A revised state budget may have Berkeley residents paying more for a pack of cigarettes and reaching deeper into their pockets to register an automobile, but residents aren’t likely to lose out on many city services, Berkeley officials say. -more-

To the Editor: -more-

-more-

Keanu Reeve’s Dogstar, Russell Crowe’s Thirty Odd Foot of Grunts, now Billy Bob Thornton… the list of crossover stars (or attempted crossovers) is longer than a Hollywood rap sheet. -more-

Friday, May 17

Maybe the St. Mary’s High baseball team should start a psychic hotline. -more-

City Councilmember Linda Maio waded into school politics last week, moderating a meeting of high-powered activists — predominately African-American and Latino — intent on fielding more minority candidates for the November Board of Education race. -more-

To the Editor: -more-

The Berkeley High boys’ lacrosse team slew an old foe on Thursday, beating University High (San Francisco), 8-6, in a Northern California semifinal game. The win put the Yellowjackets into the NorCal final on Saturday for a shot at the first CIF-sponsored title game in the sport. -more-

Peace proclamation approved in No. Calif. town -more-

To the Editor: -more-

NEW YORK — The Fox network, stuck with sagging ratings and the end of two signature shows, will replace “Ally McBeal” this fall with another drama about lawyers produced by David E. Kelley. -more-

CANNES, France — From “Star Wars” to a small Iranian film, offerings at Cannes are showing how digital cameras give new freedom to directors, whether they want to create dazzling asteroid showers or more intimate settings. -more-

Today is Friday, May 17, the 137th day of 2002. There are 228 days left in the year. -more-

CANNES, France — From “Star Wars” to a small Iranian film, offerings at Cannes are showing how digital cameras give new freedom to directors, whether they want to create dazzling asteroid showers or more intimate settings. -more-

By Peter Crimmins -more-

Couple scales Everest -more-

Berkeley loves to emphasize its diversity, but all too often ignored among the hodgepodge of ethnicities, religions, nationalities, and linguistic groups is a proud community of dedicated science fiction fans. -more-

Oakland - Partnerships among local artists and public school teachers in Berkeley will allow arts education to flourish in classrooms thanks to a $70,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. -more-

-more-

LOS ANGELES — California violates a federal law requiring that it provide education help to its poorest children, although it is receiving $1.2 billion in federal funding this year for that purpose, a civil rights group said in a report issued Thursday. -more-

SAN FRANCISCO — California’s $23.6 billion budget deficit exposed a glaring financial weakness that lawmakers knew about but didn’t want to think about — the state’s dependence on money collected from relatively few taxpayers profiting from steadily rising stock prices. -more-

SAN FRANCISCO — Amgen Inc. shareholders on Thursday approved the company’s proposed acquisition of rival Immunex Corp. -more-

Dear Tom and Ray: -more-

RAMALLAH, West Bank — Facing pressure from the United States, Europe and his own people, Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat agreed Thursday to hold presidential and parliamentary elections within six months. -more-

According to Census 2000 data released Tuesday, Berkeley is fifth among Bay Area cities when it comes to using mass transit to get to and from work, passing neighboring Oakland and coming in behind other neighbors Emeryville, Albany and El Cerrito. -more-

NEW YORK — ABC has pulled the plug on “Politically Incorrect,” which battled sinking ratings and, after Sept. 11, advertising erosion because of host Bill Maher’s reference to past U.S. military action as “cowardly.” -more-

To the Editor: -more-

Friday, May 17

It’s rare that a high school coach blames a loss on the officiating. Coaches usually choose to gloss over blown calls, concentrating on their team’s mistakes that made a difference. But on Wednesday, there was little doubt about what decided the Berkeley-El Cerrito baseball game and perhaps the ACCAL championship. -more-

East Bay Municipal Utility District representatives met with Berkeley leaders this week to share their curiosity about becoming a power provider. -more-

-more-

Dear Editor: -more-

Staff Report -more-

The chief U.S. representative for the Palestine Liberation Organization said the Palestinian Authority will pursue democratic reform at a UC Berkeley appearance Wednesday afternoon. -more-

Today is Thursday, May 16, the 136th day of 2002. There are 229 days left in the year. -more-

To the Editor: -more-

-more-

Charges against two FBI special agents were dropped Wednesday in the Earth First v. FBI and Oakland Police Department trial in an attempt to narrow the scope of the case accusing the FBI and OPD of mishandling the 1990 car bombing of environmental activists Judi Bari and Darryl Cherney. -more-

United offers $5 flights -more-

Cal junior catcher John Baker has been selected as one of 10 finalists for Johnny Bench Award, it was announced May 15 by The Greater Wichita Area Sports Commission. -more-

Parents at Willard Middle School are concerned about the Board of Education’s decision last week to layoff one of the school’s two safety officers next year, and transfer him to another school. -more-

-more-

OAKLAND — A report released by an environmental research group in Oakland Wednesday says that dirty air accounts for more deaths in California than traffic accidents, homicides and AIDS combined. -more-

SAN FRANCISCO — San Francisco cycling enthusiasts are congregating in the South of Market neighborhood today to celebrate new bike lanes on half of busy Howard Street -- painted just in time for Bike to Work Day on Thursday. -more-

-more-

LOS ANGELES — A nationwide postcard campaign aimed at winning legal rights for illegal immigrants, was launched Wednesday in 30 American cities by a coalition of immigrant groups, labor unions and church officials. -more-

SACRAMENTO — State police will replace National Guard troops who began patrolling three major California bridges after last fall’s terrorist attacks, Gov. Gray Davis said Wednesday. -more-

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Sen. Jackie Speier has been trying for two years to pass financial privacy legislation in the California Legislature. -more-

Council bans sexually-explicit shows before midnight -more-

To The Editor, -more-

Sitcoms even less diverse than last year; children’s hour has fewest minorities -more-

Playoff win sets up rematch with University -more-

The chair of the UC Berkeley English Department said her office has received a stream of hate mail from Israeli partisans in recent days for sponsoring a fall, 2002 course called “The Politics and Poetics of Palestinian Resistance.” -more-

To the Editor: -more-

SAN FRANCISCO — Chinese speakers nationwide have a new late-night talk show host to turn to with the syndication of a nightly Mandarin-language call-in show. -more-

St. Mary’s golfer wins North Coast title -more-

African-American Studies chair calls for “healing” in school community -more-

To the Editor: -more-

Today is Wednesday, May 15, the 135th day of 2002. There are 230 days left in the year. -more-

Senior Prank Has Town Buzzing -more-

Utility district officials deny charges of mishandling asbestos -more-

LONG BEACH, Calif. — Out-of-state students may have to pay hundreds of dollars more for tuition this fall at California State University under a proposal by the 23-campus system. -more-

Dry, arid Imperial Valley appears miles removed from the bucolic green pastures where happy cows are seen frolicking in those popular California milk ads. -more-

SACRAMENTO — Legislative committees advanced twin bills Tuesday repealing a provision in state law that shields gunmakers from lawsuits over their marketing of firearms. -more-

SAN FRANCISCO — Napster’s chief executive resigned Tuesday, after founders of the troubled song-swap company refused to be bought out by the German media conglomerate Bertelsmann AG. -more-

xSAN FRANCISCO — Napster’s chief executive resigned Tuesday, after founders of the troubled song-swap company refused to be bought out by the German media conglomerate Bertelsmann AG. -more-

Wednesday, May 15

NEW YORK — Better-than-expected April retail sales sent stocks sharply higher Tuesday, extending Wall Street’s winning streak to two sessions, as investors grew more confident about consumer spending. The Dow Jones industrials surged nearly 190 points, its third triple-digit finish in five trading days. -more-

LOS ANGELES — An attorney who has taken the American Dental Association to court in several states over the amount of mercury used in fillings was the target of a defamation lawsuit filed Tuesday by the organization. -more-

A television-oversight policy being entertained by city leaders would make city officials the “moral conscience” of the community, according to Berkeley Community Media Executive Director Brian Scott. -more-

St. Mary’s High sprinting and hurdling standout Danielle Stokes has an impressive track resume. Literally. She has it available by fax. -more-

Today is Tuesday, May 14, the 134th day of 2002. There are 231 days left in the year. -more-

To the Editor: -more-

Tuesday, May 14

Tuesday, May 14

-more-

Parking on the -more-

To the editor: -more-

Local 1, the Martinez-based union that has represented employees of the Berkeley Unified School District for years, is on the ropes. -more-

The Earth First! v. FBI and Oakland Police Department trial moved one step closer to closing arguments and jury deliberation Monday. Attorneys for both sides questioned the last few witnesses in the case that accuses the FBI and OPD of mishandling the 1990 car bombing of environmental activists Judi Bari and Darryl Cherney. -more-

SACRAMENTO — The Assembly on Monday defeated a bill that would have allowed motorcyclists age 21 and older to ride without helmets. -more-

HALF MOON BAY, Calif. — A San Francisco bicyclist collapsed and died Monday on the first day of a charity long-distance bike ride. -more-

-more-

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The nation’s largest public pension fund can once again invest in Filipino stocks after the ambassador of that nation convinced financial analysts that his country’s economy is solid. -more-

Long before Hallmark cornered the market on greeting cards, Julia Ward Howe, author of the famous poem, “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” wrote the Mother’s Day Proclamation. That was 1870. -more-

To the Editor: -more-

Monday, May 13

St. Mary’s boys claim 16th straight league title, while girls take sixth in a row as Panthers avoid mistakes -more-

Amid ongoing conflict in the Middle East, dozens of incidents meant to hurt or harass Berkeley’s Jewish community have been reported over the past two months. -more-

To the Editor: -more-

Fifth-ranked Cal swept No. 15 Oregon State in a Saturday afternoon doubleheader to conclude its regular season schedule. -more-

By Neil G. Greene -more-

To the Editor: -more-

Tuesday -more-

Today is Monday, May 13, the 133th day of 2002. There are 232 days left in the year. -more-

Mother’s Day flowers take long trail to U.S. homes -more-

PALO ALTO — Five people were arrested this weekend in raids on three health centers police said were part of a prostitution ring. -more-

TEL AVIV, Israel — Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s Likud party voted early Monday to reject the creation of a Palestinian state, a major defeat for Sharon that he feared would increase international pressure on Israel and tie his hands in potential negotiations. -more-

SAN FRANCISCO — The premise of the latest Star Wars film doesn’t surprise Andy Mecca, president of the California Mentor Foundation. -more-

CHICAGO — Longtime tea-drinking may strengthen bones, researchers in Taiwan have found. -more-

ANGELES NATIONAL FOREST, Calif. — Firefighters started to gain the upper-hand Sunday against a 4,000-acre wildfire fueled by stiff winds and dry, hot conditions, fire officials said. -more-

Automobile and home rate hikes could cost average Californian hundreds of dollars next year -more-

-more-

Governor to reveal his plan to close $20 billion budget gap on Tuesday -more-

Pet lovers plan to take complaints to Board of Supervisors’ meeting -more-

SAN FRANCISCO – An endangered garter snake has stalled construction on the Bay Area Rapid Transit extension to San Francisco International Airport for the second time. -more-

city will ticket cars parked too long at broken meters, starting June 15 -more-

The history of garbage disposal is an interesting and rather shocking one. Our current concern for the protection of the environment was not shared by our forebears. When garbage was out of sight it was considered adequately deposed of; the land, sea and sky were believed able to absorb all the “bad things”. -more-

To the Editor: -more-

Saturday, May 11

Travel back in time and land in the front row of a Cockettes performance with David Weissman (co-director/producer) and Bill Weber's (co-director/editor) documentary, “The Cockettes,” about the revolutionary drag troupe of the 1960s and ‘70s. -more-

xThe Berkeley High boys’ lacrosse team wrapped up their regular season with a dominating 19-3 win over Piedmont on Friday, as 13 different Yellowjackets scored at least one goal. -more-

Neighbors battling the American Baptist Seminary of the West’s plans to demolish two buildings and expand its campus were given a last chance to voice their concerns at Thursday’s Zoning Adjustment Board meeting, and they spoke in one cohesive voice — asking the board to stop the church. -more-

To the Editor: -more-

It was less a contest than a coronation. -more-

Sean Dugar had been thinking about running for the Board of Education for some time. But last weekend, he checked in for one last time with his closest advisers – his parents. -more-

To the Editor: -more-

ACCAL race tightens up with one week left; Berkeley can clinch title with win over El Cerrito on Wednesday -more-

‘Star Wars’ isn’t just a movie: -more-

NEW YORK — Folk singer Suzanne Vega lived near the World Trade Center for 10 years and has long been part of a loose group of local artists — the Greenwich Village Songwriter’s Exchange — who meet weekly to share music. -more-

Cal women’s tennis moves on to Regional Final -more-

Today is Saturday, May 11, the 131st day of 2002. There are 234 days left in the year. -more-

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. — Veteran Mexican musician Juan Gabriel won four awards, including top songwriter, and Ricky Martin received special recognition for his charitable works at the Billboard Latin Music Awards. -more-

WASHINGTON — Sen. Barbara Boxer wants to designate 2.5 million acres of public land in California as wilderness, including national forest areas that the Bush administration has proposed for oil drilling and logging. -more-

Donors stuffed envelopes with a record $25,000 for the Berkeley Public Education Foundation Friday afternoon at the organization’s 16th Annual Spring Luncheon. -more-

BERKELEY — Friday, officials at the University of California at Berkeley blamed the English Department for the listing of a course in which the instructor, an active supporter of Palestinians on campus, suggested that “conservative thinkers” should consider another course. -more-

SAN FRANCISCO — E-Trade Group Inc. Chairman Christos Cotsakos agreed Friday to relinquish his salary for the next two years and surrender other rich benefits in an effort to quell outrage over a compensation package that made him the brokerage industry’s top-paid executive. -more-

Workers from Latin America decry conditions at Gap factories -more-

SACRAMENTO — Small wine importers fear a bill that would limit distribution of wine into California, backed by a British beverage conglomerate and the wine industry’s trade group, could monopolize the state’s wine market and wipe out their businesses. -more-

A first glance at the photographs hanging in the entrance hallway of Photolab in West Berkeley could cause some confusion. The well-executed pictures carefully hung along the long, narrow passage are a seemingly random collection of moments and memories with titles like “After the Rain, Old Quebec (Quebec, 1984)” and “Adria at Ebbets Field (Brooklyn, NY, 1950)” and “Cow, Point Reyes National Seashore (Marin, CA, 1995)”. -more-

On cleaning tubs and showers -more-

LOWELL, Ore. — They’re still here, on plywood platforms and under blue tarps, watching the forest from the treetops and waiting for word that their efforts have paid off. -more-

LOS ANGELES — An Orange County doctor jailed in Israel on suspicion of terrorism began a hunger strike Friday to protest his detention without formal charges, his brother said. -more-

SAN FRANCISCO — Concluding an eight-month operation that involved about 800 troops and cost the state about $40 million, the last of the National Guard units that provided added security at 30 California airports headed back home Friday. -more-

We recently attended the 21st annual Kitchen & Bath Show in Chicago, where — along with 40,000 other industry professionals — we were dazzled by new and exciting products for the two most important rooms in the home. -more-

Subsidized housing plan at Acton and University avenues moves forward -more-

Deep cuts to health programs proposed by Gov. Gray Davis to help fill a $23.6 billion budget hole unfairly target those who need state help the most, California health care officials and advocates for the poor said Wednesday. -more-

GILROY, Calif. — A moderate earthquake shook the San Francisco Bay area, rattling the stands at hockey and baseball games, sending frightened customers running from businesses and briefly tying up phone lines. -more-

BERKELEY A scientist at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and chemistry professor at the University of California at Berkeley has been named to a society that includes such notable names as Charles Darwin, Albert Einstein and Stephen Hawking. -more-

SAN FRANCISCO — Ken Yoshida was 19 years old when he was ordered to go to war by the government that had herded him to an internment camp. He refused and was sent to prison where he was ostracized by his community and branded a traitor by the powerful Japanese American Citizens League. -more-

Naked burglar arrested -more-