be performing at a No Nukes evening, sponsored by Greenpeace. The evening commemorates the 56th anniversary of the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima. The proceeds go to Tri-Valley CAREs and Citizen Alert. Tickets are $100. 2102 Shattuck Ave. 800-728-6223 

The Greek Theatre Aug. 3 and Aug. 4, 7 p.m. The String Cheese Incident, $29.75. Hearst Avenue and Gayley Road 444-TIXS, or (415) 421-TIXS www.sfx.com 

Julia Morgan Center for the Arts Aug 4: 8 p.m. “Cuatro maestros Touring Festival” two-hour theatrical event of music and dance performed by four elder folk artists and their talented young counterparts. Adults $18 Children $12; Aug. 10: 7:30 p.m. & Aug. 11, 12, 5 p.m. Campers from Stage Door Conservatory’s “On Broadway” program for grades 5-9 will perform Fiddler on the Roof, Jr. $12 adults, $8 kids. (For info call 527-5939); 2640 College Avenue 845-8542 ext. 302 

“Iphegenia in Aulis” Through Aug. 12: Sat. and Sun. 5 p.m. Special dawn performance on August 12 at 7 a.m. A free park performance by the Shotgun Players of Euripides’ play about choices and priorities. With a masked chorus, singing, dancing, and live music. Feel free to bring food and something soft to sit on. John Hinkel Park, Southhampton Place at Arlington Avenue (different locations July 7 and 8). 655-0813 

“The Lady’s Not for Burning” Aug. 2 - 4: 8 p.m. Set in the 15th century, a soldier wishes to be hanged and a witch does not want to be burned at the stake. Written by Christopher Fry, directed by Susannah Woods. $5 - $10. South Berkeley Community Church 1802 Fairview st. 464-1117 

“Orphans” Through Aug. 5: Fri. and Sat. 8 p.m., Sun. 7 p.m. Lyle Kessler’s dark comedy about a mysterious stranger invading the home of two orphaned brothers. $15. The Speakeasy Theater, 2016 Seventh St. 326-8493 

“Reefer Madness” Aug. 8, 9, Aug. 22, 23: 9 p.m. A new one-act theatre piece adapted from a 1936 government-funded film opens a critical eye to the control of our society. Performed by The Elemental Theatre Group La Pena Cultural Center 3105 Shattuck Avenue. Wednesdays are “pay what you can,” Thursdays $5 - $10. Contact Zachary Rouse or Tisha Sloan for more info at 655-4150 

Boadecia’s Books Aug 3: Mabel Maney (author of the Nancy Clue/ Cherry Aimless and Hardly Boys mysteries) reads from her new book “Kiss the Girls and Make them Spy” featuring Jane Bond, James’ lesbian twin sister; Aug 4: Dyke Open Myke! Coffeehouse-style open mike night featuring both established and emerging talent; Aug 10 Susann Cokal reads from her novel “Mirabilis” set in 14th-century France All events start at 7:30 p.m. and are free. 398 Colusa Avenue 559-9184 

Cody’s Books Aug 5: Justin Chin, Gerry Gomez Pearlberg; Aug 8: Jane Mead, Mark Turpin. $2 donation. Readings at 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted. 2454 Telegraph Ave. 845-0837 

Cafe de la Paz “Poetry Nitro” Weekly poetry open mike. Aug 6: featuring Andrena zawinski. 6:30 p.m. sign-up, 7 p.m. reading. 1600 Shattuck Ave. 843-0662  

Coffee Mill Poetry Series August 7: Featured readers JC and Bert Glick. 7-9 p.m.; August 21: Featured Readers: Victoria Joyce and Therese Bamberger; Both 7-9 p.m. Free. 3363 Grand Ave., Oakland for info. (510)465-3935 or (510)526-5985, or Email: ksdgk@earthlink.net 

Grand Lake Theater August 2: Vincent Bugliosi will be speaking and signing his book, “The Betrayal of America: How the Supreme Court Undermined our Constitution and Chose our President.” 7 p.m. Tickets are a $15 donation. 3200 Grand Ave., Oakland. 

Tours 

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Fridays 9:30 - 11:45 a.m. or by appointment. Call ahead to make reservations. Free. University of California, Berkeley. 486-4387 

Golden Gate Live Steamers Grizzly Peak Boulevard and Lomas Cantadas Drive at the south end of Tilden Regional Park Small locomotives, meticulously scaled to size. Trains run Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Rides: Sunday, noon to 3 p.m., weather permitting. 486-0623  

Museums 

Habitot Children’s Museum “Back to the Farm” An interactive exhibit gives children the chance to wiggle through tunnels, look into a mirrored fish pond, don farm animal costumes, ride on a John Deere tractor and more. “Recycling Center” Lets the kids crank the conveyor belt to sort cans, plastic bottles and newspaper bundles into dumpster bins. $4 adults; $6 children age 7 and under; $3 for each additional child age 7 and under. 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. (closed Sundays, Memorial Day through Labor Day) Kittredge Street and Shattuck Avenue 647-1111 or www.habitot.org  

UC Berkeley Museum of Paleontology Lobby, Valley Life Sciences Building, UC Berkeley “Tyrannosaurus Rex,” ongoing. A 20 by 40-foot replica of the fearsome dinosaur 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” A suspended skeleton of a flying reptile with a wingspan of 22-23 feet. The Pteranodon lived at the same time as the dinosaurs. Free. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. 642-1821 

UC Berkeley Phoebe Hearst Museum of Anthropology will close its exhibition galleries for renovation on October 1. It will reopen in early 2002. On View until October 1, 2001: “Ishi and the Invention of Yahi Culture.” “Sites Along the Nile: Rescuing Ancient Egypt.” “The Art of Research: Nelson Graburn and the Aesthetics of Inuit Sculpture.” “Tzintzuntzan, Mexico: Photographs by George Foster.”  

$2 general; $1 seniors; $.50 children age 17 and under; free on Thursdays. Wednesday, Friday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Thursday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Kroeber Hall, Bancroft Way and College Ave. 643-7648 or www.qal.berkeley.edu/~hearst/ 

Lawrence Hall of Science “Science in Toyland,” through Sept. 9. Exhibit uses toys to demonstrate scientific principles and to help develop children's thinking processes. Susan Cerny’s collection of over 200 tops from around the world. “Space Weather,” through Sept. 2. Learn about solar cycles, space weather, the cause of the Aurorae and recent discoveries made by leading astronomers. This interactive exhibit lets visitors access near real-time data from the Sun and space, view interactive videos and find out about a variety of solar activities. “Within the Human Brain,” ongoing. Visitors test their cranial nerves, play skeeball, master mazes, match musical tones and construct stories inside a simulated “rat cage” of learning experiments. “Saturday Night Stargazing,” First and third Saturdays each month. 8 - 10 p.m., LHS plaza. Space Weather Exhibit now - Sept. 2; now - Sept. 9 Science in Toyland; Saturdays 12:30 - 3:30 p.m. $7 for adults; $5 for children 5-18; $3 for children 3-4. 642-5132 

Holt Planetarium Programs are recommended for age 8 and up; children under age 6 will not be admitted. $2 in addition to regular museum admission. “Constellations Tonight” Ongoing. Using a simple star map, learn to identify the most prominent constellations for the season in the planetarium sky. “How Big Is the Universe?” Aug. 1 through Aug. 24. Learn how to determine the distance of celestial objects, one of the purposes of the Hubble Space Telescope. Daily, 2:15 p.m. $7 general; $5 seniors, students, disabled, and youths age 7 to 18; $3 children age 3 to 5; free children age 2 and younger. Daily, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Centennial Drive, 642-5132 or www.lhs.berkeley.edu Daily, 3:30 p.m. $7 general; $5 seniors, students, disabled, and youths age 7 to 18; $3 children age 3 to 5 ; free children age 2 and younger. Daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Centennial Drive, UC Berkeley 642-5132 or www.lhs.berkeley.edu  

The UC Berkeley Art Museum is closed for renovations until the fall. 

English playwright Joe Orton lived fast and died young. Beaten to death with a hammer in 1967 at age 34 by his longtime gay lover, he left behind a small body of work, including “Loot” (1965) and the posthumously produced “What the Butler Saw” (1969). 

Orton’s reputation has flourished since his death, due in large part to the 1978 biography “Prick Up Your Ears” by New Yorker theater writer John Lahr, and the subsequent movie based on that book a decade later starring Gary Oldman as Orton. 

Still, for me, the problem of the plays remains. I have never seen a great production of an Orton play. 

Berkeley’s talented Shotgun Players are the latest to give it a go. The company is currently running a thoughtful and meticulously staged production of “Loot” at LaVal’s Subterranean on the Northside. 

“Loot” is an absurdist, high-speed, sex-and-death farce, set in an English lower-middle-class family living room. Here patriarch MacLeavy (Greg Lucey) mourns the passing of his wife, who rests for much of the play in an open coffin in the center of the room. 

With a funeral imminent, the MacLeavy’s gay son Hal (Andy Alabran) appears to have robbed a bank with his sleazy bisexual chum Dennis (Danny Wolohan). Unexpectedly, the deceased woman’s nurse (Renee Penegor) morphs into a voracious, gold-digging sexual predator, and before long a mysterious water board inspector (Jonathan Gonzalez) arrives with pipe and magnifying glass to conduct an investigation. 

All farcical hell breaks loose. It’s a two-hour round-robin of hiding the bank loot and hiding the corpse. 

The acting in this production is super. Director Reid Davis has elicited fascinating performances from his entire cast.  

Lucey is comically woe-bestruck as the long-suffering, put-upon, newly widowed MacLeavy, the most real character in a world of otherwise complete zaniness. Renee Penegor is enticing and elusive as the pornographic, puritanical, hooker/nurse, married seven times in ten years, and looking for more. 

Andy Alabran is fascinating as hypersexual, simpleton son Hal, filled with dreams of opening his own brothel, and crazed with the hots for his chum Dennis. Alabran hypnotically twists his face and sucks his lips when he has to think. 

Danny Wolohan is also mesmerizing as swashbuckling bisexual undertaker’s assistant Dennis, enthusiastically scanning the room for money or tail. 

But the problem is that these great performances add up to less than the sum of their parts. And I think the basic challenge lies in the severe difficulty of staging Orton’s script, which tends to be cartoony and one-dimensional. 

All of the characters, for example, speak in the same voice. And the communications they make to each other are not thoughtful, character-based expressions, but rather jocular, nonsensical verbal gags of the moment. “Loot” feels like a play written on speed, without the human emotional connections. After two hours, you’re exhausted. 

To help counterbalance the characters’ one-dimensionality, director Davis and his cast have obviously put a lot of work into creating deeper people with backgrounds, histories, motivations, mysterious secret lives and subtexts. This work has paid off and given the play’s characters a fascinating richness, making them interesting people. 

There is a lot going on for the actors. They have wonderful moments during their non-speaking times on stage, communicating by eye contact or facial expression, or scheming internally. 

But, the production just isn’t that funny. “Loot” is supposed to be a farce, but the night I attended, the laughs were few and far between. Despite lots of effort to create a slapstick chaos, the show is missing the sort of basic laughs that, say, Laurel and Hardy get when they start hitting each other with their hats. 

Without that, the silly story just doesn’t carry enough weight for the play not to be funny. In the final analysis, “Loot” is dated. 

When first produced in 1965, “Loot” broke a lot of taboos. It made fun of religion, the law, marriage and middle-class sexual rules. From that iconoclasm the play earned its reputation for shock value. 

But now it’s 36 years later, and “Loot’s” bawdy religious satire, sexual backroom hanky-panky between boys and jokes about necrophilia just don’t offend a more jaded modern audience the way they once did. 

Planet theater reviewer John Angell Grant has written for “American Theatre,” “Backstage West,” “Callboard,” and other publications. E-mail him at jagplays@yahoo.com.

The Oakland Soldiers needed a wakeup call. Leon Powe gave it to them. 

Two thunderous dunks by the Oakland Tech star helped Slam ‘n Jam’s premiere team shake off some rust, and the Soldiers cruised to an 85-57 win over the Houston Superstars on the second day of the Slam ‘n Jam Elite 8x2 Tournament on Tuesday. The Soldiers put on a show for the crowd against an overmatched opponent, and must be considered the heavy favorites to win the tournament championship today. 

The Soldiers came out very slowly against the Superstars, and trailed 8-4 with seven minutes gone. The game, played at RSF Fieldhouse, was very slow, with 13 fouls called at that point. But Powe used his muscle inside to tie the score at 8-8, and teammate LeBron James hit a nice fadeaway jumper to give the Soldiers the lead. 

But Powe’s team was still playing as if they were half asleep, and it took a highlight-reel play from their opponents to get them fired up. When diminutive Houston point guard Eddie Rowe threw an alley-oop pass on a fastbreak to teammate Justin Carter for a spectacular dunk, the crowd cheered the Texas team for finally injecting some life into the game. Carter followed with an emphatic blocked shot on James, throwing the highly-touted guard’s shot into the stands, and the momentum seemed to be going with the visitors. 

But the hosts finally got in gear soon after. John Sharper stole a pass and led Powe with a pass for a huge breakaway jam, then Powe put Carter in his place by throwing down another dunk, this one right in Carter’s face. The crowd exploded in response, and Powe urged the fans to get even louder. With chants of “Soldiers! Soldiers!” echoing in the gym, John Tofi scored five points in the last 30 seconds of the half to give the Slam ‘n Jam team a 34-23 halftime lead. 

“We expect to make plays like that all the time. Anything less is unacceptable,” Powe said after the game. “These games are just fun.” 

The second half was all Soldiers, as Marquis Kately led off with two dunks, the second a 360-degree two-hander that brought the house down. With James, Kately and Powe running the floor like racecars, they got the place rocking with bunches of alley-oops, dunks and spectacular drives. James, who is considered the best prep player in the nation, started taking it easy, opting for layups instead of dunks.  

“I just want to go out and play my game,” said James, who is playing with the Soldiers for the first time this summer. “But when a lot of people come out to watch you and your team play, you gotta give them some kind of show.” 

The Soldiers took turns tossing up long 3-pointers and running isolation plays, but turned it back up for the last two minutes. A Tofi steal turned into a James tomahawk, Powe got off another huge dunk, then followed with a crossover drive that missed but was slammed home by James. The game ended on an alley-oop pass from halfcourt by DeShawn Freeman to Kately, and the Soldiers were clearly enjoying themselves to the last. 

“It was just showtime out there,” Freeman said. “It’s basically like practice, and I like practicing my lobs.” 

The Soldiers will have to get more serious today, as they face West Coast Stars, who beat the Bay Area Ballers 70-46 on Tuesday, in a semi-final game. If they win that game, they will likely play the Michigan Hurricanes in the final. The Hurricanes are expected to beat EBO in the other semi, and the Soldiers are looking forward to facing a team that is comparable in talent to themselves. 

“We want Michigan bad,” Soldiers coach Mark Olivier said. 

Both semi-final matchups will take place at the RSF Fieldhouse at 3:30 p.m., with the championship set for 6:30.

A UC Berkeley professor is asking the community to pressure the university not to comply with a CIA decision to take back from libraries a history book revealing the involvement of the United States in the massive killing of Indonesian communists in the 1960s. 

A few days ago, the CIA decided to recall Volume 26, one in a series of history books called “Foreign Relations of the United States.” The volume in question covers Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines and was recently published by the Government Printing Office. 

Outraged at the CIA’s decision, Peter Dale Scott, a former Canadian diplomat who currently teaches in UC Berkeley’s English Department, sent letters and e-mails to local newspapers and UC Berkeley employees to raise awareness around the issue. 

In a message he wrote to faculty members and administrative staff on campus, Scott blames the CIA for trying to hide historical facts from the public to protect the government’s interests. He also invites them to react.  

“I hope you will persuade the university not to collaborate in this clumsy effort at truth suppression, which mimics the ludicrous games the U.S.S.R. played with the Soviet Encyclopedia in the 1930s,” he wrote. 

The book, Scott added, exposes the U.S. involvement in a 1965 Indonesian Army’s anti-Communist campaign, that led to the killing of an estimated 1 million people. 

Neither Associate University Librarian Alan Ritch of the Doe Library on the UC Berkeley campus nor spokespersons in the university’s Public Information Office were able to say Tuesday whether the volume had actually been received and if it was available to the public.  

A public information representative, who asked that her name not be used, said the librarian who would have known if the book had been received was ill and unavailable on Tuesday. She added that she was unaware of any instructions for the removal of the book. 

According to Scott, the CIA’s decision is directly linked to the Bush administration’s new policy toward Indonesia. 

“Very soon we’re going to see the Bush administration resume aid to the Indonesian Army and to a group called Kopassus,” said Scott in a telephone interview. Kopassus, he said is the Indonesian Army’s Special Force and the main architect of the 1965 massacres. “What worries them is that it’s a volume that details that aid to Kopassus in 1965.” 

Others across the nation have reacted to the CIA’s effort to recall the book. Friday, the George Washington University’s National Security Archive protested by posting the volume on its Web Site. 

“There are no lawful grounds to withhold the book,” said Tom Blanton, director of the Archive. “They can’t prevent us from posting it on the web.” The document, Blanton said, was declassified more than a year ago and should therefore be available to the public in compliance with the Freedom of Information Act. 

The posted volume – at http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/NSAEBB/NSAEBB52/ – talks about, among other things, a December 1965 telegram from Ambassador Marshall Green to the State Department, talking about his intention to donate the equivalent of tens of thousands of dollars to the movement leading the anti-Communist repression. 

“The chances of detection or subsequent revelation of our support in this instance are as minimal as any black bag operation can be,” the telegram says. The volume also suggests that the U.S government was aware that the killing of communists was massive. 

By trying to hide the truth, Blanton said, the CIA is obtaining exactly the opposite.  

“They’re trying to put toothpaste back in the tube and that’s a very difficult thing to do,” he said. “What they’re really doing is calling attention to the book and have more people reading it.” 

The City Council promoted Stephen Barton from “acting” to permanent director of the Housing Department July 24, making him the official head of the agency as it struggles to maintain an affordable housing stock in the midst of what he calls “major social change.” 

Barton, 51, has worked for the city since 1989 and has been acting head of the department for two-and-one-half years.  

He holds a doctorate in city and regional planning from UC Berkeley and has won several awards for articles on housing issues. He has lived in Albany for 13 years with his wife of 23 years, Barbara. They have one son, Andre, 22.  

The closed-session vote to approve Barton was 7-1-1 with Councilmember Betty Olds voting in opposition and Mayor Shirley Dean abstaining. 

Both Dean and Olds said they thought it was too early to name Barton director because of the ongoing problems with the Berkeley Housing Authority, which is now struggling to reverse years of disorganization that has resulted in the possible dissolution of the agency due to the underleasing of federally subsidized Section 8 housing. 

“I abstained because, instead of voting ‘no,’ I was hoping we could outline some objectives for him to reach over the next six months before appointing him,” Dean said. “I don’t expect miracles but I think we should have given him some more time.” 

Councilmember Dona Spring said she strongly supports Barton’s appointment as director. She said Barton inherited a lot of problems with the Housing Authority, a division of the Housing Department, and that his official appointment will shore up his authority among city staff and the public. 

“I know in the past he has been hampered because he was only the acting director,” she said. “His appointment will answer a lot of questions about what his authority is and how long he will be around to work on the problems that face the department right now.” 

The Housing Department, budgeted at $14 million for fiscal year 2001-2002, is charged with the difficult task of producing, preserving and supporting affordable housing in Berkeley. The department puts a special emphasis on meeting the needs of residents who are low-income, homeless, seniors or disabled. 

Barton oversees four divisions: the Berkeley Housing Authority; Program Planning, Management and Budget; Housing Services, and the Energy Office. 

In addition the department administers state and federal grants to 75 nonprofit organizations that provide a wide range of social services that include job training, homeless prevention and child care. 

Barton said he sees the role of the Housing Department as critical to maintaining Berkeley’s rich culture and diversity. He said the high cost of housing is changing the city’s social fabric.  

“As each home or apartment becomes available the new tenants are of a higher economic level than those who just left,” he said. “This is a period of major social change for Berkeley.” 

If the trend continues, Barton said the result will be a change in the social character of Berkeley due to the replacement of blue collar workers, teachers and those who pursue careers of higher value such as art, research and social services. 

“Now you can go to a reading at a book store where the author walks from his home to read his work,” he said. “Those same authors won’t be able to walk from their homes any more unless we make housing available at below current market rates.” 

Barton was born and raised in the New York area where his father was a professor at Columbia University. Shortly after graduating Haverford College in 1972, he came to California. 

He said he came west on an unlicensed bus line called the Gray Rabbit, which left him off at the corner of University Avenue and Sixth Street. “It was April 12, 1973,” he said. “The bus had come across county through the desert and when we came into California the mountains were green and sunny. It was just a tremendous sight.” 

With the exception of one year back in New York, Barton has lived in the Bay Area ever since. 

Among Barton’s goals for the Housing Department is turning over the 61 units of public housing to a tenant-run management system so the BHA can focus on its main task, which is to provide as many Section 8 vouchers as possible. 

“The city of Berkeley is not a very good housing manager,” he said, “Others can do much better.” 

Barton said one of the things he is most proud of accomplishing during his tenure as acting director is detailing the problems with the BHA, bringing them to the attention of the BHA Board and developing a business plan to turn the agency around. 

“You don’t solve problems without recognizing how bad they are,” he said.  

The mayor won’t meet with Japanese scouts and their local hosts at City Hall after all. The meeting, planned for Monday morning, where Japanese scouts are to present Mayor Shirley Dean with a proclamation from the mayor of Berkeley’s sister city in Japan, will be moved to a private location.  

And that’s a relief to openly gay Councilmember Kriss Worthington, who questioned the original meeting place. 

The Boy Scouts’ policy is to ban “out” homosexuals as scouts and as scout leaders and the city’s policy is not to support groups that discriminate, Worthington said.  

(The Daily Planet has been unable  

to confirm the position of  

the Japanese Boy Scouts with respect to homosexuality.) 

Dean said that moving the meeting, which would have included the foreign visitors as well as local host scouts, off city property, was to remove the young visitors from the embarrassment they might encounter had they met in a public place.  

“These are visitors from another country,” she said. “I’m welcoming them to the city of Berkeley.” 

According to Dean, the city attorney said that the meeting would be proper as long as there was no city money involved in supporting the event. City Attorney Manuela Albuquerque did not return the Daily Planet’s numerous calls to confirm city policy. 

The youth, who will be hosted by the Berkeley-Albany Girl Scout Association – the Girl Scouts do not discriminate against gays – and the Mt. Diablo-Silverado Boy Scout Council of America, will arrive in the Bay Area on Saturday. At the Monday event, now to be held at a private undisclosed venue, the scouts will present an official proclamation to Dean from the mayor of Sakai, Japan, a sister city to Berkeley. The visit is an offshoot of exchanges with the sister city program. 

The national scout policy excluding gays from the Boy Scouts weighs heavily on local scout leader George Fossellus. When he joined the Boy Scouts as a youth, morally straight meant morally upright, he told the Daily Planet Tuesday. Now the term’s been interpreted to mean that a scout and scout leaders must be heterosexual. 

Fossellus, who is helping to organize the visit of the Japanese scouts, said he doesn’t agree with the national policy and says local scout troops are working from inside the organization to change the policy. He works with the scouts despite its discriminatory policies because of the positive benefits he said the youth get from scouting and the service the scouts give to the community. 

When Worthington learned from a reporter that the mayor had decided to meet with the scouts off of public property, he commented, “Oh, that’s wonderful,” then qualified his enthusiasm. 

While he said he believes it is the mayor’s right to meet with the scouts on private property, he said she ought to take an additional step and educate the young visitors about Berkeley’s policy of non-discrimination. Worthington said he plans to write an explanation to the youth, have it translated into Japanese and offer it to the mayor to give to the visitors. 

Dean said the move of the meeting away from City Hall is to protect the young visitors. “We don’t want to see them embarrassed at all,” she said. “These are children. They do not set policy.” 

UKIAH — A growing number of medical marijuana users whose backyard pot plants were stolen by thieves or commandeered by police have succeeded in getting insurance companies to reimburse them for the loss. 

But just as medical marijuana was beginning to gain acceptance as an insurable belonging, the Supreme Court’s recent ruling in an Oakland, Calif., case has cast doubt on the future of such payments. 

The dollar amounts aren’t huge — after all, the missing pot is supposed to keep one person healthy, rather than be sold on the street, where high-grade marijuana is more expensive than gold. But it’s real money to a sickly policyholder. One insurer paid $12,375 to a man who lost 3 pounds of pot to an armed intruder. 

It’s not like anyone with a stash can file a claim. Insurers, which are state-regulated, don’t cover illegal property. 

But they generally agree that marijuana becomes a homeowner’s bona fide personal property under some state laws when the policyholder has permission to grow or possess it for medical reasons. That’s possible in the eight states where medical marijuana laws are in conflict with federal drug laws – California, Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Oregon and Washington. 

Even though these laws are in conflict with federal law barring use or possession of marijuana, major insurance companies have made at least a dozen such reimbursements, according to a series of interviews by The Associated Press. Most of the claims for stolen plants or harvested marijuana have been filed in California. 

The claims have forced insurers to enter a legal gray area. “How do you determine its value? Who is going to be your expert?” asks Lisa Wannamaker, a spokeswoman for Allstate, which has paid four such claims in California. “There’s no set process in place on how to deal with it.” Any developing clarity disappeared in May, when the Supreme Court ruled that clubs dispensing medical marijuana according to state laws could not use a “medical necessity” defense against federal anti-drug laws. The court noted that Congress declared that marijuana has no medicinal value. 

However, the justices said they specifically did not resolve such constitutional questions as whether states can experiment with their own laws, or whether individual Americans have a right to marijuana as a pain remedy. 

Medical marijuana advocates say insurers are treating the ruling as political cover despite these unresolved legal questions. “If an insurance company is looking for an excuse to save a few dollars and deny a claim, I suppose they can use the Supreme Court case as an excuse,” says Keith Stroup, executive director of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws. None of the major insurance companies questioned said they received new marijuana claims since the ruling. State Farm, citing federal law, will deny future claims, and the other insurers will give them renewed scrutiny, spokesmen said. 

“It’s clearly stated in the homeowners’ policy that we will not pay for illegal activities,” said Lonny Haskins, the State Farm spokesman. 

At least three other companies besides Allstate have paid claims on stolen medical marijuana in California. They include the California State Automobile Association, Travelers Indemnity Co., and OneBeacon, which made the payments when it operated as CGU California Insurance. 

In September 1999, Robert DeArkland of Fair Oaks became the first person known to be reimbursed for marijuana through household insurance. He received $6,500 from CGU California Insurance for 13 marijuana plants seized from his garage by sheriffs’ deputies. 

Other reimbursements haven’t been so smooth. 

Chris Miller haggled with Allstate over the value of 17 plants that Placer County sheriff’s deputies confiscated when they raided his Citrus Heights home in March 1999. He was exonerated of marijuana cultivation charges after claiming an exemption under Proposition 215, the 1996 California ballot measure that authorized medicinal marijuana. 

Wannamaker said Allstate first offered Miller $1,272, but later agreed to a $4,900 settlement 

In less than two years, the California State Automobile Association has made “less than six” such payments, according to Joe Ponkovich, CSAA’s manager of claims administration. 

One was to a Ukiah man who reported that his backyard plants were chopped down in September 1999. The man, an Air Force veteran who has a doctor’s recommendation to smoke marijuana for anxiety related problems, asked not to be identified to avoid drawing more attention from thieves. 

CSAA sent an investigator to talk to local deputies, who confirmed he was registered to grow the plants and had filed a police report. The Ukiah Cannabis Club helped assess the plants’ value. 

He made the claim at the suggestion of a police officer, and couldn’t believe it when he got a $2,500 check for his five plants. 

“You’ve got to go through the motions and the paperwork. And that’s what I did with the herb,” he said, pointing to the insurance documents that classified each 7-foot stalk under language protecting policyholders against a loss of up to $500 for “trees, shrubs and other plants.” 

The Ukiah man didn’t want to sound ungrateful, but he noted that the plants were undervalued. 

“Five hundred dollars on the outside would buy you 2 ounces,” he said. “Each one of these had a pound and a half. They were huge buds.” 

——— 

On the Net: 

http://www.norml.org/ 

http://www.allstate.com/Home/Home.asp 

http://www.statefarm.com/ 

http://www.csaa.com/index-anonym.asp 

http://www.travelers.com/ 

http://www.cguusa.com/ 

SAN FRANCISCO — Two environmental groups released a report and map that warn of the possible destruction to wildlands across the country if President Bush’s energy plan is approved. 

The groups are urging the U.S. House of Representatives not to approve the energy bill under consideration.  

The report and map come as the White House and congressional Republicans renewed intense lobbying for the Bush energy plan, and was released the same day Bush again called for drilling in an Arctic wildlife refuge. 

The Sierra Club’s map shows what the nation would look like if the 1,300 proposed new power plants were evenly spread across the country. 

“It looks like the country got a bad case of the chicken pox,” said Eric Wesselman, regional energy representative for the Sierra Club. 

The groups said the plan could increase air pollution, destroy wild areas and pose threats to neighborhoods with new nuclear reactors.  

They called on the Bush administration instead to focus on alternative forms of energy and conservation, and to take such action as increasing the fuel efficiency of sport-utility vehicles. 

The Wilderness Society’s report and map highlight 16 areas it says are representative of the wildlands that could be negatively affected by drilling for oil and natural gas.  

The areas include national forests and deserts, grasslands, canyons, basins and monuments across the country. 

“This proposal presents an incredibly narrow view,” said Dan Smuts, assistant regional director for the Wilderness Society. “Drilling in these areas would do nothing to solve our dependence on foreign oil.” 

Environmental groups have argued that increased drilling in these areas, most notably the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska, will not yield a substantial amount of oil or natural gas. 

“The modest payoff does not justify the damage that would be done to the air and wildlife and water quality,” Smuts said. 

But Bush said again Tuesday that he thinks the drilling could be done without harming the environment. 

The report warns that the California Coastal National Monument, which stretches the length of the state, is threatened by offshore drilling, as oil companies have 36 leases to drill for oil and natural gas off the coast.  

It also highlighted the Carrizo Plain National Monument, near Bakersfield, where drilling could take place. 

The Carrizo Plain holds the largest concentration of vertebrate endangered and threatened species in the world, Wesselman said, and drilling there would harm the delicate balance. 

“Clearly, we’re dependent on fossil fuels. We’re not saying we should get rid of the internal combustion engine,” he said. “We don’t need to drill for oil and natural gas in our nation’s most special wildlands.” 

In spring, Bush released his plan for increasing the nation’s energy supply, warning that gasoline and electricity prices could rise.  

The plan includes expanding oil and gas drilling on public land and focusing on nuclear power. 

The House energy package includes incentives for technology that would allow continued use of coal to produce power and would give tax breaks to those who buy hybrid gas-electric vehicles. It would also give tax breaks and favors to the coal, oil and nuclear industries. 

On the Net: 

http://www.wilderness.org 

http://www.whitehouse.gov/energy

SACRAMENTO — Democratic Gov. Gray Davis has raised $5.8 million this year for his re-election bid, bringing his campaign treasury to $30.5 million. 

Davis’ nearly million-dollar-a-month fund-raising pace was revealed Tuesday in a summary of a long-anticipated campaign finance report covering the first six months of the year, when the state was hit with rolling blackouts and Davis saw his popularity slide. 

According to the report, the Davis campaign brought in $5.8 million and spent $1.9 million with more than a year to go before the election. 

Davis’ contributions dwarfed those of his two Republican challengers. Secretary of State Bill Jones’s gubernatorial campaign received $930,000 during the same fund-raising period, while Los Angeles businessman William E. Simon Jr. took in $2.9 million. 

Former Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan has formed an exploratory committee but has not decided whether to run.  

Riordan, a wealthy businessman who has been encouraged by President Bush, is thought to be the most formidable rival, given Davis’ deep war chest and fund-raising skills. 

Davis’ chief campaign adviser Garry South said the governor raised money from “a broad-based group of donors.” 

Details of the contributors were not immediately available. 

Davis has been criticized for attending fund-raisers during the state’s worst  

energy crisis. 

South said the campaign canceled several fund-raisers and out-of-state trips during that period because of the governor’s duties during the power crunch. 

“We’ve still done pretty well this six months, but we would have done even better,” South said. 

Jones issued a statement Tuesday criticizing Davis’ “insatiable appetite for campaign contributions.” 

Meanwhile, Simon spokesman Jeff Flint said Davis “has raised the bar,” but that he is confident Simon can keep pace with the governor. 

South was unapologetic about the size of Davis’s campaign account. He said Davis will continue to solicit donations and said he expects Simon and Riordan, if he decides to run, to contribute large amounts of their own money. 

“We’ll be ready for whatever they throw at us,” South said. 

The Davis campaign spent some of the money on focus groups and opinion polls throughout his term in office, and Davis campaign aides launched his re-election campaign’s first radio ads in early July. 

The statewide ads, costing $150,000 a week, feature Davis thanking residents for conserving energy and discussing his approach to remedy the power crunch. 

On the Net: Campaign finance reports at http://cal-access.ss.ca.gov and Davis’ Web site at http://gray-davis.com/

SAN JOSE — A woman who repeatedly left her young children in the trunk of her car while she was at work – and once turned up the radio to drown out one boy’s cries – was sentenced to three months in jail and five months of home detention Tuesday. 

A tearful Rosemarie Radovan, 31, also was sentenced to five years of probation. She pleaded no contest in March to two counts of felony child endangerment. 

Radovan was arrested in November after a co-worker told police he heard her 5-year-old son crying while he and Radovan drove to get ice cream. Radovan turned up the car’s radio and kept driving – a fact that Judge Robert Ambrose said he found “particularly offensive.” 

Investigators determined that Radovan had left the boy and her other son, then 7, in the trunk as many as 10 times in a year while she worked at an electronics-manufacturing company in Santa Clara. 

On some occasions, the car’s back seat was lowered so the boys could crawl from the trunk into the passenger section, prosecutor Dan Nishigaya said. The children were never physically harmed, he said. 

Radovan cried and repeatedly apologized when she took the stand at her sentencing hearing Tuesday.  

The single mother said she has been in counseling and working on her parenting skills in hopes of someday being reunited with her sons, who have been living with her parents. 

“I know what I did was wrong,” Radovan said, breaking down in tears.  

“I’m sorry about that. I love my children so much.” 

Radovan could have been sentenced to more than seven years behind bars. Nishigaya asked the judge for a “minimal to moderate” sentence and said outside court that he felt the decision for eight months in custody  

was appropriate. 

Radovan was comforted by several relatives after the hearing and did not speak to reporters. The children were not in attendance. 

Radovan’s arrest raised questions about the ability of working-class parents to afford child care in Silicon Valley, where the cost of living remains exorbitant. Prosecutors, however, pointed out that Radovan was driving a new car.

WASHINGTON — Consumers, a key force keeping the economy afloat, spent vigorously in June despite rising layoffs and a volatile stock market. Incomes rose modestly. 

The Commerce Department reported Tuesday that consumer spending, which accounts for two-thirds of all economic activity, rose by a bigger-than-expected 0.4 percent in June, following a 0.3 percent rise in May. 

Americans’ incomes rose by a solid 0.3 percent, after a 0.2 percent increase the previous month. 

The spending and income figures aren’t adjusted for inflation. 

When consumer spending is adjusted for inflation, it rose by 0.2 percent, half as fast as the unadjusted 0.4 percent gain. 

One of the main factors that has kept the country from slipping into recession during the yearlong economic slowdown has been steady spending by consumers. 

Some economists worry that if the job market were to seriously weaken in the months ahead, spending might collapse, throwing the country into recession. 

The nation’s unemployment rate rose to 4.5 percent in June and businesses eliminated 114,000 jobs. Many economists are predicting the July jobless rate will climb to 4.7 percent and that another 38,000 jobs will be cut. The government will release the employment report Friday. 

Other analysts believe the country will be able to dodge a recession, predicting that tax-rebate checks and the Fed’s aggressive credit easing will lift economic growth later this year. 

The administration is also urging Congress to give it the negotiating authority it needs to strike new free-trade agreements as a way to boost economic growth. 

“Free trade is an antidote for our economic ills,” Commerce Secretary Donald Evans said Tuesday in commenting on the income and spending report. “We need more than open wallets. We need open markets. Trade promotion authority is needed now more than ever.” 

In an effort to avert the first recession in the United States in 11 years, the Federal Reserve has slashed interest rates six times this year, totaling 2.75 percentage points. Many economists believe the Fed will cut rates again at its next meeting, Aug. 21. 

In June, spending on durables rose by 1.5 percent, following a 0.2 percent drop in May. 

Spending on nondurables fell by 0.2 percent, after a 0.6 percent rise. 

Spending on services increased 0.4 percent in June, following a 0.2 percent gain. The services category includes such things as gas and electric utilities, visits to doctors, bus and train fares and rent for housing. 

None of the figures is adjusted for inflation. 

With the pace of spending outpacing income growth, the nation’s personal savings rate dipped to 1.1 percent in June, after a 1.2 percent reading in May. 

Annual revisions, based on better data, also released Tuesday resulted in improvements in monthly disposable income figures, which lifted the savings rate out of negative territory for January through May. 

Economists say the savings rate doesn’t provide a complete picture of household finances because it doesn’t capture gains realized from such things as higher real-estate values or from financial investments.

The Associated Press 

LOS ANGELES — Boeing Co. will move 1,100 engineering jobs in its international space station and space shuttle divisions from Southern California to Texas and Florida in an effort to cut costs and locate workers closer to customers, company officials said Tuesday. 

The move comes as NASA attempts to curtail an estimated $4 billion in overruns connected with the space station project. The agency also has trimmed space shuttle upgrades to save money. 

The relocation of Boeing employees – about 1,000 from a facility in Huntington Beach and another 100 from a Canoga Park plant – is designed to cut costs through consolidation. The move is expected to be completed by Nov. 1. 

Boeing officials stressed the move is also intended to move engineers closer to major customers like NASA and the United Space Alliance, which is building the space station. 

“I can’t find any reason on the planet why I don’t want to be nearer to my customer,” said Mike Mott, vice president of Boeing’s Human Space Flight & Exploration unit. “NASA likes having their contractors where they can see them, up close and personal.” 

Boeing now has about 7,000 employees at its Huntington Beach facility. The headquarters of its human space flight division will remain there. 

Employees who do not want to accept jobs in Houston or Kennedy Space Center in Florida will be given the chance to seek other Boeing jobs in Southern California. 

Most of the affected jobs are in engineering or other professional functions. Boeing officials declined to say how much they hope to save through the move, except that it could total millions of dollars. They also insisted the effort was not an attempt to cut jobs through attrition. 

Mott said worker reaction has been mixed. 

“I think my popularity has gone down slightly on the Huntington Beach campus overall,” he said. 

Boeing expects about one-third of the 1,100 Southern California employees to make the move. 

The firm’s current space station contract is worth about $9 billion. It picked up most of that work when it acquired McDonnell Douglas. 

Boeing got its shuttle contracts when it bought Rockwell International Corp.’s aerospace business. That work brings in roughly $500 million a year, company officials said. 

Earlier this year, Boeing said it would cut as many as 500 jobs at its rocket manufacturing plant in Huntington Beach, as the company concentrates those operations in Colorado and Alabama. 

In El Segundo, Boeing Satellite Systems is cutting 400 jobs, mostly in administrative staff, while planning to hire 200 engineers to meet growing demand for those systems. 

Boeing already has 2,500 employees at the Kennedy Space Center. 

“Florida’s strong business climate and labor force have essentially sealed the deal in bringing these space shuttle and international space station operations to Florida,” said Florida Gov. Jeb Bush. 

LOS ANGELES — Boeing Co. will move 1,100 engineering jobs in its international space station and space shuttle divisions from Southern California to Texas and Florida in an effort to cut costs and locate workers closer to customers, company officials said Tuesday. 

The move comes as NASA attempts to curtail an estimated $4 billion in overruns connected with the space station project. The agency also has trimmed space shuttle upgrades to save money. 

The relocation of Boeing employees – about 1,000 from a facility in Huntington Beach and another 100 from a Canoga Park plant – is designed to cut costs through consolidation. The move is expected to be completed by Nov. 1. 

Boeing officials stressed the move is also intended to move engineers closer to major customers like NASA and the United Space Alliance, which is building the space station. 

“I can’t find any reason on the planet why I don’t want to be nearer to my customer,” said Mike Mott, vice president of Boeing’s Human Space Flight & Exploration unit. “NASA likes having their contractors where they can see them, up close and personal.” 

Boeing now has about 7,000 employees at its Huntington Beach facility. The headquarters of its human space flight division will remain there. 

Employees who do not want to accept jobs in Houston or Kennedy Space Center in Florida will be given the chance to seek other Boeing jobs in Southern California. 

Most of the affected jobs are in engineering or other professional functions. Boeing officials declined to say how much they hope to save through the move, except that it could total millions of dollars. They also insisted the effort was not an attempt to cut jobs through attrition. 

Mott said worker reaction has been mixed. 

“I think my popularity has gone down slightly on the Huntington Beach campus overall,” he said. 

Boeing expects about one-third of the 1,100 Southern California employees to make the move. 

The firm’s current space station contract is worth about $9 billion. It picked up most of that work when it acquired McDonnell Douglas. 

Boeing got its shuttle contracts when it bought Rockwell International Corp.’s aerospace business. That work brings in roughly $500 million a year, company officials said. 

Earlier this year, Boeing said it would cut as many as 500 jobs at its rocket manufacturing plant in Huntington Beach, as the company concentrates those operations in Colorado and Alabama. 

In El Segundo, Boeing Satellite Systems is cutting 400 jobs, mostly in administrative staff, while planning to hire 200 engineers to meet growing demand for those systems. 

Boeing already has 2,500 employees at the Kennedy Space Center. 

“Florida’s strong business climate and labor force have essentially sealed the deal in bringing these space shuttle and international space station operations to Florida,” said Florida Gov. Jeb Bush. 

LOS ANGELES — Computer products distributor Ingram Micro Inc. reported a $12 million loss in its second quarter because of what it called soft demand throughout the information technology sector. 

The company reported a profit of $33.2 million during the same period last year. 

Losses per share were 8 cents in the quarter ending June 30, compared to earnings of 22 cents in the year-ago period. 

Analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial/First Call had expected losses of 3 cents a share in the most recent quarter. 

“This is a horrendous time in general for technology products and technology markets,” said analyst Shawn Milne of Wit SoundView. “As a whole, (Ingram) revenues are sort of at the high end of the warning range. What is important for investors is what Ingram has to say about the forward outlook.” 

The company had warned in June that it would break even at best during the quarter. At worst, it expected to lose $10 million. 

Net sales for the second quarter dropped 18 percent to $6.02 billion. 

The company, based in Santa Ana, is the largest distributor of computer products in the world and is listed as the 49th largest company in the United States by Fortune magazine. 

In a conference call with analysts, company officials described the financial environment for their industry as the worst ever. They also noted that Ingram had managed to cut $22 million in operating expenses in the second quarter. 

“We are determined to build on our leadership as the top technology distributor in the world,” said chief executive Kent Foster. 

In early June, the company said it planned to slash as many as 1,000 jobs in this country, or 6 percent of its worldwide work force, in hopes of saving as much as $40 million a year. The layoffs will result in closings of a distribution hub in Newark, Calif., and two facilities in Rancho Cucamonga and Santa Ana. 

The earnings announcement was made after markets closed Tuesday. Shares in Ingram Micro closed unchanged at $13.96. 

LOS ANGELES — Toyota Motor Corp. has forged a $100 million marketing alliance with Universal Studios that will link the auto maker with the promotion of theme parks, movies and other aspects of the giant entertainment company. 

The three-year deal allows Toyota to sponsor theme park attractions, place cars in movies and distribute music CDs featuring Universal artists through Toyota dealerships. 

Under the deal, which has an option for another two years, Toyota will pay a fee of about $100 million to Universal, said Stephanie Sperber, senior vice president of global alliances for Universal Studios. 

The agreement essentially positions Toyota as the official car of the entertainment company, which is owned by Vivendi Universal. 

The crux of the deal involves theme parks in California, Florida, Japan and Spain, where Toyota will sponsor several attractions. 

In the film realm, Toyota will have a “first look” agreement to place cars in Universal movies, allowing it to claim product placements before other auto makers. 

“The scope of this agreement is so large and extends across so many divisions that it is unlike most other alliances out there,” Sperber said. “The sponsorships traditionally stop with theme parks, but we have taken that concept and really blown it out.” 

The new acting manager of the Berkeley Housing Authority likes a challenge, a characteristic that will come in handy considering he has accepted the responsibility of saving the troubled housing agency from collapse. 

“I like the challenge of organizing or reorganizing housing programs,” Rick Mattessich said with an Italian accent over coffee at a local café last week. He paused for a moment and his demeanor suddenly became serious. “I’m not going anywhere until things run better.” 

It’s that type of commitment that has earned Mattessich a reputation as a trouble shooter for housing authorities in California, Oregon and Washington.  

Mattessich, 61, was born in what is now Croatia and was raised in northern Italy. He is a naturalized U.S. citizen, and after a five-year stint in the Air Force he received his Masters of Business Administration from Seattle University in 1971. 

He has lived in Berkeley since 1986 with his wife of 36 years, Carol. They have two grown sons Stefan, 36 and Anthony, 33. 

“We are very lucky he’s working with us,” said Housing Director Stephen Barton. “Rick is knowledgeable about housing issues and very much a no-nonsense, get-the-job-done kind of guy.” 

Mattessich, who has worked in housing for the last 22 years, most recently with the San Francisco Department of Housing and Urban Development, may be best known for organizing the Klamouth Tribal Housing Authority in 1995.  

The agency, run by three northern California tribes, was the first in the nation to establish a homeownership program with loans from private lenders.  

Mattessich, who has been at his new post for just over two months, may need to call on all of his skills and experience to save the BHA, which has had five directors or acting directors since 1991. The last acting director, Sheila Maxwell, quit in May six months after accepting the job.  

The BHA will, at the very least, need a substantial commitment of leadership if it’s going avoid dissolving. The BHA lost $255,000 last year and it is estimated it will lose about $260,000 this year, according to a July 24 housing department report.  

Barton said the agency has been plagued by poor organization that has resulted in the underleasing of Section 8 apartments. 

The report says the Department of Housing and Urban Development requires the BHA to lease 1,540 Section 8 units. As of June only 1,270 were leased. Because the BHA has not been able to achieve its target, its administration loses HUD subsidies that add up to about $700 annually for every unleased unit. 

HUD has given the BHA an April deadline to turn the organization around and reach its target goals. If it fails, there’s a good chance the agency will be dissolved by the Berkeley Housing Authority Board and its obligations absorbed by the Alameda County Housing Authority.  

In addition to poor organization, the agency has been troubled by the loss of leaseable units over the last year for a variety of reasons including landlords opting out of the program to capitalize on the lucrative rental market. 

The BHA was losing an average of 10 units a month at the beginning of the year. In the last three months, the trend has been reversed and during May and June, the BHA actually gained seven units, according to Barton. 

Even with the modest increase, Mattessich is faced with the challenge of increasing Section 8 leases to 1,540 by April, which will mean increasing the current gain of four leases per month to about 33 each month. 

Mattessich said he believes strongly that the agency can be saved. He said a critical part of his job is making others believe as he does. 

“I have to communicate that the Housing Authority will succeed,” Mattessich said. “You can’t accomplish anything significant without faith.” 

He said there are three types of people he will have to work with, a small, vocal minority who want the BHA to fail, another small minority who truly believe it can succeed and the majority who want the agency to succeed but don’t believe it can. 

“I want to turn their energy around to work for the BHA,” he said. “It will take the entire group.” 

Among the priorities Mattessich has set for the BHA is getting the city’s 61 units of public housing into shape. He said the BHA is working with the Department of Public Works and several other agencies to accomplish the task. 

“One of the first things I did was to have a comprehensive inspection of all public housing,” he said. “First we’ll take care of all the health and safety issues and then we will take care of all the deferred maintenance and modernize them.” 

Barton said Mattessich is goal oriented and that it will take aggressive goal setting and a strong commitment to get the BHA anywhere near solvency. Barton said Mattessich’s task it daunting and there’s no time for setbacks. 

“He has a lot to do in a very short time,” he said.

The biggest basketball tournament of the summer kicked off in Berkeley on Monday, and the home team managed to get through its first-round opponent despite some tired legs. 

Getting back from the adidas Big Time Tournament in Las Vegas at 6 a.m. Monday morning, most of the Slam ‘n Jam Soldiers I got less than six hours of sleep before hitting the floor at their own Elite 8x2 Tournament at RSF Fieldhouse on the Cal campus. Although they missed a lot of easy shots, they easily beat SSA Platinum, 80-57, to move on to the winners bracket of the tournament.  

“Oh, man, we played terrible,” Soldiers coach Mark Olivier said. “We were so tired today. But it’ll come together before long.” 

Oakland Tech’s Leon “The Show” Powe led the Soldiers with 17 points, but despite his nickname, Powe wasn’t the main attraction on Monday. That would be Ohio guard LeBron James, roundly considered the best prep player in the nation despite being only a junior. James didn’t have his shooting touch against SSA, missing well more than half of his shots, but his full-court game dazzled spectators, among them Stanford coach Mike Montgomery, UCLA coach Steve Lavin and Michigan State’s Tom Izzo. James put up 16 points, four steals, two blocks and five assists despite sitting for much of the second half. 

Soldiers coach Mark Olivier had the luxury of sitting his best player because the game turned into a rout early. His team took a 12-0 lead before SSA broke through with a free throw. James started the game on the bench, but immediately started the highlight reel when he entered the game, tossing a perfect alley-oop pass to teammate Marquis Kately for a thunderous jam that got the crowd on its feet. James followed that with an airball from 3-point range, but minutes later had a breakaway dunk, a steal and another dunk. 

While James had the most spectacular plays, Powe did the dirty work down low. He got two consecutive putbacks to give the Soldiers a 30-10 lead with six minutes remaining in the first half, muscling through the overmatched SSA big men. Then it was showtime once again, as James threw another alley-oop pass, this one off the backboard to Rekalin Sims, and St. Mary’s guard John Sharper finished with a steal and feed to Powe for yet another dunk. The score at halftime was 45-23 in favor of the hosts, and it was clear that they would be moving on to the winners bracket. 

The second half was lackadasical at best, with both teams struggling to make their shots and numerous fouls halting the action every few seconds. SSA’s Josh Davis was the one opponent who didn’t look intimidated by the highlight reel going on around him, as he attacked the basket with authority and made several 3-pointers. Davis led all scorers with 22 points, giving him nearly half his team’s total. 

“Man, we were just tired out there today,” Sharper said. “But it’s fun being back here on my home court, with our fans cheering for us.” 

The Soldiers will take on the Houston Superstars today at 8 p.m. The losers bracket games will run from 3:30-6:30 p.m., with the winners bracket following. 

NOTES: Powe’s Oakland Tech teammate Armando Surratt scored 23 points for 805 in a 76-54 loss to the Superstars. The senior point guard was the best player on the floor, but didn’t get enough help to pull out a win... EBO point guard Richard Midgely, who has verbally committed to Cal, isn’t playing in the tournament. A native of England, Midgely is getting in a visit back home before starting his senior year at Modesto Christian... The Illinois Style, featuring Duke signee Sean Dockery, was a last-minute cancellation for financial reasons, Olivier said.

Tuesday, July 31

Berkeley Camera Club  

7:30 p.m. 

Northbrae Community Church  

941 The Alameda  

Share your slides and learn what other photographers are doing. Monthly field trips. 

Call Don, 525-3565 

Wild Women Travel Writers 

7:30 p.m. 

Easy Going Travel Shop and Bookstore 

1385 Shattuck Avenue 

An evening with members of the Wild Women Travel Writers’ Group, authors of “Wild Writing Women: Stories of World Travel,” will read from their book and conduct a panel discussion on the “Art of Travel Writing.” Free. 

843-3533 

Writing and Resistance In A  

Culture of Amnesia 

6 - 7:45 p.m. 

La Peña Cultural Center 

3105 Shattuck Avenue 

Classroom #2 

Part of a workshop series on concepts and strategies for resistance through the spoken and written word, taught by Joyce E. Young. $12. 

849-2568 www.lapena.org 

Berkeley Farmers’ Market 

2 - 7 p.m. 

Derby Street at MLK Jr. Way 

548-3333 

Free Early Music Group 

10 - 11:30 a.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave. (at MLK) 

Small group sings madrigals and other voice harmony every Tuesday morning. Call Ann, 655-8863 

Free Computer Class for Seniors 

9 - 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 - 3 p.m.  

South Berkeley Senior Center, 2939 Ellis St. 

This free course offers basic instruction in keyboarding, Microsoft Word, Windows 95, Excel and Internet access. Space is limited, call ahead for a reservation. 644-6109 

Wednesday, Aug. 1

The LHS 500: Virtual  

Racecars 

Noon - 2 p.m. 

Lawrence Hall of Science 

UC Berkeley 

Part of the Lawrence Hall of Science Wednesday FUN-days. Build and test drive a virtual racecar to find out what makes an efficient vehicle. Museum admission $3 - $7.  

642-5132 

Berkeley Communicator Toastmasters Club 

7:15 a.m. 

Vault Cafe 

3250 Adeline 

Learn to speak with confidence. Ongoing first and third Wednesdays each month. 

527-2337 

Extreme Pizza’s  

Grand Opening 

5:30 p.m. 

2352 Shattuck Ave. 

Mayor Shirley Dean will be cutting the ribbon with her Golden Shears to welcome Extreme Pizza to Berkeley. There will be a comedy show at 8:30 p.m. featuring 10 local comedians including Tommy Devine and Leslie Choler. The evening will be hosted by Tony Sparks.  

486-0770 

Berkeley Metaphysical  

Toastmasters Club  

6:15 - 7:30 p.m.  

2515 Hillegass Ave.  

Public speaking skills and metaphysics come together. Ongoing first and third Thursdays each month.  

Call 869-2547 

Quit Smoking Class 

6 - 8 p.m. 

South Berkeley Senior Center 

2939 Ellis Street 

A six week quit smoking class. 

Free to Berkeley residents and employees. 

Call 644-6422 or email at: quitnow@ci.berkeley.ca.us 

Ancient Native Sites of the East Bay 

7:30 p.m. 

Room 160 Kroeber Hall, University of California Campus 

A panel discussion on ancient sites featuring Sandra Sher, freelance historian and author of The Native Legacy of Emeryville; Richard Schwartz, author of Circle of Stones and Berkeley 1900; Perry Matlock, native advocate and volunteer with the International Indian Treaty Council; and Randy Grandin, explorer of West Contra Costa County native sites. Stephanie Manning, moderator. $10 841-2242 

Salsa Dance Classes 

7:30 p.m. 

Berkeley Richmond Jewish Community Center 

1414 Walnut St. 

Classes every Thursday with live percussionists, light refreshments, DJ playing Latin music. $10 or $15 for two. 

237-9874 

Adventuring With Kids 

7 p.m. 

REI 

1338 San Pablo Avenue 

Karen and Paul Amstutz share stories and slides of family adventures with their one- and three-year-old daughters. Free. 

527-4140 

Free Computer Class for Seniors 

9 - 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 - 3 p.m.  

South Berkeley Senior Center, 2939 Ellis St. 

This free course offers basic instruction in keyboarding, Microsoft Word, Windows 95, Excel and Internet access. Space is limited, call ahead for a reservation. 644-6109 

Thursday, Aug. 2

Free Computer Class for Seniors 

9 - 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 - 3 p.m.  

South Berkeley Senior Center, 2939 Ellis St. 

This free course offers basic instruction in keyboarding, Microsoft Word, Windows 95, Excel and Internet access. Space is limited, call ahead for a reservation. 644-6109 

Community Environmental Advisory Commission 

7 p.m. 

Planning and Development Department - First Floor Conference Room 2118 Milvia St. 

Assistance to enter is available. Residential Woodburning, Harrison Street Skate Park update, Arsenic in playgrounds - follow up, Diesel Generators, Recycling of Universal Waste, Microwaves - update, Review of Radiological Licenses, Notification to public for potential impact from offsite groundwater pollution, Recycling batteries, Takara Sake – Emergency response.  

Friday, Aug. 3

Therapy for Trans Partners  

6 - 7:30 p.m.  

Pacific Center for Human Growth  

2712 Telegraph Ave. (at Derby)  

A group open to partners of those in transition or considering transition. The group is structured to be a safe place to receive support from peers and explore a variety of issues, including sexual orientation, coming out, feelings of isolation, among other topics. Intake process required. Meeting Fridays through August 17.  

$8 - $35 sliding scale per session  

Call 548-8283 x534 or x522 

Saturday, Aug. 4

Free Sailboat Rides  

1 - 4 p.m. 

Cal Sailing Club 

Berkeley Marina 

The Cal Sailing Club, a non-profit sailing and windsurfing cooperative, give free rides on a first come, first served bases on the first full weekend of each month. Wear warm clothes and bring a change of clothes in case you get wet. Children must be at least five years old and must be accompanies by an adult.  

Visit www.cal-sailing.org  

Robert Bowman 

7 - 9 p.m. 

Friends Church 

1600 Sacramento St. (@ Cedar)  

Retired Air Force and NASA Official and Presidential Candidate, Dr. Robert Bowman will speak out against the weaponization of space. Following the rally there will be a procession to the gates of the Livermore Lab for a nonviolent, risk arrest action. For details call Livermore Conversion Project, 663-8065. 

Animal Picnic Family  

Workshop 

10 - 10:50 a.m.  

and 11 - 11:50 a.m. 

Lawrence Hall of Science 

UC Berkeley 

Touch and hold a variety of animals and see how they eat their lunch. For children ages 3 - 8 and an accompanying adult. Registration required, $8 - $25. 642-5132 

Berkeley Farmers’ Market 

10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. 

Center Street between Martin Luther King Jr. Way and Milvia Street. An opportunity to sample the whole range of tomato varieties at the Market. Also, the Grand Opening of the Food Court. 548-3333 

Poetry Reading 

3 - 5 p.m. 

1527 Virginia Street (one block from N. Berkeley BART) 

The Bay Area Poets Coalition presents an open poetry reading outdoors on the front lawn. For more information call 527-9905 or 845-8409 or poetalk@aol.com 

Bay Area Eco-Crones 

10:30 a.m. - Noon 

Epworth Church, Youth Room 

1953 Hopkins 

Discuss ecological significance of mushrooms and bats; plan rituals for habitat restorations projects. 874-4935 or 527-4582 

Foster Parent  

Certification Class 

10 a.m. - 3 p.m. 

South Branch Library 

1901 Russell St. (at MLK) 

This class will cover all aspects of Foster Parenting and is open to anyone interested in attending. Free.  

For more information call Bob at 641-6200 or nailahfs@pacbell.net. 

Don’t let UC suppress truth 

The Daily Planet received a copy of this letter sent to various faculty and administrative UC Berkeley staff. 

I wish to draw your attention to the extraordinary effort of the U.S. Government, at the urging of the CIA, to withdraw an already published and distributed volume of the Foreign Relations of the United States. I hope you will help persuade University of California Library not to collaborate in this clumsy effort at truth suppression, which mimics the ludicrous games the U.S.S.R. played with the Soviet Encyclopaedia in the 1930s. 

As is pointed out in the attached article from the Los Angeles Times, (not included in the Daily Planet) the FRUS volume “details the U.S. role” in the bloody Indonesian Army massacre of 1965, in which perhaps a million Indonesian leftists and their families were killed.  

The effort to suppress the facts here cannot succeed, because the National Security Archive has already posted the FRUS volume on the Web, at http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/NSAEBB/NSAEBB52/ 

Peter Dale Scott 

professor, UC Berkeley 

Approval process flawed 

Editor: 

I am disappointed by the process that surrounded Tuesday night’s Council decision to deny a public hearing to the residents of the neighborhood in which a 5-story, 71-unit building of unknown height is to be built at Acton Street and University Avenue. The project exceeds several development standards provided by the applicable area plan. There appears to be questions of flawed procedure in noticing meetings, and questionable time-lines which led to zoning hearings with only three weeks and then one night before the expiration of the Permit Streamlining Act review period, leaving little to no time to consider neighborhood concerns and explore mitigations. 

Moreover, it is clear that the city does not understand its obligations with respect to the state’s density bonus law (Gov. Code 65915). It has neither yet adopted an ordinance specifying “the method of providing developer incentives,” nor established residential densities in conformance with state law for more than six of the 18 zoning districts that have a residential component. So the discussion about bonuses for this project was marred by the fact that there is no residential density standard set for the C-1 district in which the 1392 University Ave. project is located.  

Furthermore, planning staff and councilmembers are confused about the difference between “bonuses” and “concessions.” A bonus is an additional percentage of units (plus at least one concession) above that established for a zone – impossible when no limit has been established. In the absence of a bonus, the state requires incentives of “equivalent financial value based upon the land cost per dwelling unit,” which by my calculation comes to a total of $11,267.60. This is in addition to the incentive of the public land, variously valued at something between $700,000 and $1.5 million, to be transferred to the developers for $40,000, in return for the 20 affordable units offered by the project. For all the hand-wringing about providing a required bonus, no “bonus” was ever offered by the city. Instead, numerous concessions were granted on height, floor-count, set-back, parking, open space, among others – equal, I suspect, to far more than the law required.  

And this give-away (difficult to describe in any other terms) was to a team of developers in which the principal partner is a commercial firm (as opposed to a nonprofit) which never offered substantive proof that this array of concessions, which significantly modified the zone’s standards provided in the University Avenue Strategic Plan, were necessary to the project’s basic economic feasibility. These concessions of public resources must certainly have improved the profit margins of at least one commercial developer, however.  

I support affordable housing, and in significant quantities. I am dubious, however, that riding rough-shod over a neighborhood’s concerns about elements of the project constitutes good government or wise public policy. I question the integrity of the city’s process by which public resources are traded for the acquisition of housing, troubled by the propriety of undue private gain that could result. Berkeley needs to make the process transparent and equitable, so that neighbors, developers, planning staff and council alike understand the rules and guidelines. Conforming to state law would be a good start. Getting around to implementing the applicable area plan, adopted five years ago, would also be sensible. The public deserves to know what it is getting, the real cost, and the justification for setting aside established, legally-binding plans.  

Howie Muir 

Berkeley 

Why public transit fails 

Editor: 

Once again, here in the Bay Area, the Environmental Protection Agency is on our case about our bad air. Traffic in Berkeley is horrible; downtown businesses want to fix it by having the city build more parking, so we get more cars. 

Too many people are still driving. Their trips have not been captured by public transit. In that sense, public transit is a failure. 

Public policy has been encouraging urban sprawl. If we could live more densely and economically, people could be near their jobs. Public transit works best where people and businesses are densely packed. Places like New York and London have good public transit, because they have to. 

The people in the Bay Area claim to be “environmental,” that we have a consensus that congestion and pollution constitute a problem, and that it’s getting worse, and that we ought to do something about it. But so-far that ‘something’ doesn’t seem to involve enough cutting back on cars.  

There are many excuses for not riding public transit: It’s too slow; it doesn’t run near where I live; I need a car to carry kids; I need to do shopping on the way home; my time is valuable.I shouldn’t spend an hour and a half to get to work when I could drive in 20 minutes; it costs too much - to travel from anywhere to downtown Berkeley, the round trip cost for AC transit would be at least $3 a day. 

Well, not really. If one buys the $49 AC Transit 31-day pass, and averages one round-trip per day, including weekends, the cost is less than 80 cents per day. 

People spend plenty of time goofing off at work. There are coffee breaks, and just idle chit-chat. That time is just as “valuable” as time on the bus. Some people use transit riding time for reading or study. Most people drive alone, and are not hauling luggage. Shopping can be done using a bus, too. Service in the suburbs is inadequate because the people who live there do not demand adequate transit. Transit can be fast if it’s built that way. We could have bus rapid transit with bus-only lanes and an integrated network of feeder buses and shuttle vans. We don’t have these things, because we don’t demand them. 

These are just excuses, anyway. People won’t ride public transit because of their attitudes and habits. The biggest objection the time transit takes would be eliminated if we had more reliable transit, and most of us made use of it. 

Without consistently reliable bus service, it seems futile to call for a mass shift from cars to transit. AC is still dropping a lot of runs; the bus riders can see this. When buses are late, or just don’t show up, those with the option to drive feel justified in doing so.  

Here in Alameda County, we just passed the new Measure B, with a big budget for public transit starting in April 2002. That money needs to be spent keeping the buses on time and putting an end to the practice of dropped runs for lack of resources. We should have more local feeder buses, so that more people will use the bus.  

We’ll get the kind of transit we really need if we the people demand it – all of us, not just the few transit advocates. We should use advertising to promote transit. People ride BART to the A’s games and to Pac Bell Park. Advertising was used to promote both of those. The MTC should start a department to coordinate ad campaigns – TV, newspapers. Advertising is what got us into this car culture trap in the first place. Let’s use it to get us out. 

Steve Geller 

Berkeley 

Written in 1956 “The Great Sebastians” is an infrequently produced and not very well-known play by the famed Broadway writing team of Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse.  

Crouse and Lindsay are best known for their book of the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical “Sound of Music,” and for their book of the Cole Porter musical “Anything Goes.” 

Actors Ensemble of Berkeley, interested in doing a play that you probably haven’t seen before, is currently running a community theater production of “The Great Sebastians” at Live Oak Theater. 

“The Great Sebastians” is part comedy and part political mystery and intrigue. Set in 1948, in newly communist, post-World War II Prague, Czechoslovakia, the play features a bickering show business couple that tours Europe doing a phony, high-end vaudeville mind-reading act. When the English Effie Sebastian (Trish Tillman) and her Czech husband Rudi Sebastian (Dan Wilson) are invited to a communist general’s (Bradford Guthrie) dinner party to perform their mind-reading act, they suddenly find themselves tangled in a political intrigue. 

Actors Ensemble has mounted a decent community production of “The Great Sebastians,” though there are problems with the script of this lumbering and creaky comedy potboiler. 

For one, the central characters of the Sebastians are snooty, greedy, pretentious and dishonest, so it’s hard to like them, and hard to care about what happens to them. 

The story itself is an unsophisticated political cliché, with predictable story reversals, and filled with familiar jokes about communist bureaucracy.  

The device of phony mind reading, which is the couple’s show biz vocation, never really connects with the play’s political story, though it seems like there would be an opportunity to do that in this story of political illusion, if the playwrights had thought about it more carefully. Finally, the whole adventure ends rather abruptly. This Berkeley production grew on me as the evening rolled on, and I ended up enjoying myself. The experience was like flipping on the tube at one in the morning, finding an old black and white melodrama from the mid-1940s that I’d never seen before, and getting slowly pulled into the story. 

My early disappointment dissipated, and the obvious efforts and industry of 22-year-old director Rachel J. Hefler and her earnest cast won me over. 

Among the actors, Tillman’s giddy, snooty Grande-Dame-manquée Essie is the evening’s warmest performance. Her bottomless high-speed banter with Wilson has charm. Guthrie has some nice moments as the rough-edged communist General Zandek, who hires the Sebastians as a party act, perhaps to sniff out a traitor. Gary Dailey effectively creates two distinct characters in two quite different roles, one as a tightly-wound communist-party political problem fixer, and the other as a nervous, gushing theater producer. Will Green is an ominous, smarmy political officer. Irina Mikhalevich is amusing in a small part as a dizzy communist trophy wife. 

Because this is an 18-character play, you will likely never see a revival of this show at a professional theater, where the cost per actor is $600 or $700 a week for rehearsals and performances. 

Kudos to Actors Ensemble for giving Berkeley an opportunity to see a lost part of theater history right in our own back yard. 

Planet theater reviewer John Angell Grant has written for “American Theater,” “Backstage West,” “Callboard” and other publications. E-mail him at jagplays@yahoo.com.

When the City Council approved the broad outline for an ambitious mixed-used development on the site of the Oxford Street parking lot last week, one of the questions that remained unanswered was just what mix of uses the development should serve.  

Performance arts groups around the Bay Area are hoping the council will approve plans, in the end, that would allow the building to serve as a regional center for performance arts.  

Mickey Tenenbaum, chairman of the Berkeley Performing Arts Center, a group that has lobbied off and on for the creation of a major performing arts center in Berkeley since 1975, argues that to do this the Oxford Street development would need at least three theaters: a small “black box” theater, a 100-seat theater, and a 420-seat theater that could become the permanent home for local institutions like the San Francisco-based George Coates Performance Work theater group and the Berkeley Opera. 

But, so far at least, city officials have set much more modest goals for the arts component of the Oxford Street development. A plan approved by the Planning Commission last month called for a maximum of 10,000 square feet of arts space, whereas Tenenbaum says that, to do three theaters and visual arts space, the building would need around 30,000 square feet dedicated to the arts. 

At the behest of Councilmember Linda Maio, the council will at least study the possibility of a larger arts space in the months ahead. And Tenenbaum and others have sworn to continue their fight for more performance arts space. 

George Coates, artistic director of George Coates Performance Works and a Berkeley resident, said a performance arts venue needs at least 300 seats to have any hope of being financially self-sufficient, particularly in the era of dot-com-driven real estate prices. 

As Coates put it, “You can’t sing for your dinner unless you have more than 300 seats.” 

Coates said a 400-seat theater operating in tandem with a 100-seat theater is the ideal arrangement, because the two together would produce enough revenue to cover operating costs. Furthermore, said Coates, working out of the same building, theater groups could share mailing lists and otherwise collaborate to promote their productions, helping to keep the seats full. As the center’s reputation for strong performance arts grew, all the groups associated would benefit, Coates said.  

For models, he points to the Walnut Creek Regional Arts Center, or the development of the Jack London Square area with its growing array of Jazz music venues. The more choices, the bigger the crowds, he said. 

Any night of the week, said Coates, “you can go to Jack London Square and there will be something for you to listen to.” 

If nothing else, by being associated with such a successful regional arts center, small theater groups would have much better luck generating significant grant support, Coates added.  

Tenenbaum said his group has heard from 35 Bay Area theater groups that have voiced support for the idea of an Berkeley Performance Arts theater 

“There are just dozens of top notch theater groups in the Bay Area that are struggling, partly because that’s the nature of theater, but partly because they just don’t have venues to perform in,” Tenenbaum said. 

Berkeley has its share of such “nomadic” theater groups – groups that move from performance space to performance space, dangling a dogged group of loyal followers along with them if they’re lucky. 

The Central Works Theater Ensemble is one such group. Last week Central Works Co-director Jan Zvaifler publicly voiced the group’s support for the idea of a two theater or more performance arts space at the Oxford lot site. 

Since its founding 11 years ago, the Central Works Theater Ensemble seems to have spent nearly as much time looking for space as it has workshopping and performing original plays – plays that have earned it a loyal following of 1,400 people, by Zvaifler’s estimate. 

The group begins with an idea, like “Women who kill,” and then brings in actors, writers and directors to research and generally brainstorm around the theme for several weeks until a play takes shape. The “women who kill” theme lead to “Roux,” a play that dealt with domestic violence, incest and dark sides to family life. 

At first, Central Works, like many Berkeley Theater groups, performed in the basement of La Val’s Pizza parlor on Durant Avenue.  

“That space is booked non-stop, because that’s what we’ve got,” Zvaifler said. 

After contending with conditions such as a doorless dressing room and the sounds of kegs being pounded into place overhead during their performances, Central Works tried several other places, ranging from a storefront in Oakland to UC Berkeley’s Durham Studio Theater. But each place had its own drawbacks. Durham theater was a beautiful venue, Zvaifler said, but the group’s regular audience seemed more than a little put out by having to find parking and the navigate the huge university campus to get to the theater. 

The group ended up back at La Val’s a couple of years ago – until an opportunity came up to move into a former women’s clothing store on Sacramento Street, near Dwight Way. Affordable Housing Associates, the developer that owns the building, is willing to rent it out at very reasonable rates until the end of next year, when they plan to demolish the building to make way for a housing project. 

After months of wading through the city bureaucracy to get a zoning permit to change the building’s use, Central Works finally got final approval from the Zoning Adjustments Board last week. With some pro bono assistance from Ratcliff Architects, the group is trying to come up with an affordable plan to open a 40-seat theater in the old Outback store by October. Anything larger would require seismic upgrades and other alterations the group can’t afford. 

Still, Zvaifler is excited about the possibility of one of the most productive seasons in the group’s history. Plans call for squeezing six full shows into a little more than one year. 

“Typically we don’t have a season,” Zvaifler said. “Typically, we’re desperately looking for space. The search for space sort of drives everything you do.” 

“You grow your audience. It’s not like there’s an audience out there or there isn’t one.”

When she opened the Stained Glass Garden in 1976, Joan McLean probably didn’t intend to stay in business for 25 years. But artists and art-lovers in Berkeley and beyond say they are glad she has. 

The airy, white, upper reaches of the store’s space – always crowded with colored glass and light – could not have been more crowded Friday night than the feet-covered floor beneath. Bubbling with talk and drink, guests came to celebrate a store, a rare combination of artistic craft and retail product, and the woman who made it all possible. 

The Stained Glass Garden was the first retail store on Fourth Street in west Berkeley, and it got started mainly because, inspired by visits to some of the great cathedrals of Europe, McLean and her friends would get together in her garage and make stained glass windows.  

The garage just wasn’t big enough. 

“We wanted to be able to afford the glass, and it was cheaper to set up a business and get a retail license and teach our friends,” said Mel Honowitz. 

Back then, Fourth Street was a bit different.  

“The only (commercial space) in this area that was of any note back in the ’70s was Spenger’s,” he said. “The rest of it was just old buildings that had fallen down.”  

Mayor Shirley Dean had evidence of how far the area has come. 

“The Fourth Street shopping area has been declared, by Metropolitan (Home Magazine), as one of the 10 best shopping areas in the United States,” Dean said, “and that really has a lot to do with people like Joan (McLean).” 

What makes the Stained Glass Garden all the more remarkable, is that, when an area flourishes as much as Fourth Street has, it usually doesn’t bode well for the first small shops there at the beginning, said Gillian Herbert, who also owns a stained-glass retail establishment.  

About eight years ago the affluence of the Fourth Street district began to challenge the financial stability of the Stained Glass Garden, McLean said, and at that time, it became clear that some business changes had to be made.  

“For me (the artistic side of) this job is easy, because I have the art background with composition and color,” she said. “The thing I had to learn was how to manage and run a business and be an extrovert when I’m basically an introvert.” 

McClean did it. And not only did the Stained Glass Garden maintain its rightful place at a sought-after location, it did so with its rather unorthodox product.  

“I don’t know of any other stained glass store that’s been open for 25 years,” said Peter Dunk, a stained glass artist who teaches at the store. “That’s a good record. It’s proven to be a real success story.” 

Gillian Herbert isn’t surprised, though the picture she draws of McLean is not that of the typical business person. Herbert worked at the Stained Glass Garden for a while, and spoke of the day she told McLean of her plans to open her own shop, also in the Bay Area. 

“I had a certain amount of trepidation,” Herbert said, “since I was going to be maybe perceived as a competing business.” 

But McClean wasn’t at all angry, Herbert said; instead she smiled, saying how glad she was that working at the Stained Glass Garden had had such a positive impact on Herbert and her artistic growth. 

“For me that just kind of summed up the ethics of Joan McLean, and how she moves through the world,” Herbert said. “That she very much looks for the other person’s good, being fair in how she works with them.” 

Herself a stained-glass artist, though now only part time, Herbert shared the thing she most loves about creating stained glass. 

“What I enjoy about it is the immediacy,” she said. “With so much of the work we do in our culture today, we don’t see the end result.” 

With her store of artwork, McClean has.  

The Associated Press 

OAKLAND — BART officials sent a letter Monday to Gov. Gray Davis asking for a 60-day cooling-off period for one of its unions that had threatened to strike. 

The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 3993 said last week it would strike if Bay Area Rapid Transit officials did not come up with a “meaningful” proposal.  

The local is the smallest of the three BART unions and the only one not bound by the cooling-off period that expires at midnight Sept. 3. 

“We believe this is the best course of action to take at this time to remove any uncertainty for our riders, the public, and our employees, as well as, to remove the continual distractions being caused to the bargaining process by AFSCME’s threats,” said Willie B. Kennedy, BART’s board president. 

While wages and benefits separate BART from its two largest unions, the dispute with AFSCME is over which BART jobs are covered by the union. 

AFSCME president Norma del Mercado said the announcement came as a surprise. 

“It seems ludicrous they would ask for a cooling off period now when they had a chance to do it weeks ago,” del Mercado said.  

“We were waiting for a meaningful proposal and instead we were hit with a letter they had sent to the governor.” 

Del Mercado said the union and BART officials continued their negotiations Monday. 

Whether or not the union strikes will depend on the result of the talks and Davis’ response to BART’s request. 

Davis’ office has received the letter and will set up a fact-finding panel, said spokeswoman Susan Gard. 

The unions’ contracts expired June 30. Employees have worked without a contract since then. 

BART’s two biggest unions – Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1555 and Service Employees International Union Local 790, which represent about 2,500 train operators, station agents, maintenance, professional and clerical workers – are already banned from striking during the cooling-off period.

With at least one BART union ready to strike, the Daily Planet stopped people at the downtown Berkeley BART station and asked them: What would happen to you if BART stopped service because of a union walk out? How do you think the negotiations should be resolved?  

Ami Moe, Richmond: 

“If BART shut down, I’d probably be out of a job. It would probably add a two-hour commute to my day. The management is trying to monopolize the funds, all the workers want is a day’s pay for a day’s work.” 

Leroy Staples, Oakland: 

“I ride my bike everywhere, unless it’s a long distance, but if BART shut down I would have to ride the bus more. The workers get paid pretty well, but they work hard; they work a lot of hours, they should be paid more.” 

Jamal Muhammad, Berkeley: 

“I would have a longer commute to work, I would have to figure out a bunch of other stuff, it would be a huge struggle. The workers enjoy good pay and good benefits, but I can understand them wanting more. I just hope they keep it running.” 

Jeff Loew, Berkeley: 

“If the BART workers went on strike, it would really affect the way I spend my personal time; since I’m not commuting to work right now, weekends are when it would affect me the most. I don’t know what all the terms are, but I am generally pro-union and I think management is trying to gradually squeeze out workers’ rights.” 

The University of California at Berkeley announced this week that a project it is leading to research and develop energy savings methods for the state and the nation is to receive $100 million in state funding. 

The project, Center for Information Technology Research in the Interest of Society (CITRIS), received $20 million for this year, with a $100 million commitment overall.  

Already one emerging project idea is to outfit buildings with wireless sensor networks to monitor energy use - technology a university spokesman says could save California as much $8 billion in energy costs and 5 million metric tons of carbon each year. 

CITRIS is a partnership between the University of California campuses at Berkeley, Santa Cruz, Davis and Merced. In 2002, CITRIS is to be one of the state's California Institutes for Science and Innovation, which are designed to conduct research in scientific fields critical to the state’s economic future.  

CITRIS has also received $250 million in support from business and industrial partners and other federal and state research grants. 

For a year and a half now, Jonas Marcos has known the life of a day laborer. 

Marcos, 35, came to the United States from Mexico in hopes of saving up money for a family he has not seen since leaving home. 

Before coming to the United States, Marcos thought that work was plentiful and he would have few obstacles. 

“I thought it would be easier,” Marcos said. “The truth is that it is very difficult to survive in this country.” 

The day laborer, or “jornalero” in Spanish, has had to worry about finding work along with making sure that he is paid by employers. 

In an expression of unity, Marcos, about 100 other day laborers and representatives of immigrant organizations gathered at California State University, Northridge over the weekend in an attempt to empower jornaleros. 

“The next step that we are going to take involves the consolidation of the National Day Laborers Organizing Network,” said coordinator Douglas Carranza on Sunday. 

Organizers discussed how the National Day Laborers Organizing Network will serve as the umbrella for the 18 organizations from New York to Los Angeles that gathered at the three-day meeting. Topics at the conference that concluded Sunday included a variety of day laborer concerns, such as the improvement of working conditions, the status of U.S. immigration policies and how to improve the perception of day laborers in the communities in which they work. 

“We’re sending out a message to the entire Latino community,” said Luis Manuel Pizana of the Portland, Ore.-based day laborers organization VOZ, which is Spanish for “voice.” 

The group wants day laborers to know that they have support no matter where in the country they may end up looking for work, Pizana said. 

In an expression of their unity Friday, about 40 day laborers met in suburban Agoura Hills to chant “Si se puede” at an intersection where employers often drive by and offer work. The National Day Laborer Organizing Network said local police often harass workers at the intersection. 

Several of the groups at the meeting are lobbying for the creation of a national day laborer union to set wage standards and provide health care for the estimated 2 million day laborers in the United States. 

The system is vulnerable to abuses since day laborers often serve at the whim of employers, who can refuse to pay if they claim the laborer didn’t meet the proper standards. 

Workers also don’t have health insurance, Social Security or disability benefits. 

The agenda for the weekend focused on developing a national organizing strategy to benefit the workers. 

“Every struggle advances little by little,” said Angelica Salas of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles. 

This is one of those quiet periods before the action begins, or at least that is how the current economic lull is being viewed by some analysts. 

Investors are biding their time, waiting for the upturn they believe is in the works.  

Consumers aren’t especially active; though positive, confidence has been unchanged for three months, according to the University of Michigan. 

These are the summer doldrums. Though more action is probable, the Federal Reserve has largely completed its rate-cutting.  

Tax rebates are coming. Companies are slowly cleaning debris from their balance sheets. 

Measured by the Gross Domestic Product, the economy is napping. Second-quarter growth of just 0.7 percent was an eight-year low. Even inflation, only 1.7 percent in the second quarter,  

is nodding. 

President Bush probably echoed the feelings of millions when, during a recent meeting with Future Farmers of America, he described the economy as just “puttering along,” not as strong as it could be. 

Economists at consultant DRI-WEFA seem to agree. With monetary and fiscal stimuli now in place, they suggest “there is little to do except wait for the inventory correction to run its course and businesses to resume buying high-tech equipment and services.” 

In short, not much seems to be going on. But a great deal is. 

There is a widespread feeling that we Americans botched a good thing when we greedily expected more from an economy that was almost a decade old. 

Seen and better understood in retrospect, as most debacles are, there’s a pervasive feeling that a little restraint would have prolonged the great expansion, but that now we’ve learned our lesson. 

There is anticipation. You can read in the analyses of economists and in stock market commentary, and hear it at social gatherings.  

It’s there in Fed and White House statements. Optimism outscores pessimism 10 to 1. 

There’s a widespread belief that the great semiconductor and Internet world is destined to resume its growth, bringing with it even greater wonders, even if few dare to say when the resumption will begin. 

The comments have a common theme, that a downturn is nature’s remedy for excesses, and that rather than dwell on how terrible things are, plans should be made for the recovery that surely will follow. 

This is especially surprising in the wake of the great storm that scattered thousands of companies to the wind, that erased between $4 trillion and $5 trillion of stock valuations, and that decimated 401(k)s. 

Optimism hasn’t drowned. Plans are being made.  

The troops are assembling for the battle, including those whose wounds haven’t healed from the collapse of the semiconductor markets. 

For value oriented investors, a cyclical downturn in the semiconductor equipment industry is a great opportunity, says Mitali Prasad of David L. Babson & Co. 

“More investors are following this sector closely and nobody wants to miss the next move in these stocks — which they believe will be huge, as in the past,” he writes.  

“Those who bought in 1991 made up to 10 times on their investments by 1995, and even the brief rally in 1997 led to a tripling of these stocks’ prices.” 

The memories, it seems, are selective. What’s remembered by these investors, it appears, is not the lost equity but the lost opportunity. 

John Cunniff is a business analyst  

for The Associated Press

SAN FRANCISCO — Continuing to spurn once-irresistible Internet entrepreneurs, venture capitalists invested $10.6 billion in start-ups during the second quarter, a 61 percent drop from the same time last year, according to industry statistics released Monday. 

The investment community’s deepening disillusionment with the much-vaunted New Economy accounted for the dramatic turnaround from last year’s second quarter when venture capitalists invested $27.2 billion, according to the research firm Venture Economics and the National Venture Capital Association, an industry trade group. 

Of last year’s total, more than one-third of the venture capital money, $9.3 billion, went to start-ups whose business plans hinged on the Word Wide Web. In this year’s second quarter, Internet start-ups attracted $3 billion in venture capital, a 68 percent decline from last year. 

Venture capitalists’ flight from the Internet deflated Northern California’s Silicon Valley – ground zero for the New Economy. Venture capital investment in Northern California plummeted 66 percent from $9.28 billion last year to $3.14 billion in this year’s second quarter. 

As Internet companies fell out of favor, biotechnology became more alluring to venture capitalists. Start-ups focused on medical sciences, health and biotechnology received $1.47 billion in venture capital in this year’s second quarter, a 37 percent increase from the $1.07 billion invested a year ago. 

The growing fascination with genomics and other promising biotechnology fields hasn’t been enough to keep venture capitalists out of the same funk dragging down the entire technology industry. 

“This is the most difficult environment I have experienced in my entire career,” said New Enterprise Associates general partner Tom McConnell, a Silicon Valley venture capitalist since 1985. 

Besides nursing their portfolio of ailing companies, venture capitalists also face the challenge of finding suitable investments for the remaining $40 billion that they raised from pension funds and colleges in the last year. 

“Some of these venture capitalists are in between a rock and a hard place,” said Bill Hutchison, global director of technology for Andersen Business Consulting. “Their investors don’t want the money to sit around doing nothing, but on the other hand, they don’t want the money to go into things that aren’t going to make a cent.” 

Venture capital investments have been dwindling since hitting a peak of $28.6 billion in last year’s third quarter and most people in the industry expect the trend to last at least through the rest of this year and perhaps even through 2002. 

Even so, 2001 still will rank among the venture capital industry’s biggest investment sprees. Through the first half of the year, venture capitalists had invested $22.8 billion, more than any other entire year besides 1999 and 2000. Enticed by the Internet mania, venture capitalists invested $58.8 billion in 1999 followed by $103.3 billion last year. 

Some of those recent investments, though, are coming back to haunt venture capitalists as the market values of unprofitable dot-coms plunged. Accustomed to annual investment returns of at least 20 percent, the average venture capital firm suffered a 6.7 percent loss in the one-year period ending March 31, the worst performance in the industry’s history. 

Despite the recent jitters, venture capitalists are still financing new ideas. During the second quarter, venture capitalists invested $1.4 billion in 142 “early stage” companies, the industry’s shorthand for start-ups that hadn’t previously raised any venture capital. That represented a 44 percent decline from the $2.5 billion invested in 232 early stage start-ups at the same time last year, according to Venture Economics. 

“There is a misconception that that the spigot has been completely turned off. We have just turned down the flow a bit,” said Jesse Reyes, a Venture Economics vice president. 

——— 

On The Net: 

National Venture Capital Association: http://www.nvca.org 

http://www.ventureeconomics.com 

Police announced Monday they had arrested 20 persons on prostitution-related charges Friday at the Golden Gypsy Message Parlor on Telegraph Avenue. 

“The Special Enforcement Unit received numerous complaints of prostitution occurring at the massage parlor” located at 2628 Telegraph Ave., according to a Police Department press statement faxed to the Daily Planet. 

Three among the arrested were charged with pimping and pandering, according to acting police spokesperson Sgt. Kay Lantow, who said she had no details on the charges filed against the others persons.  

She said she thought those arrested included both employees and customers. 

“Over $85,000 was recovered from this location from various hidden locations,” the statement said. 

A residence at 2333 Carlton St. was searched in connection with the arrests and search at the Golden Gypsy Massage Parlor and $188,000 was found there, according to the press statement.

Monday, July 30

State Wide Alliance of Tenants 

5:30 p.m. - 7 p.m. 

Harriet Tubman Terrace 

2870 Adeline Street 

A monthly open forum of the Affordable Housing Advocacy Project. This month meet members of the State Wide Alliance of Tenants as they discuss their successes in improving living conditions in their housing developments. (800) 773-2110 

Seeking Peace: Voices from  

the Israeli Peace Camp 

8:30 p.m. 

Wheeler Auditorium, UC Berkeley 

Event / Panel Discussion. A screening of The Jahalin, a video about a Bedouin clan evicted from their tent encampment; and Street Under Fire, about the Jerusalem neighborhood of Gilo. After screenings a discussion with representatives from four Israeli peace organizations: The Parents’ Circle, Bat Shalom, New Profile, and Peace Now.  

$6.50 - $8.50; For ticket information call 925-866-9559 

Tuesday, July 31

Berkeley Camera Club  

7:30 p.m. 

Northbrae Community Church  

941 The Alameda  

Share your slides and learn what other photographers are doing. Monthly field trips. 

Call Don, 525-3565 

Wild Women Travel Writers 

7:30 p.m. 

Easy Going Travel Shop and Bookstore 

1385 Shattuck Avenue 

An evening with members of the Wild Women Travel Writers’ Group, authors of “Wild Writing Women: Stories of World Travel,” will read from their book and conduct a panel discussion on the “Art of Travel Writing.” Free. 

843-3533 

Writing and Resistance In A  

Culture of Amnesia 

6 - 7:45 p.m. 

La Peña Cultural Center 

3105 Shattuck Avenue 

Classroom #2 

Part of a workshop series on concepts and strategies for resistance through the spoken and written word, taught by Joyce E. Young. $12. 

849-2568 www.lapena.org 

Berkeley Farmers’ Market 

2 - 7 p.m. 

Derby Street at MLK Jr. Way 

548-3333 

Free Early Music Group 

10 - 11:30 a.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave. (at MLK) 

Small group sings madrigals and other voice harmony every Tuesday morning. Call Ann, 655-8863 

Free Computer Class for  

Seniors 

9 - 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 - 3 p.m.  

South Berkeley Senior Center, 2939 Ellis St. 

This free course offers basic instruction in keyboarding, Microsoft Word, Windows 95, Excel and Internet access. Space is limited, call ahead for a reservation. 644-6109 

Wednesday, Aug. 1

The LHS 500: Virtual Racecars 

Noon - 2 p.m. 

Lawrence Hall of Science 

UC Berkeley 

Part of the Lawrence Hall of Science Wednesday FUN-days. Build and test drive a virtual racecar to find out what makes an efficient vehicle. Museum admission $3 - $7. 

642-5132 

Berkeley Communicator  

Toastmasters Club 

7:15 a.m. 

Vault Cafe 

3250 Adeline 

Learn to speak with confidence. Ongoing first and third Wednesdays each month. 

527-2337 

Extreme Pizza’s Grand  

Opening 

5:30 p.m. 

2352 Shattuck Ave. 

Mayor Shirley Dean will be cutting the ribbon with her Golden Shears to welcome Extreme Pizza to Berkeley. There will be a comedy show at 8:30 p.m. featuring 10 local comedians including Tommy Devine and Leslie Choler. The evening will be hosted by Tony Sparks.  

486-0770 

Berkeley Metaphysical  

Toastmasters Club  

6:15 - 7:30 p.m.  

2515 Hillegass Ave.  

Public speaking skills and metaphysics come together. Ongoing first and third Thursdays each month.  

Call 869-2547 

Quit Smoking Class 

6 - 8 p.m. 

South Berkeley Senior Center 

2939 Ellis Street 

A six week quit smoking class. 

Free to Berkeley residents and employees. 

Call 644-6422 or email at: quitnow@ci.berkeley.ca.us 

Ancient Native Sites of the East Bay 

7:30 p.m. 

Room 160 Kroeber Hall, University of California Campus 

A panel discussion on ancient sites featuring Sandra Sher, freelance historian and author of The Native Legacy of Emeryville; Richard Schwartz, author of Circle of Stones and Berkeley 1900; Perry Matlock, native advocate and volunteer with the International Indian Treaty Council; and Randy Grandin, explorer of West Contra Costa County native sites. Stephanie Manning, moderator. $10 

841-2242 

Salsa Dance Classes 

7:30 p.m. 

Berkeley Richmond Jewish Community Center 

1414 Walnut St. 

Classes every Thursday with live percussionists, light refreshments, DJ playing Latin music. $10 or $15 for two. 

237-9874 

Adventuring With Kids 

7 p.m. 

REI 

1338 San Pablo Avenue 

Karen and Paul Amstutz share stories and slides of family adventures with their one- and three-year-old daughters. Free. 

527-4140 

Free Computer Class for Seniors 

9 - 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 - 3 p.m.  

South Berkeley Senior Center, 2939 Ellis St. 

This free course offers basic instruction in keyboarding, Microsoft Word, Windows 95, Excel and Internet access. Space is limited, call ahead for a reservation. 644-6109 

Thursday, August 2

Free Computer Class for Seniors 

9 - 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 - 3 p.m.  

South Berkeley Senior Center, 2939 Ellis St. 

This free course offers basic instruction in keyboarding, Microsoft Word, Windows 95, Excel and Internet access. Space is limited, call ahead for a reservation. 644-6109 

Friday, August 3

Therapy for Trans Partners  

6 - 7:30 p.m.  

Pacific Center for Human Growth  

2712 Telegraph Ave. (at Derby)  

A group open to partners of those in transition or considering transition. The group is structured to be a safe place to receive support from peers and explore a variety of issues, including sexual orientation, coming out, feelings of isolation, among other topics. Intake process required. Meeting Fridays through August 17.  

$8 - $35 sliding scale per session  

Call 548-8283 x534 or x522 

Strong Women; The Arts, Herstory and Literature 

1:15 - 3:15 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center  

1901 Hearst Ave. (at MLK Jr. Way) 

Taught by Dr. Helen Rippier Wheeler, this is a free weekly cultural studies course in the Berkeley Adult School’s Older Adults Program. This week view the 1985 film “Desert Hearts.” Free.  

Call 549-2970 

Saturday, August 4

Free Sailboat Rides  

1 - 4 p.m. 

Cal Sailing Club 

Berkeley Marina 

The Cal Sailing Club, a non-profit sailing and windsurfing cooperative, give free rides on a first come, first served bases on the first full weekend of each month. Wear warm clothes and bring a change of clothes in case you get wet. Children must be at least five years old and must be accompanies by an adult.  

Visit www.cal-sailing.org

Council approved visionary development 

Editor: 

Thanks to the City Council for unanimously approving the Planning Commission’s recomendation to develop the Oxford Street parking lot as a five-story building with housing (at least 50 percent affordable), the David Brower environmental center, community arts space, retail shops and two floors of underground parking. Thanks especially to councilmembers Linda Maio and Dona Spring, who took the lead on this ambitious project, and to Planning Commission Chair Rob Wrenn, who guided it through the initial conceptual stages. 

I am puzzled, however, by the remark your reporter attributed to the chair of Civic Arts Commissioner Sherry Smith: “We pencil it out, it will be expensive and some of these Christmas tree ornaments will have to fall away.” It is hard to reconcile this sneer at supposed extravagance with the Civic Arts Commission’s unanimous June 27 endorsement of 27,300 square feet of arts space for the site – well over twice as much as the maximum 10,000 square feet recommended by the Planning Commission and approved by the Council. Perhaps Smith would like to explain. 

The now-official Oxford lot proposal is both visionary and pragmatic – an intricate balance of imagination and practicality that emerged out of seven months of intensive public meetings held earlier this year (thanks, too, to all who participated). The council’s approval moves it to the next stage: selecting a developer who can help the city and the Brower Center make it real. 

Not since the days of Loni Hancock’s mayoralty has the City embarked on such a bold undertaking. It would be nice to think that a new age of progressive civic endeavor is about to dawn in Berkeley. 

Zelda Bronstein,  

Vice Chair Planning Commission 

Planning, zoning commissions need more power 

The Daily Planet received this letter addressed to the mayor and City Council: 

It seems to me you should give more power to zoning and building departments to resolve design and planning problems on private property. The public including me becomes overwhelmed with mounds and hours of minutely detailed testimony, opinion, appeals, unintelligible sound system transmission, conflicts, obscure legalisms, and fragmented information and communication that characterize hearings before the council on real estate matters. That may be fascinating in a way, but the public deserves more attention to pressing social and environmental problems too numerous to list here.  

Terry Cochrell 

Berkeley 

Event ordinance will criminalize innocent 

Editor: 

During the Tuesday, July 24 City Council meeting, Berkeley city councilmembers voted to pass a law which interferes with our First Amendment right to freedom of assembly. The law makes it a misdemeanor (punishable by up to one year in jail) to organize an event on city property which draws more than 500 people without first notifying the police department. The chief of police can require the event organizers to provide security guards at a ratio of one security guard for every 25 attendees. The city manager will maintain a list of the people who do organizing in the City of Berkeley.  

This ordinance was a reaction to two events in Berkeley: one was a political protest at the Berkeley Community Theater and another was a party at UC Berkeley. What the Council really wanted was for the School District and the University of California to notify the City of upcoming events. What the City ended up doing was criminalizing yet another group of people - people who organize political and other types of events in Berkeley. 

Councilmember Kriss Worthington was the only councilmember to vote against the item, but he failed to pull it from the consent calendar, which would have prohibited a vote at Tuesday’s meeting. Copwatch had come to an agreement with the City Attorney’s Office and Worthington on revisions which would have changed the ordinance so that it would only applied to the School District and UC Berkeley. But when the unrevised ordinance appeared on the calendar, the ouncil voted for unrevised ordinance, making it law. 

Is the City of Berkeley positioning itself to host the next international trade meeting? All we need are some barricades and more pepper spray! 

Karla James 

Oakland 

Library colors reflect original green 

Editor:  

This is in response to the letter from Phil Allen (July 19) regarding the “two-tone institutional green” of the Central Library exterior. Some clarification: 

1. Painting was done five years ago, not 10 years ago, as Mr. Allen suggests. 

2. It is a three-tone paint scheme, not two-tone. Look closely. 

3. Most importantly, the “misbegotten genius” who suggested green was original architect James Plachek. Our library staff worked extensively with representatives from the landmarks preservation community to find a historically accurate yet pleasing color scheme, and we kept coming back to Plachek’s choice, the color the building was when it opened in 1931. We get about as many compliments as we do complaints color-wise, and the latter only remind us, with Kermit the Frog, “It isn’t easy being green.” 

Sayre Van Young 

Berkeley History Room 

Berkeley Public Library 

Staged Hereafter – Berkeley’s newest theater company to complete a full season of plays – is closing out its first year at South Berkeley Community Church with a very strong grassroots production of English playwright Christopher Fry’s dark, fascinating 1948 philosophical comedy “The Lady’s Not for Burning.” 

Although “The Lady’s Not for Burning” is set in a small English town in the 15th century, the play was obviously written in the shadow of World War II. It tells a vicious satirical story about comfortable middle class people living in a world of easy moral compromise – and how this compromise brings violence and absurdity into the lives of others. 

“The Lady’s Not for Burning” combines three story strands. On the eve of a wedding, two testosterone-crazed brothers of privilege (Brooks Ralston and Matthew Travisano) physically battle for the affection of a woman (Alizon Eliot) that one of them is about to marry. 

Into this odd, pre-nuptial conflict wanders an enigmatic stranger (‘vid [sic] Buttaro), who demands to be hanged for committing two murders. Soon after, panicked rumors on the street generate the arrest and imprisonment of an intelligent and independent local townswoman (Jennifer Le Blanc) on charges that she is a witch. 

The play’s first act is largely a comedy of the absurd as this odd mix of people, along with relatives and city officials, sort through an almost slapstick round-robin of conflict and misunderstanding. The play turns dark, however, when town officials opt for torture as a means of finding out exactly what happened. 

Fry’s play is an unusual hybrid. Written in very poetical language, it is a mix of absurd comedy and more serious existential philosophical debate on justice and morality. Additional themes are love, and the power of female perspective to transform decayed and bitter male social and political systems. 

For me, there is also a judgmental, puritanical strain by the author that runs through the play, which is tricky to address in a staging, since the play itself is an indictment of puritanical morality. 

But director Susannah Woods and her Staged Hereafter cast have put together a very good production of the show. At one end of the scale, it has almost a Marx Brothers feel to it. The feuding brothers rolling around on the ground wrestling say a lot about the basic problem-solving skills of human beings. 

At the other end of the style scale, mysterious stranger Thomas and accused witch Jennet engage in lengthy, fascinating philosophical debate on the dark capacities of human behavior, and the ultimate meaning of life. 

Thomas intriguingly wanders the stage, part chorus and part narrator, walking among the other characters and making commentary, often going largely unnoticed by them. 

In a wonderful, hilariously emotionally near-sighted performance, Mary Ann Rodgers stands out as the imperious but dizzy and controlling mother of the two feuding brothers. Tom Juarez is a fussy Mayor Tyson. Malcolm Rodgers is his evil political associate, the affable torturing judge. 

Gregg Le Blanc is a humorously oblivious and ineffectual chaplain, blind to everything going on around him. In a small but very effective role, a housemaid (Iliza Abbe) hurries across the stage from time to time, busying herself with tidying, and providing striking moments of contrast and perspective to the obsessive and often blind actions of her “betters.” 

Director Woods has done some really first rate period costume design – from brother Humphrey’s tangerine bloomers, to the best selection of stage hats I’ve seen in a long time. 

Sightline problems are the production’s one minus. In the South Berkeley Community Church performance space, two wooden columns right at the front of the stage can block some of the audience’s view.  

But basically this is a very good grassroots staging. Because it is such an unorthodox hybrid of styles, “The Lady’s not for Burning” is an easy play to mess up in production. To the contrary in this Berkeley presentation, however, Staged Hereafter has mounted a delightful evening in the theater. This is definitely a play for thinking people. If that appeals to you, don’t miss this show. It runs one more week. 

The Lady’s Not for Burning,” presented by Staged Hereafter at South Berkeley Community Church, 1902 Fairview St., Berkeley, Thursday through Saturday through August 4. Call (510) 464-1117 or visit www.stagedhereafter.org. 

Daily Planet theater reviewer John Angell Grant has written for “American Theater,” “Backstage West,” “Callboard” and other publications. E-mail him at jagplays@yahoo.com.

Camps 

City of Berkeley Summer Fun Camps 

Through August 17 

Summer Fun Camps for children feature sports, games, arts and crafts and special events. Events and trips will be planned in and out of the Berkeley area. Supervised play and activities held Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for kids 5-12 years of age. Before and after care will be available at additional cost. Fees on a sliding scale. 

Sites: Frances Albrier, Southwest Berkeley – 644-8515; James Kenney, West Berkeley – 644-8511; Live Oak Park, North Berkeley – 644-8513; Willard Club House, Southeast Berkeley – 644-8517; MLK Youth Services Center, South Berkeley – 644-6226. 

P.A.L. Adventure Camp 3 

August 6-24 

Camp for ages 11-17. Three week camp will provide skills for overnight and wilderness camping. First two weeks include instruction on cooking, first aid, cleanup and low impact camping. Rafting, ropes course and daily hikes. Week three is five days in a California wilderness area using newly-learned skills. $180, limited scholarships available. Call 845-7193 for more information. 

Berkeley Tennis Club Kids  

Camp 

Session begins August 6 

These camps are designed for the beginner to low advanced player aged 7-14. Each session is two weeks long. The first week emphasizes proper stroke and footwork techniques, conditioning and game play. The second week concentrates on competition on both an individual and team level. Students will be divided according to ability, so they progress at their own pace. Student-intructor ratio of 6/1. Clinics are 9 a.m. to noon. $250 for B.T.C. members, $300 for non-members. Call 841-9023 for information. 

Sports 

City youth Baseball 

Summer baseball program for boys and girls ages 5-15. The focus is on developing skills, sportsmanship and enjoyment rather than competitiveness. Leagues are structured to address both skill level and age group. Players are assigned to teams on a city-wide basis. Beginner teams (5-6 years) meet weekdays from noon to 2 p.m. All other teams meet from 3:30 to 7 p.m. weekdays or 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays. All players must participate. Playoffs and awards will follow the regular season in older leagues. Fees: $34 ages 5-8 ($70 non-resident), $40 ages 9-15($86 non-resident). For more information call 981-5153. 

City adult softball 

Leagues available for men, women and co-rec. Three levels of competition. Games played weekday evenings, Saturday afternoons and evenings. 10 games plus playoffs. $561 per team. Call 981-5150 for more information. 

City tennis lessons 

Three sessions throughout summer. 

Youth and adult lessons available for beginner, advanced beginner and intermediate. 10 one-hour lessons. $45 for youth ages 8-15, $65 for adults. Call 981-5150 for more information. 

Boys’ Twilight basketball 

Through August 25 

The City of Berkeley Twilight Basketball Program is an educational sports program which offers youths ages 11-18 the opportunity to play in the competitive league and be exposed to educational workshops. Subjects include tobacco prevention, HIV/STD prevention, domestic violence prevention, academic improvement and youth violence prevention. All participants must attend a one-hour workshop before each game in order to play. Free, players recieve a jersey. Ten game season with playoffs at MLK Youth Services Center. For more information call Ginsi Bryant at 644-6226. 

Girls’ Twilight basketball 

Starts August 17 

The City of Berkeley Twilight Basketball Program is an educational sports program which offers youths ages 11-18 the opportunity to play in the competitive league and be exposed to educational workshops. Subjects include tobacco prevention, HIV/STD prevention, domestic violence prevention, academic improvement and youth violence prevention. All participants must attend a one-hour workshop before each game in order to play. Free, players recieve a jersey. Games at MLK Youth Services Center. For more information call Renda Davis or Alex Williams at 845-9066. 

City adult basketball 

Summer league 

Open, competitive league with games on Monday and Wednesday evenings at the MLK Youth Services Center. All games officicated by certified referees. Awards for top three teams. Teams already formed for summer, but some have openings. Interested players should show up and talk to coaches about playing. 

Programs 

City-Wide Playground  

Programs 

Through August 17 

Free supervised activities include arts and crafts, games, sports, special event days and local trips. Program hours are noon to 5 p.m. Proof of Berkeley residency required at registration. 

Sites: All Play Together – 981-5150; Rosa Parks – 981-5150; Malcolm X School – 644-6226. 

Summer Teen Program 

Through August 27 

Events include adventure trips, swimming, sports, games, cooking, educational workshops and special local events. Call your local center for details, registration and costs. Sliding scale. 

Sites: Frances Albrier, Southwest Berkeley – 644-8515; James Kenney, West Berkeley – 644-8511; Live Oak Park, North Berkeley – 644-8513; Willard Park Club House, Southeast Berkeley – 644-8517; MLK Youth Services Center, South Berkeley – 644-6226. 

P.A.L. Adventures in Sailing 

Overnight sails tour the San Francisco Bay. Visit the Bay Model, Angel Island, Treasure Island and Sausalito. Voyage dates: August 9-10, 16-17 and 23-24. $20 per voyage. Call 845-7193 for more information. 

To submit information for the Berkeley Daily Planet Summer Sports Calendar, please e-mail information to sports@berkeleydailyplanet.net or send to Sports, 2076 University Ave., Berkeley, CA 94704.

To get to the new office of the Berkeley Alliance, make your way to the second floor of the Berkeley Adult School, turn right at the old computer key boards and monitors – piled up against a wall like so many dislodged boulders at the base of a cliff – and then right again, into the windowless, L-shaped room at the end of the hallway. 

In may look like the ideal spot for a Xerox machine and recycling bins, but if Berkeley Alliance Executive Director Toni Tullys has her way, it will become one of the most important meeting rooms in the city. 

After years of hearing remarks like, “If only the university and the city could work together on this;” or, “If only the public schools had more support from the university,” some prominent Berkeley officials decided it was time to create one centralized entity whose mission would be to identify opportunities for collaboration – and make it happen. A little more than four years ago, this discussion resulted in the creation of the Berkeley Alliance. 

It has taken time for the Alliance to get off the ground. In its early years it convened task forces and organized public meetings around the issue of the achievement gap at Berkeley High. Some of the research and expert testimony it provided helped to set the tone for public discussion around this issue, which has thrived ever since.  

But the Alliance was manifestly not living up to its potential to leverage the resources of its three member institutions to “improve the quality of life for all of Berkeley,” said Tullys and others. So the decision was made to transform the group into an independent nonprofit, with a leadership board made up officials from its three member institutions and respected community leaders. 

The nonprofit board has been meeting each month since January, hashing out its “mission statement” and creating a preliminary “to do” list for the years ahead.  

“It’s a very action oriented group of people,” Tullys said. “I think it represents just enormous potential for the community.” 

Chaired by Father George Crespin, Pastor of St. Joseph the Worker church, the board includes Pamela Doolan, a former school board member; Jabari Mahiri, an associate professor at UC Berkeley’s Graduate School of Education; Fred Medrano, director of Health and Human Services for Berkeley; Alex Palau, principal of Berkeley’s Alternative High School; and Shirley Richardson-Brower, executive director of Berkeley YMCA South Branch.  

Board members said last week it was still too early to discuss any specific initiatives the Alliance plans to tackle, but they and Tullys discussed their broad vision for the Alliance.  

While youth education issues will always be a key part of the Alliance focus, board members said they hope to see the group launch innovative collaborative projects in other areas of importance to the Berkeley community as well, including housing, transportation and health services. 

The Alliance, they said, will serve as a resource clearinghouse. Too often in the past, said Roberta Brooks, board member and former district director for Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Oakland, people have had great ideas but no idea where to turn for help transforming a plan into reality. 

“Even in its short life people have said, ‘Oh, gee, that might be a good project for the Alliance,’ because there was no place to go before,” Brooks said.  

“Almost any topic that you could mention, there could be better coordination between the university, the city and the school district,” Brooks added. “Sometimes it’s just a question of one part knowing what the other is doing.” 

Tullys has spent much of the last year pulling together what she hopes will be the mother of all Berkeley rolodexes. 

“That’s what we do. We make connections,” Tullys said. “For me it’s usually two contacts away to find who the contact would be” to get something done. 

The Alliance has already played this role in some important ways. When Berkeley High needed a “Guide to Student Life” that would list phone numbers and extracurricular activities and give helpful advice about maintaining good grades and getting into college, it was the Alliance that secured funding from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory for the project. The Alliance even lent a staffer, Kimberly Willis-Starbuck, to the high school for the monumental task of editing the first few editions.  

The Guide to Student Life provides a model for the work the Alliance hopes to do in the future, Tullys said: the work of helping good projects get off the ground and become self-sufficient.  

Summing up the Berkeley Alliance message to new school superintendent Michelle Lawrence, who attended an Alliance board meeting last week, Tullys said: 

“We’ve put this together. We have resources; we have university experts; we have community contacts. We’re here to support you in any way that we can.” 

Julie Sinai, manager of school-linked programs for the school district and vice chair of the Alliance board, said having the Alliance database to draw on has already may it more practical than ever before for her to team up with UC Berkeley experts. 

When she thought of turning to the university for help in the past, “there were so many different points of entry I didn’t have any idea where to begin,” Sinai said. But recently, when she approached Tullys looking for someone to brainstorm with her about better ways to evaluate school programs, she found herself sitting down with a UC Berkeley School of Education expert in a matter of weeks.  

“It’s one of the most exciting institutional partnerships in the Bay Area, because it’s got all of the players and they’re all willing to be there,” Sinai said of the Alliance.  

Now, said Sinai, is the time for the Alliance to prove its value to the larger community by launching some ambitious initiatives and following through with them. 

“Now we’re at the point of saying, ‘Okay, we’ve got all this stuff. What do we do?’” Sinai said. “The Alliance has to do something.” 

Sitting beneath a flickering fluorescent light in her new office last Friday, Tullys said the movers were supposed to deliver chairs to go around her conference table that morning but hadn’t shown up. She said she was thinking about bringing some chairs from home. 

The key, said Tullys, will be bringing “the right people to the right table.”  

Photo Caption: Toni Tullys, executive director of a new non-profit that unites the university, city and school district in efforts to tackle tough community problems, is still waiting for chairs to go around her conference table.

FUKOUKA, JAPAN - On the final day of the 2001 World Swimming Championships in Fukouka, Japan, Cal’s Natalie Coughlin had an impressive lead-off butterfly leg on the United State’s 400-meter medley relay that placed second to Australia.  

The U.S. put a strong medley relay lineup together, but a phenomenal fly leg by Petria Thomas of Australia allowed them to edge the U.S. for gold, 4:01.50 to 4:01.81. Coughlin nearly broke the world record in her lead-off swim (100-meter back), posting a 1:00.18, just .02 off the mark set at the 1994 World Championships by a Chinese swimmer that was part of a delegation that later had several positive drug tests for performance enhancing drugs. Megan Quann swam her leg in 1:07.67, followed by Mary DeScenza (59.59) and Erin Phenix (54.37). Thomas split 57.65 on her fly leg for the Aussies, the only one of the four to swim faster than her American counterpart. 

“I’m very proud of how our entire team swam this week in spite of the difficulties,” Coughlin said. “We really picked it up in the last few days and I’m proud of how we handled ourselves.”  

Another swimmer with Cal ties, Haley Cope (1998-2001), placed sixth in the 50-meter free on Sunday with a time of 25.25.  

In a credit to Cal’s men’s and women’s swim programs, three different Bears won gold medals at the World Championships. Anthony Ervin, who will be a junior this collegiate season, won world titles in the 50 (22.09) and 100 free (American record 48.33). Cope placed first in the 50-meter back (28.51) and Coughlin, who will be a sophomore this upcoming school year, was the world champion in the 100-meter back (American record 1:00.37).

OAKLAND – Hundreds of teens, artists and social activists gathered in Frank Ogawa Plaza Saturday to protest Alameda County’s plan to replace the 299-bed juvenile detention facility in San Leandro with a 450-bed facility in Dublin. 

The rally, called “The Summer Jam to Stop the Super Jail” was scheduled to last from noon to 5 p.m., but the event’s political poetry, hip-hop, song and speech lasted into the evening. 

The activists’ works covered a wide range of topics including police brutality, environmental racism, the controversial court case of Mumia Abu-Jamal and of course the “Super Jail,” but all depicted a general dislike for the police and the American judicial system. 

“The reason so many people have come together on this fight, is because freedom is everybody’s issue, exploitation is everybody’s issue,” said one of the event’s emcees. “If you’re fighting for liberation, cops ain’t gonna see your race or your age, they know that no matter who you are, that you are a threat.” 

The main problem that most people had with the new facility was that it was simply too big. 

“People aren’t saying that we shouldn’t build the new facility,” said Supervisor Keith Carson who represents Berkeley, “people are just saying they don’t want to build the largest per capita facility in the nation.” 

“We’re here to stop this madness right now,” said Ruthie Gilmore of Critical Resistance, “because we know that if they build it, they will fill it, every time.” 

The facility’s maximum occupancy, which was originally planned to be 540 beds, was reduced to 450 by the Board of Supervisors on July 24, but it seemed that no one at the rally was satisfied with that cutback. 

“Just the other day they cut the facility back by 90 beds, and they think that’s going to subdue us,” said Rachel Jackson of Books not Bars, one of the organizations which organized the event. “If they drop the number of beds by a couple more hundred, then maybe we’ll agree with the plan.” 

Another major issue that many of the protesters had with the new facility was its cost. According to the Board of Supervisors constructing the new facility will cost Alameda County $175 million, $33.2 million of which will be covered by a construction grant from the Board of Corrections. 

“Spending this much money on a jail is ridiculous,” said Julia (Butterfly) Hill, who sat in a redwood tree for two years, to protest unsustainable logging. “It’s like spending millions on radiation research, when they could just as easily spend the money figuring out what it is that is causing cancer.” 

In a phone interview Sunday, Carson said he favors preventative measures for youth as opposed to building a larger detention facility. He has proposed that the county create a task force to make sure only criminals are being sent to juvenile hall. 

“We need to maximize our resources to prevent people from going into the system at an early age, “ he said. “We don’t know how many young people are being put in jail because of truancy, mental problems, or psychological issues.” 

Many people also feared that the county won’t close the San Leandro facility when the new one is completed. 

“Alameda county we’re watching you and we don’t believe for an instant that you won’t keep the old juvi hall open when you finish the new one,” Gilmore said. 

Councilmember Kriss Worthington attended the rally and was impressed by the youth turnout. “It’s great that a lot of young people are concerned and active. We have an entire new generation of people who are being more active on issues than their parents were,” he said Sunday. “This issue especially affects young people because if they spend these millions on incarcerating youth, it means more of them will find themselves in jail for a longer period of time.” 

Alameda County has been trying to replace the San Leandro site for ten years as it is built on portions of the Hayward Fault. Supervisors voting last week in favor of the new, larger site – Alice Lai-Bitker, Gail Steele, and Scott Haggerty – argued that the old site has insufficient space for many services and is frequently filled beyond capacity. 

The proposal to build the new facility was essentially given the final OK at the meeting on July 24, as a proposal by Carson to conduct a new study of the detention population was voted down 3-2. 

The protesters didn't lose motivation over this decision, however, as Jackson says they have much more fighting to do before the new facility is built. “If (the supervisors) think we have been to rude, too rowdy and too roughneck up to now,” she said, “then they must not know how much more we have in store for them.” 

Physicists at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory are retracting a 1999 claim of having discovered two “superheavy” elements in a fusion of lead and krypton. 

The researchers announced the reversal, possibly the first made by the Berkeley lab, in a formal statement to Physical Review Letters, a scientific journal that carried the original results. 

“The evidence wasn’t there,” Ken Gregorich, a nuclear chemist at the lab and leader of the research group, said. 

In 1999, then-Energy Secretary Bill Richardson called the discovery “stunning.” He said then the findings were of international importance, since, besides team members from Oregon State University and the University of California at Berkeley Chemistry Department, four researchers were German. 

Gregorich had initially called the findings an “unexpected success (that) opens up a whole world of possibilities.” 

But the interpretation of experiments conducted using the lab’s 88-inch cyclotron, a powerful particle accelerator, was flawed. 

The Berkeley team had hoped to briefly fuse krypton and lead. They focused beams of high-energy krypton ions at lead targets, and thought they had produced a fragile element — Element 118, which would have been the heaviest element ever seen in a lab. 

The scientists also believed then that they had made Element 116, a decay product of 118, which would have been another important find. 

However, subsequent independent laboratory studies were not able to reproduce the 1999 findings. The troubled Berkeley team later reviewed their original data using refined computer programs. They found nothing. 

“The truth is we don’t really understand how it happened,” Gregorich said.  

“We’re still working on it.” 

A group of senior lab managers is now being assembled to review the way scientists conduct experiments and handle data at the Berkeley lab, according to Pier Oddone, the Berkeley lab’s deputy director in charge of scientific research. 

Though the error is embarrassing, the Berkeley scientists aren’t the first to have to correct their findings. 

“Things like this happen in science,” said Witold Nazarewicz, a physics professor at the University of Tennessee and an investigator at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory.  

“It’s a sad day. But even though it’s painful . . . this is the way scientists should behave. So at the end of the day there is a mechanism for self-correction.”

RICHMOND – Police say a 43-year-old Berkeley man was shot dead in the back yard of a Richmond apartment complex yesterday afternoon. 

Police began receiving 911 calls around 3 p.m. Saturday from residents who said they heard gunfire and saw a man lying on the ground. When police arrived they found the body of Ernest Milton McKinney II in a back yard. 

Police say the man had multiple gunshot wounds to his upper body and head. They do not have a motive and say no witnesses have come forward. 

McKinney was pronounced dead at John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek. A coroner’s deputy says the man lived with his mother in Berkeley. Residents said they did not know why he was in the area.

Two men were shot Thursday morning on West Frontage Road, according to Berkeley police. 

The motive behind the shooting is still unclear, police spokesperson Sgt. Kay Lantow said Friday..  

The first victim, a 32-year-old Oakland resident, was sitting in his car talking to a woman when a car pulled up behind theirs.  

Two men allegedly got out of the car and began shooting. According to Lantow, the woman in the car, who was unharmed, got out of the vehicle and ran south on Frontage Road screaming for help, before hiding in her own car parked five cars down the road.  

The man, who was shot in the liver, drove himself to Alta Bates Summit Medical Center then was transported to Highland Hospital trauma center via ambulance, Lantow said. 

A second man shot near his spinal chord, who also showed up at Alta Bates, was apparently a bystander on Frontage Road, Lantow said. 

There are no suspects. Neither of the victims have been released from the hospital.  

••• 

A man brandishing a semi-automatic weapon may have been involved in two robberies over the last week, according to Sgt. Lantow. 

The suspect, described as a 5 foot 9 inch 200-pound Hispanic male in his 20s, and two companions, also in their 20s and armed with revolvers, allegedly robbed three men walking on the 2800 block of College Avenue at 2:30 a.m. July 27.  

Lantow said the suspects, who were walking in front of the victims, slowed their pace, then encircled the victims demanding money. The suspects allegedly stole credit and ATM cards, $80 cash, a watch, a cell phone and a wallet before running off. There were no injuries.  

On Sunday, a 25-year-old man walking on College Avenue near Parker Street was robbed by a similarly described suspect – a 5 foot 9 inch, 200-pound Hispanic male in his 20s with a shaved head and a goatee, wearing a black hooded sweater and blue jeans. 

Lantow said the victim was walking home on College Avenue at 1:40 a.m. when a man walking in front of him turned the corner onto Parker Street.  

When the victim got to the intersection, he found the suspect waiting with a dark-colored gun, according to Lantow. The suspect allegedly forced the victim to give him his credit cards and the $11 he had on him.  

Not satisfied with the cash, the suspect allegedly patted the victim down in search for more, but did not find any more cash before he ran off. There were no injuries. There have been no solid leads in either of these cases. 

– Compiled by Kenyatte Davis

The state’s 20/20 energy conservation program will shell out $60 million in rebates for utility customers who made significant cuts in their power use in June. 

About 27 percent of Pacific Gas and Electric Co. customers and 28 percent of Southern California Edison customers trimmed their bills by 20 percent over last year. They’ll get a 20 percent rebate on their next statements. 

San Diego Gas & Electric Co. customers had only to cut their use by 15 percent, because residents there had conserved power last year when their electricity bills tripled.  

About 38 percent of San Diego customers this year will get the rebate. 

The program has been a greater success than state officials estimated when it was proposed this spring, during the height of the power crisis. 

Federal officials, including energy regulators, “were making fun of the idea of conserving, calling it a personal virtue,” said S. David Freeman, Gov. Gray Davis’ energy adviser.  

“Well, this place is the most virtuous place on earth.” 

About 2.6 million residential customers will share $28 million in rebates, averaging just less than $11 each. 

The rebates compare electric use from this summer to last summer, and are available to about 10 million homes and businesses who receive their electricity from PG&E, SDG&E or Edison. The rebate was intended to arrive at summer’s end but now appears on each monthly bill. 

On the Net: 

http://www.governor.ca.gov 

http://www.pge.com 

Though it’s the most discussed plan for reforming Social Security, letting workers invest some of their payments in the stock market isn’t the only way to save the system. 

There’s another way, and it’s already been proved — and not in theory or tests, but in the real world.  

And not in Chile, whose plan is often cited as a successful example, but right here in the United States. 

This alternative plan, already in use for 20 years, is destined to gain a broader hearing now that the stock market has demonstrated anew its tendency to go to extremes, erasing billions of dollars of market value. 

The so-called Galveston Model doesn’t worry about stock market volatility because it doesn’t invest in stocks. Instead, it lends the pool of money from participants to a top-rated financial institution. 

In doing so, it obtains a better rate than you or I or any other small investor might receive.  

Over two decades the returns have ranged from 5 percent to 15.5 percent, averaging out to 7.5 percent to 8 percent a year. 

Returns of that sort aren’t what might be expected from prudent stock investments, but the risk is vastly reduced. And it’s been time tested. And now the Institute for Policy Innovation, a Lewisville, Tex. think tank, and resident scholar Merrill Matthews Jr., think it deserves study. 

Twenty years ago county officials in Galveston, Tex. opted to withdraw from the Social Security system (an option ended in 1983) and accept a retirement plan devised by Rick Gornto, a financial planner.  

Matagorda and Brazoria Counties followed suit. 

Currently, according to Matthews, there are about 2,740 fulltime employees contributing a percentage of their payroll tax to retirement savings.  

First Financial Benefits of Houston then pools the money and loans it out to the best bidder at a guaranteed interest rate. 

The employees bear little risk. “They get their interest whether the stock market goes up or down – and they have done so for 20 years,” says Matthews. 

He cites these figures from First Financial Benefits: 

• A low-income worker ($17,124 a year) retiring at age 65 would get $782 per month from Social Security, but $1,285 from what is called the Alternate Plan. 

• The high-income worker ($51,263) at 65 will get $1,540 from Social Security, versus $3,846 from the Alternate Plan. 

In addition, the Galveston model includes a life insurance policy that pays three times a worker’s salary between a minimum of $50,000 and a maximum of $150,000. It pays double for accidental death. 

While stock market returns have averaged more than 10 percent over the past six decades, that average includes huge gains in some years and big losses in others, a factor that opponents are bound to stress. 

Matthews holds a doctorate in philosophy but his motives are pragmatic.  

The stock market model, proposed by President Bush, has worked in other countries, and could here, he says, but opponents have ammunition. 

That ammunition has been provided by the stock market itself, whose plunge over the past year or so, coinciding with the Social Security debate, has erased as much as $5 trillion of stock valuations. Poor timing, he says. 

Therefore, he suggests, it would be wise to consider the Galveston model to counter political posturing and “risky scheme demagoguery.” 

“A model that is as safe at your bank,” he says, “may be the only viable political option.” 

John Cunniff is a business analyst for The Associated Press

SANTA MONICA — The party that ran Ralph Nader for president in November actually wasn’t an official national party at all. Instead it was an association of state parties. 

Now, Green Party officials believe they have satisfied the requirements for national party status, and they announced Monday they are seeking the designation from the Federal Election Commission. 

“We’re saying we are a national party. We can raise more funds, and raise the threshold point of our recognition,” Santa Monica Mayor and Green Party member Mike Feinstein told a press conference at the local chapter’s crowded storefront office. “We’ve decided to participate in the system.” 

National party status — which the Greens sought unsuccessfully in 1996 — is desirable mainly for fund-raising purposes, said FEC spokeswoman Kelly Huff. Local and state party committees may not accept donations above $5,000 a year per contributor, while the limit for national party committees is $20,000. 

“The biggest benefit is the higher contribution limit,” Huff said. 

A party must satisfy various criteria in order to qualify as a federally recognized political party and form an official national committee. These include nominating candidates for various federal offices in numerous states, engaging in activities like voter-registration drives on an ongoing basis and holding a national convention. 

The FEC found in 1996 that the Green Party did not satisfy all those requirements, but party officials say they anticipate success this time around. 

“We’re a grass-roots political party so we grow from the grass roots up. That’s why it’s so exciting today, because it’s showing that we have grass roots across the United States,” said Anne Boeke, former co-chair of the Association of State Green Parties, which the new Green Party of the United States would replace. 

“We couldn’t have done this before.” 

Party officials plan to file the necessary paperwork with the FEC by Aug. 10. FEC attorneys will then make a recommendation to the six commissioners, who have 60 days to issue an opinion. 

The Green Party ran 57 candidates for congressional seats across the country in 2000, none of them successful. Nader was on the ballot in 45 states and got 3 percent of the vote nationwide — preventing Democrat Al Gore’s election, in the view of some. 

Nader’s candidacy raised the party’s profile and has resulted in increased membership, according to party officials. The party now claims about 200,000 members nationwide and official chapters in more than 30 states. 

Green Party officials hope that national party status will raise their profile and help them move their anti-corporate, pro-social justice agenda forward. 

“The new Green Party of the United States is a political framework from which we will fuel the momentum against corporate power that is building on a global scale,” said Jo Chamberlain, an environmental activist from San Mateo County and member of the new national steering committee. 

NORTHAMPTON, Mass.— Carol Christ, who was the highest-ranking female administrator at the University of California Berkeley, was named president of Smith College on Monday. 

Christ, 57, succeeds Ruth Simmons, who left the all-women’s liberal arts college after five years to become president of Brown University on July 1. 

Christ will begin her duties as Smith’s 10th president next June. John Connolly, Smith’s acting president, will continue to serve until Christ comes on board. Christ served as the executive vice chancellor and provost at Berkeley from 1994 to 2000 before returning to the classroom to teach  

English full-time. 

Christ, author of three books on literature of the English Renaissance, is credited with sharpening Berkeley’s intellectual focus, and building top-ranked departments in the humanities and sciences. She served as assistant to the chancellor on issues involving the status of women and particularly of women in the sciences. 

“Carol Christ’s departure is a great loss to the English department and to the University of California, and a wonderful opportunity for Carol and for Smith College,” said Janet Adelman, chair of Berkeley’s English department.  

“I think they made a great choice.”

Port expansion could bring jobs 

OAKLAND – The city of Oakland’s $1.5 million expansion of its ports could create more than 5,000 new jobs. 

The news excites Oakland residents who attended a hearing yesterday on how the expansion will affect the city and surrounding environment. 

Port Executive Director Chuck Foster says the port’s expansion plan also will add nearly 3,000 spin-off jobs. 

Some of those jobs are earmarked for Oakland residents under a historic agreement. 

The city plans to build a 6,000 car parking structure at Oakland International Airport and link its two terminals. 

Oakland zoo hoping for smooth elephant birth 

OAKLAND – Lisa the elephant is a little cranky but her zoo keepers say that’s to be expected. 

The Oakland Zoo’s African elephant is 22 months pregnant and is carrying a 200 pound calf. She’s due to deliver anytime from now until September. 

The zoo’s elephant program has been hit with a series of tragedies over the past decade. Smokey the elephant died in March of unknown causes. He was the father of Lisa’s calf. 

Lisa and another elephant named Donna both lost their babies to a salmonella infection in 1998. And Lisa’s first baby died 11 months after her birth in 1996 after contracting the elephant herpes virus. 

Police to monitor cruising cars in Alameda County 

OAKLAND – In hopes of curbing problems caused by illegal cruising and what officials call “sideshows” in Oakland and neighboring cities, authorities in Alameda County organized a traffic enforcement crackdown along the 880 corridor south of Oakland beginning Saturday night. 

Police planned to use mobile intoxilizers, devices that detect blood alcohol levels as part of an effort aimed at reducing unlawful activity by drivers, including drinking and driving, speeding, doing “doughnuts” and operating a vehicle without a license. 

Officer said a mobile booking unit would allow them to process arrestees in the field and a bus would transport prisoners to the Santa Rita Jail as part of Saturday night’s police action. 

Besides being ticketed, unlicensed drivers could have their vehicles impounded for 30 days. An average of 60-85 vehicles are normally impounded during a typical two-day “sideshow” operation and owners of impounded cars could face tow and storage fees of more than $900, police said. 

“The sideshow constitutes a very serious and pervasive traffic safety problem both in Oakland and surrounding jurisdictions,” said Lt. David Kozicki, traffic section commander. “Collectively, we believe that heavy traffic enforcement is an appropriate means of deterring sideshow activity.” 

Besides Oakland Police, more than 50 members of the California Highway Patrol, the Alameda County Sheriff’s Department and police departments in Alameda, San Leandro, Hayward, Fremont and Union City all planned to take part in the crackdown. 

Woman accused of locking her daughter in shed 

SAN JOSE – A San Jose woman is accused of locking her mentally disabled adult daughter in a wooden shed up to 12 hours a day for as long as two years. 

Maria Isabel Eugenio, 64, has been arrested on charges of abusing a dependent adult and false imprisonment. She worked at a car wash and told police she could not afford care for her daughter, Socorro Eugenio, 40. 

She is being held in jail on $50,000 bond while awaiting trial. 

“I had asked God for help, but I simply ran out of time,” Maria Eugenio said in a jail interview. “I had to do something to keep her safe.” 

Deputies from the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Department discovered Socorro Eugenio inside the small wooden trailer earlier this month. She was allegedly kept there six days a week without a toilet – police instead found a 5-gallon bucket. 

Deputies responded to a call that a woman was regularly being locked in a shed, and they used an ax to break open a padlock on the trailer. Inside, they found Socorro Eugenio dirty and unwilling to be coaxed from the building. They estimated the temperature to be above 100 degrees. 

Eugenio allegedly kept her daughter locked up because “she was very mischievous.” Officials say the mother was unfamiliar with social service programs and feared seeking help would hinder her daughter, an illegal alien from Mexico, from gaining U.S. citizenship. 

Eugenio, who was arrested July 6, told deputies her daughter “enters the shed willingly six days a week.” She said she gave Socorro water, a piece of fruit and a toy. 

Dog attacks spur patrol proposal 

CONCORD – Contra Costa County animal control officials are proposing a special enforcement team to crack down on loose dogs. 

The proposal comes after a recent rash of vicious dog maulings, including the recent attack on 10-year-old Shawn Jones of Richmond, who was pulled off his bike by three pit bulls and attacked. 

The team of four would patrol hot spots to rein in loose dogs and take action against their owners if it was deemed necessary. 

County animal services director Mike Ross says he plans to establish the special enforcement unit if the county board of supervisors gives him an extra $225,000 dollars in the upcoming budget.