The most sought-after confidential document in recent Berkeley history is now public, but debate continues over an agreement which added a layer of secrecy to recent settlement talks between the City of Berkeley and the University of California. 

In response to a request under the California Public Records Act, the Daily Planet on Thursday received a copy of the confidentiality agreement signed April 22, five weeks before the city and university settled a lawsuit over future university expansion. 

For Berkeley, the settlement negotiations were a high-stakes enterprise. The city ended up dropping its demands for more information about the university’s long-range plan to add 2.2 million square feet of new space, and the deal fixed university payments for city services over the next 15 years. 

Mayor Bates had promised neighborhood leaders a chance to see a proposed settlement before the City Council voted on it, a practice which has not been common in Berkeley but has been part of settlements of lawsuits under the California Environmental Quality Act in other places. But the confidentiality agreement, which the parties claimed was itself confidential, changed the rules of the game. 

It was interpreted by city and university attorneys to bind both parties to secrecy and to prevent citizens from reviewing and commenting on the proposed settlement agreement before the council acted on it. 

A week before the settlement was approved, the university rejected a last-minute city request, made under pressure from residents, to waive the confidentiality agreement and make the deal public. 

Attorneys who have been critical of the city’s position offered a variety of interpretations of the agreement provided to them by the Daily Planet Thursday. 

“There is not one word in there that required the settlement agreement to remain confidential once the negotiation of it was complete; nothing there that unlawfully would prohibit the City Council from releasing it for public review before being voted on,” said Antonio Rossmann, a land-use attorney and lecturer at UC’s Boalt Hall. 

Rossmann charged that City Attorney Manuela Albuquerque “severely misread” the agreement and that UC Berkeley “had absolutely no right to invoke this agreement to keep the settlement from the public before the council vote.” He called the city’s position “a successful if not commendable frustration of public opinion.” 

Terry Francke, general counsel of the open government advocacy organization Californians Aware, took issue with the agreement, but concluded it effectively precluded the council from allowing public review of the settlement. 

“This document seems to me to set it up in a way that if UC wanted to they could walk away from the settlement if it were sunshined,” he said. 

State law does not require the city to disclose a proposed litigation settlement before voting on it. 

City attorney Manuela Albuquerque said that she sought the confidentiality agreement to ensure that all settlement related discussions couldn’t later be used against the city at a trial. Although the text of the agreement acknowledges that state law already prevents such disclosures from being used against parties at trials, Albuquerque said the confidentiality agreement afforded the city greater protection than offered under state law. 

“Statements made in public would not have been protected in any other way,” she said. “We wanted a wide ranging and candid discussion without it coming back to haunt us.” 

E-mails obtained by the Daily Planet show that councilmembers were alerted in March that the city was seeking such an agreement, although several said they never formally voted on signing one. The agreement document was signed for the city only by its outside counsel, Michelle Kenyon, not by any Berkeley elected official or staff member. 

Confidentiality agreements that keep parties from revealing offers made by their own attorneys during pre-trail settlement negotiations are common, according to Francke. But he questioned the interpretation by city and university lawyers that offers which had already been delivered from one side to the other during negotiations were confidential as well.  

“It’s a bit illusory,” he said, arguing that both sides are required to honor requests to disclose such documents. “They can’t simply agree to disregard the rules under the Public Records Act,” he said. 

“One wonders if this was created to leave the impression among certain city councilmembers that they had to keep their mouth shut,” said Francke. The agreement says that it “binds all employees, agents and representatives of the parties.” He said that it’s unclear whether that language applies to city councilmembers.  

Councilmember Dona Spring has said councilmembers received an e-mail informing them that commenting on the proposed settlement violated the confidentiality agreement. 

Albuquerque claimed councilmembers were bound by the agreement. She also said that state law protects the city from having to release any documents pertaining to ongoing litigation. 

Trying to get a copy of the agreement even after the settlement has been difficult. When Stephan C. Volker, an attorney for residents contemplating a lawsuit against the city over the settlement, requested a copy, he received a letter from Albuquerque telling him that the agreement was “not retained once the final settlement was concluded.” The Daily Planet CPRA request was made before the settlement, however. 

Albuquerque said a deputy city attorney later managed to find a copy that had been attached to a cover memo.  

In an effort to prevent controversy over future agreements, Mayor Bates and Councilmember Kriss Worthington introduced a proposal last month to require future confidentiality agreements dealing with major land use lawsuits to include provisions that allow for public review and comment before the council acts. 

Last week, however, the mayor temporarily withdrew the proposal, according to his aide Cisco DeVries, because he was concerned that the City Council could not legally set a policy which would bind future councils. 

One week after the contentious and narrowly rejected petition to change the name of Jefferson Elementary School split both the Berkeley School Board and the Berkeley community in general, the board voted unanimously Wednesday night to rescind the district’s school renaming policy until a new policy can be worked out. 

The job of writing a new policy now goes to the Board Policy Committee, which consists of Vice President Terry Doran and Director Shirley Issel. Doran voted to support the Jefferson name change petition while Issel voted to reject it. 

BUSD Superintendent Michele Lawrence said that Miriam Rokeach, president of the nonprofit Center for Youth Development through Law of the UC Berkeley School of Law, will be hired as a consultant to assist in the new policy development. 

Once the new policy proposal is written, it will be submitted to the board for discussion and approval. No timetable was given for that action, but Lawrence estimated that with the board out for a month-long summer break, consideration of the new policy is likely to take place sometime in the early fall. 

Meanwhile, no new school name change petitions can be initiated in the district. 

Board President Nancy Riddle said she expected the committee to “survey other schools and come back with a variety of alternatives that we can weigh.” 

Director Joaquin Rivera said that he thought the 20 percent threshold to initiate a school name change “might be too low.” Under present policy, the name change process is initiated by a petition signed by 20 percent of present school constituents. 

Rivera also said that while he had no concrete suggestions on how the new policy should be written, he said it should answer complaints—voiced during the Jefferson debate—that the larger Berkeley community, including the board itself, is left out of the debate until a short period at the end. 

When the Jefferson issue finally came to the board two weeks ago, President Riddle said that board members had “specifically kept out of the debate” in order not to be seen as influencing the initial vote by Jefferson Elementary staff, students, and parents and guardians. 

“There should be room for earlier board input,” Rivera said Wednesday night. “And we should somehow involve the larger community. The community owns the schools, and have a vested interest in the outcome.” 

The question of what constitutes a “school community” was pursued by Director John Selawsky. 

Under the now-suspended district policy, the board makes the final decision on a proposed name change only after an initial vote by what is called the “school community” of the school directly affected. That “school community” is narrowly defined as present students and staff at the school, and parents or guardians of presently-enrolled students. 

“The Jefferson vote raised the question of what constitutes a school community,” Selawsky said. “In all of our other processes that affect a particular school, we always bring in the surrounding neighborhood for input. Don’t they also have a stake in the school name?” Selawsky also said that he “wasn’t sure” that the school community should be confined to people who are connected to the school at the time of the vote, a definition that leaves out school alumni. Selawsky said that he did not yet have any answers for how that might be done practically. “I don’t have any answers for that,” he said. 

Student Director Lily Dorman-Colby said that while it is easy to define students, staff, and parents or guardians, deciding who constituted the school’s neighborhood community would be infinitely harder. 

“How much weight will be given to neighborhood organizations?” she asked. “And how will we reach people who might have an interest, but don’t necessarily attend meetings?” 

Only Vice President Doran said he didn’t necessarily advocate many changes being made in the name change policy. 

“I’m not very disturbed by our present policy,” Doran said. He only suggested that the policy should delineate what criteria the board should use for upholding or denying the vote taken by the school community. In the case of the Jefferson vote, Doran and Selawsky voted to uphold the Jefferson decision, stating that their only criteria should be to determine whether the school vote properly followed policy. In denying the Jefferson vote, directors Riddle, Issel, and Rivera said that the board should take the school opinion under advisement, but should retain the right to cast their own vote based upon whether or not they felt the school name change was best for the district. 

“I think the vote of the school community should supersede any other advice we receive,” Doran said. “The decision rightfully resides in the present participants at the school. That should be the heart and soul of the decision.” 

But Doran agreed with other board members that the decision should be made with input from the larger community, and that input should come earlier in the process. “The larger community should get the chance during the period when the issue is being debated within the school itself,” Doran argued, “rather than only during the pressure-cooker of the intense, hour-long debate when the board is making the final decision.” 

Doran said following the meeting that the new name change policy should make more provision for formal community presentations to school community members on a proposed name change before the school community takes its vote. 



Berkeley’s strong lead in the competition for the first new ferry terminal in the East Bay weakened this week with an announcement from Toyota Motors. 

The Japanese automaker is looking for a site for a larger importing facility to offload vehicles from the specialized cargo vessels that haul them across the Pacific and warehouse them prior to distribution to dealerships. 

Richmond, which already has a smaller Auto Warehousing Company importation facility in the Port Portero shipyard terminal, jumped into the competition with plans to lease the automaker two Marina Bay terminals. 

That put Toyota on the top of the city’s agenda, sidelining plans for a ferry terminal and adjacent parking lot that would occupy part of the same site. 

When Toyota announced Tuesday that they’d selected Benicia because of its great rail access, the ferry terminal project was back on the front burner. Richmond’s bid is given weight by $45 million in funds authorized by voters last year. 

The San Francisco Bay Water Transit Authority (WTA), created by voters and funded by increased Bay Area bridge tolls, is looking for new ferry terminal sites, though they only have enough cash to pay for one. 

“We’re going to build a terminal somewhere in the East Bay,” WTA Chief Executive Officer Steven Castleberry told the Daily Planet last month. “It could be in Berkeley, Albany or Richmond.” 

While a site in Albany would preclude one in Berkeley and vice versa, whichever site survived the selection process would be in competition with Richmond for the first East Bay Terminal. 

The WTA has already set aside funds to create ferry service to the Berkeley area, minus a terminal building which would have to be funded locally. But without a strong push from the City Council for a specific site, Berkeley could lose out to Richmond, said WTA Public Affairs Director Heidi Machen Friday. 

Mayor Tom Bates has been a major backer of a Berkeley Marina site, but aide Calvin Fong said Friday that no vote on selecting a possible site has been set. The city’s Waterfront and Transportation commissions also declined to specify a preference. 

The WTA will pick a firm Sept. 22 to conduct an environmental impact report, and without a specified preference all sites will be given equal weight initially. 

With Richmond back in the game, their bid is sweetened by last year’s Measure J, the $45 million sales tax increase authorized by Contra Costa County voters to fund ferry service for the western edge of the county. 

Berkeley’s push for the terminal has been moving forward through city commissions, which have been calling for a selection process that includes all potential sites: two either end of the Golden Gate Fields and a third at or near the Berkeley Marina. 

An April WTA poll found the strongest support for a Berkeley Marina site, followed by a site at the end of Gilman Street and a site at the base of the Albany Bulb at the end of Buchanan Street. 

Environmental groups are lobbying hard again the latter two sites, which they see as a potential threat to wildlife. 

Castleberry told a recent Berkeley Transportation Commission meeting that the WTA would prefer a site recommendation from the city, noting that a nod toward one by the city council would carry weight when it came time for the WTA to decide. 

Albany Mayor Robert Lieber has noted that both the Gilman and Buchanan sites would require extensive dredging while a Berkeley Marina site would not. 

“Berkeley better get its act together,” said Waterfront Commission Chair Paul Kamen. “Otherwise we’ll miss out on a wonderful amenity.”N

The Alameda County Medical Center—the only option for Berkeley’s 10,000 uninsured—continues to run up deficits despite a $70 million county bail-out last year, according to a recently-released report from the Alameda County Grand Jury. The report lays the blame on the center’s board of trustees. 

The grand jury is a 19-member citizen body selected by superior court judges to investigate county governmental issues. 

“Instead of grasping the concept that the medical center is facing a dire financial crisis, the board of trustees has spent the last year preoccupied with infighting...” the grand jury reported. 

The medical center includes Oakland’s Highland Hospital, which serves most of Berkeley’s trauma and emergency cases. Also in the public hospital network, required to treat the uninsured, are San Leandro’s Fairmont Hospital, John George Psychiatric Pavilion and three outpatient clinics. 

Especially troubling to the grand jury was the fact that the medical center remained in the red despite a bail out designed to reorder its finances.  

Last year, with the medical center facing a $50 million deficit, county voters approved Measure A, a half-cent sales tax increase that delivers the medical center $70 million a year. But despite the influx of cash, the medical center remained $3 million in debt last year and costs are expected to increase by $10 million this year. 

“The medical center board of trustees seem to have taken the passage of Measure A as a signal to engage in irresponsible spending,” the grand jury wrote. 

Public hospitals in the state have been hard hit by lower fees paid by Medicare and Medi-Cal and an increase in low income residents without insurance. 

The Medical Center, however, has been rife with dissension and mismanagement, the grand jury found. After going through nine CEOs in 11 years, last year the county brought in Tennessee-based Cambio Health Solutions to run the center and get its finances in order. 

The Grand Jury praised Cambio for improving efficiency in collecting payment for services and criticized the board for refusing to implement the consultant company’s plan to lay off 120 employees. Instead of layoffs, the board sought to cut staff by attrition and gave employees “across-the-board increases in employee salaries and benefits,” according to the report. 

Employee unions have “gained unprecedented control over hospital operations,” the grand jury wrote. Medical center work rules “give employee groups the right to veto or to prevent management from taking action.” 

For instance, a nurse cannot be reassigned from one patient ward to another even if the proposed ward is understaffed, the grand jury wrote. “Instead, the medical center must hire a temporary nurse at a substantially higher cost.” 

The board must either eliminate jobs or reduce services, but the board hesitated to do either, according to the grand jury. 

“Shockingly, the medical center has not even reviewed the question of whether the scope of service it provides should be reduced to balance its budget,” the grand jury wrote. 

The grand jury also blasted “a culture of failing to accept personal responsibility” it blames for a workers compensation crisis at the medical center. On any given day, 25 percent of employees are not at work because of an on the job injury or long-term disability, the grand jury found. 

Without making specific recommendations, the grand jury urged the board to make cuts, “even if it means laying off employees or reducing the scope of medical services it provides.” 

In its annual report, the grand jury also criticized the Alameda County Board of Education for failing to prevent financial crises in several local districts in the county and for not fully complying with open government laws. 

The board’s agendas “don’t fully inform the public of the substance of issues coming before the board and in some cases were misleading,” the grand jury found. 

Also, board minutes were found to lack information on the substance of controversial issues. 

The grand jury criticized Oakland for a contract that gives one tow company, A&B Auto Company, a monopoly on towing services with the city. 

The grand jury also found fault with the soon-to-be-closed Oakland city jail for poor conditions. County detention facilities, including Juvenile Hall and Santa Rita jail, scored higher. 

A copy of the annual report can be found at www.acgov.org/grandjury/final2004-2005.pdf. 

›

What’s in a name?  

Plenty, for the members of Berkeley’s chapter of Disabled American Veterans, who are being required to pay fees to continue to meet at the Berkeley Veterans’ Building. 

“It’s a slap in the face for sure,” said Ed Harper president of DAV, Post 25, which meets once a month in a 10-by-12-foot Veterans’ Building office. “The veterans’ building is for veterans and it’s been that way since 1928.” 

Not so in Berkeley. The 77-year-old seismically unsafe art-deco building is home to a men’s shelter and homeless service center in its basement, a substance abuse recovery program in its main hall, and several nonprofits, including the Berkeley Historical Society, on the ground floor. 

Housing so many agencies in a city-owned building isn’t cheap. Last year the maintenance and utility bills cost Berkeley roughly $70,000, according to building manager David Poock, and the agencies chipped in a minuscule amount.  

Starting next year, Berkeley wants to change that arrangement. The city is requiring each group, including the DAV, to indemnify the city for potential liability and sign a license agreement paying for a share of maintenance and utility costs. Under the current estimates the veterans would pay $290 per year for maintenance and utilities, while larger groups like Building Opportunities for Self Sufficiency (BOSS), which runs the homeless program, would pay $20,000. 

For years veterans and the city have not seen eye-to-eye over the dilapidated building that Berkeley took over from Alameda County in 1988. But the demand to pay for use of a building built in their honor has taken relations to a new low. 

“The veterans come with the building,” said Mark Chandler, Secretary of Alameda County Veterans Affairs Commission. “The city is treating us like black sheep. There isn’t another jurisdiction I know of that has ever tried to make veterans pay to use a veterans’ building.” 

Chandler claims the city’s demand is illegal. He cites the 1988 agreement transferring ownership of the building from Alameda County to Berkeley, which reads that, “The city will preserve the rights of veterans to continued use of the building for activities protected by the military and veterans code.”  

The state veterans’ code states that cities can charge tenants other than veterans, when those groups don’t “unduly interfere with the reasonable use of the facilities by veterans’ associations.” Yet it doesn’t specify that a city can’t charge veterans or require them to take out insurance to indemnify the city. 

“There are no restrictions on the use of the Veterans’ Building that requires us to give anything for free,” said City Attorney Manuela Albuquerque. 

The city wants the license agreements to codify what has been an informal arrangement with Veterans’ Building tenants. “We don’t have leases with any of them,” said City Manager Phil Kamlarz. As for the veterans, the key issue is their ability to carry insurance so the city won’t be liable in the case of an accident. 

“Right now we’re the deep pocket in case something happens,” Kamlarz said. 

Tom Edwards, past president of the Berkeley Historical Society, said insurance costs his group $500 through an alliance of state historical societies. “If we didn’t have the umbrella group, we probably wouldn’t be able to afford insurance,” he said. 

Harper said the DAV didn’t have money for insurance or rent. The organization, he said, which counts 125 members but typically hosts meetings of 15 people, gets $800 a year from the state to spend on “worthy causes for veterans.” 

“We don’t make a penny and we get barely enough to mail out our monthly meeting notices,” he said. 

Boona Cheema, executive director of BOSS, suggested that the veterans could be insured under the policies of one of the bigger agencies at the veterans’ building or by the city. 

“I think the city should back off,” Cheema said. “I don’t think collecting from nonprofits will solve the city’s budget problems.” 

It’s rare for BOSS and local veterans leaders to be on the same side of a veterans’ building issue. Last year Chandler wrote to city officials and Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Oakland), lamenting that the building had been turned over to social service agencies, limiting the DAV to their one meeting space and a storage room. 

For decades the building’s ornate first floor auditorium was home to civic galas, according to Ken Cardwell of the Berkeley Historical Society.  

But the building slowly fell into disrepair under the county’s watch and suffered further damage from the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. As a safety precaution, after the earthquake, the city sealed off the second floor of the building because there was no emergency egress. The floor had been assigned to veterans as part of a deal with Berkeley when the city took control of the building. 

After the earthquake, the city turned the building over to social service agencies which needed cheap space. The homeless shelter moved into the basement in 1992 and were later joined by Options Recovery Services, a program for substance abusers, who occupies most of the first floor. 

Restoring the building to its original splendor appears for now to be a long shot. In 2002, the city estimated repairs would cost $12 million, and with the city’s budget still in the red, there is little political support for a bond measure. 

Chandler said the county and other cities have put more resources into their veterans buildings. Oakland recently renovated its building and turned it into a senior center, which, he said, brings in revenues to maintain the building and allows free space for veterans. The county-owned veterans’ building in Fremont, he added, still hosts special events to pay for its maintenance and utility costs. 

Albany’s building has also been upgraded, Chandler said. In 1990, after the Loma Prieta earthquake, the local chapter of The Veterans of Foreign Wars moved from Berkeley to Albany. 

Harper said the DAV would be welcome in Albany or could just as easily hold meetings at a member’s house, but they didn’t want to leave. 

“We don’t want Berkeley to have a veterans’ building where veterans have no part of it,” he said. “We don’t want to just come by on holidays to raise the flag.” 

Members of the Downtown Berkeley Association (DBA) don’t like what they see happening with parking in the city center—there’s less of it all the time in an era of expanding development hoping for a commercial revival. 

“Over the last 10 years, the number of spaces has shrunk by 600 to 800,” said DBA Executive Director Deborah Badhia. 

The city finds itself caught between two forces: merchants who say that easy access parking is the key to downtown revitalization, and foes of the internal combustion engine, who would like to see even fewer spaces to encourage reliance on public transportation, bicycles and walking. 

The DBA’s immediate focus is on the Oxford Plaza project, which is slated to replace the city parking lot facing UC Berkeley across Oxford Street with two major buildings, the five-story David Brower Center and the six-story Oxford Plaza affordable housing building. 

The merchants want to see the existing lot replaced by two levels of underground parking beneath the buildings, while existing plans call for only one. That would mean another net reduction in downtown parking. 

“Nobody lives up to their word on parking,” said ZAB member Dave Blake, “and downtown Berkeley was born to get screwed.” 

For Blake and Badhia both, the issue is replacing existing parking that is being taken for a construction project. 

Both pointed to the history of the Public Safety Building adjacent to Old City Hall on Martin Luther King Jr. Way. 

“Originally, the city promised to replace the existing parking lot on the site and provide all the additional spaces needed for the building,” said Blake. “But when the plans came back, there was no replacement and insufficient parking for the new use.” 

ZAB members voted 6-1 to oppose the new plans, but the City Council overruled them and “what was supposed to be temporary city parking on Center Street became permanent,” Blake said. 

Badhia noted that because of the failure to provide adequate parking for the building, the city is allowing city workers and police to park in other neighborhoods and provides shuttle service to bring them to their jobs. 

“We want to recover enough parking spaces so we are back to the 2,000 baseline,” she said. 

While the Oxford Plaza lot now offers space for 130 vehicles, a single-level underground garage would offer only 80. 

“That’s also the lot for the California Theater,” Badhia said. 

The DBA wants a second underground level, in part because the city Transportation Department has estimated that the lot will need 25 spaces for employees of the two buildings, she said. 

Blake also pointed to the loss of the two-level parking structure at the Library Gardens construction site behind the Main Public Library on Kittredge Street west of Shattuck Avenue. 

Developer “John DeClerq (of TransAction Companies) had promised never to build on the site without replacing the parking,” Blake said. “But his building was approved” falling far short of replacing the 100 spaces lost when the structure was demolished. 

Blake noted that the end of the Oxford Plaza surface lot marked the end of city-owned surface lots. The former public lot on Berkeley Way is now reserved for city vehicles, he said. 

“We’re really concerned” said Badhia. “A lot of wonderful things are happening downtown, but access is the key issue.” 

Badhia said the DBA is pinning its hopes on ZAB. 

“The downtown has been really hit by regional competition, especially from malls that don’t charge for parking,” she said. At the very least, she said, the city—which initiated the Oxford Plaza project—ought to offer more parking.›

Bus drivers and custodians, classified employees, and supervisory personnel represented by the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers Local 21 all received 3.2 percent pay-and-benefits package increases from the Berkeley Unified School District next year, while teachers and administrators received total compensation raises of 2.1 percent. 

That information was contained in five separate labor agreements ratified last Wednesday by the BUSD Board of Directors. 

The tentative agreements were announced earlier this year by BUSD Superintendent Michele Lawrence, and have been approved by the Alameda County Office of Education. 

Their ratification ends a contentious year of labor unrest in the district, in which teachers staged a months-long work-to-rule job action and held several demonstrations preceding board meetings in the plaza in front of Old City Hall. 

The district’s 325 classified employees will see the lowest actual increase next year, with salary and benefits package raises amounting to an average $1,556 per employee. 

The district’s 200 bus drivers and custodians will see a $1,734 total compensation raise, the 540 teachers a $1,757 raise, the 38 administrators a $2,661 raise, and the 13 Local 21 members a $2,892 raise. 

In all, the total salary and benefits increases will cost the district $1.9 million over year’s budget, an amount that has already been factored into the 2005-06 budget passed by the Board of Directors last Wednesday.e

For newspaper fans who would rather browse through a paper than a website, the world just got a whole lot smaller. 

Bay Area residents, if they’re willing to pay a premium, can now get same-day home delivery of nearly 300 papers from the U.S. and abroad, nearly all of which either couldn’t be found on newsstands or arrived days after they were published. 

“It makes me feel a little closer to Japan,” Tanami Fukada, who pays to get her hometown Yomiuri Shimbun delivered to her home in San Francisco. 

The service comes from NewspaperDirect, a six-year-old Canadian company that is the largest distributor of digital newspapers in the world. The company receives PDF files from newspapers as they go to press and then prints the entire edition on tabloid-sized paper for customers from Dubui to Kathmandu. 

Last month, the company sold a Bay Area franchise, My Global Newspapers, that delivers to eight local newsstands as well as hotels and private homes. 

“We think with so many folks from out of state or out of the country the Bay Area is a great market,” said Fassil Befekadu, who along with his partner Paul Fiorello bought the rights to print the papers in Northern California.  

Although they know Internet competition will be fierce, they are counting on customers who prefer the feel of a newspaper and the full content that isn’t always available online. 

Three weeks into their venture they are printing between 70 and 120 papers each day. 

The roster of available titles is enough to make readers salivate. Nearly every major daily from 50 countries is available, including the Times of London, La Republica, El Pais, Le Monde, Pravda, the Hindustan Times, even the San Francisco Chronicle. 

But same-day access has its drawbacks. Since NewspaperDirect doesn’t get advertising revenue and must pay royalties to the papers they publish, the editions aren’t cheap. Prices range from about $3 for weekday editions to over $7 for some Sunday papers. 

NewspaperDirect, which prints about 250,000 papers per month, has traditionally focused its market on high-end users on cruise ships, hotels and embassies. Steven Townsley, the company’s vice president for publishing, said the most popular papers have been London dailies, a testament, he said, to the service’s wider popularity among Europeans.  

“Americans seem to be satisfied with USA Today,” he said. 

Townsley said the service has been most popular in areas with little access to foreign newspapers, especially in the Middle East and Africa. “Zambia came on line for us at the same time as San Francisco,” he said. 

The jury is still out on the Bay Area experiment. 

Befekadu said that immigrant neighborhoods haven’t shown as much interest in the papers as they had hoped, so the entrepreneurs are concentrating their efforts on tourists at hotels and conventions.  

Newsstand sales have been mixed. At DeLauer’s Super Newsstand in Oakland, the service has more than doubled its offering of 250 papers. 

“It’s really great because air freight has gotten so expensive on the standard deliveries we had to stop some of them,” said General Manager Bud DeLauer. He added that the service had increased his ability to serve customers. 

Previously, he said, a customer interested in an out-of-town newspaper had to place an order two weeks in advance. “Now they can come here and say they want a paper and it will be here tomorrow morning. It simplifies the entire process.” 

DeLauer said the newsstand sells about 15 to 20 papers each day, with the two most popular being the International Herald Tribune and the Christian Science Monitor. 

John Valantini, owner of Cavalli Italian Book Store in North Beach, said he was selling about 15 papers most days and up to 75 papers every Monday to soccer-loving Italian sports fans who wanted their favorite Italian sports editions that recapped the weekend games. 

But Fadi Berbery, owner of Smoke Signals in San Francisco, said he was selling about five editions each day. “When people see them they get excited, but when they find out it’s $3.50 a paper, they usually put it back.” 

East Bay residents interested in picking up a paper can find them at DeLauer’s Super Newsstand, 1310 Broadway, Oakland. To inquire about home delivery, call My Global Newspaper at 764-1828. 

After a stormy beginning, members of the citizen’s group appointed to advise the state on toxic waste issues at Richmond’s Campus Bay said Thursday night that they want a bigger role. 

The meeting in the Richmond Convention Center was the first gathering of the Community Advisory Group (CAG) selected to advise the state Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) on the cleanup of Campus Bay. 

Richmond activist Ethel Dotson originally petitioned the agency to form the panel to advise only on the upland portions of South Richmond Campus Bay site, where developers planned to build a 1331-unit high-rise condo and low-rise apartment complex on the edge of San Francisco Bay. 

But other panel members at the meeting said they wanted their jurisdiction to include other sites as well, including: 

• Restoration of the Campus Bay’s shoreline marshland. 

• The still-contaminated UC Berkeley Richmond Field Station (RFS) toward the northwest. 

• Investigation of potential pollution in the air around and ground beneath the so-called “downwind” business district to the southeast. 

• The abandoned and potentially contaminated Blair Landfill southeast of the business district. 

• The former Liquid Gold federal Superfund site east of the landfill. 

• Neighboring and lead-contaminated Richmond Gun Club range. 

• A former Pacific Gas & Electric maintenance facility to the north which DTSC says needs to be tested for residual contamination. 

• The BioRad medical manufacturing plant west of the Field Station, which produces equipment, manufactures chemicals, distributes microorganisms and cells and other biological material. 

• All or part of the Marina Bay complex to the west. 

The East Bay shoreline of Contra Costa County has long been recognized as the most contaminated section of the county, a fact confirmed by the sheer scale and number of contaminated sites listed for the group by Barbara Cook, DTSC’s manager of Zeneca and RFS cleanup operations. 

The meeting started with an introduction from the DTSC’s Diane Fowler, the public participation supervisor for the agency. 

Controversy erupted after Anderson concluded and CAG member and Richmond City Councilmember Gayle McLaughlin moved to elect member Celeste Crystal, of the Parents Resources and More group, as temporary chair of the first meeting. She was seconded by Sherry Padgett, the spokesperson for Bay Area Residents for Responsible Development, which played a major role in organizing opposition to Campus Bay cleanup operations started under supervision of the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board. 

“Wait a second,” declared Dotson. “I think we need to wait on that.” 

Dotson, who grew up in housing built for African Americans on contaminated sites in Richmond, was angry because the state agencies involved in the process hadn’t informed the community group of their ongoing meetings. Her voice was so loud that several in the audience asked her to tone it down. 

First to offer support was her brother and fellow CAG member Whitney Dotson, an environmental activist, who said it was “premature to appoint someone nobody knows. I am very upset with some people in the community. We can’t appoint a chair because some other things have to be dealt with.” 

At that point the other CAG members rose to introduce themselves and state their principal concerns. 

The 25-member panel includes two other political figures besides McLaughlin—Contra Costa County Public Health Director Wendel Brunner, who wasn’t able to attend, and Richmond Redevelopment Agency head Steven Duran, an early proponent of plans to building housing atop a massive buried chemical waste pile at Campus Bay. 

Dotson, McLaughlin and Padgett have been outspoken critics of those plans, which some city officials have seen as a major new source of property tax revenue. 

CAGs are given great latitude in self-organizing, with the DTSC serving only in an advisory position. Three representatives, including Crystal, come from local non-neighborhood organizations, three from the local business community, including Padgett, two from local environmental groups and 14 from local neighborhoods. 

Part of Dotson’s anger was directed at the state Department of Health Services (DHS), which has been meeting with Brunner at both Campus Bay and the Richmond Field Station to assess potential health problems. 

Dotson blamed both DTSC, which was present at the DHS/County Health meetings, and DHS for failing to formally notify the Community Advisory Group of their gatherings, which she said she had learned of only through newspaper accounts. 

Dr. Marilyn Underwood, a DHS physician who has participated in meetings at RFS and the neighboring businesses, promised that her agency would cooperate with the CAG and provide whatever information it could, and if requested would notify advisory group members of meetings. 

Since by statute the CAG’s role is advisory only, the panel can’t make decisions binding on DTSC or other agencies. The group is responsible for asking for specific information they need to formulate their opinions. 

Cook and Fowler also promised to give the group what they requested, because, as Cook said, “it will help you give us the best possible advice.” 

By the end of the two-hour-plus session, steps toward consensus had been taken and the group’s scope had been significantly extended. The selection of the first chair will take place during the first hour of the CAG’s next meeting, on July 28. Ô

AC Transit reached a deal with its largest union Friday on a two-year contract that gives its 1,800 bus drivers and mechanics a 3 percent raise. 

The contract with The Amalgamated Transit Union Local 192 also calls for AC Transit to contribute $3 million a year to a medical trust fund to help defray health care costs for retired employees. 

AC Transit also reached a one-year deal with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 3916, which represents about 400 management and clerical staff. That contract includes an annual contribution of $300,000 to a medical trust fund for retirees. 

—

Shortly after her election as student director on the Berkeley Unified School Board last year, Berkeley High’s Lily Dorman-Colby outlined an ambitious plan to mobilize students against unpopular board decisions. “I want to be a politician,” she told the Berkeley Daily Planet’s Matthew Artz. “I want to change the world.” In addition, the senior wrestler announced that she was going to put a stop to the board’s habit of extending meetings late into the night. 

“These meetings are ending at 10 p.m.,” she said. “If they have questions I’d tell them, ‘Talk to me before the meeting, I’ve got a tournament tomorrow.’” 

Dorman-Colby failed miserably on the late-night meeting issue. In a year filled with ongoing budget problems and a contentious teacher job action, board meetings often went past the 11 o’clock hour, and once or twice she had to request items be taken out of turn so that she could participate in the debate and then get home to get enough sleep for an important test the next day. 

And during her last speech as student director at Wednesday night’s School Board meeting, the Berkeley High graduate and incoming Yale freshman admitted, a little sheepishly, that “I couldn’t do all of the things I wanted to do on the board. There’s so much process. Things take a lot longer to get done than I thought they would.” 

It was not for lack of trying. 

In her nine months as student director, Dorman-Colby established herself both as the voice of Berkeley Unified’s students and as the conscience of the school board. She took her role seriously, never acting as either obstructionist or token place-holder but as a full participant, despite the fact that by state law, student directors have only an advisory vote. Her questions on obscure budget line-items or seemingly-minor entries in staff reports often highlighted the ways that broad policy decisions have impact on real people—particularly her student constituents—and her impassioned speeches at key emotional moments more than once left the other board members in the oddest of positions for a politician—speechless, themselves. 

Probably Dorman-Colby’s most memorable moments on the board came during this spring’s teacher contract dispute, when she often chastised teachers—many of them her own instructors—that their work-to-rule action was having a devastating effect upon students. “We need you,” she once said of teachers, tears rolling down her face. “We need you answering questions at lunchtime, and helping us after school. How many students will miss making it to a major college next year because of education time lost? We just don’t know.” 

“Berkeley education changed my life,” she said in her closing remarks to the board Wednesday night. “Without it, I could have ended up in the street. So I wanted to give something back to Berkeley education.” 

She absolutely did. 

The controversial radio devices coming to Berkeley this August won’t be arriving in San Francisco anytime soon. 

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors Budget Committee voted 4-1 Thursday to reject the library’s request for $680,000 to begin phasing in the technology. 

With two anti-RFID supervisors not on the committee, RFID opponents appear to have a majority of the 11-member board of supervisors. 

“This vote will have far reaching implications,” said Peter Warfield of the anti-RFID Library Users Association. “I think the more people learn about RFID the more they understand how bad it really is.” 

RFID is a hi-tech alternative to the traditional library bar code. Instead of a code, RFID’s are palm sized radio antennas that emit a frequency read by specially designed machines. 

The technology, used in numerous types of industries, is advertised to boost self check-out rates at libraries to 90 percent, thereby freeing staff to perform other jobs. 

But privacy advocates, including the American Civil Liberties Union and the Electronic Frontier Foundation, fear the devices could ultimately be used to track library patrons rather than books. 

Last year Berkeley spent $650,000 to convert to RFID and will roll out the system next month. 

The San Francisco vote would funded the first phase of RFID implementation at the city’s 26 branches. The entire RFID program for San Francisco was estimated to cost $3 million.r

http://www.jfdefreitas.com/index.php?path=/00_Latest%20Works

FIRE STATIONS 

Editors, Daily Planet:  

I have been a citizen of Berkeley since 1961. I have seen the number of fire stations reduced, the number of men on each engine/truck reduced, and now we see the number of fire stations reduced! How much more reduction will ensue? Will we soon contract out fire service for our city to anyone who has a fire truck in their garage? 

With the recent three-alarm fire at Gilman and Fifth streets —and the recent article in the Daily Californian about fire station brown-outs—the City of Berkeley is asking for disaster and probable lawsuits from future fire victims who will claim, and rightly so, that the response time of any fire engine company will be delayed—and in fire, there is no mercy—seconds and even minutes can mean disaster and even death for said victims. 

The Fire Department serves every citizen in the city 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Why doesn’t the city cut funding to those programs that serve only a small (but bothersome) minority of the city ‘s population and are of considerable cost to taxpayers and adn to the energy of city employees, like the mental Welfare Department who serve all the homeless people in Berkeley. Homeless people stay in Berkeley because we serve them so much—you do not see them in Albany—these people do not pay taxes, are hard on the eyes, and live in our parks and church yards throughout the city. If the city is so hard-strapped then such “luxuries” as homeless-police should be abandoned. If the services for the homeless were removed, the homeless would move elsewhere....so let them. When San Francisco altered its homeless management, many of them came to Berkeley and have strapped our services to the bone. Which would you rather have? A fully manned Fire Department of seven engine companies or homeless and the homeless-police who tax all of us in more ways than one. You know what my vote is—cuts need to be made, so make them, but do it for the benefit of all in the city and not for what’s politically correct. 

Karl Jensen  

• 

HONDA DEALERSHIP 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

Berkeley Honda owners can call 1-800-999-1009 to let American Honda Motor Co., Inc. know how displeased they are with Tim Beinke, the new owner of the Honda dealership in Berkeley. 

As I tried to impress upon the complaint department, mistreatment of employees sullies not only the Berkeley dealership but the Honda name. 

It was only a minor consideration which sent me to Honda after driving a Toyota for 20 years. If I were in the market for a car today, Honda’s shameful treatment of long-term employees would send me right down the road to Toyota. 

Jeanne Burdette 

• 

TRAIN WHISTLES 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

First let me say what a good paper this is. 

In reference to “West Berkeley Residents Demand Quieter Trains Whistles” (June 14), I would like to point out that part of the problem is that it is not a whistle. 

About 10 years ago it was a whistle and although it was still a little loud, it wasn’t obnoxious as is this very, very loud truck-like sounding horn. 

To Union Pacific: Bring back the ol’ train whistle and turn it down a notch. Show consideration. Your new idea of a loud horn, unlike a train whistle, is causing residents who have always lived near the railroad to lose sleep. 

Joanne Wohlfeld 

• 

TOM AND SHIRLEY 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

I’m no fan of Mayor Tom Bates, but it’s ironic that former mayor Shirley Dean is now criticizing Bates for “giving away the store” and not gaining bigger concessions from the university. 

Mrs. Dean was mayor for eight years before Bates, and I don’t recall her ever saying to the university, “Enough!” As a well-paid employee of the university for many years while on the City Council, she could have used the bully pulpit to gain their attention, but chose not to. 

Kevin Wong 

• 

UC SETTLEMENT 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

Mal Burnstein’s June 24 letter provides an insightful explanation of the City Council majority’s decision to accept the university’s deeply flawed Long-Range Development Plan. He gets to the underlying reasoning for giving up a CEQA law suit on the one hand to gain increased payouts from the university on the other hand.  

It is good that the underlying reasoning is finally out in the open. We might finally get to the heart of the matter.  

He is representative of the wide-spread belief that CEQA is toothless with respect to the university, that the university can do what it will on the basis of “overriding considerations,” and that the city is helpless in the face of the university’s extraordinary powers. These folks would undoubtedly be grateful for increased payments in exchange for a lawsuit that, in their opinion, would bear little fruit.  

On the other hand are those of us residents who have been protected by CEQA, who have engaged the courts, engaged the university, and engaged past mayors, councilmembers, and city staff, and found effectiveness, power, and influence by standing together.  

It is therefore altogether shocking for those of us who value CEQA to find it devalued and dismissed especially knowing the gross misrepresentations in the 2020 LRDP environmental impact report. It was ripe for legal challenge. 

The LRDP EIR identified four alternatives to the university’s preferred plan and any of which would have been preferable. These are as follows:  

Alternative L-1: Lower Enrollment and Employment Growth. 

Alternative L-2: No New Parking and More Transit Incentives. 

Alternative L-3: Diversion of Some Growth to Remote Sites. 

Alternative L-4: No Project. 

A new EIR could have gotten us one of the preferred alternatives each of which is less environmentally harmful. Yet by the city’s caving in, the university’s most expansive long-range plan remains in effect and citizen complainants are left standing alone on this and all future UCB developments.  

Estimating the costs of this plan and trying to negotiate increased fees and payments appears to have been the city’s self-congratulatory accomplishment. The city focused on money for the price of this 15-year development project. Many residents in the campus vicinity would have appreciated instead a lobby for constraints on unreasonable and disruptive development, which is an inherently sound approach from a fiscal and civic perspective. This is not pie in the sky, but the process already set up under CEQA.  

Citizens have a right to be angry. Whether or not the dollars and cents favor one approach or the other, it is the nickel and dime attitude that offends and reveals an impoverished mindset devoid of meaning and value.  

It is neither a progressive nor a moderate issue, but a matter of social and environmental justice. Perhaps it would be clearer if residents of Berkeley were from an underdeveloped country and the University was the unelected tyrant.  

Janice Thomas 

• 

BLAME NEWSWEEK 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

I guess everyone is right: Education in the high schools is sorely lacking these days. A case in point is Piedmont High grad Christian Hartsock’s column in the June 28-30 edition of the Daily Planet. Of course, attributing to unnamed “liberals” the views of the Communist Party USA (Really! Does it still exist?) is hardly original. It is an old tactic lifted from the Red Scare days of the 1950s when “Reds”—for those too young to remember—did not refer to people who lived in Republican states.  

But if one is going to dispute the CPUSA’s thesis that Christianity is a violent religion, one shouldn’t make up non-existent massacres and say that the fact they didn’t occur proves one’s point. It is the equivalent of taping a “kick me” sign to one’s own butt. Christians have committed massacres, and not all of them are ancient history. 

For example, the Sabra and Shatila refugee camp massacres in Beirut in 1982, although abetted by the Israeli army under Sharon, was carried out against Muslims by Maronite Christians. Or one could point to the Srebrenica, Bosnia massacre of 1995, in which more than 7,000 unarmed Muslims were systematically murdered by Christian Serbs. In Nigeria Christians and Muslims are engaged in escalating retaliation. In 2004, more that 300 Muslims were massacred by Christians in the Village of Yelwa. Similarly, in Indonesia, Christians and Muslims have been slaughtering each other, and Muslims claim that thousands have been put to death at the hands of Christians in Maluku. Not to mention, say, the holocaust and the pogroms in which Jews were murdered by Christians, or, for that matter the Crusades, which featured Christian murder-in-the-name-of-the-lord for fun and profit. And, of course (nobody expects) the Spanish Inquisition. 

This is not to argue that Christianity is intrinsically a violent religion, or that all, or most, or even a large portion of people practicing Christian religions are violent thugs. But making up fictional massacres and then saying “Oh, wait a minute, that didn’t happen” doesn’t go all that far to advance an argument that Christians are blameless in contrast to the bloodthirsty Muslims when so many actual massacres at the hands of persons describing themselves as Christians indisputably did happen. 

I won’t even go into the despicable treatment that prisoners convicted of no crime have received in the American Gulag (as described by that Commie front group Amnesty International) of Abu Ghraib, Afghanistan, and Guantanamo, where the dispute is whether “only” 30 have, in an unexplained manner, died at the hands of their captors, or whether the death toll is as high as 100. We all know that the insults to the religion and persons of the detainees had nothing at all to do with the violent protests against the detention which led scores of “fire breathing” (really? I’d like to see that) Muslim “idiots” to vent their “religious insecurities.” 

No, it wasn’t the fact that America has detained people without trials, lawyers, charges, or access to their own families; that America has tortured them physically and psychologically; that America has, without any legal process “renditioned” captives over to totalitarian states to be tortured. No, we all know what caused those “hysterical” Muslims to protest: 

It was all Newsweek’s fault.  

Paul Glusman 

READER OFFERS CORRECTION 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

I had always assumed that journalists do their own research and then incorporate opinions in quotations into an article. It seems that Ms. Norton took Mr. Mirab’s words as fact and then used them in her article as such. Her article, “Iranian Americans Target Elections in Downtown Protest,” contained two gross mistakes. 

1) In the article she said: “The process for electing a ruler in Iran begins with the careful screening of potential candidates by a council directed by the current president.” First of all, the council is called the Guardian Council and it is made of 12 members, six of whom are clerics chosen directly by the supreme leader and the other six are jurists chosen by the head of the judiciary who is also chosen by the supreme leader. Therefore, it is the supreme leader, not the president who has control either directly or indirectly in the affairs of the Guardian Council.  

2) She also said in the article: “Mirab contends that the supreme leader, as the president is called, uses this council to select the next president, regardless of who wins the popular vote.” The bigger mistake was made here. There is a president and a supreme leader. They are not the same person, they are two different people. The current supreme leader is Ali Khameini and the current president is Mohammad Khatami. In addition, the Guardian Council does not choose the winner (unlike the Electoral College process here in America). The Guardian Council examines the credentials of candidates running prior to the election and whomever musters the greatest numbers of votes wins.  

In addition, I have to add that the National Council of Resistance of Iran which Mr. Mirab is a member of is the political arm of the Mujahedin Khalq Organization (MK0) an armed (prior to the U.S. invasion) opposition group based in Iraq. This group is on the US government’s list of terrorist organizations.  

For your information, I have added the following BBC link which provides a diagram about Iran’s government structure that may help Ms. Norton understand the political system better: http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/static/in_depth/middle_east/2000/iran_elections/iran_struggle_for_change/who_holds_power/. 

Name withheldÄ

Citizen participation in Berkeley public life is under attack. Some of the assaults are blatant—most egregiously, the secret settlement with UC that the City Council approved on a 6-3 vote on May 25. The deal cuts citizens out of planning for downtown Berkeley, while effectively giving the Regents a veto over the future of our city center.  

There are also more insidious offensives, such as the proposal to limit service on city commissions slated for the council’s July 12 agenda. Submitted by Councilmembers Capitelli, Moore and Wozniak, this item would both strictly enforce the city’s strange eight-year limit on commission appointments and forbid individuals to serve on more than one commission at a time. It would take effect on Dec. 1, with retroactive impact on commissioners already serving.  

A little background: In Berkeley, the mayor and the eight councilmembers each get an appointment to the city’s boards and commissions, except the Rent Board, which is elected. In other, less democratic places, city commissioners are all appointed by the mayor or have to be approved by a majority vote of the council. Berkeley commissioners are all volunteers.  

On the face of it, the Capitelli-Moore-Wozniak proposal may appear to bolster participatory democracy. Certainly that’s the impression its three sponsors seek to give. Under the heading “Maximize Opportunities for Citizens to Serve on a Commission or Board,” they assert that the proposed limits “will ensure that commissions are regularly revitalized with new people and new points of view, and will help to increase the number of residents who can participate in our government.”  

You might suppose, then, that many Berkeley commissioners have served well over eight years and/or sit on two or more commissions. Actually, the number of individuals who would be affected by the strict enforcement of the eight-year rule is miniscule—only 13 out of 350, or 3.7 percent of all current appointees. Moreover, after the first year of a commissioner’s service, councilmembers have the right to replace their appointees whenever they please.  

In fact, the high-toned rhetoric masks the low-down motive of the proposal’s makers: suppressing commissioners whose perspectives and priorities differ from theirs. To be precise, suppressing other councilmembers’ appointees whom they find objectionable. (None of the proposal’s three sponsors, two of whom have been on the council only seven months, now have commissioners who will be affected by the proposed new limits.)  

Councilmember Capitelli let the cat out of the bag during the council’s initial discussion of commission matters on May 17. “The longer we stay on [a] commission,” he said, “the more weight that we carry, and I don’t mean physical weight. Sometimes we tend to dominate environments and discourage participation by other citizens.”  

“We?” Anybody who’s familiar with Berkeley politics knows that the primary antecedent of Capitelli’s shifty first person plural pronoun is Planning Commissioner Gene Poschman.  

Now why would Councilmember Capitelli and his colleagues Wozniak and Moore want to off Commissioner Poschman?  

Well, Gene Poschman knows more about zoning and land use in Berkeley than anybody else in town, including the staff of the Planning Department; works harder than any other commissioner I know of; and uses his exceptional knowledge and energy to defend democratic process and legal propriety.  

In today’s Berkeley, that means that he advocates for neighborhoods and ordinary citizens who are contending with the bigger-is-better/the-zoning-ordinance-be-damned development that’s championed by the city’s planning staff. Not incidentally, such development is also championed by Councilmembers Capitelli, Moore and Wozniak, who regularly support projects that violate Berkeley’s zoning laws, yet come to the council with enthusiastic recommendations from city staff.  

If the council is serious about making commission service more attractive, it should foster a culture of integrity and accountability in City Hall. Excluding seasoned and knowledgeable citizens from the pool of volunteers only strengthens the hand of city staff and powerful local interests—the university and other big developers.  

Just so, whatever its benefits, instituting term limits in Sacramento—a move that Tom Bates fought all the way to the Supreme Court—has increased the influence of bureaucrats and lobbyists in California. They’re ensconced in the political landscape, while new legislators come and go, many never gaining the experience necessary to be effective. That’s why term limits have repeatedly been used to purge liberals from office.  

What keeps more Berkeleyans from volunteering for city commissions is not the presence of forceful individuals. It’s the dedication that commission service involves, especially service on Planning and other boards that ought to require a big investment of time and energy.  

I say “ought to” because it’s common knowledge that some commissioners come to meetings, their packets unread, and vote on matters they’ve barely scanned. Nobody criticizes such behavior, at least not publicly, because people are all volunteers and, it’s assumed, doing the best they can. So going after commissioners who not only fulfill the call of duty but surpass it is particularly offensive.  

On July 12 the council can demonstrate its commitment to citizen democracy by doing two things: It can reject the proposed new limits on commission service. And it can direct staff to annually survey commissioners about the quality of staff support and to report the results back to the council, as stipulated by Council Resolution No. 61,312-N.S., taken in 2001 (see the Commissioner’s Manual, Appendix E, Section 4). To my knowledge, no such surveys have ever been done. This would be an opportune time to start.  

It looks as if Councilmember Anderson is having second thoughts about his vote for the UC settlement in May. At the council’s July 21 meeting, he showed some mettle by ignoring a mayoral plea and abstaining on a vote to approve the city sewer fees that the settlement assigned the university. The measure still passed, but only by the slimmest of margins (5-3-1). May council support for the settlement dwindle still further.  

›

When my mother was 14 years old, she and her three sisters combined the contents of their piggy banks and bought my grandmother an overstuffed, flower-print covered chaise longue. They envisioned their mother lying like a starlet on this piece of furniture, dressed in a sleek satin smoking gown, a slim black cigarette holder in one hand, and a full martini glass in the other. In reality, Grandma spent most of her time in front of a hot stove, cooking my grandfather medium rare steaks, an apron around her waist, a cigarette butt between her lips. She didn’t have time to recline leisurely on the chaise longue, and so it sat abandoned in her bedroom, covered not in cast-off silk and satin negligees, but my grandfather’s dirty underwear.  

When my mother married my father, Grandma gave her the chaise longue. She mumbled something about “…no woman ever having the time to make use of it, but what the hell...” My parents hauled it up the stairs and into their bedroom where it sat for over 50 years, idle except as a dumping spot for the contents of the family laundry basket. My mother used it as a place to fold clean clothes. No one ever sat in it. 

Five years ago my parents moved to a smaller house. There wasn’t space for the chaise longue. My brother, who had recently bought a home in California, expressed an interest in the unused chair. My parents shipped it to him in a moving van. When it arrived he put it in his basement, intending to stretch out on it while drinking beer and watching TV. But before he had a chance to flop down, his Doberman Pincer, Zeke, claimed it for his own. Then his other dog, Peanut, a tiny Teacup Poodle, decided he wanted part of the action. A fight ensued. The chaise longue lost a major amount of stuffing. My brother dragged it into his garage where it remained until I got the bright idea that I needed a place in which to loll while wearing silk pajamas.  

I arranged for my neighbor, Mr. Burton, to refurbish the chaise longue. It needed new stuffing. The armrests were wobbly and the legs were broken. Mr. Burton, who has been an upholsterer for over 60 years, said he could do it but it would take awhile. He sent me to Discount Fabrics on San Pablo Avenue for wholesale upholstery fabric. I picked out something to match the slinky dressing gown I intended to buy. I delivered the material to Mr. Burton and waited. 

Mr. Burton is 87 years old and a very busy man. Besides upholstering the bar stools for Oaks Card Room, (an ongoing position he has held since 1962), he is a deacon at Beth Eden Baptist Church. He didn’t have a lot of time to devote to my longue-around dreams. 

But finally, six months later, Mr. Burton finished the project. My neighbor Ché helped me lug the now beautiful chair back to my house. “Where’s it going?” asked Ché. “The attic,” I said. “I’m going to drink martinis up there and maybe even smoke a cigarette just for the hell of it.” 

Ché and I maneuvered the chaise longue to the second floor. He looked at the narrow attic stairway. “Did you try getting this thing up there before you had Mr. Burton re-cover it?” asked my wise next door neighbor. “Cuz, you know somethin’? I don’t think it’s gonna fit.”  

“Of course it’ll fit,” I said. “It has to. I’ve already bought the matching pajamas.” 

Ché and I attempted to push the sofa up the steps right side up, then upside down, and sideways. We switched directions, switched positions, unscrewed the banister railing, put a few holes in the drywall, but there was no way in hell it would squeeze through the stairwell. We left it in the hallway, blocking important traffic flow patterns to and from the bathroom. Perhaps, tactfully suggested Ché, it was time to return the silk pajamas and go down to Beth Eden with Mr. Burton and pray.

I have a 7-year-old who just finished her second year at Jefferson Elementary. And I’m a parent who has been wholly uninvolved in matters concerning the school’s proposed name change (from Jefferson to Sequoia) and in its ensuing controversy; uninvolved that is, until now. 

My first act was only to attend the public hearing and meeting when the matter was put to a vote by the School Board. As is now public record, the vote went against the proposed change. I admit favoring a change. But my motivation for attending these deliberations was not to influence the outcome, but only to observe the process. 

I was curious about this process because part of our community feels disenfranchised by a school that bears a name linked to slavery. I, on the other hand, am a middle-aged white man; I don’t have that feeling. And I recognize that I may never fully understand why retaining the name Jefferson invokes this feeling among some of my neighbors. But I can guess that the reasons are numerous and complex. So, I was drawn to the hearing and to the board meeting that followed because it occurred to me (finally) that concerns of disenfranchisement need to be addressed by the entire community. 

At the public hearing, those from one camp spoke of Jefferson’s greatness, even offering apologia for the beastly sides of his legacy. This constituency agreed that to change the school’s name would be to dishonor the memory of a Founding Father. But no one from this side spoke constructively about those members of our community who see Jefferson as a symbol of oppression (though one speaker callously labeled these community members a “special interest”). 

So, when the board finally weighed in, I was stunned that this level of discourse generally continued. Let me illustrate the disappointingly muddled rationales offered by some board members to justify their votes. 

Board President Riddle furnished a rather suspect argument. She announced that her rejection of the name change serves the democratic process. President Riddle, you see, claims to have surveyed the community at large. The responses according to Riddle ranged from complete apathy to strong opposition to change. Evidently none of those surveyed favored a name change. This outcome seems odd, given that the actual vote of the school community approved the change. Riddle’s survey is curious indeed—and unverifiable to boot. 

Director Issel’s rationale seemed the most gutless. Her stated reason for voting no: The idea is too divisive. I thought everyone knew that race-related issues are divisive. Even Lyndon Johnson (no paradigm of virtue himself) predicted that the Civil Rights Act of 1964 would cost Democrats the south for the next 40 years. But Johnson still championed the Act. Ms. Issel, on the other hand, is a coward. 

Finally, it was Director Rivera who distinguished himself in my eyes. His comments struck me as not just baseless, but downright mean. One of his admonishments went as follows: The misplaced energy spent on pursuing name change was a distraction that may have contributed to achievement gaps that plague Jefferson School. His message is clear: Not only are the concerns expressed by those favoring change not to be embraced, they are to be recognized as destructive. Here’s why that mean-spirited message is baseless: Rivera furnished statistics that point to the school’s achievement gaps, but conspicuously offered no evidence linking those statistics to the proposed name change. Had Rivera instead been arguing in favor of change, he could have just as easily asserted that the achievement gaps are caused by the intimidating name of Jefferson (and not the process of changing that name). 

Rivera went on to characterize the debate as “all this [divisiveness] over a man who owned slaves.” This, he told us, is what bothers him about some Berkeley progressives; their thinking is too simplistic, he claimed. 

But who’s really the simpleton here? I thought this debate centered around a man whose body of work includes acts that buoyed slavery’s position in society; about drafting portions of the constitution like the three-fifths clause and Articles I and V that safeguarded slavery’s place until igniting the Civil War 80-some years later; about establishing the University of Virginia to turn out educated defenders of slavery and to counter abolitionist bastions like Harvard and Yale; and about the moral hypocrisy of writing copiously on the evils of race-mixing while fathering children from at least one slave. So, Mr. Rivera, do you really think all this is just about a man who owned some slaves? 

Ultimately, Rivera’s stated reason for his vote was that the name change doesn’t make “rational sense” to him. This may be so. But Mr. Rivera’s rationality is based on an ignorance of both the rules of logic and the facts of history. I’m just not convinced that what makes sense to him, makes sense to thinking adults. (There’s a bit of mean-spiritedness back at ya‚ Rivera. Oh, and one more thing: You’re a bully!) 

In the end, School Board members may have the authority to deny the name change. So be it. But the community is entitled to justifications for this negative decision that are reasoned and defensible. Such have yet to be furnished by the board. Without legitimate justification, the process can only be viewed as corrupt. And corruption within our schools’ leadership is of concern to us all. 

The burden now falls squarely on the board to revisit this matter; to remedy their flawed deliberations; and to render a decision that can be supported by rational argument. Should any members be unwilling or unable to do this, then the community should respond: Let’s vote them out so that we can work with a thoughtful and enlightened board. 

Michael Cassidy is a professor of civil and environmental engineering at UC Berkeley.

Underlying the dispute over the name change of Jefferson school are issues that divide and tear at the heart of the Berkeley community. While I think the School Board should have honored the vote in a demonstration of democracy, at the same time, the idea of a name change is merely symbolic and risks continued avoidance of the real issues. My suggestion is: Let’s get real. Literally. Let’s look at the real history, the real issues. How about Berkeley being the first school district in the country to design a slavery curriculum, not just as part of African American studies but as part of world history and current events? 

Enslavement in one form or another has permeated human history and been a major economic force right up to the present. While the outright chattel slavery of the Africans was among the most prolonged and vicious, many other forms of enslavement have come very close. The movie Schindler’s List documented the enslavement of Jews in German factories and labor camps. Previously, Jews had been enslaved by Egyptians. Much of this country was built on the slave labor of Africans and the near-slavery of other groups such as the Chinese and Irish. History overflows with examples of the wealth of one group being built upon the enslavement of another. Rather than compete over whose enslavement was the most important, we need to look honestly at the actual history and how it has affected us up to the present. 

It is impossible to understand all of this in a simplistic way. If we reject as racist anyone who benefits from this system, many of us today would have to change our lives drastically. An interesting school exercise would be to do a calculation. Let’s add up how much the items in our daily lives cost: food, clothes, electronic equipment and so on. Then let’s calculate how much these items would cost if they were all produced by people earning a living wage, with health care, vacations and pensions instead of by 15-year-old girls in Malaysia working eighty hours a week in sweatshops for pennies an hour with a boss who gets to rape them any time he wants. Or by enslaved children in Africa, or Latin Americans working in near-slavery conditions. Let’s see. None of us would be able to afford our way of life any more than Jefferson could have afforded his if his slaves were all paid and lived decently. Let’s really look at how much of our country was built by slave labor and how much the owners and all of us have relied on this. 

Let’s look at this honestly. Are the people who reject Jefferson willing to make the sacrifice they ask of him? Are any of us willing to confront these issues head-on? The Berkeley school board has a unique opportunity now to provide leadership on an issue deeply affecting our community and our whole nation. Let’s do it. 

Carl Shames is a Berkeley resident.

The tragedy playing out at the Drayage building today was set up when the city quietly dumped the Arts and Crafts Ordinance protections covering the building until the rezoning of West Berkeley in 1998.  

For the decade between 1989 and 1998, all West Be rkeley arts and crafts studios were “protected uses.” Those spaces were reserved for artisans and artists. The landlord could change the use of the space only by creating a comparable space somewhere else in West Berkeley. 

The Arts and Crafts Ordinance o f 1989 was passed unanimously by then-mayor Loni Hancock and the City Council as an “urgency ordinance,” to stem a growing exodus of artisans and artists from West Berkeley, who were being forced out by gentrification. The situation back then was similar to what is happening today: A wave of gentrification was enticing owners of artisan and artist buildings to convert them to more profitable uses. The ordinance recognized that maintaining a stable pool of arts and crafts space was vital to Berkeley as a whole, because of the role artisans and artists play in the quality of life in the city. It saw artisan and artist studios as a threatened community resource that needed to be protected if it was to survive. If studio space were permitted to disappear, so would artisans and artists, like a species deprived of its environment. 

For a decade the ordinance stabilized the situation, working successfully to keep studio space available and affordable, while not interfering with the building owners’ right to cha nge tenants for the usual reasons. The owner could, however, only rent to similar tenants, who could afford only a similar rent. This removed the landlord’s incentive to push out the current tenants by raising the rent unreasonably, since the use itself c ould only sustain a modest rent level.  

However, in 1998, when West Berkeley was rezoned and the entire zoning ordinance reorganized, the protections of the Arts and Crafts Ordinance were quietly applied to only certain districts of West Berkeley, and om itted from other districts. This was done with absolutely no public discussion or knowledge. I myself only became aware of the fact in 2002, when I was serving on the planning commission. Whether by intent or negligence, the new zoning boundary placed the Drayage building in the commercial-west (C-W) district, where artisan and artist studios were suddenly left unprotected, instead of in the adjoining mixed-use/light industrial (MU-LI) district down the same block, where it belonged, and where the arts an d crafts protections remained in force. If the boundary had been drawn properly, with the Drayage remaining in the protected district, or if the protections had been included in the C-W district, this mass eviction and conversion could not have legally ha ppened.  

To make matters even worse, the same 1989 ordinance revision made it suddenly impossible for manufacturing space to be reused for arts and crafts. This too was done with no public discussion or knowledge, and was diametrically against the spirit and letter of the West Berkeley Plan. While both manufacturing and arts and crafts were protected uses, they were now put into two different categories. Before this a change from light manufacturing to crafts was simple and not considered a conversion, b ut in 1998 it became almost impossible, because a conversion kicked into effect the replacement provision for manufacturing space. That locked the door on the possibility of reuse of empty industrial buildings for arts and crafts; any new artisan or artist studios in Berkeley could now come only through pricey new construction. 

In 2005 we are in a volatile emergency similar to the one in 1989. The Drayage is the second mass eviction of artisans and artists in Berkeley this year. The first was inflicted on the long-term artist colony in the old Dakin Warehouse at 2750 Adeline St., a location outside the boundaries of the West Berkeley protections. Today the Nexus building artisans and artists on Eighth Street are also under threat of eviction. The Durkee building artists are threatened by the pending conversion of the adjoining warehouse at 740 Heinz St. Besides the Drayage, other arts and crafts buildings were also left suddenly unprotected by the 1998 rezoning and today remain at risk, notably the art isans and artists in the Berkeley Arts Complex (Magic Gardens) off Heinz Street, in the mixed manufacturing (MM) district. The mayor’s proposal to rezone all of Ashby and Gilman west of San Pablo from industrial to commercial, and the proposed West Berkel ey Bowl on 9th Street that will bring 50,000 cars per week into the sleepy arts-crafts-industrial neighborhood, clearly show that the entire artisan and artist community is at serious and immediate risk from the unleashed and unchecked forces of spiraling gentrification. 

Three years ago, when I first became aware that some of the Arts and Crafts Ordinance protections were no longer in place, I made a concerted effort to bring this to the attention of the Planning Commission and City Council. I was part o f a group of planning commissioners who recommended that the arts and crafts protections be reinstated over the entire area of their original extent. This proposal was summarily shot down, and denied even a public airing, by the conservative majority led by current chair Pollack and vice chair Stoloff. If this proposal had been accepted, the Drayage building would have regained its protected status and could never have been scheduled for demolition and rebuilding as pricey condos. 

Back in 1989 the city showed the political will to protect our artisan and artist community, and the backbone to implement an effective urgency ordinance. Today the city shows only a shameful abandonment of artisans and artists to the false god of profit. The artisans and arti sts of West Berkeley need to wake up and use their enormous latent power. The Drayage building can still be saved, if public outrage can force the City Council to somehow summon up the vision and the courage. We need a new urgency ordinance today that wil l reinstate arts and crafts protections everywhere in West Berkeley, and remove the insane restriction against the creation of new affordable arts and crafts studio space. If not, the Drayage eviction is just a taste of what’s ahead. 

John Curl is a West Berkeley woodworker and a former member of the Planning Commission. 

i

The front page of Berkeley Daily Planet of June 28 shows the picture of a few Iranians who are protesting the recent presidential election in Iran. They are holding a flag that belonged to Shah’s regime. You might know that Shah of Iran was brought to power by a CIA coup d’etat in the 1950s. He was a U.S. lackey for more than 25 years who oppressed his own people. Also in the picture, a protester is holding a poster of a man who is the leader of a group officially declared as a terrorist group by the U.S.; although it is presently supported by the White House and the CIA. Thus, I have no doubt that the Iranian men in the photo are just a mouthpiece for the CIA and neocons. 

These men together with the White House, Rumsfeld, Rice, and the corporate media are claiming that the Iranian presidential election was undemocratic. They say so, because the Council of Guardians of Iran disqualified some presidential applicants. There were, however, seven candidates to run, including a pro-west reformer. Among these candidates, the reformer finished the fifth. The least known and the most modest candidate, Mr. Ahmadinejad, eventually was elected as the president. Now, let’s take a look at the last election in the U.S. There were only two candidates (neither of them a black or a woman). The third candidate, Ralph Nader, had to fight in courts in order to get on the ballot; in many states, he failed to do so. The corporate media, Fox, was siding with George Bush. There was no paper trail of the votes people cast into the computer (cyber-abyss). Do you really call this a fair, honest, and democratic election? Americans cherish their democracy by letting a porn star run for the governor of California and let a body builder become the governor. But, learn this: There is no room for such perversions in other countries. 

Since Mr. Ahmadinejad has been elected as the Iranian president, the corporate media has started its hostile rhetoric against him. In their reports, they write “the hardliner president of Iran,” “the ultra-conservative president of Iran in his cheap suit,” etc. Is this journalism to label people this and that? If yes, then they should write “the warmonger George Bush,” “the blood-thirsty Ariel Sharon.” 

Then comes Mr. Rumsfeld, who says that women and youth did not vote in Iran. This is nonsense. More than half of votes were cast by women. If the U.S. is 

worried about the rights of women, then it should not support regimes in Saudi Arabia or Kuwait, where women cannot even vote. 

In Washington, State Department spokeswoman Joanne Moore said “With the conclusion of the elections in Iran, we have seen nothing that sways us from our view that Iran is out of step with the rest of the region in the currents of freedom and liberty that have been so apparent in Iraq, Afghanistan and Lebanon.” Democracy in Iraq, Afghanistan and Lebanon? What a joke! When I read this statement and recall the torture photos of Iraqis in Abu Ghraib prison, I conclude that for the U.S. “democracy” is synonymous with “torture.” 

The U.S. is supporting undemocratic regimes all around the world; for instance, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, most of the Persian Gulf states, Egypt, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, the monarchy in Jordan, the apartheid regime of Israel, the military regime in Pakistan. Condi Rice, the U.S. secretary of state, said that Pakistan is the exemplary Islamic democracy. Wow, what nonsense; it can be uttered only by some one like Ms. Rice. On the other hand, the U.S. funnels the tax payers’ money to opposition groups in Venezuela to recall President Hugo Chavez, or supports terrorist groups planting bombs in Iranian cities, demonizing the North Koreans, etc. The whole world is nauseated when hearing the US double standards. When I hear any statement coming from the U.S. regime and neocons about spreading the American fashioned democracy around the world, I say “No thanks, keep your decadent democracy to yourself.” 

Kurosh Arianpour is an Iranian student studying in Bangalore, India. 

It is no secret that the University of California at Berkeley plans to play a major role in nanotechnology research. But what the university has kept under covers is that its research in nanotechnology is much more advanced than most people think. For the past few months, the university has conducted an “off the books” nanotechnology experiment on the Berkeley City Council, and the results are in: Attempts to shrink the brains and cajones of the City Council were overwhelmingly effective! 

“The proof is in the pudding,” glowed one UC spokesperson. “Six councilmembers voted for our settlement agreement for the Long-Range Development Plan (LRDP) lawsuit. Since the settlement was designed by our researchers to be a complete giveaway to the university, evidently our experiment produced the hoped-for ‘nanobrains’ and ‘nanoballs’ in those councilmembers. Our results are subject to peer review, but nobody has yet proposed a credible alternate explanation. We think [signing this settlement agreement] and presenting it as ‘cooperation’ is stupid enough to be definitive.” 

The entire experiment was conducted in “closed session,” so the methodology is confidential. However, the “nanocatalyst” was reportedly concealed in some Kool Aid graciously delivered to the closed session by the university. Two councilmembers, Dona Spring and Kriss Worthington, did not undergo the experimental procedure. Suspicious of anything offered by the university, they refused to drink the Kool Aid. 

Given the confidentiality, the experimental status of the third no-vote, Councilmember Betty Olds, may never be known. Everyone agrees that she uttered the phrase, “I can’t believe what a bunch of namby-pambies you all are!” but people disagree about when she said it. 

Some believe Ms. Olds uttered the phrase while refusing to drink the Kool Aid being guzzled by others on the council. Others believe she also drank the Kool Aid, but that her brain was too stubborn to shrink very much. An unidentified source stated that when everyone bent over to read the settlement, the nanobrains fell out the noses of six council members. But apparently Ms. Olds’ brain was too big to fall out, so that when she felt an unexpected prod from the rear, she popped back up with enough brain left to utter her now-famous phrase and vote no. 

Scientists did not anticipate that the nanobrains would actually fall out when the council bent over. “That was an unexpected boon, to physically see the nanobrains. We thought they would remain attached to the spinal column like little tumors--not realizing [the council] might not have spinal columns. And the council bent over so much farther than anyone expected,” mused one. 

The six nanobrains rolled to the floor and have since disappeared from the closed chambers. Reportedly they are in the hands of the university, which denies having them, but says that if they did have them, they would be “proprietary” as research results. 

“The public has a right to see the brains that signed this agreement,” said one outraged resident, “even if we need a microscope.” Another opined, “It’s scary to think of nanobrain technology in the hands of a ruthless institution like the university. I’ll never drink Kool Aid again, even if a very nice university flak-catcher like Irene Hegarty offers it to me during another pointless meeting.” 

The status of the council’s nanoballs is unknown. They may still be attached, or they might have been voluntarily turned over to the university in the new spirit of cooperation. Citizens are checking to see whether the Public Records and Freedom of Information acts permit the inspection of official anatomy as well as official documents. 

“They are shielded as work product,” countered Assistant City Attorney Zachary Cowan, adding bitterly, “Our office has been working on shrinking those balls for years, and now the university sweeps in and takes all the credit. I don’t call that ‘cooperation.’” 

When the six councilmembers were asked whether they wanted their original brains and balls back, two said they didn’t think they were missing. The other four said, “No, we like it this way. The staff is getting paid the big bucks to run this city, and the university has so much more expertise than we do. The less we think or act on our own, the happier we are. The citizens should try it.” 

Councilmembers deny knowing the Kool Aid contained nanocatalyst when they drank it, which raises the issue of informed consent. “I don’t think that’s a problem,” said City Attorney Manuela Albuquerque. “Nobody has the right to be informed about anything, least of all the decision makers. After all, we live in a democracy.” 

“I’d like to hear her explain that,” said Councilmember Worthington. 

Ms. Albuquerque clarified: “The words ‘secrecy’ and ‘democracy’ share the same root, ‘crecy’ or ‘cracy,’ which means ‘don’t ask, don’t tell.’ ‘Demo’ means ‘people,’ so ‘democracy’ means ‘don’t ask the people and don’t tell the people.’ Never, ever. Until afterward, anyway.” 

“Most of the council has learned this,” she added with an impatient gesture. 

Finally free to speak, Councilmember Spring lambasted the settlement. “It gives away the downtown—which is in my council district—to the university. Under this agreement, people in my district have to petition the Regents for permission to go to the bathroom!” 

Mayor Bates said that, as usual, Spring’s priorities are misplaced. “Our sewer system is there to help the university,” he said. “If downtown residents have to wait their turn, so be it. That’s what cooperation is all about.” 

Gordon Wozniak, a nuclear chemist, explained the settlement at a recent neighborhood meeting. “Just as particles become tinier but extremely heavy when they approach the speed of light, university impacts can be massive when experienced by neighbors and itemized by staff, lawyers, and independent accountants, but tiny in the context of a rapid settlement. And like the polarity of magnets, impacts can suddenly change from negative to positive. And if you know anything about imaginary numbers, you know that the less we get, the better it is for us. By getting no environmental mitigations and very little money, and by giving away municipal sovereignty and our right to recover future expenses or mitigations from the university, the city benefits enormously. We’re lucky they didn’t offer us anything substantial, because we might have accepted and then we’d be in a real pickle.” 

“Generally, the common people shouldn’t try to understand these things; it just gives them the idea they can micromanage policy,” Wozniak added. 

Under the settlement agreement, the city will receive $1.2 million per year from the university, which costs the city $12 million per year. When City Manager Phil Kamlarz was asked about this discrepancy, he looked a little surprised, then shrugged. “Well, when you get to be my age, it gets hard to see those tiny little decimal points,” he said. “My mistake. But what’s done is done. Let’s get on with balancing our budget. We have a lot of people who are pretty mad at having their services cut. We need to browbeat them, not the university.” 

›

As you may know, Iran has a new president. Mr. Ahmadi-nejhad (also known as “Darwin’s missing link”) an ultra right and fairly unknown candidate was supposedly elected to the office in a run-off election just a few days ago.  

Since then I locked myself in my apartment going over every possible reason as to how something so stupid that defies all logic could have happened? Hours ago it finally dawned on me that I have gone through this miserable yet comical experience once before. That’s right, back in the year 2000 when Mr. A’s Western twin brother George W. Bush (also known as the eighth wonder of the world) was somehow miraculously voted to the office.  

Wow, I thought to myself, as an Iranian-American I am surely blessed. I have seen first hand both the Western and the Eastern versions of what will surely be remembered as one of the greatest blunders of the mankind in modern times.  

What more could I ask of the Almighty?  

Lord only knows how these two fine specimens of the human race had not found each other earlier. After all, Mr. A ,as the mayor of Tehran over the period of last year, had whispered of building a freeway to accommodate the arrival of the Messiah (Mehdi to the Shi’a Muslims) once he re-appears and heads over to Iran, while the other poor puritanical moron, Mr. B, thinks he IS the messiah.  

Or perhaps because one attends church every Sunday while the other one goes to the mosque on Fridays?  

Or could it be that their tiny brain, matching the size of their beady evil eyes, is just not capable to comprehend that antagonizing the whole world against the greatest democracy on the face of the earth today on the one hand, and degrading a great ancient culture known to have established the first human rights proclamation 2500 years ago on the other hand, must have its limits too? 

Or could it just be that they spoke the same language and yet did not realize it? I say tomato, you say tomaato. I say radical, you say raadikaal. I say war, you say var! 

Whatever the reason it got me to notice how much these two long-lost-twins have in common: 

• They both belong to the NEO club: neo-conservatism, neo-radicalism, neo-Satanism, etc. 

• Both believe vote rigging is the true meaning of a democratic election. 

• Both take their orders from a higher authority. 

• Both sound as stupid as they look. 

• Both view the military, violence and martyrdom as the proper way of life. 

• Both love the “F” word: fascism. 

• Both came to power by the strong backing of the political and economical elite, while promising an end to poverty! 

• Both have written highly acclaimed articles entitled “how to steal the presidency” (Microsoft is in the process of negotiating with both to develop a software for that presented in all languages except English and Persian as the Americans and Iranians seem to do just fine without the software). 

• Both think the path to human advancement is achieved by the “W-Ahmadi-Rule” abbreviated as “WAR.” 

And as far as differences, well, I can only think of one: One shaves everyday before putting his tie on, the other one however, does not own a tie so he skips shaving! 

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The Busker’s Opera, which stopped oh so briefly here at Zellerbach before going on tour, was not only vivid and exhilarating. It was one of those specific moments that open like a cone far beyond this time and place, that reveal its center and invoke the world. From the indelible first images of the Busker, spilling out his empty tin cans on to the stage, drumming on them, the empty box, and even his own drumsticks, his long silky hair, swinging and rippling, designer and director Robert Lepage’s version of John Gay’s The Busker’s Opera celebrates and castigates the culture—ours; and uses the culture’s own idiom to do so. The first few pieces drive the rock/rap/hip-hop style to passionate intensity. Ultimately savvy about theater, show business, manners, politics, and the human psyche, the work is marvelous and it is mad. 

Peacham struts and bosses. His wife is irrepressibly conniving and optimistic, with an impressively agile and gymnastic voice—her visual charms a little over-ripe. Macheath (Marco Poulin) departs radically from most of his illustrious predecessors in this role in other great versions of the same story, John Gay’s Beggar’s Opera from the 18th century and Bertoldt Brecht’s Threepenny Opera from the 20th. Coming on with the strength and thrust of a welter-weight boxing champ with a singing voice, he manages “first-time” sweetness with each new conquest (Yeats: “Virginity renews itself like the moon”). He is basically a nice guy. And he can rock. 

The chunky, muscular, peroxide Jenny Diver’s solo on the lot of women is a high point among the highs. Resting on her side in the center of the darkened stage, she is a sculpturally arresting lit oblong, head propped up on her arm, leg folded back. Black push-up brassiere, elastic girdle, garter belt and black lace stockings. Shadow, and too, too solid flesh, patches and swatches of flesh, too much flesh. She is Cleopatra, Venus, and a Caryatid. Poignant, seductive, longing, sad; her voice a smooth velvety flood, alto and baritone together—she embodies the clumsy, searing elegiac nature of human love. (Claire Gignac.) 

In this production, Polly is a DJ.—she really is a DJ. Lucy and her father are excellent violinists. The Guitarist is a distinct and distinguished presence. The voo-doo figure (also Gignac) is a convergence of mysterious powers. 

Frederic Lebrasseur, Kevin McCoy, Frederike Bedard, Julie Fainer, Veronika Makdissi-Warren, Jean Rene, and Martin Belanger (the musical director) are the other gifted performers. The 18th century rhetoric of many of the supertitles and lyrics add clarity and elegance. 

The Busker’s Opera has the core humanity of previous versions with radical update of socio-economic themes. The comments on elections, corporate business tie-ups, globalism are mordant and amusing. Lockit, the governor of New York, has a Muslim name, and his pregnant daughter belly-dances with jubilant abandon. A smarmy suthren politician in a cowboy hat rants and slavers over the dangerous times that require a dangerous president. The video-frame mug-shot that hovers over his moving body to magnify the face—is merciless. Macheath’s last supper before execution is a team-constructed MacDonald’s hamburger, small, hard, and inedible. 

There was a slump in power and quality toward the end of the Zellerbach production, a challenge to Lepage and Company to make the tinny, repetitive fiddle music used for Texas and Lousiana into something as alive as what they pulled off with hip-hop, rock, jazz, D.J., voodoo—and remember what W.C. Fields said about dogs and children on the stage. The dog was a distraction. The epilogue should much more powerfully evoke the essential quality of what has been presented. 

I fervently hope that The Busker’s Opera has a long, long tour and will be repeated in this area. 

Ariel is a painter and designer living in Berkeley. 

A film festival today, Tuesday, July 5 in San Francisco marks the beginning of LaborFest, a month-long celebration of working people and a commemoration of the 1934 general strike, when the businesses of San Francisco shut down in support of the striking dockworkers. 

The International Working Class Film and Video Festival at the Four Star Theater begins at 6 p.m. with a reception and features the premier screening of The Concrete Revolution, directed by Xiaolu Guo, who will be in attendance. It focuses on the construction boom in China and the workers who make it possible. Mardi Gras: Made in China, directed by David Redmon, depicts the contrast between the Mardi Gras partyers who display the familiar, brightly colored beads, and the sweatshop laborers who make them. Mardi Gras starts at 7 p.m. and The Concrete Revolution at 8 p.m. The event costs $8.50. 

Though most of the events taking place from July 5 to July 31 are in San Francisco, several are in Oakland and Berkeley. 

On Wednesday, July 6, Humanist Hall in Oakland hosts a viewing of two movies: Il Effecto Iguazu, by Pere Joan Ventura, and Bloodletting: Life, Death, Healthcare, by Lorna Green. The first is a documentary of the 2001 struggle by 1800 Spanish workers who were laid off by the national telephone company. The latter follows a filmmaker who travels to Cuba to explore its healthcare system, only to return home where two family members, uninsured by their employers, have developed illnesses. The show begins at 7 p.m. and costs $5. 

Another movie night takes place the following Wednesday, also at Humanist Hall. The Latin American Working Class Film and Video Festival screens RAYMUNDO: The Revolutionary Film-Makers’ Struggle, about the life and work of Raymundo Gleyzer, one of the most important Latin American filmmakers, kidnapped and murdered by the Argentina’s military dictatorship in 1976. It is directed by Ernesto Ardito and Virna Molina and is in Spanish with English subtitles. It will begin at 7:30 p.m. and costs $5. 

Movie nights continue on subsequent Wednesdays until the end of July. All are at Humanist Hall, begin at 7:30 p.m., and cost $5. Most are in Spanish without English subtitles. For more information see www.laborfest.net/2005schedule. 

On Thursday, July 14, La Peña Cultural Center in Berkeley celebrates Bastille Day with a concert. Bastille Day is the French Independence Day, a commemoration of the beginning of the French revolution. On July 14, 1789, French citizens stormed the Bastille, a prison used to hold political prisoners. This year, “From Bastille to Bush” features international labor musician Anne Feeny and others, as well as videos about labor movements. It begins at 7:30 p.m. and has a $10 - $12 entrance fee. 

Cody’s Bookstore in Berkeley hosts a reading from Wobblies: A Graphic History of the Industrial Workers of the World, edited by Paul Buhle and Nicole Schulman on Friday, July 22 at 7:30 p.m. Labor historian Buhle will talk about the history of the Wobblies through the use of art and stories from the book, published this year for the anniversary of the founding of the International Workers of the World. Cody’s Bookstore is located at 2454 Telegraph Ave. 

That’s it for events outside San Francisco, but for those willing to travel, there’s at least one event every day in the city. Other highlights include a Monday, July 11 rally for a contract by the San Francisco Chronicle workers at noon at the Chronicle building, and a workshop by local labor writer and historian Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz. “Writing Workshops for Working People” on July 23 at 1 p.m. at the EXIT Theater encourages workers to write about their lives to defy the corporation-controlled media’s attempt to prevent a growing consciousness among laborers, according to LaborFest’s website. 

For more information on any of these events and those in San Francisco, see www.laborfest.net/2005schedule or call (415) 642-8066.›

TUESDAY, JULY 5 

CHILDREN 

“Hazel and the Dragon” puppet show at 7 p.m. at The Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave. 526-3720, ext. 17.  

THEATER 

Shotgun Theater Lab “The Pawn” Tues. and Wed. at 8 p.m. at The Ashby Stage, 1901 Ashby Ave., through July 6. Tickets are $10. 841-6500. www.shotgunplayers.org 

FILM 

Eyeing Nature “Darwin’s Nightmare” at 7:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Tom Rigney & Flambeau at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cajun dance lesson at 8 p.m. Cost is $9. 525-5054.  

Gini Wilson, solo piano, at 8 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810. 

Singers’ Open Mic at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. 841-JAZZ.  

Cuarto Dos Alas with John Santos, Elio Villafranca, Orestes Vilato and John Benitez at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $10-$16. 238-9200.  

Jazzschool Tuesdays at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

WEDNESDAY, JULY 6 

FILM 

For Your Eyes Only “Ministry of Fear” at 7:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

Arab Women Film Festival “Four Women of Egypt” at 7:30 p.m. at La Pena Cultural Center. Donation $5. 849-2568. www.lapena.org  

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Berkeley Poetry Slam with host Charles Ellik and Three Blind Mice, at 8:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $5-$7. 841-2082 www.starryplough.com 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Joy Perrin, one-woman band, at 1:15 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-5190. 

Ned Boynton/Jules Broussard Trio at 8 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810.  

Calvin Keys Trio at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Wadi Gad and Jahbandis at 9 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $9. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

The Mike Glendinning Band at 10 p.m. at The Ivy Room, 858 San Pablo Ave., Albany.  

Julio Bravo, salsa, at 8 p.m. at Shattuck Down Low, 2284 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $5-$10. 548-1159.  

Ezra Gale Trio, jazz and funk, at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

The Websters with Scott Nygaard at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Thomas Cunningham, 5 Days Dirty, Whole Wheat Bread at 9 p.m. at Blakes on Telegraph. Cost is $7. 848-0886. www.blakesontelegraph.com 

Sunny Hawkins at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $10. 238-9200.  

THURSDAY, JULY 7 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Wholly Grace” works by Susan Dunhan Felix opens at the Badé Museum, 1798 Scenic Ave. 848-0528. 

“Blind at the Museum” guided tour at 5:30 p.m. at Berkeley Art Museum, 2625 Durant Ave. 642-0808.  

“Botanical Archival Pigment Prints” Reception for the photographer, Kate Kline May at 7 p.m. at Mrs. Dalloway’s Literary and Garden Arts, 2904 College Ave. 704-8222. 

FILM 

Pre-Code Hollywood “The Animal Kingdom” at 5:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Free First Thursday. 642-0808.  

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Toby Bielawski reads from her recent poetry and prose at 7 p.m. at the Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave., Albany. 526-3720, ext. 17. 

“El sueño nerudiano” A poetic commemoration of Neruda’s 101th birthday at 8:30 p.m. at La Peña. 849-2568.  

Beth Lisick introduces “Everybody Into the Pool: True Tales” at 7:30 p.m. at Cody’s Books. 845-7852. www.codysbooks.com 

Word Beat Reading Series with Jon Longhi and Chandra Garsson at 7 p.m. at Mediterraneum Caffe, 2475 Telegraph Ave. 526-5985. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Summer Noon Concert with the Capoeira Arts Café at the Downtown Berkeley BART Plaza. Sponsored by the Downtown Berkeley Association. 

Irina Rivkin and SONiA at 7:30 p.m. at Rose Street House of Music, 1839 Rose St. For reservations call 594-4000, ext. 687. 

Musicians of Bharatakalanji Lecture and demonstration of Bharatanatyn classical dance at 8 p.m., concert at 9:15 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $8-$10. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Jeb Brady Band, rhythm and blues, at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $17.50-$18.50. 548-1761.  

Zapatista Benefit Concert with hip hop, jazz and spoken word at 8 p.m. at 21 Grand, 416 25th St., Oakland. Donation $5-$10. http://21grand.org 

Fourtet with David Jeffrey at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. 841-JAZZ.  

Lo Cura, music of Spain, Cuba, and California at 8:30 p.m. at Epic Arts, 1923 Ashby Ave. Cost is $5-$10. www.epicarts.org 

Whiskey Brothers, old-time and bluegrass at 9 p.m. at Albatross, 1822 San Pablo Ave. Free. 843-2473. www.albatrosspub.com 

The Orange Peels, The Biddy & Buddy Show, Mark Weinstock at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $5. 841-2082.  

Michael Wilcox/Sheldon Brown Duo at 8 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810. 

Robben Ford Band at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square, through Sun. Cost is $22-$26. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

Selector, lap-top funk and beat machines, at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

FRIDAY, JULY 8 

THEATER 

Aurora Theatre “The Thousandth Night” Wed.-Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. 2 and 7 p.m., through July 24, at 2081 Addison St. Tickets are $36. 843-4822. www.auroratheatre.org 

Central Works, “The Grand Inquisitor” by Dostoevsky. Thurs - Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 5 p.m. at The Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave., through July 31. Tickets are $9-$25 sliding scale. 558-1381. www.centralworks.org 

Contra Costa Civic Theatre “Anything Goes” Cole Porter’s musical, Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m. through Aug. 13 at 951 Pomona Ave., El Cerrito. 524-9132. www.ccct.org 

“Livin’ Fat” a comedy about an African American family struggling over a financial blessing, Fri. at 8 p.m., Sat. at 2 and 8 p.m., Sun. at 4 p.m., through July 30, at Sweets Ballroom, 1933 Broadway, Oakland. Tickets are $12.50-$35. 233-9222. 

Shotgun Players, “Arabian Night” Thurs.-Sun. at 8 p.m. at The Ashby Stage, 1901 Ashby Ave. until July 10. Tickets are $10-$30. 841-6500. www.shotgunplayers.org 

Woodminster Summer Musicals “Oaklahoma” at 8 p.m. at Woodminster Amphitheater in Joaquin Miller Park, 3300 Joaquin Miller Rd., Oakland. Through July 17. Tickets are $20-$33. 531-9597. www.woodminster.com 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Insomnia” Ten artists collaborate on one painting, from midnight to sunrise. Reception at 7:30 p.m. at Boontling Gallery, 4224 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. boontlinggallery@hotmail.com 

FILM 

For Your Eyes Only “Black Sunday” at 7:30 p.m. at Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808.  

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Laurie R. King introduces her new novel, “Locked Rooms” at 7:30 p.m. at Cody’s Books. 845-7852. www.codysbooks.com 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Jason Martineau, Tina Marzell & Ellen Hoffman Trio at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Jazz, 4000 Meters High, with pianist Johnny Gonzales from Bolivia, at 8 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $10-$13. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Lavay Smith and her Red Hot Skillet Lickers at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Swing dance lesson with Nick & Shanna at 8 p.m. Cost is $11-$13. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Thomas Banks & Cultural Gumbo, N Focus at 5:30 p.m. at Baltic Square, behind 121 Park Place, Point Richmond. 223-3882. 

Beth Waters with Adrianne at 8 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave. 548-5198.  

In Harmony’s Way, a capella CD release, at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Viva K, The Cushion Theory, Tiny Power, Gosling at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $6. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com 

Kathleen Grace Quartet at 9 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810. 

DJ & Brook, jazz trio, at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344. www.nomadcafe.net 

Bobby Jamieson Quintet at 8 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $10. 845-5373.  

Cecil P-Nut Daniels at 7 p.m. at Shattuck Down Low, 2284 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $12-$15. 548-1159.  

Mingus Amungus at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

Parallax, No Turning Back, Internal Affairs at 8 p.m. at 924 Gilman St. Cost is $5. 525-9926. 

Robben Ford Band at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square, through Sun. Cost is $22-$26. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

SATURDAY, JULY 9 

THEATER 

San Francisco Mime Troupe “Doing Good” at 2 p.m. at Cedar Rose Park, 1300 Rose St. 415-285-1717. www.sfmt.org 

Woman’s Will, “Richard III” Sat. and Sun. at 1 p.m. in John Hinkle Park. Free. 420-0813. www.woman’s will.org 

FILM 

Pre-Code Hollywood “Freaks” at 7 p.m. and “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” at 8:25 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808.  

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Chant for Peace with Snatam Kaur, Thomas Barquee & GuruGanesha at 7 p.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave. Cost is $20-$25. 1-888-735-4800. 

Hideo Date, Bobi Cespedes & Social Club Trio at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. 841-JAZZ.  

Carribean Allstars at 9 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $11-$13. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Eileen Hazel, songwriter showcase, at 8:30 p.m. at Epic Arts, 1923 Ashby Ave. Cost is $5-$10. www.epicarts.org 

Jon Roniger, singer-songwriter, at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344.  

Geoff Muldaur, Larry Hanks, American home-grown music, at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761.  

Kugleplex, Klezmer music at 9:30 p.m. at Albatross, 1822 San Pablo Ave. Cost is $3. 843-2473. www.albatrosspub.com 

Facing New York, Before Braille at 8:30 p.m. at Blakes on Telegraph. Cost is $8-$10. 848-0886.  

Extensions Jazz Quartet with guest Khalil Shaeed at 8 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $10. 845-5373. www.jazzschool.com 

Rhiannon with Emmanuel Vaughan-Lee at 8:30 p.m. at La Peña. Conversation with the artists and Susan Muscarella at 7:30 p.m. Cost is $12-$14. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Smith Dobson Family Quartet at 9 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810. 

Rev. Rabia, urban blueswoman, at 7 p.m. at Spuds Pizza, 3290 Adeline St. Cost is $7. 558-0881. 

Real Sippin’ Whiskeys, The Bittersweets, Firecracker at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $6. 841-2082.  

Jinx Jones Trio, alt jazz rock,at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

Voetsek, Widespread Bloodshead, Brody’s Militia at 8 p.m. at 924 Gilman St. Cost is $7. 525-9926. 

SUNDAY, JULY 10 

CHILDREN 

San Francisco Circus Theater, “Elevations 63” at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. at Julia Morgan Theater. Tickets are $5 children, $10 adult. 925-798-1300. www.juliamorgan.org 

THEATER 

San Francisco Mime Troupe “Doing Good” at 2 p.m. at Cedar Rose Park, 1300 Rose St. 415-285-1717. www.sfmt.org 

EXHIBITIONS 

California Watercolor Association “Summer Small Paintings Show” opens at Giorgi Gallery, 2911 Claremont Ave. 848-1228. www.giorgigallery.com 

Matrix 217: Haim Steinbach “Work in Progress: Objects for People/Snapshots” opens at Berkeley Art Museum, 2625 Durant Ave. Artists talk at 4 p.m. 642-0808.  

FILM 

Eyeing Nature “Darwin’s Nightmare” at 5:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808.  

READINGS AND LECTURES 

“Blind at the Museum” Gallery Talk with John Dugdale and Beth Dungan at 3 p.m. at Berkeley Art Museum, 2625 Durant Ave. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

Chilufiya Safaa introduces her new book “A Foreign Affair” at 3 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. Co-sponsored by the International Women’s Writing Guild. 559-9500. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Palabuniyan Kulintang Ensemble, traditional music and dance from the southern Philippines at 2 p.m. at the Phoebe Hearst Museum of Anthropology, Bancroft at College Ave. Cost is $1-$4. 643-7648. 

Americana Unplugged: Pete Madsen, blues, at 5 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

Misturada with Michael Golds at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. 841-JAZZ.  

Adrian West, one-man string quartet, at 10 a.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344. www.nomadcafe.net 

Teka, Hungarian music at 7:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $12. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Hitomi Oba Trio at 4:30 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $10. 845-5373. www.jazzschool.com 

“Take Me Home” a benefit to support the filming of this documentary about children caught in the foster care system at 5 and 7 p.m. at La Peña. Cost is $20 adults, $12 youth. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

P-Nut & The Apocolypse at 7 p.m. at Shattuck Down Low, 2284 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $5-$7. 548-1159.  

Go it Alone, Blue Monday, Right On at 5 p.m. at 924 Gilman St. Cost is $6. 525-9926. 

MONDAY, JULY 11 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Transformations” A new Life for Recycled and Found Objects by Toby Tover-Krein opens at LunchStop Café, Bort Metro Center, 101 8th St. Oakland. Sponsored by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission. 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Actors Reading Writers: “Unwise Decisions” Stories by O. Henry, Lynne McFall and Saki at 7:30 p.m. at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave. Free. 845-8542, ext. 376. 

Aurora Stories, tales from the Arabian Nights at 7:30 p.m. at Aurora Theater, 2081 Addison St., Donation $20. 843-4822. 

Amy Butler Greenfield traces the history of cochineal dye in “A Perfect Red” at 7:30 p.m. at Cody’s Books. 845-7852.  

Track Maintenance, a benefit party for Watchword Press, with readings and music at 7:30 p.m. at Café Van Kleef, 1624 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. Cost is $5.  

Poetry Express with Marvin Hiemstra at 7 p.m., at Priya Restaurant, 2072 San Pablo Ave. 644-3977. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Trovatore, traditional Italian music, at 7 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave., at Dwight. 548-5198.  

East Bay Blues Benefit for East Bay Cancer Support at 7:30 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $20. 238-9200.  

TUESDAY, JULY 12 

CHILDREN 

Colibri An interactive journey through Latin America with traditional instruments and song, at 7 p.m. at the Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave. 526-3720, ext. 17. 

FILM 

Eyeing Nature “The Great Art of Knowing” and “Skagafjordur”at 7:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Sam Davis on “Designing for the Homeless: Architecture that Works” at 6 p.m. at Berkeley Public Library, 2090 Kittredge St. Free, but please RSVP 643-8465. 

Bakari Kitwana explains “Why White Kids Love Hip-Hop: Wankstas, Wiffers, Wannabes and the New Reality of Race in America” at 7:30 p.m. at Cody’s Books. 845-7852.  

The Whole Note Poetry Series with Nicole Henares and Anise at 7 p.m. at The Beanery, 2925 College Ave. 549-9093. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Swamp Coolers at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cajun dance lesson at 8 p.m. Cost is $9. 525-5054.  

The Karan Casey Band, Irish progressive traditionalists, at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $17.50- $18.50. 548-1761.  

Singers’ Open Mic at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. 841-JAZZ.  

Mark Goldenberg at 8 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810. 

YMP and the Jazz Masters Benefit at 8 and 10 p.m. Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $18-$22. 238-9200.  

Barbara Linn at 7 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave., at Dwight. 548-5198.

We have a few legendary Europeans around town, some of them lined up on Blake Street just east of San Pablo Avenue, and currently all dressed up. They’re European beech trees, Fagus sylvatica, and quite a few of them are the copper variety, Fagus purpurea or Fagus sylvatica atropunicea depending on how old your information source is. Their leaves are deep burgundy, like a purple-leaf plum’s; you can tell them from plums by their smooth silvery bark, their larger size, and their fruit—beechnuts! (In no way does that fruit resemble chewing gum or baby food, and if that doesn’t make sense to you, ask someone older.) 

Living as street trees, these fellows probably won’t ever reach their potential maximum size. The species can get 50 to 60 feet tall and almost as wide in its spread. It’s naturally graceful, even pruned miniskirt-high as our street trees are. In the middle of a big lawn or meadow, its branches can sweep wide and almost touch the ground, for quite a different grande dame effect. 

They look good with the petticoats off, too, all leafless in winter, because of the graceful and coherent way they ramify. (Yes, “ramify” has a literal meaning too. Listen to a few bonsai artists chatting sometime; good ramification is a prized quality in a tree. Don’t you love it when these invisible metaphors jump out of the abstract and wiggle around?) 

You also won’t get to see, in street trees, the effect that Tennyson referred to when he mentioned sitting on a “serpent-rooted beech.” Senior beeches in forests and fields show an impressive tangle of muscular surface roots around their trunks. 

Beech is a member of one of the oldest and formerly most widespread ecosystems in Europe, the great mixed-hardwood forest. People have used its pale, fairly tough wood for structures, furniture (where it’s popular right now, as veneer), useful objects like tool handles, and even charcoal for thousands of years; archaeologists find bits of it all the time when digging up pre-Roman settlements. 

It also has had an economic effect for a long time, via that funny little nut it bears. The beechnut is rather like a small chestnut, and like a chestnut is covered by a prickly burr. 

The ornamental trees on our streets generally drop a small and almost meatless version of them, but beechnuts inspired trademark names because they’re sweet and nutritious in the original wild form. Like chestnuts, but a bit less of a prime cut, they have been gathered for food even by the poorest of the poor in, say, medieval Europe, and thus been the bottom line in that economy. In places where the forest remains, so does the practice of gathering those free nuts. Where countryfolk are less desperate, they drive their pigs into the forest to fatten on the mast, the aggregated nourishment of chestnuts, acorns, beechnuts and such, on the forest floor. 

Speaking of invisible metaphors, I’d bet there’s someone reading this who hadn’t until now noticed that the verse about “Here we go gathering nuts in May, nuts in May, nuts in May…” is a blatant absurdity, rather like “One flew over the cuckoo’s nest.” 

The latter doesn’t translate well to this continent, where cuckoos (such of them as remain) do indeed have proper nests; cuckoos in Europe are nest parasites, laying their eggs among other species’ broods the way our cowbirds do, and not bothering to build their own homes. 

But, while many nuts are available in groceries year-round, and while they do keep well, they’re basically a fall harvest here as everywhere. Even in our time, with tomatoes bouncing in from Chile and New Zealand in midwinter, the more perishable nuts like chestnuts appear only in late summer and early autumn. Nut trees seem rather less amenable to greenhouse culture and forcing than the average annual vegetable… no big surprise. 

Nuts from American and European beeches are tasty, but hard to find in stores. Their abundant oil sometimes gets pressed and used in cooking, even substituting for butter in French recipes. They’re also ground and roasted to make a coffee substitute, and if Peet’s doesn’t get a little more consistent in carrying chicory to make New Orleans-style coffee, I might have to resort to beechnuts myself.3

TUESDAY, JULY 5 

Mid-Day Meander in Pt. Pinole at 2:30 p.m. to see returning shorebirds in their summer breeding plummage. Call for meeting place. 525-2233. 

Tilden Mini-Rangers Join us for an active afternoon of nature study, conservation, and rambling through woods and waters. Dress to get dirty; bring a healthy snack to share. Girls and boys ages 8-12, unaccompanied by their parents. From 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at Tilden Nature Area. Cost is $6-$8. Reservations required. 636-1684. 

Stargazing: Twilight of the Gods at 8 p.m. at Inspiration Point in Tilden Park. Dress warmly and bring a flashlight. 525-2233. 

“Darwin’s Nightmare” A film about the introduction of Nile Perch into Lake Victoria in Tanzania, which led to the endangerment or extinction of native fish, and famine in the area. At 7:30 p.m. at Pacific Film Archive, 2575 Bancroft Way, at Bowditch. Cost is $8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

“The Politics of Transportation” A slideshow and talk with Andy Signer on the environmental and social problems caused by automobiles, at 7 p.m. at AK Press, 674A 23rd St., Oakland. 208-1700. www.akpress.org 

Foot Care for Any Sport with runner, hiker, and backpacker, John Vonhof at 7 p.m. at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. Free. 527-4140. 

Tuesday Tilden Walkers Join a few slowpoke seniors at 9:30 a.m. in the parking lot near the Little Farm for an hour or two walk. In case of questionable weather, call around 8 a.m. 215-7672, 524-9992. 

Learn to Salsa Dance Tues. at 7 p.m. at the Lake Merrit Dance Center, 200 Grand Ave. Cost is $15 per class. 415-668-9936. www.DanceSF.com 

Brainstormer Weekly Pub Quiz from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Pyramid Alehouse Brewery, 901 Gilman St. 528-9880. 

Berkeley Camera Club meets at 7:30 p.m., at the Northbrae Community Church, 941 The Alameda. Share your digital images, slides and prints and learn what other photographers are doing. Monthly field trips. 548-3991. www.berkeleycameraclub.org 

Buddhist Meditation Class at 7 p.m. at The Dzalandhara Buddhist Center. Cost is $7-$10. For directions and details please call 559-8183. 

St. John’s Prime Timers meets at 9:30 a.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave. We offer ongoing classes in exercise and creative arts, and always welcome new members over 50. 845-6830. 

WEDNESDAY, JULY 6 

Tilden Tots Join a nature adventure program for 3 and 4 year olds, each accompanied by an adult (grandparents welcome)! We’ll capture and release butterflies from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Cost is $6-$8. Registration required. 636-1684. 

Tilden Explorers An after school nature adventure for 5-7 year olds who may be accompanied by an adult. No younger siblings please. We’ll capture and release butterflies and moths. From 3:15 to 4:45 p.m. Cost is $6-$8. Registration required. 636-1684. 

Berkeley Path Wanderers’ tour of East Bay Regional Parks Botanic Garden. Meet at 10 am. at the garden entrance, Wildcat Canyon Rd. and South Park Drive. To register call 524-4715. 

Kayaking 101 Covering kayaks, paddles, flotation devices, clothing and acccessories at 7 p.m. at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. Free. 527-4140. 

Insects for Kids A free class for children ages 5-10, at 9 a.m. at the Ecology Center, 2530 San Pablo Ave. www.barringtoncollective.org 

Arab Women Film Festival at 7:30 p.m. at La Pena Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck Ave. Donation $5. 849-2568. www.lapena.org  

Walking Tour of Jack London Waterfront Meet at 10 a.m. at the corner of Broadway and Embarcadero. Tour lasts 90 minutes. Reservations can be made by calling 238-3234. www.oaklandnet.com/walkingtours 

“The Iguazu Effect” a film about globalization and “Bloodletting: Life Death Healthcare” at 7:30 p.m. at Humanist Hall, 390 27th St., Oakland. Donation $5. 

JumpStart Entrepreneurs share information at 8 a.m. at A’Cuppa Tea, 3202 College Ave. at Alcatraz. Cost is $5. 541-9901. 

Speculative and Practical Folklore Class at 7 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck Ave. We will discuss American folk practices from around the country but specifically Southern/South-Eastern, Pennsylvanian, Appalachian and Ozark folk practices. www.barringtoncollective.org 

League of Women Voters meets at 7 p.m. at 1414 University Ave., Suite D. 843-8824. http://lwvbae/org  

The Berkeley Lawn Bowling Club provides free instruction every Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. at 2270 Action St. 841-2174.  

Walk Berkeley for Seniors meets every Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. at the Sea Breeze Market, just west of the I-80 overpass. Everyone is welcome, wear comfortable shoes. 548-9840. 

Stitch ‘n Bitch Bring your knitting, crocheting and other handcrafts from 6 to 9 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave. 548-5198. 

Artify Ashby Muralist Group meets every Wed. from 5 to 8 p.m. at the South Berkeley Senior Center, to plan a new mural. New artists are welcome. Call Bonnie at 704-0803. 

Berkeley Peace Walk and Vigil at the Berkeley BART Station, corner of Shattuck and Center. Sing for Peace at 6:30 p.m. followed by Peace Walk at 7 p.m. www. 

geocities.com/vigil4peace/vigil 

THURSDAY, JULY 7 

Berkeley Communicators Toastmasters meets at 7:15 a.m. at Au Cocolait, 200 University Ave. at Milvia. 524-3765. 

Early Morning Bird Walk Meet at 7 a.m. at Inspiration Point in Tilden Park. 525-2233. 

Zapatista Benefit Concert with hip hop, jazz and spoken word at 8 p.m. at 21 Grand, 416 25th St., Oakland. Donation $5-$10. http://21grand.org 

World of Plants Tours Thurs.-Sun. at 1:30 p.m. at the UC Botanical Garden, 200 Centenial Drive. Cost is $1-$5. 643-2755. http://botanicalgarden.berkeley.edu 

Parenting Class: Baby Basics for new and expecting parents at 10 a.m. at Bananas, 5232 Claremont Ave. Registration required. 658-7353.  

Tilden Tots Join a nature adventure program for 3 and 4 year olds, each accompanied by an adult (grandparents welcome)! We’ll capture and release butterflies from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Cost is $6-$8. Registration required. 636-1684. 

Stroke Screening beginning at 9 a.m. at Northbrae Community Church, 941 The Alameda. Cost is $109-$139. For an appointment call 1-800-697-9721. 

FRIDAY, JULY 8 

“Peace One Day” A documentary film by British actor/director Jeremy Gilley describing how he persuaded world leaders to have the U.N. declare Sept. 21 an International Day of Peace, at 7:30 p.m. at the Hillside Club, 2296 Cedar St. Wheelchair accessible. Cost is $5. 527-0450. www.peaceoneday.org  

Grizzly Peak Flyfishers monthly meeting at 7 p.m. at the Kensington Community Center, 59 Arlington Ave., Kensington. The July meeting will be a Fly Tying Extravaganza. GPFF’s most accomplished tiers will demonstrate their techniques, and help less advanced tiers improve their skills. There will be extra tools and materials available for beginners who wish to try this fascinating craft. Everyone who has tools and materials is encouraged to bring them. 547-8629. 

Berkeley Critical Mass Bike Ride meets at the Berkeley BART the second Friday of every month at 5:30 p.m. 

Digital Cameras with Alan Stross, photographer, at 1 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-5190. 

Berkeley Chess Club meets Fridays at 8 p.m. at the East Bay Chess Club, 1940 Virginia St. Players at all levels are welcome. 845-1041. 

Women in Black Vigil, from noon to 1 p.m. at UC Berkeley, Bancroft at Telegraph. wibberkeley@yahoo.com 548-6310, 845-1143. 

Salsa Dancing at “The Beat” Dance Studio at 8:30 p.m. Lessons with Joseph Gallardo. 2560 9th St. at Parker. 472-2393 www.wildsalsanights.com  

Meditation, Peace Vigil and Dialogue, gather at noon on the grass close to the West Entrance to UC Berkeley, on Oxford St. near University Ave. People of all traditions are welcome to join us. Sponsored by the Buddhist Peace Fellowship. 655-6169. www.bpf.org 

SATURDAY, JULY 9 

Berkeley Path Wanderers’ Cerrito Creek Walk to explore Indian, Spanish and early El Cerrito history, as well as recent restoration work. Meet at 10 a.m. at the north end of Cornell St., south edge of El Cerrito Plaza shopping center. 848-9358. f5creeks@aol.com 

Sick Plant Clinic UC plant pathologist Dr. Robert Raabe, UC entomologist Dr. Nick Mills, and their team of experts will diagnose what ails your plants from 9 a.m. to noon at the UC Botanical Garden, 200 Centennial Dr. 643-2755.  

“Herbal Desserts with Lavender” Learn to make lavender ice cream and cookies. For ages 6-13 at 1 p.m. at Spiral Garden, 2850 Sacramento. Reservations required. 623-0882. 

Mini-Farmers in Tilden A farm exploration program, from 10 to 11 a.m. for ages 4-6 years, accompanied by an adult. We will explore the Little Farm, care for animals, do crafts and farm chores. Wear boots and dress to get dirty! Fee is $5-$7. Registration required. 525-2233. 

Kids Garden Club For children 7-12 years old to explore the world of gardening. We plant, harvest, build, make crafts, cook and get dirty! From 2 to 4 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. Cost is $5-$7, registration required. 525-2233. 

Celebrate Early Literacy at 10 a.m. at Habitot Children’s Museum, 2065 Kittredge St. 647-1111. www.habitot.org 

Pollution Solutions with a focus on indoor air quality from 1 to 3 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. Cost is $8-$10. Registration required. 525-2233. 

Walking Tour of Old Oakland around Preservation Park to see Victorian architecture. Meet at 10 a.m. in front of Preservation Park at 13th St. and MLK, Jr. Way. Tour lasts 90 minutes. Reservations can be made by calling 238-3234. www.oaklandnet.com/walkingtours 

Oakland Heritage Alliance Walking Tour of Oakland Airport and North Field. Cost is $5-$10. For details call 763-9218. www.oaklandheritage.org 

Mediterranean Gardens for the Bay Area at 10 a.m. at Magic Gardens, 729 Heinz Ave. 644-2351. 

San Francisco Mime Troupe “Doing Good” at 2 p.m. at Cedar Rose Park, 1300 Rose St. 415-285-1717. www.sfmt.org 

The Political Cartoons of Ward Sutton at 7 p.m. at the AK Press Warehouse, 7674-A 23rd. St., Oakland. 208-1700. www.akpress.org 

Children’s Books for K-5 Teachers with Walter Mayes at 2 p.m. at Cody’s Books, on Telegraph Ave. 845-7852. www.codysbooks.com 

“Parasites of the Body of Energy?” a lecture with Samuel Sagan at 3 p.m. at Claremeont Branch Library, 2940 Benvenue Ave. 882-0042. 

Sistaz N Motion Business Mixer from noon to 3 p.m. at Richmond Public Library, Madeline Whittlesey Community Room, 325 Civic Center Plaza, Richmond. http://sistaznmotion.tripod.com 

Basic Manners for Your Dog, a six-week class on Sat. at 10:30 a.m. at RabbitEars, 303 Arlington Ave., Kensington. Cost is $125. Registration required. 525-6155. 

Car Wash Benefit for Options Recovery Services of Berkeley, held every Sat. from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Lutheran Church, 1744 University Ave. 666-9552 

SUNDAY, JULY 10 

Year of the Estuary Hike in the hills of the Miller Knox Regional Shoreline. Meet at 1:30 p.m. in the first parking lot off Dornan Drive near Pt. Richmond. Bring a sack lunch and water. 525-2233. 

Oakland Heritage Alliance Walking Tour of Mountain View Cemetary. Cost is $5-$10. For details call 763-9218. www.oaklandheritage.org 

Hands-on Bike Maintenance Learn how to perform basic repairs on your bike from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. Cost is $85-$100. 527-4140. 

“Take Me Home” a benefit to support the filming of this documentary about children caught in the foster care system at 5 and 7 p.m. at La Peña, 3105 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $20 adults, $12 youth. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Campfire and Sing-a-Long Meet at 5:30 p.m. at the Tilden Nature Center and we’ll walk uphill to the campfire circle. Bring hot dogs, buns, marshmallows and long sticks. Dress for fog. Call for disabled asistance. 525-2233. 

Free Garden Tours at Regional Parks Botanic Garden in Tilden Park Sat. and Sun. at 2 p.m. Call to confirm. 841-8732. www.nativeplants.org 

San Francisco Mime Troupe “Doing Good” at 2 p.m. at Cedar Rose Park, 1300 Rose St. 415-285-1717. www.sfmt.org 

Social Action Forum with Dr. Robert Gould from Physicians for Social Responsibility, at 9:30 a.m. at Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley, 1 Lawson Rd., Kensington. 525-0302, ext. 306. 

“Darwin’s Nightmare” A film about the introduction of Nile Perch into Lake Victoria in Tanzania, which led to the endangerment or extinction of native fish, and famine in the area. At 5:30 p.m. at Pacific Film Archive, 2575 Bancroft Way, at Bowditch. Cost is $8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu/calendar/index.html 

C. Clark Kissinger & Travis Morales on their new book “The World Can’t Wait. Drive Out The Bush Regime” at 6:30 p.m. at Revolution Books, 2425 Channing Way. 848-1196. 

Basic Pet Rat Care Learn about habitat, handling, hygiene, diseases, food and water. Meet the rescued rats looking for homes. At 2:30 p.m. at RabbitEars, 303 Arlington Ave., Kensington. Donations appreciated. All proceeds go to Bay Area Rats Rescue & Care. 525-6155.  

Lake Merritt Neighbors Organized for Peace Peace walk around the lake every Sun. Meet at 3 p.m. at the colonnade at the NE end of the lake. 763-8712. lmno4p.org 

MONDAY, JULY 11 

National Organization of Women, Oakland/East Bay Chapter meets at 6 p.m. at the Oakland YWCA, 1515 Webster St. The speaker will be Jeffrey Mittman, the PATRIOT Act Campaign Coordinator for the Northern California Affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union. 287-8948. 

Strokes with Dr. Loron McGillis at 10:30 a.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-5190. 

Berkeley CopWatch organizational meeting at 8 p.m. at 2022 Blake St. Join us to work on current issues around police misconduct. Volunteers needed. For information call 548-0425. 

TUESDAY, JULY 12 

Road Cycling for Women Covering rules of the road, bike choice, clothing and accessories, at 7 p.m. at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. Free. 527-4140. 

Tuesday Tilden Walkers Join a few slowpoke seniors at 9:30 a.m. in the parking lot near the Little Farm for an hour or two walk. 524-9992. 

Berkeley Camera Club meets at 7:30 p.m., at the Northbrae Community Church, 941 The Alameda. Share your digital images, slides and prints and learn what other photographers are doing. Monthly field trips. 548-3991. www.berkeleycameraclub.org  

Buddhist Meditation Class at 7 p.m. at The Dzalandhara Buddhist Center. Cost is $7-$10. For directions and details please call 559-8183. 

St. John’s Prime Timers meets at 9:30 a.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave. Don Worth will lead a current events discussion at 11 a.m. We offer ongoing classes in exercise and creative arts, and always welcome new members over 50. 845-6830. 

ONGOING 

Summer Camps for Children offered by the City of Berkeley, including swimming, sports and twilight basketball, from June 20 to August 12, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. 981-5150, 981-5153. 

Free Lunches for Berkeley Children beginning June 20, Mon.-Fri., 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Frances Albrier Center, James Kenney Center, MLK, Jr. Youth Services Center, Strawberry Creek, Washington School and Rosa Parks School. 981-5146. 

Albany Summer Youth Programs including basketball, classes, bike trips and family activities. For information see www.albanyca.org/dept/rec.html 

Bay Area Shakespeare Camp for ages 7 to 13, two week sessions through Aug., at John Hinkle Park. Cost is $395, with scholarships available. 415-422-2222. www.sfshakes.org 

CITY MEETINGS 

Citizens Humane Commission meets Wed., July 6, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Katherine O’Connor, 981-6601. www.ci.berkeley.ca. us/commissions/humane 

Berkeley Rent Stabilization Board meets Thurs. July 7, at 7 p.m. in City Council Chambers, Pam Wyche, 644-6128 ext. 113. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/rent 

Community Environmental Advisory Commission meets Thurs., July 7, at 7 p.m., at 2118 Milvia St. Nabil Al-Hadithy, 981-7461. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/environmentaladvisory 

Public Works Commission meets Thurs., July 7, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Jeff Egeberg, 981-6406. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/publicworks 

Creeks Task Force meets Mon. July 11 at 7 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Erin Dando, 981-7410. www.ci. 

berkeley.ca.us/planning/landuse/Creeks/default.html 

Council Agenda Committee meets Mon., July 11, at 2:30 p.m., at 2180 Milvia St. 981-6900. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/ 

citycouncil/agenda-committee 

City Council meets Tues., July 12, at 7 p.m in City Council Chambers. 981-6900. www.ci. 

berkeley.ca.us/citycouncil 

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A $2 million major alarm fire gutted the Berkeley Repertory Theater’s 1230 Fifth St. workshop Thursday night despite the best efforts of Berkeley and Albany firefighters. 

The blaze was reported about 7:30 p.m., and went to two alarms eight minutes later. A third alarm followed 20 minutes after that. 

By the time the fire was contained at 9:42, every piece of firefighting in equipment in Berkeley and Albany was on hand, two additional Berkeley firefighting crews had been called up and two firefighters had sustained injuries. 

“One firefighter was treated and released,” reported BFD Capt. Gil Dong, and the second was hospitalized overnight with a major burn to his hand. He was released Friday morning. 

While local firefighters were battling the blaze, crews from Oakland and Alameda County were covering the city’s fire stations, said Dong. 

The 7,500-square-foot structure near the corner of Fifth and Gilman streets, had been home for 15 years to the craftsfolk who create the sets for Berkeley Rep’s production. 

Tony Taccone, the theater company’s artistic direction, said hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of carpentry, metalworking and painting equipment were lost in the flames which billowed as high as 30 feet from the roof during the peak of the fire. 

The Rep wasn’t the building’s only well-known tenants. Back in the 1960s, the structure served as the rehearsal hall for the celebrated rock band Creedence Clearwater Revival. 

“We are grateful that no one was inside at the time of this terrible accident, and truly appreciative of the firefighters who risked their own safety to put out the flames,” said Taccone. 

The fire places an immediate strain on the company’s resources, because they must now find an alternative space and new equipment to create the sets for their upcoming 2005-2006 season, he said. 

Taccone said the fire came as a “terrible shock, a loss from both a practical and an emotional point of view. This building was a critical part of our artistic success for 15 out of our 38 seasons, and we are left without the workshop or the tools to create the magic our audiences expect.” 

While firefighters were unable to save the contents of the theater shop, the efforts prevented the spread of flames to adjacent businesses, which include Performance Engine’s workshop and another shop, said Dong. 

The cause of the blaze remains under investigation, and Berkeley Rep has begun the search for new quarters. 

After Board President Nancy Riddle recused herself because of a potential financial conflict, the Berkeley Unified School District unanimously approved a scaled-down version of the West Campus development plan at the board’s Wednesday night meeting. 

The plan, presented as a one-sheet line drawing with no supporting details, commits the district in principle to development of only the northeast third of the mostly-vacant, six-and-a-half-acre 10-building West Campus site on University Avenue between Bonar and Curtis streets. The site once housed the district’s adult school. 

Left in limbo was an ambitious renovation plan of the entire property, contained in a four pound, multi-page draft document produced at the district’s request by Berkeley-based Design, Community & Environment company (DCE). 

In its decision Wednesday night, the board committed to forming a site committee for the West Campus work, as well as holding more community meetings “as appropriate.” 

District officials say the major reason for the proposed renovation is to relocate the district’s administrative offices—currently housed at the Old City Hall—and the district’s Oregon-Russell street facilities. Both of those buildings are considered seismically unsafe, and BUSD Superintendent Michele Lawrence has made it a priority to move employees at those two facilities into safer quarters. 

District officials estimate that it will be at least two years before the move is made. BUSD rents its Old City Hall administrative offices from the City of Berkeley at a $1 per year on a lease that expires in 2007. City officials have said that a seismic retrofit of Old City Hall is economically unfeasible. 

The sprawling West Campus site has far more room than is needed for the relocated facilities, and much district and community discussion over the past several months centered around what was to be done with the remaining portion of the property. 

That discussion was put on hold by the passage of the scaled-down plan Wednesday night, which now only calls for renovation of the existing auditorium and administration building on the property, with the addition of an 8,000 to 10,000 square foot classroom and administration building to be built adjacent to the auditorium. 

Stating that the estimated $26 million price tag for the entire proposal far exceeded the “$6 million to $9 million set aside for the project,” BUSD Facilities Director Lew Jones recommended the rejection of the full-scale plan. While stating that he had no complaints about DCE’s “fine and comprehensive work,” Jones’ memo to board members said that “certain elements of the plan should be studied in greater detail before we proceed.” 

Jones listed some of those elements as the daylighting of Strawberry Creek which runs through the West Campus property and moving the district’s central kitchen to the property. It was the possible move of the district’s kitchen facilities from Jefferson Elementary to West Campus that caused Board President Riddle to recuse herself. Riddle said that because she lives in close proximity to Jefferson, she had a potential economic interest in any decision that affected the Jefferson property. 

Both the creek daylighting and kitchen issues caused considerable controversy during the five public meetings held at West Campus about the property development. Also controversial were suggestions to provide a 170 to 200 space parking lot on the property, and possible plans for housing or other commercial development. 

After both Directors John Selawsky, Shirley Issel, and Student Director Lily Dorman-Colby questioned the limited amount of information contained in the one-page drawing, Superintendent Lawrence said that the requested decision was on the concept only, and that there will be “plenty of time to ask questions. This is certainly going to be open for more discussion. You will have the opportunity to look at blueprints and a detailed plan to see what will actually go on the property, and where things will fall.” 

Facilities Director Jones said that his department’s next step would be to “come back to the board with a schematic design for your approval.” 

In public testimony that preceded the board vote, several neighbors of the West Campus property urged board consideration of an alternative development plan proposed by the West Campus Neighborhood-Merchant Association (WestNEMA). The WestNEMA alternative, available on their website (www.westnema.org), calls for maintaining open space on the large portion of the site, south of the existing boys’ gym between Curtis and Browning streets, except for a small preschool facility. It also includes space in the northwest corner of the property along University Avenue for potential future private development, which it suggests should be “50 percent larger than proposed by DCE.” WestNEMA members have suggested that private development include ground floor retail with housing on top. Such development is permitted under Berkeley’s zoning ordinance for that portion of University Avenue. 

But the WestNEMA plan itself has caused controversy, with one West Campus neighbor, Dennis McCullough, telling board members that “I came here to support the WestNEMA plan, and I even have some doubts about that. Why are we considering selling school property for housing?” McCullough called that idea “shortsighted.”›

BART’s two biggest unions responded angrily Thursday to management’s latest offer, which union officials said BART gave to the press before they submitted it to union negotiators. 

“This is bad-faith bargaining in violation of the law,” Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1555 said in a press release. 

BART spokesperson Linton Johnson countered that the agency unveiled the offer to the unions hours before holding a Wednesday press conference. 

The unions did not formally respond to the proposal, and negotiations continued Thursday to avert a strike scheduled to begin Wednesday, July 6. The possible strike threatens to bring Bay Area traffic to a stand-still. 

BART, which serves 310,000 riders every weekday, would be shut down if workers walk off their jobs, Johnson said. 

BART’s latest offer includes a four percent raise over four years and requires BART to continue paying employee pension contributions. BART, facing a $100 million deficit over the next four years, had previously offered no raises and demanded that employees make pension contributions.  

The offer still requires that employees pay 13 percent more for health benefits. 

“This offer would eliminate our $100 million deficit without burdening our riders with additional costs,” Johnson said.  

BART has five unions. The two threatening to strike are ATU, Local 1555, which represents over 830 train operators, station agents and technical workers, and SEIU, Local 790, which represents 1,400 custodial, clerical and maintenance staff. 

Earlier this week, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 3993, which represents over 200 supervisors, agreed to a new deal. BART’s two police unions are prohibited from striking. 

The previous union contracts, which expired at midnight Friday, gave employees 22 percent raises over four years. 

This year BART has slashed a $53 million deficit to $24 million by raising fares, charging for parking at 10 East Bay stations and cutting 165 positions, more than half of which were vacant. 

In an earlier interview with the Daily Planet, Bud Brandenberger, vice president of the BART chapter of SEIU Local 790, charged BART’s deficit was caused by retaining too many management positions and transferring operating revenues to unnecessary capital projects. 

Cal Report Forecasts Traffic Jams 

A 2004 study by UC Berkeley researchers found that halting BART service would turn a half-hour jaunt across the bay into a three-hour journey. 

“If the Transbay Tube were out of commission and people were forced to hit the road, there would be a traffic nightmare on major Bay Area corridors and nearby city streets,” said Jorge Leval, lead author of the report in a prepared statement. “In many cases, drivers would likely spend one to two hours on city streets just to get to the freeway, crawling at speeds as low as two miles per hour.” 

The UC Berkeley report was commissioned by BART last year during its ballot initiative campaign to finance upgrades to the Transbay Tube. The study also assumed that commuters wouldn’t carpool in the event of a temporary halt to BART service. 

Transportation Options 

If BART workers strike, commuters should expect crowded buses, packed ferries and long bridge delays, said Randy Rentschler, spokesperson for the Metropolitan Transportation Commission. 

“We don’t have the capacity to replace the service BART provides,” he said 

Rentschler recommended that workers who are able should either telecommute or change their work schedules to avoid rush-hour commutes. 

Bracing for an onrush of commuters, alternative transit agencies are hastily putting together contingency plans. BART announced Wednesday it would keep its parking lots open for car-poolers. Also, the agency is planning to operate a Transbay bus service, Johnson said. Details of the service are not yet available. 

AC Transit has said it will add Transbay routes during off peak hours when it has buses and drivers at its disposal. 

The Oakland-Alameda ferry will also add service in the event of a strike, Rentschler said. The ferry will turn their boats around faster and add direct service between Jack London Square and the San Francisco Ferry building. 

Information For Commuters  

Commuters interested in forming carpools can dial toll free 511 or go online to www.ridesare.511.org/carpool.  

For information on casual carpooling, which will be available at all BART parking lots in the event of a strike, information is available at www.ridenow.org/carpool. To return to the East Bay after work, casual car-poolers are asked to meet on Beale Street between Howard and Folsom streets. Passengers are encouraged to carry a two-sided sign: For the morning the sign should read, “Carpool to SF,” and for the afternoon, the name of the desired BART station. 

Berkeley is served by eight AC Transit Transbay bus lines: E,F,FS, G, H and Z. Go to www.actransit.org for maps and schedules. AC Transit also encourages commuters to use its park and ride lot at Sixth and Market streets in Oakland. Transbay fares are $3 each way. 

Ferry service information is available by calling 511 or at the ferry’s website, www.eastbayferry.com›

In a rare display of unanimity, Berkeley’s Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) Monday rejected both its own and the Planning Commission’s revisions to the city’s landmarks ordinance, calling instead for an outside expert to aid in drafting a new proposal. 

Both versions are scheduled to go to the City Council for a public hearing on July 12 with a vote slated a week later. 

The Landmarks Preservation Ordinance (LPO) revision process had generated a firestorm of controversy, in part because developers see it as a tool for derailing or delaying projects and in part because preservationists see a concerted effort to chip away at protections for structures they see as esthetically and historically significant. 

The ostensible reason for a change in the ordinance is to make city law compliant with the state’s Permit Streamlining Act (PSA), which is designed to ensure that building projects aren’t delayed interminably in the bureaucratic processes. 

“We had a long talk about how we were tasked with resolved PSA problems, and we realized they could be solved with just a couple of words,” said LPC member Patricia Dacey. 

The City of Los Angeles landmarks ordinance is virtually identical to Berkeley’s, she said, except for wording on decision to bar demolitions of landmarked buildings. Where Berkeley’s ordinance refers to “suspension of demolitions,” the L.A. ordinance refers to “denials.” 

Bringing Berkeley’s ordinance into compliance with that of the City of Los Angeles would solve the problems raised when revisions were ordered, she said. 

Dacey said commissioners had devoted extensive time to master three separate pieces of legislation: The city’s existing ordinance, the LPO’s own revised ordinance and the revised ordinance proposed by the planning commission. 

“It was an extraordinarily time-consuming and insanely difficult process, and I went to Boalt,” she said, referring to the UC Berkeley law school. “It was clear that everyone on the commission had done the same.” 

Dacey said she disputed the contention of the city attorney’s office that PSA problems demanded a revision of the ordinance. 

Commissioners agreed that the best way to resolve the issue wasn’t through the often-contradictory city commissions but through reliance on outside expertise. 

“We are asking to retain a recognized expert in preservation ordinances, and there are funds available for this purpose from the State Office of Historic Preservation,” she said. 

LPC members Jill Korte, the current chair, and now former member Becky O’Malley had applied for and received a state grant for just that purpose, but the grant was recalled after Planning Manager Mark Rhoades stated that the city couldn’t afford the matching staff time required, said member Carrie Olson. Olson noted that the Planning Commission’s revisions would required the addition of a new full-time staff position, the same thing Rhoades had earlier rejected. 

Dacey said the commission would like to reapply for the grant “because the California Environmental Quality Act and the National Environmental Protection Act are so complex.” 

“We have been misserved by staff and the city attorney in providing guidance in understanding conflicts with the PSA, and seeking the services of an acknowledged expert seems the best way to go.” 

Dacey and the other commissioners were particularly concerned about the Planning Commission’s proposal to strip the LPC of say over the demolition of Structures of Merit, the lesser of the two categories of officially designated historic resources. 

“The Planning Commission suggested that a zoning officer make all decisions about structures of merit, and that those decisions would be final, without appeal. But a zoning officer may have no expertise or interest in historical structures,” she said. 

“Clearly, this is intended to grease the wheels of real estate speculators by removing the decision from the hands of the one commission that must by law include individuals with some expertise in historic preservation.” 

Dacey also noted that the Planning Commission’s revision calls for a lot more work from city staff because their proposal calls for “requests for determinations” from developers and property owners that would require a ruling on whether or not a particular property had the potential to qualify as a landmark. 

A negative decision would bar the filing of a landmarking application by third parties for a year, but would be voided if a request for a development permit were filed with the city. 

Applications would require even more work from city staff and the LPC at a time when budgetary pressures are forcing the city to scale back on commission meetings and staffing, Dacey said—noting that even the LPC’s proposals would do the same. 

“There’s never been a historical resources survey of the city, as required by current law, because the staff says it doesn’t have the time or resources, but the Planning Commission proposal would give them a huge amount of new work,” she said. 

Dacey noted that the city Neighborhood Preservation Ordinance and the LPO resulted from huge development pressures in the 1960’s similar to those underway today. “The General Plan states clearly that the more development pressure there is, the greater the need to protect our existing neighborhoods,” she said. 

The Berkeley Architectural Heritage Association (BAHA) has vowed to sue if the city revises the LPO without first completing a full Environmental Impact Report detailing the impact of the revisions. 

The Planning Commission’s split vote adopting their own proposal contrasts sharply with the LPO’s unanimity. 

Planning Commission chair Harry Pollack declined to attend a lengthy meeting held yesterday on the ordinance that was attended by Rhoades and his boss Dan Marks, Giselle Sorensen (the planning staffer assigned to the LPO), Deputy City Attorney Zac Cowan, LPC Commissioners Korte and Olson and Lucinda Woodward of the state preservation office. 

Olson scoffed at Cowan’s contention yesterday that the Planning Commission’s Request for Determination was designed with the single-family homeowner in mind. “It’s designed for the real estate speculator,” she said, pointing to the planning commission’s proviso that the same owner could only file requests on two different properties within the same six-month period. 

She noted that the proviso could easily be evaded by forming a limited liability corporation for each property—something that’s being done with most multifamily and commercial properties in Berkeley in recent years.

With Sen. Diane Feinstein’s bill to rescind the special legal status granted on Casino San Pablo and the abandonment of a second casino project in Oakland, the East Bay casino gamble is looking riskier by the day. 

The California Democrat’s legislation cleared Sen. John McCain’s Senate Committee on Indian Affairs on a 9-3 vote Wednesday. It now heads to the full Senate. 

If passed, the Lytton Rancheria band of Pomos would land back at square one in the off-reservation casino game, competing on a par with other tribes vying to establish potentially lucrative gambling operations in the heart of the East Bay. 

One other tribal group, the Lower Lake Rancheria band of Kois, has already abandoned the playing field, at least for now. That band had run into heavy opposition from numerous public officials after the Kois announced plans to build a major Las Vegas style hotel/casino operation next to Oakland International Airport. 

Despite promises that the resort would generate 4,400 new jobs and $30 million a year in mitigation payments for 20 years, the plan generated formidable opposition, with the East Bay Regional Parks District, the Alameda County Board of Supervisors and the city councils of Oakland, Alameda and San Leandro expressing formal opposition and vowing to band together and wage legal war on the plan. 

The tribe announced its capitulation in a letter to the Oakland City Council distributed on June 10. 

While similar proposals for two tribal casinos in Richmond are undergoing a lengthy approval process that includes formal hearings and a serious environmental review, the Lyttons were given legislative and gubernatorial legs up on their plans to turn the ailing Casino San Pablo cardroom into a massive bigger-than-Vegas gambling palace. 

The principal boost had come from East Bay Congressional Rep. George Miller, a Democrat, who authored a unique amendment to the massive Omnibus Indian Advancement Act of 2000, backdating the Lytton Rancheria of Pomos claim on land they purchased that year to 1988, making it immediately eligible for a tribal casino. 

Tribes who acquired land after that day are required to the same lengthy process of scrutiny and hearings as have the backers of the Richmond proposals. 

Assemblymember Loni Hancock, a Democrat who represents northern Alameda and southern Contra Costa counties in the California Legislature, has been an outspoken opponent of urban casinos, and a particular critic of Miller’s legislative end-run. 

“We’re very encouraged by the 7-2 vote in McCain’s committee on legislation that would reverse Miller’s rider,” she said Wednesday. “It’s a very important step forward. It’s part of a groundswell of public opinion questioning off-reservation casinos located in urban areas.” 

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, the other, earlier backer of the Lytton casino, had signed a compact with the tribe that would have given them the right to run a 5,000-slot-machine mega-casino—bigger than anything in Las Vegas—in exchange for a hefty share of the profits. 

The massive casino was expected to pay the state $200 million annually once it was up and running, Schwarzenegger’s office reported at the time of the agreement last year. 

The proposal generated massive opposition in which Hancock played a leading role, and the Governor, recognizing imminent defeat, didn’t present the pact to a legislature he knew would defeat it. 

The governor has since announced his opposition to urban casinos, which Hancock said would be a significant force in any future plans for the site. 

Meanwhile, the Lyttons have found an end-run around the approval process. Bingo games are permissible under state law, and machines that change the pace of the game from a slow hand-played game into the equivalent of a fast-playing slot will replace the slower card games now filling the casino. 

Intense opposition from surrounding cities and the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors has been met with indifference by the San Pablo City Council, which sees the gambling parlor as financial salvation for a city that might otherwise be forced to disincorporate. 

Meanwhile, the plans of Berkeley developer James D. Levine and the Guidiville Band of Pomos for a massive four-hotel, upscale shopping mall, Las Vegas-style showroom and a 2,500-to-3,000-slot casino at Point Molate are going through the federal approval process, strongly backed by the Richmond City Council. 

Similar efforts are underway for the Sugar Bowl casino-only facility in unincorporated North Richmond, with a year’s head-start on Levine. That proposal, backed by the same developer who sponsored the Oakland proposal, could be decided in the next few months.›

Now into its fourth month, the tenant-landlord standoff at an illegal West Berkeley warehouse appears to be heading for court. 

Last Friday, Lawrence White, owner of the East Bay Drayage Warehouse, tacked 60-day eviction notices to the doors of 11 tenants, most of whom are artisans who have refused to leave their homes. The building has been labeled “an extreme fire hazard” by Berkeley’s Fire Marshall David Orth. 

Maresa Danielsen, a tenant, said it was “unlikely” the tenants would leave voluntarily, setting the stage for an eviction trial in the fall. 

The tenants are hoping that by staying put they can pressure White, whom the city is fining $2,500 a day for code violations, to sell the property to the Northern California Land Trust. The non-profit developer has secured financing for the project and pledged to renovate the warehouse and sell the units to the tenants. 

“If Dr. White sold to the land trust we’d leave tomorrow and he could save thousands in fines,” Danielsen said. 

But negotiations between White and the land trust have stalled for a second time, according to Land Trust Executive Director Ian Winters. Earlier this month, White rejected a $2.5 million offer on the property, Winters said. 

White, who most recently valued the property at Addison and Third streets at $2.7 million, had originally agreed to sell the property to local developer Ali Kashani for $2.05 million. But when Kashani learned of the illegal units he pulled out of the deal. Shortly thereafter city officials arrived for a spot inspection that turned up over 200 code violations. 

White issued the eviction notices one day after Berkeley’s Planning Department granted him permits to demolish the two dozen illegal dwelling units in the warehouse. The permits, issued ostensibly to allow White to bring the building up to code, give him “good cause” under the Berkeley rent laws to evict tenants. 

Should the tenants refuse to leave at the conclusion of the 60 days, on Aug. 23, White could then take them to court, a process that would likely take several months. If the ruling is in White’s favor, he could then petition a judge to send in county sheriff’s deputies to forcibly evict tenants. 

“We’re looking at legal strategies to fight the eviction,” said Jeffrey Carter, the tenant’s legal advisor. 

By refusing to follow an April 15 evacuation order issued from the fire marshall, the remaining tenants have drawn attention to the loss of unique space in West Berkeley as rents climb and new developments are built. 

“We feel like our home is the most interesting and most affordable this area could ever have,” Danielsen said.  

Last week the council passed a resolution to consider giving tenants a portion of the fines levied against White. However, White said from his office Thursday that he would contest the fines, and Carter questioned whether the city would recoup the roughly $150,000 in fines already levied against the landlord. 

“I’m hard pressed to imagine that Dr. White will pony up a lot of money to pay the tenants,” he said.

Red light runners beware. Drivers now face a minimum $331 citation when caught on camera running a red light at the three intersections where Berkeley recently installed cameras. 

For the past month, offenders have received letters alerting them that the camera program would begin June 29. 

The cameras were installed at the intersections of University Avenue and Sixth Street, University and Shattuck Avenue and Martin Luther King Jr. Way and Adeline Street. City studies found that nearly a third of the collisions at the intersections were caused by red light runners.  

To receive a ticket, the entire car must pass the outer crosswalk marking of the intersection after the light has turned red. 

Transol USA, the camera’s manufacturer, will monitor the intersections and send photos of suspected violators to Berkeley police for additional review. 

Transol will receive $48 of every ticket collected. 

f

Sunday, July 3 

Richmond  

The City of Richmond Recreational Department hosts its annual Third of July Fireworks at Marina Bay Park at 7:30 p.m. The display can also be seen from Shimada Friendship Park at the end of the Marina Bay Parkway, the Barbara and Jay Vincent Park at the end of Peninsula Street and the Lucretia Edwards Park at the end of Marina Way South Street. 620-6793. 

Monday, July 4 

Albany 

The Albany Dog Jog along the Ohlone Greenway begins at 7:30 a.m. at Memorial Park, 1331 Portland Ave. $8-$10. 524-9283. 

The Albany Fourth of July Festival, with music, arts and crafts and children’s activities, begins at 11 a.m. and goes until 4 p.m. at Memorial Park. 524-9283. 

Berkeley 

The Indterdependence Day Hike seeks to discover how the lives of root nodules, lichen and parasites are interconnected. Interested parties please report to the Tilden Nature Center at 2 p.m. 525-2233. 

The Fourth of July at the Berkeley Marina features international food, live music, art and crafts booths and children’s activities. The celebration begins at noon and the fireworks begin at 9:30 p.m. Admission and parking are free, but no cars will be admitted after 7 p.m. It is an alcohol-free event sponsored by the City of Berkeley. 548-5335. 

Oakland 

Tour the Pardee Historic Home, then watch the Jack London Square Fireworks Celebration from the shore, or see them on a Dessert and Champagne Cruise on the presidential yacht, the USS Potomac. The celebration is from noon to 4 p.m. and features badminton, croquet, and picnic fare. The Pardee Home is located at 672 11th St. and a tour is $5. For more information please call 444-2187; for more on the cruise (7:30-10:30 p.m., $125) call 627-1215. 

Orinda 

Join fellow walkers and runners for the Orinda Run for Reason at 7 a.m. the Orinda Community Center. The one-mile run and two-mile family walk is followed by a parade at 10 a.m. and a hot dog stand in Community Park, sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce. (925) 254-2445. 

Alameda 

Celebrate the Fourth with the All-American 4th of July in Alameda, featuring music, food, crafts and children’s activities aboard the USS Hornet. Fireworks around the Bay Area can be seen from the flight deck. The event begins at noon and continues until 11 p.m. on Pier 3, Alameda Point. Adults, $15; children ages 5 to 18, $5; children under age 4, free. 521-8448. 

San Francisco 

The annual San Francisco 4th of July Waterfront Festival features entertainment, food, arts and crafts and the largest display of fireworks on the West Coast. The festival is free and begins at 11:30 a.m. on Pier 39 and Fisherman’s Wharf. Fireworks are at 9:30 p.m. (415) 705-5500. 

Want to see the bay in a whole new way? Watch the San Francisco fireworks and see Fisherman’s Wharf, Aquatic Pier and Alcatraz from your kayak. Meet at City Kayak at Embarcadero and Townsend Streets at 6 p.m. and expect to be back at 10 p.m. $80 fee. (415) 357-1010. 

With Trustee Nicky Gonzalez Yuen providing the lone but spirited dissent, Peralta Trustees agreed Tuesday night to a modified Hewlett-Packard study and assessment of the community college district’s information technology operations. 

At the same meeting, trustees gave first approval to the district’s $90.1 million tentative budget for 2005-06. The new Peralta budget maintains the state-mandated 5 percent reserve, and projects a $2.6 million increase over this year’s totals. 

The $30,000 HP contract proposal was pushed through by Trustee Linda Handy, who has been attempting for months to get an independent assessment of the district’s IT operations. Handy is the chair of the board’s Technology Committee. 

The proposal was approved 6-0-1, with Yuen abstaining. 

The scope of the work to be carried out by HP was developed in the board’s Technology Committee, without input from the district’s technology department. 

“This is supposed to be an assessment to come directly to the board for its own evaluation,” Handy explained. “That’s why staff was not included in its development.” 

Details of the contract are still being worked out by Peralta General Counsel Thuy Nguyen to include modifications suggested by trustees at Tuesday’s meeting. Those modifications included moving the starting date of the assessment from July to September, and a provision that HP could not later bid on work contracts for any of the items included in the assessment.  

Peralta is currently in the midst of a district-wide conversion to an information management system purchased from PeopleSoft. The finance, human resources, and payroll portions of that conversion are scheduled to “go live on July 5,” according to Peralta Chief Information Officer Andy DiGirolamo. The PeopleSoft system is scheduled for full implementation by October of 2006. 

In supporting the HP study, Trustee Bill Withrow said that “given our financial commitment to IT, we should have a third party come in and validate what we’re doing, set the record straight, and see if we’re on the right track.” 

Handy agreed. 

“The concerns over Peralta’s IT started before most of you came on the board,” she told Trustees, more than half of whom were elected in last November’s elections. She said that she had received numerous complaints about “too much equipment that has been authorized and purchased but now is just sitting there, unused,” including “the Voice Over IP system—we now have 250 phones that have just been abandoned.” Handy added that she had been “trying to get this assessment done since last September. For some reason it’s been stalled and stalled and stalled.” 

But Yuen raised several questions about the proposed contract, including possible conflict of interest by HP, and what he called board “micro-managing” of district operations. 

Because HP has done technology work for the Peralta District in the past, Yuen said “it looks like we’re hiring a fox to come in and assess another fox. I’d feel more comfortable if it wasn’t HP doing the assessment.” He also said that the assessment “strikes me as being outside the scope of what the board should be doing” and cited recent findings by the district’s accrediting agency, the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), that the Peralta board “was not staying within proper board functions.” “I’m not personally comfortable cutting the chancellor and his entire staff out of developing the scope of this study. It seems crazy to cut the administration and staff out of the loop,” he said. 

In answer to a question, Chancellor Harris appeared resigned to the decision, saying he had no problem with the board itself setting the scope of the work of the assessment without staff input. “This is a trustee decision,” he said. “If you’re comfortable with the scope, we don’t have anything more to say about that.” 

Yuen’s amendment to have the chancellor’s office formulate the scope of the study was defeated on a 1-5-1 vote, with Yuen providing the single aye and trustee Alona Clifton abstaining. 

Chief Information Officer DiGirolamo, Chancellor Elihu Harris, and Vice Chancellor Tom Smith all expressed concerns about the timing of the study, which was originally scheduled to begin July 11. 

DiGirolamo said that the assessment would “put undue stress on staff. It would take staff away when they should be on-call to troubleshoot problems” associated with the PeopleSoft conversion.” He said that his office was not opposed to an outside assessment, but requested that it be conducted after the PeopleSoft conversion had been online for several months. “Otherwise,” he said, “the practices they are looking at may have already been changed by the time the study comes out.” 

But Handy said that the study was not just about the PeopleSoft conversion but “about our whole migration from an antiquated information system. We’ve got systems that are so old that we had to bring people out of retirement just so we could understand how they work.” In addition, she argued that the study should be done before the conversion is completed “because we don’t want to wait until something has gone wrong and then say, ‘oops, my bad.’” 

While Chancellor Harris said he “still disagreed with the timing” of the study, Vice Chancellor Smith—who oversees the district’s finances and who originally expressed skepticism about the study—said that moving the starting date to September “is better” and added that “some of what Trustee Handy said is persuasive.”r

The City Council proclaimed Tuesday Tracy Vesely Day in Berkeley in honor of the city’s budget director. 

Vesely and her department received the a Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the 2004-2005 fiscal year from the Government Finance Officers Association, the only national awards program in governmental budgeting. 

Vesely has worked for Berkeley since 1998. In 2003 she was promoted to budget manager. 

“If I can’t dance, it’s not my revolution,” Emma Goldman famously said. Norine Smith danced her way through many of the revolutions of the last 50 years and had a fine time of it. She came from a quintessential San Francisco Irish background, born in 1938 as number four of six kids of Cornelius (Connie) and Nora Smith, both immigrants from Ireland, and raised in the outer Sunset District. She went to all-girl Mercy High School in the late ‘50s, then on to UC Berkeley where she majored in mathematics, which few women did in those days. She always said she chose math because she noticed that she was the only woman in her math classes, and she wanted to do things that women weren’t allowed to do. A tall, striking redhead, she worked a bit as a model while she was in school. After graduation in 1960 she entered the new field of computer programming, where she worked throughout her professional life. Norine was very proud of having run her own business as a computer contractor for major corporations in a period when few women ran their own businesses, even fewer of them in the high tech world. 

Her son Daniel Smith-Rowsey was born in 1971 when she was living in Sausalito, and soon thereafter she moved to Berkeley as a single mother to raise him. She’d always been interested in progressive causes, and Berkeley gave her new opportunities to enter the fray, especially after her son was grown and she had retired. In the last 10 years of her life she became a well-known figure on the Berkeley political scene, with a vigorous confident voice and red curls bouncing as she spoke. She was one of the first to insist that citizens should be instrumental in drafting the city’s latest General Plan. This involvement prompted her to run for City Council in District 6 in 2000, despite the fact that her Berkeley hills area had never been receptive to progressive candidates.  

In her campaign, Norine spoke up fearlessly on issues more important to people in less privileged council districts, and was proud to receive the endorsement of the Green Party. She was a great walker—for many years she walked every Friday night from her home near the Berkeley Rose Garden down to see a movie on Shattuck—which she put to good use as a candidate, making friends with many voters by going door to door throughout her district. She got a respectable vote, but she lost, which did not deter her from running again in 2004, because she enjoyed having a platform to put forward her strong opinions on a variety of topics. No cause was too large for her to take on (she marched against both Iraq wars) or too small (she campaigned to save threatened trees on the waterfront). Women’s issues remained central to her politics: She demonstrated many times outside Pasand restaurant urging that the owner be prosecuted in the death of a young woman he’d brought to this country. After she was diagnosed with breast cancer, she added her voice to those of activists in that arena as well. 

Norine was serious about the causes she embraced, but she also liked the good parties which are sometimes part of political activism. She was one of a small band of diehards who know that the Taiwan Restaurant is the last place open for Chinese food after late commission meetings. She was also a major fan of the Daily Planet, coming early and staying late for the paper’s launch and anniversary parties.  

In the Bay area, Norine will be missed by friends and co-conspirators much too numerous to list, including me. Kathy Donaher, another Irish-American who met Norine more than 40 years ago and has been her fast friend ever since, came out from Boston to take care of her in her last week. Her son Daniel, who now lives in Southern California, survives, along with her brother Jim Smith and his wife Julie, nieces Maureen and Colleen Smith and Norine Tweedy and nephews Aran and Brian Smith and Michael Emerson.  

A memorial gathering will take place at noon on Saturday, July 2, at the Berkeley Rose Garden at Euclid and Eunice.  

http://www.jfdefreitas.com/index.php?path=/00_Latest%20WorksŒ

PARTNER? 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

Your June 28 story about the proposed development at 2701 Shattuck Ave. states that I “had been Choyce’s partner in the project until the cleric bought him out.” 

If I have—or have had—any ownership in this project this is the first time I have heard of it. 

Could Mr. Brenneman kindly provide the source for his assertion? Legal documents and filings with the county are the usual sources for such information. I’d be grateful to see what he relied on to make such a claim.  

Patrick Kennedy 

PS. South Shattuck is one of the most underachieving parts of our city. I think this project would help enormously to turn that situation around. Berkeley’s sky-high prices will only come down when the city produces more for-sale housing. Witness the effect the construction of all the new rental housing has done to lower rental rates—something you comment on frequently.  

• 

RIDDLE RIDDLE 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

Just as thousands of others throughout this country, I have been captivated by Berkeley’s most recent saga of Thomas Jefferson and the Sequoia tree. The one question I have not seen addressed thus far: Are Nancy and Maggie “Related Riddles” or “Unrelated Riddles”? I would love to know the answer. 

Ann McReynolds  

Saint Louis, MO  

• 

FLAG BURNING 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

As flags wave gently in the breeze this holiday the GOP has launched another assault on the First Amendment with its flag amendment. Flag burning is practically non-existent in this country—averaging 10 times a year—yet Republicans and conservatives are bound and determined to turn the flag into a symbol of repression. The GOP continues to wrap itself in the flag using it as a wedge issue to divide America and as a tool for political advantage. Representative Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) has it right when he says, “If the flag needs protection at all, it needs protection from members of Congress who value the symbol more than the freedoms that the flag represents.” 

Ron Lowe 

Nevada City 

• 

GROUP DISCUSSION 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

Group? I’m in a group? I have an organization? If I do, are they holding meetings without telling me? 

Ms. Taubenfeld, in her June 28 letter to the editor, has misunderstood my letter to the editor of June 24 criticizing Councilmember Lieber. It was directed at his pronouncement from the Albany City Council podium that the residents of Albany had no say about what would happen with development at Golden Gate Fields. 

I am not “pro-development” and I am not “pro-no-development.” I am “pro-find-out-what-is-going-on.” That is what I am doing right now, and that is what I encourage everyone to do before they vote on this Measure C issue when it comes to the ballot. 

If Ms. Taubenfeld wishes to ignore one side of the issue and hold to her dogmatic opinion, she is no friend of Albany. Rather than continuing to flog this issue on these pages, I invite her to call me and discuss the issue; I’m in the book. I am open to her opinion, and I can offer her a cup of coffee and a cookie. 

Lubov Mazur 

Albany 

• 

SUMMIT MEDICAL CENTER 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

As a person with a family history of cancer, and is also at risk of developing mental changes with advancing age, I am horrified by the proposal of Sutter Medical to close both the oncology and geriatric psychiatry units at Summit Medical Center in Oakland. It seems Sutter claims that the number of patients suffering from these ailments is dropping. Huh?? 

My horror is not diminished by the fact that no one else seems to have reacted to this outrageous matter since Mr. Brenneman first reported on it June 7 (“Patient Shifts, Contract Spark Alta Bates Protest”). His next piece appeared on June 17 (“Emeryville Nurses’ Protest Targets Major Fundraiser for Schwarzenegger”). While I liked the coverage, I was startled to see the relatively uncomplicated name of Jan Rodolfo, an oncology nurse spokesperson, morphing into Joan Rudolfo (see caption of the June 17 page 27). When I accessed the Daily Planet’s website, I was amused by the search hint: Check spelling—be as specific as possible. I gently advise Mr. Brenneman to follow this advice, especially with people’s names, in all his future pieces, which I look forward to reading.  

Sonya Rodolfo-Sioson 

• 

DESTRUCTIVE PROJECTS 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

As a south Berkeley flatlands resident and neighbor to the infamous and truly offensive “Flying Cottage,” I want to express my strong support for the “wake-up call” issued by Sharon Hudson in her article in the June 28 Daily Planet, “It Takes a Community.” I didn’t live in Berkeley yet in the 1970s, when developers were gutting neighborhoods by buying and demolishing older homes and replacing them with ugly “fourplex” apartment buildings. Fortunately, someone saw the light before every neighborhood was torn asunder in this way, and apparently the city planning ordinances changed to prevent any more such projects. The ugly intruders, remain, however, as a reminder of how easy it is to destroy the esthetic integrity of a historic residential block.  

The new attempts by greedy individuals to profit from projects that destroy the integrity of flatland residential neighborhoods with incongruously tall buildings reminds me of those fourplexes. Our neighborhoods and their integrity form one of the crucial attractions for living in Berkeley. This is equally true of the flats and the hills in all parts of Berkeley, not just the north. What is the historical reason for zoning residential neighborhoods full of one family homes and duplexes for three to six story buildings? Do any other South and West Berkeley residents want to revise the zoning regulations for their neighborhoods before this destructive trend accelerates? We already have stringent regulations regarding the allowable footprint of buildings on residential lots. How about caring for our airspace as well?  

These developers may profit individually short-term, but at what long-term detriment to our whole community?  

Rosemary Hyde 

• 

CONGREGATION BETH EL 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

I live a block from the 1301 Oxford St. site at which Congregation Beth El is building its new synagogue complex. I’m writing because I understand that the Beth El leaders have failed to live up to their agreement with our neighborhood association and that despite that, the city is preparing to issue a certificate of occupancy for the project. 

Not only do I pay taxes to the city, but I have invested a substantial amount of energy and money in my property to help improve both the appearance and the morale of the neighborhood. I expect the city to provide essential services and protect my interests. The Beth El project will have major negative impacts on my neighborhood. An area that already has parking issues without the introduction of the new CBE buildings. It was to mitigate those CBE impacts that LOCCNA went through a long and hard negotiation with Beth El’s leaders. After many compromises, a deal was reached, a legally binding agreement signed, and the language of that agreement incorporated into the Conditional Use Permit issued for the project. 

That deal was a compromise. To preserve the creek and minimize parking and traffic impacts on our neighborhood and our daily lives, LOCCNA’s negotiators yielded on a number of key points. Since that deal is written into the city’s permit conditions, if the congregation’s leaders fail to live up to the deal they signed, it is the city’s responsibility to enforce it. 

Frankly, I am surprised that CBE isn’t being more considerate of a community that they intend to join. And I demand that the city require full compliance with the conditions it specified before allowing the buildings to be occupied. 

In particular: 

• The city must require an adequate, detailed parking plan that complies with the language of the agreement and the permit. 

• The city must ensure the protection of Codornices Creek by requiring bank-stabilization and other landscaping before permitting occupancy. 

It is self-evident to anyone looking at the buildings being constructed that this is a massive addition placed in the middle of a residential neighborhood—my neighborhood. It is time for the city to show that it means what it says about neighborhood preservation by enforcing its own rules.  

Kate Farnady 

›

Mary Berg, programmer and member of the KPFA Local Station Board, has informed the Daily Planet that she believes KPFA’s program council is a decision-making body. She told the Planet that she is strongly opposed to the idea that it should be advisory only. She said she agrees with the People’s Radio Group on that point. “Programming decisions should be made by the Program Council working with a program director, if there is one. They should not be left to the station manager,” Berg said, adding that she disagreed with a Program Council decision to move “Democracy Now!” to 7 a.m. “because in my opinion it was poorly thought out and poorly planned, not because the Program Council didn’t have the right to make it. That’s why people who were friends have ostracized me.”  

Editors, Daily Planet: 

Judith Scherr’s June 28 piece, “Turmoil again at KPFA,” is easily the most comprehensive and accurate of the several recent articles in the local press regarding the situation at KPFA. There are a couple of inaccurate statements that I would like to correct. The KPFA Program Council does have decision-making power and has been exercising that power since the “recapture” of the station from the pro-corporate, mainstream Democrat “highjackers’’ in 1999. In November 2003, after months of discussion and debate, we voted to move “Democracy Now!’’ from 6 a.m. to 7 a.m. Our logic was simple: The most listened-to show should be broadcast at the most listened-to time. Despite the support of then General Manager Gus Newport and many, many listeners, that decision incurred fierce opposition from a few but influential programmers and was thus never carried out. Shortly after Roy Campanella (the current general manager) arrived at KPFA he stated that he agreed with our decision, planned to implement it, and proposed that “Democracy Now!’’ also be rebroadcast in the evening from 7 to 8 p.m. Like Newport before him, he also encountered a firestorm of opposition from the same people who, as Richard Phelps of Peoplesradio described in Scherr’s article, put “turf before mission” those who feel that they, not the listeners, “own” KPFA and Pacifica. Thus Campanella felt that, given the political reality at the station, he couldn’t carry out our decision at this time. Despite this impasse we have made and have carried out many other programming decisions. Mary Berg, who erroneously stated that the Program Council was “advisory only,” should know better, since she serves on the Program Council as a rep of the unpaid staff organization on the Program Council and has actively participated in our decision-making process! This is only one of several battles between those of us who believe in a Democratic KPFA and Pacifica with open, transparent finances, job postings, and decision-making processes and those who basically, all in the name of “professionalism” of course, want to ape the way the “big boys’’ of the corporate media run their operations. We of Peoplesradio.net, who won six out of the nine listener representative seats on the governing Local Station Board up for reelection last December, are betting that most listeners agree with our perspective.  

Stan Woods 

Listener Representative, KPFA Program Council  

• 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

In response to Judith Scherr’s much-appreciated effort to add some background and context to the “Turmoil at KPFA” stories flooding the Bay Area alternative press, I’d just like to make a few comments in regards to KPFA’s Program Council—which I think has been dragged into this story somewhat unfairly. What hasn’t been mentioned and needs to be is that the KPFA Program Council (which has been in existence for 25-plus years) serves an important function as the place where the unpaid volunteers who compose the vast majority of the programmers have input into what the station broadcasts. Without compensation or union protection, these folks, many who have worked for KPFA for a dozen years or more, play an integral role in running the station. Without the access the Program Council provides, they would be entirely closed out of contributing to internal programming discussions. Like board members and community representatives, they bring perspectives to programming decisions that are broad, often informed by their out-of-the-station work and activities, and free of the internal concerns that are always a factor when paychecks are at stake. 

KPFA’s Program Council is numerically dominated by the combination of the volunteer representatives and the paid positions, i.e. there are more “staff” than there are listener-elected reps. It is impossible for any idea, concept or plan to gain majority support in the body without significant support from station workers—as was the case with the proposed “Democracy Now!” time change. The question is when a decision is supported by a razor-thin majority (a lá 51-49 percent), do you charge ahead on a majority rules platform and to heck with the minority and what they think (a position we are all familiar with in Washington), or do you delay and try to work towards a more definite majority? It all depends on whether you value politicized democracy or whether you value collective decision-making. Reasonable people can disagree on this, and do, but to posit that the only two alternatives are managerial dictatorship or slam-bang voting is, in my opinion, a straw man of an argument. If it is to be “our station,” then we need to learn to talk to each other and solve problems together, not institute rigid, pointless (and often unenforceable) mandates, from any source. 

Thank you for mentioning some of the positive things going on (albeit in the last paragraph). There is some exciting programming going on at KPFA and that needs to be said. To address two comments in the article: I’ve been on the Program Council a long time, as both a community representative, and previously, an employee in the programming area, and I’ve seen very few pressure campaigns succeed over the years. The idea that they would stop or cease to be were there no listener representation on the Program Council is absurd. 

If anything, they would become much more intense (as the recent petitions, marches and demonstrations have shown). Pressure campaigns result from lack of access or perceived lack of access. That’s what they’re all about. Engagement with those who pressure to address their concerns as much as possible reduces the pressure. Walling oneself off increases the pressure. And since I have had the pleasure of serving with Mary Berg on the Program Council and through many hundreds of hours of conversation, I can assure you that whatever her position may be on the broadcast time of “Democracy Now!” she does not believe that a Program Council is or should be advisory, irrelevant, or unnecessary. It cannot be in a community-supported and sponsored organization. 

Tracy Rosenberg 

Community Representative/Facilitator, KPFA Program Council 

• 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

As a 35-year member and listener I have found my politics moving miles ahead of the mostly stagnant, predictable and often boring and passionless Pacifica Radio programming. Basically we are no longer living in 1949 and that year’s mission requirements are way out of date. We have to admit that we the people are all oppressed by the $3 billion used to short-cut elections, voting and free speech protesting which do not add up to democracy and never have under our Constitution which facilitates the use of these vast sums to shackle real democracy. What’s more, my studies concerning the reality of our Constitution teach me that the 40 signers of that legal document never intended anything else to flow from it. They had complete contempt for we the people whom they called the “Great Beast” behind closed doors, and used both violence and deceit to obtain its adoption in nine of the 13 state legislatures. 

With that background and our more and more continual defeats, it is not difficult to understand the turf battles and self-serving actions at Pacifica. When you do not even bring up the obvious need to organize for liberation from oppression rather than pretending that our urgent needs for liberation do not exist and that we are still in 1949. The “we the people” of Venezuela understood that empowerment required a new 1999 people supporting a constitution to replace their privilege- and property-enabling former one, and that is why they have become one of the most democratic nations in our present times. 

Let us prove that a better world is possible if we use our intelligence and believe Albert Einstein when he warned us that repeating the same actions and expecting different results is a form of insanity. 

Werner Hertz 

• 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

Noelle Hanrahan is an all-American basketball player and prison-rights activist. Dennis Bernstein is a world-class journalist and radio news producer. Their tussling over control of the tiny Flashpoints on-air studio was inevitable, once they were paired to share production and leadership roles.  

But this conflict has reached the point of no (sensible) return. I want both Dennis and Noelle to put aside their respective egos and bury the hatchet. But not in each other—or, by default, in KPFA.  

Could I suggest a community “coming together party” at Ashkenaz or at a similar venue? I’d be glad to work with anyone to help pull together such an event. 

John Lionheart  

This past June 18, I participated in “Healing in the Heart of Richmond,” a day-long event held at the New Faith Cathedral, sponsored in part by Contra Costa Health Services, Survivors of Murder Victims, Inc. and Stand! Against Domestic Violence. We gathered in downtown Richmond to provide a forum for families who had lost members to violence and for individuals who had been violently abused. We listened as they shared their stories, ate healthy food together and then broke up into various healing workshops including poetry, drumming, massage, art and lamentations. At the end of the day, we all came together in the church sanctuary to light candles and say a prayer for peace in the city. The following day, two more young men were shot down and killed. Two more have died of gunshot wounds since then. As of this writing, 19 people have been murdered in Richmond this year. 

The tragic state of our neighboring town brings to mind the lyrics of “The Prisoner,” a song written 34 years ago by one of the originators of the hip hop style of rhyme, Gil Scott-Heron: 

Here I am, after so many years 

Hounded by hatred and trapped by fear 

I’m in a box, I’ve got no place to go 

If I follow my mind, 

I know I’ll slaughter my own 

Help me, I’m the prisoner 

Won’t you hear my plea 

I need somebody 

To listen to me 

Black babies in the womb, 

Shackled and bound 

Chained by the caveman 

Who keeps beauty down 

Heir to a spineless man 

Who never forgets 

Never forgets that he’s a prisoner 

Can’t you hear my plea 

I need somebody to 

Listen to me 

Generations of black families throughout the United States have been traumatized by the searing harshness of living in a society which continues to deny them adequate schooling, housing, employment, medical access and hope itself. Young black men are disappearing into the streets, jails, the military and graveyards, leaving behind fatherless boys and girls who know no other way of living than the callous ways of dying all around them.  

According to the Sentencing Project in Washington, D.C., one in eight black men between the ages of 25-29 is imprisoned and one-third of all black men in their 20s are either incarcerated, on probation or paroled. In some communities, black women outnumber the men by 30 to 50 percent. Rather than being groomed for successful futures, our youth have learned to live in the violent moment, within a spiraling mode of self-destruction. To call it “black-on-black crime” trivializes the matter. Most whites rob, rape and kill other whites so there’s more than color to this issue.  

What I see in many of the more troublesome young children I have worked with in the Berkeley and Richmond public schools has been a kind of disconnect, a disassociation of the child from feelings of empathy and responsibility. Derisha has 80-year-old eyes that solemnly stare out of a 6-year-old body. Her eyes are ringed in darkness and they sag with lines formed by abandonment and neglect. She never smiles, always on guard. Tershawn moves about the room with a kind of frenetic, chaotic energy, striking out verbally and physically almost at random. Austin accompanies every “No!” with a strike of his fist. When I ask these kids whether or not they care that they are disturbing the other children they insist that they do not care and look at me like I’m crazy for suggesting that they should. At the end of the day, Derisha is in after-school care, waiting for her foster parent to pick her up. Tershawn is on the bus, being carried away from his hilltop elementary school to his blighted building where he will let himself in, scrounge around for junk food and then roam the neighborhood, looking for something to do. I leave Austin on the curb waiting for whoever it is that is coming to pick him up, late. I am left to wonder and worry where their anger is going to take them five, 10, 20, 30 years from now, if they live that long. 

This past weekend I attended a half-day meditation at the Buddhist Zen Center at Green Gulch Farm in Sausalito. As I sat with my spine erect and my hands placed before me just so, my mind flitted about and then quieted as I became more comfortable with simply noticing how I sat and breathed in the stillness. I thought of Derisha, Tershawn and Austin and wondered how they would handle this sitting, this silence. I imagined Austin shouting “No way! I’m outta here!” and Tershawn telling me I must be crazy and Derisha simply rolling her eyes and strutting her thin, brown body away.  

But what if they had to? What if they were forced to sit with themselves without talking, eyes cast down, listening to their breath and simply being with no one but themselves for 10, 20, 40 minutes? What would happen? What might they see or learn? 

If our so-called leaders, Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton and Kweisi Mifume among them, were to concentrate on nothing else but saving, restoring and re-educating young black men, we would truly have a revolution, the kind Gil Scott-Heron sang about in “This Revolution Will Not Be Televised” decades ago. It would be live, emanating from within and spreading throughout the nation’s troubled communities, infusing us all with purpose, new direction and faith. I’m not saying that meditation is the way out. That would be far too simplistic and the issues are quite complex. But we have to start somewhere. Perhaps canning the tired, old rhetoric and quietly listening to new voices may be the place to begin. Again. 

Note: The children’s names have been changed. And note further that the kids who “act out” in class are not always black or poor. 

We began last week’s column discussing Berkeley resident Michael Larrick’s opposition to the petition to change the name of Berkeley’s Jefferson Elementary School, outlined in Mr. Larrick’s April 19 Berkeley Daily Planet commentary in which he wrote that “Black Americans and their leaders would be far better served if they would address the real problems in black education instead of the superficial and misleading issue of the name of a school.” (Advocates of the Jefferson name change—who were black, white, Native American, and other variations, by the way—said they didn’t want the school named after Thomas Jefferson because of Jefferson’s lifelong status as a man who personally kept Africans in slavery.) 

We ended with the promise to pursue the question: Does the so-called “achievement gap” between black and white students have some roots in American plantation slavery and could a serious study of slavery reveal those causes and have a hand in the cure? 

Some thoughts: 

To know and understand the nature of our universe, serious scientists tell us that we must study the Big Bang, that enormous explosion at the beginning of time as we know it, when the universe was formed. The idea here is that all of the vast and almost unbelievable complexities of the universe had their root in minuscule differences within and between early pre-atomic matter and that seeing the conditions at the earliest stages of the Bang, we can follow their pathways as they spread out to become the black holes and pulsars and gas giants and dark matter across the billions and billions of light years that constitute what we call space. 

So it is with slavery and African-Americans. 

Before the American slave trade there were no such people as African-Americans. Slavery was a vast funnel in which Twi and Hausa and Mende and Wolof and such were poured in at one end on the East Coast of Africa, and what we now call African-Americans came out the other, walking off the plantations at the end of the Civil War. The dark passage inside that funnel forged most of the attitudes and kinship bonds and contradictions and attributes-both good and bad-we see played out among black folk today, from the Louisiana backroads to the streets of East Oakland to the halls of Congress. 

One such set of contradictions concerns the issue of education. 

In his commentary, Mr. Larrick writes that “Black anthropologist and author Dr. John Ogbu has...found that the very same problems [of about race, opportunity and responsibility] plagued both [less affluent] Oakland and the affluent black suburb of Cleveland, Shaker Heights, Ohio. Black students were absent more often, did less homework, watched more television and had less involved parents. They did not value education and in fact, if a black student was doing well in school he was chastised by his peers. If you live up to your academic potential you are accused of acting white. He found that the students own attitudes hindered their academic achievement.” 

Seen in isolation, the evidence of such attitudes among some black students is either inexplicable, like the tale of the man shot over a watermelon, or else leads to the conclusion—by some—that African-Americans are trifling, lazy, and stuck in our present condition pretty much because of our own inabilities. 

In fact, the term “acting white” is actually a pale echo of the slavery-time charge of “acting like the masta’,” and was part of the fierce cultural wars that took place between those African captives who thought freedom—and even mere survival—lay in adopting white folks’ ways and those who believed that those goals could only be met by maintaining the old African cultures and resisting being sucked into what has been called a “slave mentality.” You can pretty much see that same struggle played about among pretty much all long-term captive or colonized peoples. 

Clearly, a serious study of that slaverytime struggle would be helpful in understanding black attitudes over education today, which continue to be just as contradictory. Then why hasn’t such a study been undertaken? Mostly because a dark veil hangs over America’s slave history that is difficult to penetrate. 

One of the most successful strategies of American slavery-from the point of view of the slavemasters, of course-was to put the shame of slavery on the Africans themselves. That undercurrent of low black self-esteem is at the root of many present difficulties among African-Americans, none more so than the one that finds most African-Americans ashamed and embarrassed even to this day to have a serious discussion on what exactly happened during slavery. 

Repressed shame, too, plays some part in the white reluctance to have that discussion. It gets played out in the nagging and largely unspoken fear of what might be revealed by such an investigation, as well as by companion attitudes of “haven’t we already dealt with that enough?” or “didn’t we already make up for all of that with a.) the Civil War, b.) the civil rights acts, c.) recent Supreme Court decisions or d.) some combination of all of those?” 

That’s a subject for another discussion. 

But a revealing thing happened during the recent debate over the proposed renaming of Berkeley’s Jefferson Elementary School. 

I attended a mid-May meeting at the school in which for the first time in my life, I saw ordinary people—not just politicians or policy makers or folks with some agenda to promote, whether good or bad—have an honest and serious discussion about American slavery, its ramifications, and its implications. This Jefferson School discussion was participated in by people of many ethnic backgrounds. 

I think that discussion happened for two reason. 

The first reason was that the proposal to change the school name forced people—black, white, and other races—to enter a difficult discussion that they might have otherwise ducked. 

But the second reason, I believe, was that by focusing on Jefferson’s relation to slavery rather than a general charge of white people’s complicity in slavery, the discussion allowed whites to participate without having to come in the door with guilt-coats draped over their shoulders. It permitted a detachment which will certainly have to be modified if these types of talks go deeper, but which appeared to be absolutely necessary as a first step. 

That spirit of cooperative soul-searching, I’m afraid, got overshadowed in the incidents surrounding the School Board vote itself over the name change. But it’s something that existed for a brief moment in time and space, and therefore we know it can be done. 

Looking at the public education systems of the three major cities of the inner East Bay—Oakland, Berkeley, and Richmond—you see all of them dominated by the often unspoken issue of how to educate black youth. How is the achievement gap to be closed? How to do it while at the same time lifting the education of all students? No one has come up with any easy answers. But perhaps a three-city cooperative effort in a long-term project of the study of American slavery—using it both as a research effort and student education tool, perhaps with related essay contests and events, perhaps with a Slavery Institute operating out of one of the community colleges—would be an important step in the right direction to explore causes and, out of them, formulate solutions. Looking backward is sometimes the best way to move forward. The Jefferson School name change discussion may have shown us a way, and, if so, it would have ended up doing an enormous good. 

Sore Losers, Deadly Attack 

Two men were charged with multiple felonies and a third with a single charge of fleeing from police after a bizarre and potentially lethal automotive attack Sunday morning on a pair of athletes. 

The assault leaves a UC Berkeley football player on the sidelines with a crushed lower right leg and damaged ligaments and his female companion suffering from cuts and a back injury. 

The incident began shortly before 1:18 Sunday morning when UC Berkeley offensive tackle Michael Tepper and former Cal volleyball player Camille Leffall were crossing Telegraph Avenue and Dwight Way. 

Berkeley police spokesperson Officer Joe Okies said a car pulled up to the couple and a conversation ensued. 

The occupants hit on Leffall, who rejected their advances. After Tepper stepped up to defend her, the driver threw the car into reverse. Tepper pushed Leffall out of the way, though she was struck a glancing blow by the car—which backed over Tepper’s leg and then ran over it again as it pulled forward. 

With arriving officers in pursuit, the vehicle then fled east of Dwight Way, Okies said, and was finally forced to a halt after it struck a parked car on Parker Street just west of College Avenue. 

Three of the occupants fled the car and were captured after a brief chase by officers. 

Johnny R. Smith, 33, was charged with assault with a deadly weapon, fleeing the scene of an accident, obstructing police officers and parole violation. 

Calvin J. Kelley, 29, was charged with assault with a deadly weapon, fleeing the scene of an accident, obstruction and probation violation. 

Scott Slaughter, 28, was only charged with obstruction. 

A fourth occupant, who remained in the car, wasn’t charged. 

Okies said the incident remains under investigation. Tepper was hospitalized for treatment of his injuries and later released. Leffall was treated for cuts and a back injury. 

Bookstore Groping 

A 24-year-old woman reported to police that she’d been groped by a young teenager while shopping in the Shattuck Avenue Barnes & Noble bookstore Sunday evening. 

Gunshot on Adeline 

A young man wearing a red and white baseball cap fired off a pistol outside Black & White Liquors in the 3000 block of Adeline St. at 1 a.m. Monday, then fled eastbound on foot along Essex Street. He was gone before officers arrived. 

Bad Boy 

A 15-year-old girl called Berkeley police Monday afternoon to report that the same boy who had punched her at the Ashby BART station on June 14th had snatched her purse 13 days later. 

The two know each other, said Officer Okies, and the case is under investigation. 

Indecent and Drugged 

The owner of the Berkeley Thai House at 2511 Channing Way called police at 8:15 p.m. Monday to ask them to shoo away a fellow who was exposing more of himself than was good for Thai House business. 

Officers were prepared to do just that until they discovered that the 56-year-old self-exposer was packing illegal drugs as well. He was hauled away so he could expose himself in a more congenial atmosphere of concrete walls and iron bars. 

Gunman Grabs Boodle 

A 16-year-old Berkeley man called police to report that a gunman had robbed him of his cash near the corner of Ashby Avenue and Harper Street at 9 p.m. Monday. No arrest has been made. 

Grand Theft Shitzu 

The manager of the Lucky Dog Pet Shop at 2154 San Pablo Ave. called police midday Tuesday to report that someone had swiped a prize Shitzu puppy. 

The theft may have taken place the day before, and police are still seeking the dognapper, said Officer Okies. 

Because the critter costs more than $400, the crime falls into the category of grand theft. 

Good Samaritan 

Seeing a woman punch and rob a 90-year-old woman, then attempt to kidnap her and hijack her car, a Good Samaritan ran to the rescue just after 3:30 Tuesday afternoon, said Officer Okies. 

Calling police, the rescuer grabbed the 46-year-old assailant and held her until officers arrived. 

The assailant was booked on suspicion of robbery, attempted carjacking, attempted kidnapping, probation violation and parole violation. 

Windows Shot on Ward 

Multiple calls of “shots fired” flooded the police switchboard just before 9 p.m. Wednesday, causing officers to hit lights and sirens and hightail it to the 2100 block of Ward Street. 

Arriving on the scene, they found bullet holes in the window of one home and in the windshields of several cars parked along the street. 

No arrests have been made.  

Son of Good Sam 

Just two hours later the first Good Sam rescue, another citizen-hero grabbed one of two teenagers he’d seen rob a 21-year-old woman of her purse and held him until officers arrived with their handcuffs. 

The second assailant, also a juvenile, remains at large, said Officer Okies. 

Wouldn’t it be great if the government could close the budget deficit while reducing crime rates? What could be the solution to making America safer? Believe it or not, the decriminalization of illegal drugs could do this and more. When drugs became outlawed, an illegal drug market was set up. There are many very dangerous drugs that are legal, such as alcohol and tobacco, while other drugs are not. As a result of making drugs illegal, much money is spent annually on drug law enforcement. Drug-related crime is a pressing issue that needs to be looked at seriously and decriminalization of drugs should be considered a possible solution. 

Drug abuse is not a new problem. In fact, President Richard Nixon was the first president to declare not just any war, but rather a “War on Drugs.” This was done in the same manner that President Lyndon Johnson declared a “War on Poverty.” At first the war on drugs sounds reasonable to the average person; drugs are clearly very harmful to our society as a whole. But the fact is that since Nixon’s war on drugs began, drug use has increased tenfold. During the war on drugs, Nixon passed the Comprehensive Drug Abuse and Control Act, which was supposed to rank drugs by their harmfulness and prosecute accordingly. Ever since then, drugs began to gradually become outlawed, and the illegal “black market” started to appear everywhere. Drug dealers who we can assume don’t care about their clients crowd corners of poverty-stricken neighborhoods. However, since the drugs they sell are illegal, the price is high. Because the price of drugs is high, some people are not able to support their addictions and turn to criminal acts, such as stealing to pay for their drugs. 

The government is not looking out for our health. While drugs such as marijuana (effectively used to treat migraines, rheumatism and insomnia) remain illegal, drugs such as tobacco and alcohol (used recreationally, with severe side effects) remain readily accessible. According to a study by Gangsandkids.com, alcohol is the number one substance abuse problem in America today, closely followed by tobacco. Alcohol is a contributing factor in four out of five of all homicides in the U.S. alone . Drinking accounts for 50 percent of driving fatalities. According to a report by Drugs-Rehabs.org, “alcohol and alcohol related problems” cost the economy a whopping $100 million for health care every year. Alcohol wasn’t always legal. In 1919, the 18th Amendment to the Constitution declared that alcohol was illegal to sell or posses, launching the Prohibition era, which lasted until 1933. During this time, it was not legal for alcohol to be sold. Most historians and analysts would agree that prohibition was a failure, because not only did it not discourage drug use, alcohol arrests went through the roof, costing the country a huge amount of money. With the Comprehensive Drug Abuse and Control Act in effect, one would think that since alcohol and tobacco are at the top of the list that they would be prosecuted the toughest. However, that is not true. Alcohol and tobacco companies have a huge lobby in Washington D.C. and they have survived legal restrictions. The government also spends $150 billion per year on trying to prevent imported drugs from penetrating the borders. Unfortunately, a huge amount of drugs is still smuggled into our country. If drugs were decriminalized, the government could not only monitor the drugs, but tax them as well. There is also the issue surrounding unsterile drug supplies, such as HIV-contaminated needles. Since drugs are illegal, drug addicts commonly share needles and increase their risk of spreading HIV. Drug addiction is a health problem, not a criminal act. 

Money spent on law enforcement could be more effective if used on things such as drug education in schools. The U.S. spends $11 billion annually to pay for law enforcement for the war on drugs. Of that money, $7.6 billion goes toward cracking down on marijuana users. However, a recent study done by the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws found that the money spent on law enforcement for pot had very little effect of the rate of marijuana use. In other words, the government continues to waste money on something that does nothing to help. Drug education could teach kids about the effects of drugs rather than discouraging drugs use because of they are illegal. Money currently spent on law enforcement in the war on drugs could be more effectively used on better drug education programs. Law enforcement on drugs further wastes our money and does nothing to stop drug abuse. The war on drugs has had major defects.  

While decriminalization of drugs can have numerous positive effects, concerns have been raised about the possible negative effects. Anti-legalization activists have contended that decriminalization of drugs would encourage drug use, specifically the use of marijuana, which may lead to harder drugs. Drug decriminalization could send the wrong message to people in society. Why should we make them legal now, when we have made big strides? According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, drug use is down by 30 percent in the last 20 years, and use of cocaine is down 70 percent. Spending on drug control constitutes only a minimal portion of the budget, compared to the “social costs of drug abuse and addiction.” And after all, the reason that illegal drugs are illegal is because they are detrimental to society. Why would we want to legalize harmful things? 

While both sides of people in the drug decriminalization debate have fairly valid points, what it really comes down to for me is personal responsibility and personal choice. The government has no business meddling in our personal affairs. People are going to use drugs, whether they are legal or not. But society has a responsibility to protect drug users, by allowing them accessibility to sanitary supplies, and not to waste taxpayer money on things that aren’t effective. 

Whatever side you stand on, everyone can agree that drug abuse is a big concern of our time. With countless and increasing drug-related gang violence, the future looks bleak. But there is something we can do and that is to try to help those who really need the help. Drug addicts need to be helped, not prosecuted. The decriminalization of drugs would not only protect addicts, but also people who are associated with addicts, because those people can be assured that there would be quality control on drugs and help for drug addicts. When will this country realize the benefits of drug decriminalization? Sadly, we may never know. 

Rio Bauce is a Berkeley High School student.

On Monday night, June 27, at least for a brief and shining hour, Berkeley’s Landmarks Preservation Commission became an anarchist organization. 

At a special meeting to discuss the pending revision of the Landmarks Preservation Ordinance, which will be taken up by the City Council on July 12, the LPC could have taken the opportunity to reinforce the virtues of its own proposed revision, submitted a year ago. Or it could have offered helpful criticism of the alternate revision proposed by the Planning Commission, along with suggestions to make it acceptable. But the commission chose instead only to sabotage the democratic political process.  

After discussion, the LPC unanimously decided to:  

• Withdraw support for its own proposal and ask the city not to approve it. 

• Oppose the Planning Commission proposal and forward a list of “concerns” about its provisions, but include no practical recommendations for improvement.  

• Ask the council to throw out five years of effort and start over. 

The LPC now wants the council to send the revision process back to the LPC in the hope that it could, a year from now, apply for a planning grant that, if approved, would be used to hire an outside consultant who, a further year down the road, might produce a “more objective” version of an ordinance that the LPC could live with. 

The result is that, fully five years after the City Council asked it to propose legally-needed revisions to the LPO, the Landmarks Preservation Commission today has no recommendations before the council to do anything at all, except to turn down the rival commission’s proposal. The LPC has been bitterly complaining that the planning commissioners aren’t “landmarks experts” and so couldn’t possibly produce an adequate new ordinance. But now we’ve learned that the “landmarks experts” on the LPC couldn’t be bothered to produce one either, or even to offer constructive suggestions along the way. 

This, perhaps unintentionally, simplifies the City Council’s task. Instead of having to compare both the LPC and PC proposals with the current LPO, the council now only needs to answer this question: “Is the PC proposal, even if not perfect, sufficiently better than the current ordinance to warrant its passage?” Having such a pragmatic question raises the odds that the PC version, perhaps with some technical corrections and tweaks to its provisions, will in fact be approved. 

It’s not even too cynical to think that this is what, perversely, the LPC now desires. With open threats of lawsuits against the city expressed at the meeting by both BAHA members and commissioners, perhaps they have concluded that a more “extreme” revision would prove easier to challenge successfully. And so they have simply walked off the court rather than play the game they were appointed to do. 

If that’s the case, this long-time follower of the LPO revision process believes the members of the LPC have crossed a dangerous line. To choose a vivid metaphor, on Monday night they became suicide bombers—blowing up their own proposal in order to try to prevent the normal cooperative workings of a democratic government.  

There are still open issues in this important revision process that deserve further consideration. Many of the LPC’s concerns have genuine merit, and I am not the only citizen who thinks the Planning Commission’s proposal is far from perfectly crafted. But it seems now that any possibility of rational discussion has been pushed off the table by these mis-motivated preservation anarchists. 

Alan Tobey is a retired technologist and 35-year Berkeley resident who chooses his political issues because they are “interesting.”.

“Monsieurs, pardon me; if I may have a word with an officer in charge? There’s been a mistake.” 

In the dim nighttime interior of a grimy station somewhere in Occupied France, transom windows behind arches and pillars throb with a dull orange glare as a great clangor announces the arrival of a train coming to a grinding halt. Blowing in through the doors is a lone figure, fantastic and harried, lugging a steamer trunk and frantically talking a mile a minute: demanding, cajoling, begging assistance and sympathy from silent German officers presumably hidden in the shadows.  

He introduces himself: Guy de Bonheur, clearly the name of a happy guy, itinerant actor wandering apart from a troupe disbanded by arrests and deportations. And he protests that if he can only show his wares—which he immediately begins to do—they’ll see he’s harmless to the Reich: no subversive, merely an entertainer. 

Ron Campbell’s entrance onto the “deep thrust space,” as Artistic Director Tom Ross describes the Aurora Theatre’s stage is a frantic prologue to the play (by Bay Area playwright and teacher Carol Wolf.) The Thousandth Night is a confabulation of tales from The Arabian Nights acted out by an unwilling (and seemingly random) victim of power, caught in a net and fantasizing to amuse his apparently indifferent captors, to assuage his own anxiety and to kill time as he awaits pronouncement of his fate. 

At first, Bonheur’s tales appear to be escapist, taking his audience out of wartime Europe “beyond Cairo, beyond Aleppo” to a place where a guest might be invited to dine on fish, because Baghdad is a city “where fish aren’t rationed.” He tells the story of the death of the Sultan’s favorite dwarf and how his body is passed along stealthily from one unwary citizen to the next. Each assumes himself guilty of murder, and finally all confess to the Sultan, who pardons all because his beloved dwarf has proven to be as hilarious a joker in death as in life. And he tells of Scheherazade, who escapes execution the morning after the wedding night with the Sultan by keeping him up with an endless string of tales, and of Ali Baba and his victory over the 40 armed and vengeful thieves who seek his life for discovering their secret. 

Ron Campbell acts out the full roster of characters, with flourishes, asides, even the recitation of a cafe chanson (an old recording of Piaf opens and closes the performance). At moments, his timing seems like he’s trying out gags on his audience, gauging their response and milking it. As promised by Tom Ross in his notes, Campbell engages the spectators directly, with mixed results. Some laugh hysterically, some are alert if deadpan, a few (as in any theater) doze. But that doesn’t deter this self-described cross between Marcel Marceau and Robin Williams. He is constantly talking, interrupting himself in agitation to make a maudlin aside or plea, relentlessly mugging a new character and providing sound effects. Actor Campbell’s drive to always be “on” merges with character (and actor) Bonheur’s desperate determination to escape notice by being the center of attention. 

This close collaboration between a performer and his character, in which they seem to be almost joined at the hip, is successful—in flashes. Campbell (best-known here for his solos Buckminster Fuller and The Bone Man of Benares) puts a lot of juice into single-handedly engaging his audience, whether of shadowy Nazis or palpable Berkeleyites. His zest for caricature and pantomime is unending—but the long string of cartoonish characters are Disneyish, in the sense that movie sound effects and music that merely illustrated the obvious used to be dismissed as too “Disney.” At some moments, there’s a boyish, prankish charm to the doubled-up showmanship; at others, the tone is strident or cloying. 

Just as the line is blurry between the performer and the performer he’s playing, it’s hard to tell which effects are written into the play itself and which are the interpretations of actor and director. It’s an interesting premise, with interesting set-up and hook, but sometimes the reality, the necessity of setting and situation, the relation between what we see performed and why, gets stretched, becomes abstruse, too conceptual. 

Where actor and director could collaborate more would be on the dynamics. Campbell talks a blue streak, much of it at the same pitch. Racing from the desperate to the bawdy to the silly and back over and over the changes eventually sounds just one note—a silly one. Crowded together and coming out in a rush from one speaker—albeit a rubber-faced multiple personality—the various emotional tacks sometimes devolve to mere exposition. Bonheur is trying to justify himself before an ultra-Kafkaesque court (and in an extraordinary moment, though thrown away, he appeals to the audience to judge him) but the running patter of justification and commentary gets a bit too tangled with the storytelling, instead of embellishing or shading it. 

The final story overcomes some of these problems. It’s about a fisherman asked to choose the manner of his death by the malign genie he’s freed from a long-sunken bottle (depicted by a canteen). Campbell artfully plays the whole stage. He is atop the upended trunk he’s worked out of with the supernally booming voice of the genie. Then he’s down on the grimy wood of the station floor where the humble fisherman cowers. The dark lining of the escapist stories, with their beheadings and banishments, now envelopes the stage as a primal confrontation between the seemingly powerless and the capriciously all-powerful. Its effect is immediate. Somehow it strengthens Bonheur’s character. He’s aimed to please; maybe he can die well.  

Design (and timing of execution) of the set (Richard Olmstead), lighting (Jon Retsky) and sound (Chris Houston) is impressive and wonderful. Inside a multifaceted situation which a single performer must express, Ron Campbell camps it up, kicks up his heels in one transparent disguise after another, and (like his Sultan who’s just beheaded last night’s bride and calls “Get me another queen!”) keeps asking for more. But in a show poised somewhere between the performer and the ensemble he impersonates, there are too many slips between these two stools. 

The Thousandth Night shows at 8 p.m. Wednesdays-Saturdays and at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Sundays through July 24. $36. Aurora Theater, 2081 Addison St. 843-4822. www.auroratheatre.org. 3

FRIDAY, JULY 1 

THEATER 

Aurora Theatre “The Thousandth Night” Wed.-Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. 2 and 7 p.m., through July 24, at 2081 Addison St. Tickets are $36. 843-4822. www.auroratheatre.org 

Berkeley Rep, “Honour” at the Thrust Stage, 2025 Addison St. and runs through July 3. Tickets are $20-$39. 647-2949. www.berkeleyrep.org 

California Shakespeare Theater, “Othello” at 8 p.m. at Bruns Amphitheater, 100 Gateway Blvd., between Berkeley and Orinda, through July 3. Tickets are $10-$55. 548-9666. www.calshakes.org 

Shotgun Players, “Arabian Night” Thurs.-Sun. at 8 p.m. at The Ashby Stage, 1901 Ashby Ave. until July 10. Tickets are $10-$30. 841-6500. www.shotgunplayers.org 

EXHIBITIONS 

New Works by Bruce Skogen, abstract paintings. Reception for the artist at 6 p.m. at Cafe DiDartolo, 3310 Grand Ave., Oakland. 832-9005. 

FILM 

For Your Eyes Only: “The Spy Who Came in From the Cold” at 7:30 p.m. and “Dr. No” at 9:10 p.m. at Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Synergy Women’s Open Mic with poets Donna M. Lane and Jeanne Lupton at 7:30 p.m. at Change Makers, 6536 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. Cost is $3-$7. 632-7548. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Jazz Express Quartet with vocalist Deborah Muse at 9 p.m., Jason Martineau, piano, at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

The Julian Waterfall Pollack Trio at 8 p.m. at the Jazz 

school. Cost is $10. 845-5373. www.jazzschool.com 

Nina Gerber, Linda Tillery and Aya de Leon at 8:30 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Conversation with the artists at 7:30 p.m. Cost is $13-$15. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

African Showboys, African tribal music and dance, at 9 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $11-$13. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Grand Groovement at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

David Lindley at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $20.50-$21.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Matt the Electrician, Tom Freund at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $7. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com 

Maria Estrada Quartet at 9 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810. 

Paul Garton & John Howland, singer-songwriters, at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344. www.nomadcafe.net 

Ray Cepeda at 8 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave., at Dwight. 548-5198.  

The Origin at 8:30 p.m. at Epic Arts, 1923 Ashby Ave. Cost is $5-$10. www.epicarts.org 

Off Minor, My Disco, Fighting Dogs at 8 p.m. at 924 Gilman St., an all-ages, member-run, no alcohol, no drugs, no violence club. Cost is $7. 525-9926. 

Spirit Music Jamia featuring Me’shell Ndegeocello at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $20-$24. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

SATURDAY, JULY 2 

THEATER 

“Jane Austen in Berkeley” A one-woman play by Andrea Mok at 7:30 p.m. at A Cuppa Tea, College and Alcatraz. 841-9441. 

FILM 

Pre-Code Hollywood: “Trouble in Paradise” at 7 p.m. and “Design for Living” at 8:45 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808.  

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Bay Area Poets Coalition open poetry reading from 3 to 5 p.m. on the front lawn at 1527 Virginia St. 527-9905. poetalk@aol.com 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

East Bay Funkhop Freedom Fest A benefit for Berkeley High School’s Music Program, with Otis Goodnight, Raw Deluxe, Ten G Bob and others, from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at People’s Park on Haste.  

“F@x!” the Fourth fundraiser for the Urban Living Summer Institute at 9 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $10. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Ellen Hoffman, Hanif & The Sound Voyagers Jazz Quintet at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Ron Thompson at 2 p.m. at Down Home Music, 10341 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito. 525-2129. 

Don Villa & Friends, country blues, at 7 p.m. at Spuds Pizza, 3290 Adeline St. Cost is $7. 558-0881. 

Teja Gerken, finger-style guitar, at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $17.50-$18.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Sylvia Herold & Euphonia, English, Irish, and American folk songs, at 8:30 p.m. at Epic Arts, 1923 Ashby Ave. Cost is $5-$10. www.epicarts.org 

George Pederson and the Natives, Famous Last Words at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $5. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com 

Reggae Angels at 9 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $11-$13. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Braziu, Brazilian music at 9 p.m. at Shattuck Down Low, 2284 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $10-$12. 548-1159. www.shattuckdownlow.com 

Jonah Minton Group at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

Samantha Raven & Friends at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344. www.nomadcafe.net 

Matt Renzi Quartet at 9 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810. 

Iron Lung, Threatener, Machine Gun Romantics at 8 p.m. at 924 Gilman St. Cost is $7. 525-9926. 

Sylvia Herold & Euphonia, folk songs, at 8:30 p.m. at Epic Arts, 1923 Ashby Ave. Cost is $5-$10. www.epicarts.org 

Ricardo Lemvo and Makina Loca at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square, through Sun. Cost is $15-$20. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

SUNDAY, JULY 3 

CHILDREN  

Ten*G*Bob at Ashkenaz at 3 p.m. Cost is $4-$6. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

EXHIBITIONS 

Mary Younkin, paintings. Reception at 4 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344. www.nomadcafe.net 

Michéle Manning “Lake Anza Series” Reception for the artist at 2:30 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. 525-2233. 

FILM 

Harold Lloyd: “The Kid Brother” at 3 p.m. and Pre-Code Hollywood: ”Blessed Event” at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Traditional and Modern American Music on the Rosales Organ, with brass and percussion at 3 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Oakland, 2619 Broadway. Donation $10. 444-3555. www.firstchurchoakland.org 

Antonio Dionisio, guitarist and vocalist from Brazil at 7:30 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $10. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Edessa, Balkan CD Release Party at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Dance lessons with Amet Luleci and Joe Graziosi at 7 p.m. Cost is $12. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Americana Unplugged: The Mercury Dimes at 5 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

Twang Cafe, acoustic americana, at 7:30 p.m. at Epic Arts, 1923 Ashby Ave. Cost is $5-$10. www.epicarts.org 

MONDAY, JULY 4 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

One World Festival with bluegrass, african, roots and brazilian music, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Cerrito Vista Park, 1/2 mile off San Pablo on Moeser, El Cerrito. Free. www.worldOneradio.org 

Mel Sharpe’s Big Money in Jazz Band with Faye Carol at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $5. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

TUESDAY, JULY 5 

CHILDREN 

“Hazel and the Dragon” puppet show at 7 p.m. at The Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave. 526-3720, ext. 17.  

THEATER 

Shotgun Theater Lab “The Pawn” Tues. and Wed. at 8 p.m. at The Ashby Stage, 1901 Ashby Ave., through July 6. Tickets are $10. 841-6500. www.shotgunplayers.org 

FILM 

Eyeing Nature “Darwin’s Nightmare” at 7:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Tom Rigney & Flambeau at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cajun dance lesson at 8 p.m. Cost is $9. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Gini Wilson, solo piano, at 8 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810. 

Singers’ Open Mic at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Cuarto Dos Alas with John Santos, Elio Villafranca, Orestes Vilato and John Benitez at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $10-$16. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

Jazzschool Tuesdays, a weekly showcase of up-and-coming ensembles from Berkeley Jazz 

school at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

WEDNESDAY, JULY 6 

FILM 

For Your Eyes Only “Ministry of Fear” at 7:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

Arab Women Film Festival “Four Women of Egypt” at 7:30 p.m. at La Pena Cultural Center. Donation $5. 849-2568. www.lapena.org  

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Berkeley Poetry Slam with host Charles Ellik and Three Blind Mice, at 8:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $5-$7. 841-2082 www.starryplough.com 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Joy Perrin, one-woman band, at 1:15 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-5190. 

Ned Boynton/Jules Broussard Trio at 8 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810.  

Calvin Keys Trio at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Wadi Gad and Jahbandis at 9 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $9. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

The Mike Glendinning Band at 10 p.m. at The Ivy Room, 858 San Pablo Ave., Albany.  

Julio Bravo, salsa, at 8 p.m. at Shattuck Down Low, 2284 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $5-$10. 548-1159.  

Ezra Gale Trio, jazz and funk, at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

The Websters with Scott Nygaard at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Thomas Cunningham, 5 Days Dirty, Whole Wheat Bread at 9 p.m. at Blakes on Telegraph. Cost is $7. 848-0886. www.blakesontelegraph.com 

Sunny Hawkins at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $10. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

THURSDAY, JULY 7 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Wholly Grace” works by Susan Dunhan Felix opens at the Badé Museum, 1798 Scenic Ave. 848-0528. 

“Blind at the Museum” guided tour at 5:30 p.m. at Berkeley Art Museum, 2625 Durant Ave. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

FILM 

Pre-Code Hollywood “The Animal Kingdom” at 5:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Free First Thursday. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Toby Bielawski reads from her recent poetry and prose at 7 p.m. at the Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave., Albany. 526-3720, ext. 17. 

“El sueño nerudiano” A poetic commemoration of Neruda’s 101th birthday at 8:30 p.m. at La Peña. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Beth Lisick introduces “Everybody Into the Pool: True Tales” at 7:30 p.m. at Cody’s Books. 845-7852. www.codysbooks.com 

Word Beat Reading Series with Jon Longhi and Chandra Garsson at 7 p.m. at Mediterraneum Caffe, 2475 Telegraph Ave., near Dwight Way. 526-5985. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Summer Noon Concert with the Capoeira Arts Café at the Downtown Berkeley BART Plaza. Sponsored by the Downtown Berkeley Association. 

Irina Rivkin and SONiA at 7:30 p.m. at Rose Street House of Music, 1839 Rose St. For reservations call 594-4000, ext. 687. 

Musicians of Bharatakalanji Lecture and demonstration of Bharatanatyn dance at 8 p.m., concert at 9:15 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $8-$10. 525-5054.  

Jeb Brady Band, rhythm and blues, at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $17.50-$18.50. 548-1761.  

Zapatista Benefit Concert with hip hop, jazz and spoken word at 8 p.m. at 21 Grand, 416 25th St., Oakland. Donation $5-$10. http://21grand.org 

Fourtet with David Jeffrey at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Lo Cura, music of Spain, Cuba, and California at 8:30 p.m. at Epic Arts, 1923 Ashby Ave. Cost is $5-$10. www.epicarts.org 

Whiskey Brothers, old-time and bluegrass at 9 p.m. at Albatross, 1822 San Pablo Ave. Free. 843-2473. www.albatrosspub.com 

The Orange Peels, The Biddy & Buddy Show, Mark Weinstock at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $5. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com 

Michael Wilcox/Sheldon Brown Duo at 8 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810. 

Robben Ford Band at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square, through Sun. Cost is $22-$26. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

Selector, lap-top funk and beat machines, at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

FRIDAY, JULY 8 

THEATER 

Aurora Theatre “The Thousandth Night” Wed.-Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. 2 and 7 p.m., through July 24, at 2081 Addison St. Tickets are $36. 843-4822. www.auroratheatre.org 

Central Works, “The Grand Inquisitor” by Dostoevsky. Thurs - Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 5 p.m. at The Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave., through July 31. Tickets are $9-$25 sliding scale. 558-1381. www.centralworks.org 

Contra Costa Civic Theatre “Anything Goes” Cole Porter’s musical, Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m. through Aug. 13 at 951 Pomona Ave., El Cerrito. 524-9132. www.ccct.org 

“Livin’ Fat” a comedy about an African American family struggling over a financial blessing, Fri. at 8 p.m., Sat. at 2 and 8 p.m., Sun. at 4 p.m., through July 30, at Sweets Ballroom, 1933 Broadway, Oakland. Tickets are $12.50-$35. 233-9222. 

Shotgun Players, “Arabian Night” Thurs.-Sun. at 8 p.m. at The Ashby Stage, 1901 Ashby Ave. until July 10. Tickets are $10-$30. 841-6500. www.shotgunplayers.org 

Woodminster Summer Musicals “Oaklahoma” at 8 p.m. at Woodminster Amphitheater in Joaquin Miller Park, 3300 Joaquin Miller Rd., Oakland. Through July 17. Tickets are $20-$33. 531-9597. www.woodminster.com 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Insomnia” Ten artists collaborate on one painting, from midnight to sunrise. Reception at 7:30 p.m. at Boontling Gallery, 4224 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. boontlinggallery@hotmail.com 

FILM 

For Your Eyes Only “Black Sunday” at 7:30 p.m. at Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808.  

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Laurie R. King introduces her new novel, “Locked Rooms” at 7:30 p.m. at Cody’s Books. 845-7852. www.codysbooks.com 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Jason Martineau, Tina Marzell & Ellen Hoffman Trio at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Jazz, 4000 Meters High, with pianist Johnny Gonzales from Bolivia, at 8 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $10-$13. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Lavay Smith and her Red Hot Skillet Lickers at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Swing dance lesson with Nick & Shanna at 8 p.m. Cost is $11-$13. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Thomas Banks & Cultural Gumbo, N Focus at 5:30 p.m. at Baltic Square, behind 121 Park Place, Point Richmond. 223-3882. 

Beth Waters with Adrianne at 8 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave., at Dwight. 548-5198.  

In Harmony’s Way, a capella CD release, at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Viva K, The Cushion Theory, Tiny Power, Gosling at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $6. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com 

Kathleen Grace Quartet at 9 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810. 

DJ & Brook, jazz trio, at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344. www.nomadcafe.net 

Bobby Jamieson Quintet at 8 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $10. 845-5373. www.jazz- 

school.com 

Cecil P-Nut Daniels at 7 p.m. at Shattuck Down Low, 2284 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $12-$15. 548-1159. www.shattuckdownlow.com 

Mingus Amungus at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

Parallax, No Turning Back, Internal Affairs at 8 p.m. at 924 Gilman St. Cost is $5. 525-9926. 

Robben Ford Band at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square, through Sun. Cost is $22-$26. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

?

From the Elkhorn Slough Overlook I watch the sunlight reflecting off the estuary waters, the glistening mudflats and the steep, corrugated roof of the open barn. To the north is the North Marsh rookery, home to nesting egrets and herons. Surrounding me are tall, multicolored native grasses amid the colors of wildflowers. Most distinct are the sounds—a soft cacophony of birdcalls and songs, almost joyful. A vision of nature. 

This vision could have been far different. During the 1960s and ‘70s, developers were ready to build hundreds of condos around a public marina, an oil refinery and nuclear power plant, all bisected by Highway 1. Instead, thanks to the Porter family, the Elkhorn Slough Foundation, the Nature Conservancy and the Packard family, over 7,000 acres of land is now protected and restored. A vision worth fighting for. 

The Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve encompasses seven miles of waterway from the center of Monterey Bay along the largest salt marsh in California, a total of 1400-acres. It attracts more bird species than anywhere else in California among its landscapes of oak woodlands, tidal creeks and freshwater marshes. Committed to restoration, research and education, Elkhorn Reserve warrants a visit, on its own, or as a side trip while visiting the Monterey Peninsula. 

I began a recent visit at the visitor center, where award-winning exhibits provided background and a visual overview of the reserve. Staffed by helpful volunteers, ready to answer questions, point out hikes on the trail map or refer you to seasonal activities, the visitor center will set the scene. An eye-catching exhibit is the nine-times-larger-than-life model, “The Unseen Slough.” Who knew just how much diverse life mud supports? Trap doors at different levels reveal hidden residents—sculpin, fat innkeeper worms and moon snails at home in mud whose color changes with depth. “Slough Check-up” uses the analogy of visiting the doctor to analyze the health of the slough. By monitoring factors like the rhythm of tides, diversity of species, movement of water and lab tests on pH and salinity a diagnosis can be made.  

My favorite exhibit was a series of labeled glass jars displaying freshly picked wildflowers in bloom, more satisfying than a photograph or drawing. I knew just what to look for as I followed the trails: white yarrow, yellow and black tidy tips, golden brodiaea and Italian pink thistle. 

It was easy to be tempted by the broad assortment of nicely displayed goodies in the Gift Center, especially the leather tooled journals, purple and yellow Cosmic Center of the Universe T-shirts and Wild Byrd earrings. Gift possibilities were endless, but it was time to hit the trail. 

Outside I bathed my boots to prevent the spread of Sudden Oak Death, admiring the mud-daubed nests of barn swallows under the wide eaves of the visitor center. The trail led gently down toward the slough, exposed at low tide. As it rimmed the shore, past rich landscapes of marsh, sand dunes, coastal prairie, sage scrub and chaparral, I saluted the mild Mediterranean climate in which they all thrive. 

Heading toward the rookery pond, I passed hillsides blanketed with the bright colors of hemlock and mustard, hearing the distinctive calls of red-winged blackbirds and California quail. The fog was breaking and the air was scented with the tang of salt and a mysterious plant that always reminds me of dirty gym socks—unforgettable. A tunnel of lichened oak branches above me curved back and forth in interesting patterns, their bark decorated with concentric circles of woodpecker holes. Thick undergrowth of dark green vinca sheltered in their shade. I could have been almost anywhere along California’s coast; the surrounding landscape seemed a close friend. 

Below the barn, I approached the South Marsh. Crossing the bridge I looked for small leopard sharks that raise their young in the protected waters below. The calls of Canada geese urged me out onto the boardwalk, carrying me far out over the mudflats. Now an expert in the “Unseen Slough,” I spotted clues of the life below: thick strands of chartreuse algae, red and green pickleweed, the egg collars of moon snails, fecal pellets of innkeeper worms and the siphon tracks of bent neck clams—just like the display showed. The peaceful South Marsh is one of the restoration projects undertaken by the reserve. A vastness of wildlife is now thriving on land diked for pasture for forty years. California has lost over 90 percent of its wetlands, making Elkhorn Slough all that much more vital.  

Continuing my hike, I read interpretive boards describing other restoration projects in progress. Four species of native grasses are being grown in different combinations, after a massive effort to remove non-native grass. Coastal shrubs and oak understory plants have also been re-introduced and provide a natural habitat along the Five Fingers and Long Valley Loop trails which lead south to the Wildlife Blind.  

My diagnosis of the Slough’s health put it in the top 10 percent. Constantly undergoing change, slough organisms must be able to adapt to these changes. Indicators were good. The temperature was crisp and the air pungent. Everywhere flora was thick and green; flowers were bright with color. A rich variety of bird life was plentiful and, according to their songs, in good health. With no clogged arteries, a steady rhythm of tides moved veins of clear water through the estuary, where egrets watched for their next meal. A clean bill of health. 

The view from the Overlook will change with the season. Home to 340 species of birds, 100 of fish and 400 of plants, any time of year will reward you with abundant wildlife and a time to reflect. Time to reflect on the value of commitment, the importance of preservation, and the joy of recognizing and appreciating the land in its natural state. 

Elkhorn Slough is located halfway between Santa Cruz and Monterey. In San Jose, take Hwy. 101 south, turn off onto Hwy. 156 west. Exit at Hwy. 1 and continue north to Moss Landing. At the power plant turn right onto Dolan Road. Go 3.5-miles on Dolan Road, then turn left onto Elkhorn Road. After 1.9-miles turn left into the Elkhorn Reserve gate.  

Driving time approximately 2 hours. 

Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve 

1700 Elkhorn Rd., Watsonville. (831) 728-2822, www.elkhornslough.org.  

Open Wed-Sun 9-5 p.m. Day use fee $2.50 for 16 years and above. 

Docent-led tours every Saturday and Sunday at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m..

FRIDAY, JULY 1 

Sustainable Business Alliance meets at noon at the Swan’s Market Co-housing Cooperative, 9th and Washington Sts., Oakland. Cost is $10-$12.  

Radio Camp Build an FM trasmitter and learn the fundamentals of micropower broadcasting in this 4-day workshop in Oakland. Class runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., July 1-4. Cost is $150-$200 sliding scale. For information and to register call 625-0314. www.freeradio.org 

“Three Beats for Nothing” a small group meeting weekly at 10 a.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center to sing for fun and practice, mostly 16th century harmony. No charge. 655-8863, 843-7610. dann@netwiz.net 

Berkeley Chess Club meets Fridays at 8 p.m. at the East Bay Chess Club, 1940 Virginia St. Players at all levels are welcome. 845-1041. 

World of Plants Tours Thurs.-Sun. at 1:30 p.m. at the UC Botanical Garden, 200 Centenial Drive. Cost is $1-$5. 643-2755. http://botanicalgarden.berkeley.edu 

Women in Black Vigil, from noon to 1 p.m. at UC Berkeley, Bancroft at Telegraph. wibberkeley@yahoo.com 548-6310, 845-1143. 

Salsa Dancing at “The Beat” Dance Studio at 8:30 p.m. Lessons with Joseph Gallardo. 2560 9th St. at Parker. 472-2393 www.wildsalsanights.com  

SATURDAY, JULY 2 

Year of The Estuary at Point Pinole Hike and learn the history of this shoreline park. Dogs on leashes welcome. Bring lunch, liquids, sunscreen and binoculars. Starts at 10 .m., call for meeting place. 525-2233. 

East Bay Funkhop Freedom Fest A benefit for Berkeley High School’s Music Program, with Otis Goodnight, Raw Deluxe, Ten G Bob and others, from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at People’s Park on Haste.  

East Bay Atheists meet at 2 p.m. at the Berkeley Public Library, 3rd floor meeting room, 2090 Kittredge St. A documentary on the disappearance of Madalyn Murray O’Hair will be shown. 

Walking Tour of Old Oakland around Chinatown. Meet at 10 a.m. at the courtyard fountain in the Pacific Renaissance Plaza. Tour lasts 90 minutes. Reservations can be made by calling 238-3234. 

Memorial for Norine Smith at noon at the Berkeley Rose Garden, Euclid Ave. at Eunice St. 

Car Wash Benefit for Options Recovery Services of Berkeley, held every Sat. from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Lutheran Church, 1744 University Ave. 666-9552. 

SUNDAY, JULY 3 

Sunday Bird Walk Meet at 9 a.m. at the Tilden Nature Area Visitor Center for an easy exploration of woodland birds in the neighborhood. 525-2233. 

Richmond Fireworks Display at 7:30 p.m. at Marina Bay Park. 620-6793. 

Hands-On Bicycle Clinic from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. Free. 527-4140. 

Deep Impact Spacecraft will fire an impactor into a comet. Watch the NASA broadcast at 10 p.m. at Chabot Space & Science Center, 10000 Skyline Blvd., Oakland. Tickets are $6-$8 available from 336-7373. 

Socal Action Forum on Microcredit, a system of self-help in developing countries, at 9:30 a.m. at Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley, 1 Lawson Rd., Kensington. 525-0302, ext. 306. 

Lake Merritt Neighbors Organized for Peace Peace walk around the lake every Sun. Meet at 3 p.m. at the colonnade at the NE end of the lake. 763-8712. lmno4p.org 

MONDAY, JULY 4 

Fourth of July at the Berkeley Marina with international food, live music, art and craft booths and children’s activities. From noon on, with fireworks at 9:30 p.m. Free admission. Alcohol-free event. Sponsored by the City of Berkeley. 548-5335. 

Open House at Tilden Nature Center A day of critters, crafts and creative fun, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. 525-2233. 

Summer Noon Concert with the Capoeira Arts Café at the Downtown Berkeley BART Plaza. Sponsored by the Downtown Berkeley Association. 

Interdependence Day Hike to discover how the lives of root nodules, lichen, and parasites are interconnected. Meet at 2 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center. 525-2233. 

One World Festival with bluegrass, african, roots and brazilian music, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Cerrito Vista Park, 1/2 mile off San Pablo on Moeser, El Cerrito. Free. www.worldOneradio.org 

Albany Dog Jog Along the Ohlone Greenway. Registration at 7:30 a.m. at Memorial Park, 1331 Portland Ave., Albany. Cost is $8-$10. Sponsored by the City of Albany. 524-9283. www.albanyca.org 

Albany Fourth of July Festival from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with music, arts and crafts, children’s activities, at Memorial Park, 1331 Portland Ave., Albany. Sponsored by the City of Albany. 524-9283. www.albanyca.org 

Do You D.A.R.E.? Learn American nature words on weather, topography, animals, wildlife, and weeds, followed by a short walk. From 10 a.m. to noon at Tilden Nature Center. 525-2233. 

TUESDAY, JULY 5 

Mid-Day Meander in Pt. Pinole at 2:30 p.m. to see returning shorebirds in their summer breeding plummage. Call for meeting place. 525-2233. 

Tilden Mini-Rangers Join us for an active afternoon of nature study, conservation, and rambling through woods and waters. Dress to get dirty; bring a healthy snack to share. Girls and boys ages 8-12, unaccompanied by their parents. From 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at Tilden Nature Area. Cost is $6-$8. Reservations required. 636-1684. 

Stargazing: Twilight of the Gods at 8 p.m. at Inspiration Point in Tilden Park. Dress warmly and bring a flashlight. 525-2233. 

“Darwin’s Nightmare” A film about the introduction of Nile Perch into Lake Victoria in Tanzania, which led to the endangerment or extinction of native fish, and famine in the area. At 7:30 p.m. at Pacific Film Archive, 2575 Bancroft Way, at Bowditch. Cost is $8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

“The Politics of Transportation” A slideshow and talk with Andy Signer on the environmental and social problems caused by automobiles, at 7 p.m. at AK Press, 674A 23rd St., Oakland. 208-1700. www.akpress.org 

Foot Care for Any Sport with runner, hiker, and backpacker, John Vonhof at 7 p.m. at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. Free. 527-4140. 

Tuesday Tilden Walkers Join a few slowpoke seniors at 9:30 a.m. in the parking lot near the Little Farm for an hour or two walk. In case of questionable weather, call around 8 a.m. 215-7672, 524-9992. 

Learn to Salsa Dance Tues. at 7 p.m. at the Lake Merrit Dance Center, 200 Grand Ave. Cost is $15 per class. 415-668-9936. www.DanceSF.com 

Brainstormer Weekly Pub Quiz from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Pyramid Alehouse Brewery, 901 Gilman St. 528-9880. 

Berkeley Camera Club meets at 7:30 p.m., at the Northbrae Community Church, 941 The Alameda. Share your digital images, slides and prints and learn what other photographers are doing. Monthly field trips. 548-3991. www.berkeleycameraclub.org 

Buddhist Meditation Class at 7 p.m. at The Dzalandhara Buddhist Center. Cost is $7-$10. For directions and details please call 559-8183. 

St. John’s Prime Timers meets at 9:30 a.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave. We offer ongoing classes in exercise and creative arts, and always welcome new members over 50. 845-6830. 

WEDNESDAY, JULY 6 

Tilden Tots Join a nature adventure program for 3 and 4 year olds, each accompanied by an adult (grandparents welcome)! We’ll capture and release butterflies from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Cost is $6-$8. Registration required. 636-1684. 

Tilden Explorers An after school nature adventure for 5-7 year olds who may be accompanied by an adult. No younger siblings please. We’ll capture and release butterflies and moths. From 3:15 to 4:45 p.m. Cost is $6-$8. Registration required. 636-1684. 

Berkeley Path Wanderers’ tour of East Bay Regional Parks Botanic Garden. Meet at 10 am. at the garden entrance, Wildcat Canyon Rd. and South Park Drive. To register call 524-4715. 

Kayaking 101 Covering kayaks, paddles, flotation devices, clothing and acccessories at 7 p.m. at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. Free. 527-4140. 

Insects for Kids A free class for children ages 5-10, at 9 a.m. at the Ecology Center, 2530 San Pablo Ave. www.barringtoncollective.org 

Arab Women Film Festival at 7:30 p.m. at La Pena Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck Ave. Donation $5. 849-2568. www.lapena.org  

Walking Tour of Jack London Waterfront Meet at 10 a.m. at the corner of Broadway and Embarcadero. Tour lasts 90 minutes. Reservations can be made by calling 238-3234. www.oaklandnet.com/walkingtours 

“The Iguazu Efeect” a film about globalization and “Bloodletting: Life Death Healthcare” at 7:30 p.m. at Humanist Hall, 390 27th St., Oakland. Donation $5. 

JumpStart Entrepreneurs share information at 8 a.m. at A’Cuppa Tea, 3202 College Ave. at Alcatraz. Cost is $5. 541-9901. 

Speculative and Practical Folklore Class at 7 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck Ave. We will discuss American folk practices from around the country but specifically Southern/South-Eastern, Pennsylvanian, Appalachian and Ozark folk practices. www.barringtoncollective.org 

League of Women Voters meets at 7 p.m. at 1414 University Ave., Suite D. 843-8824. http://lwvbae/org  

The Berkeley Lawn Bowling Club provides free instruction every Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. at 2270 Action St. 841-2174.  

Walk Berkeley for Seniors meets every Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. at the Sea Breeze Market, just west of the I-80 overpass. Everyone is welcome, wear comfortable shoes. 548-9840. 

Stitch ‘n Bitch Bring your knitting, crocheting and other handcrafts from 6 to 9 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave. 548-5198. 

Artify Ashby Muralist Group meets every Wed. from 5 to 8 p.m. at the South Berkeley Senior Center, to plan a new mural. New artists are welcome. Call Bonnie at 704-0803. 

Berkeley Peace Walk and Vigil at the Berkeley BART Station, corner of Shattuck and Center. Sing for Peace at 6:30 p.m. followed by Peace Walk at 7 p.m. www. 

geocities.com/vigil4peace/vigil 

THURSDAY, JULY 7 

Berkeley Communicators Toastmasters meets at 7:15 a.m. at Au Cocolait, 200 University Ave. at Milvia. 524-3765. 

Early Morning Bird Walk Meet at 7 a.m. at Inspiration Point in Tilden Park. 525-2233. 

Zapatista Benefit Concert with hip hop, jazz and spoken word at 8 p.m. at 21 Grand, 416 25th St., Oakland. Donation $5-$10. http://21grand.org 

World of Plants Tours Thurs.-Sun. at 1:30 p.m. at the UC Botanical Garden, 200 Centenial Drive. Cost is $1-$5. 643-2755. http://botanicalgarden.berkeley.edu 

Parenting Class: Baby Basics for new and expecting parents at 10 a.m. at Bananas, 5232 Claremont Ave. Registration required. 658-7353.  

Tilden Tots Join a nature adventure program for 3 and 4 year olds, each accompanied by an adult (grandparents welcome)! We’ll capture and release butterflies from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Cost is $6-$8. Registration required. 636-1684. 

Stroke Screening beginning at 9 a.m. at Northbrae Community Church, 941 The Alameda. Cost is $109-$139. For an appointment call 1-800-697-9721. 

ONGOING 

Summer Camps for Children offered by the City of Berkeley, including swimming, sports and twilight basketball, from June 20 to August 12, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. 981-5150, 981-5153. 

Free Lunches for Berkeley Children beginning June 20, Mon.-Fri., 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Frances Albrier Center, James Kenney Center, MLK, Jr. Youth Services Center, Strawberry Creek, Washington School and Rosa Parks School. 981-5146. 

Albany Summer Youth Programs including basketball, classes, bike trips and family activities. For information see www.albanyca.org/dept/rec.html 

Bay Area Shakespeare Camp for ages 7 to 13, two week sessions through Aug., at John Hinkle Park. Cost is $395, with scholarships available. 415-422-2222. www.sfshakes.org 

CITY MEETINGS 

Citizens Humane Commission meets Wed., July 6, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Katherine O’Connor, 981-6601. www.ci.berkeley.ca. us/commissions/humane 

Berkeley Rent Stabilization Board meets Thurs. July 7, at 7 p.m. in City Council Chambers, Pam Wyche, 644-6128 ext. 113. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/rent 

Community Environmental Advisory Commission meets Thurs., July 7, at 7 p.m., at 2118 Milvia St. Nabil Al-Hadithy, 981-7461. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/environmentaladvisory 

Public Works Commission meets Thurs., July 7, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Jeff Egeberg, 981-6406. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/publicworks 

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Wow. How often do you see John Conyers, Maxine Waters, Richard Pombo, Richard Sensenbrenner, Molly Ivins and Debra Saunders playing on the same team? For those of you who have been on vacation the last five years, that’s two best-of-bunch Democratic congresspersons, two out-to-lunch Republican same, and two columnists, both good writers but one wrong on most things we care about. The issue that brought them all together, and fast? The recent Supreme Court decision that it’s fine for local government to take your house and give it to developers. Paul Glusman has already noted in these pages how judges can be all over the map these days, and that’s part of the explanation, but there’s more. 

The decision, which assembled its majority from four “liberals” and one “moderate,” illustrates vividly how the Democrats, who have traditionally been the party of the have-nots, have slipped over more often than not into being just another party for the haves. Molly Ivins, as always, nails it. She sees through the scam of the economic development lobby, which always gets more money for the rich, though sometimes also for organized construction workers and local government budgets. Of course, she puts it better than I can: “‘Jobs, jobs, jobs’ is the eternal cry of the development lobby, which always stands to profit from whatever abomination is foisted on the public.” She has been known to winter in Berkeley on occasion, which is perhaps why she says “those who naively trust local governments to make wise decisions clearly haven’t been paying attention. The main difference between the feds and the locals is that it costs more to buy the feds.” 

John Conyers has been my main man in Congress ever since I lived in Michigan in the ‘60s. He was one of the very first Democrats to smell something fishy about the Vietnam war, bucking leaders of his own party by sponsoring a bill to impeach Lyndon Johnson, a copy of which I still have in a drawer somewhere. Detroit, where his district is located, has been repeatedly ravaged by misbegotten redevelopment schemes. He’s never trusted the powerful, even in his own party.  

Maxine Waters, who can best be described as “mouthy” (and from me that’s a compliment) similarly makes up her own mind, and she’s certainly aware that the modest homes of her L.A. constituents are now targets of opportunity in California’s real estate boom. To give their unlikely Republican bedfellows their due, even Republicans are sometimes concerned about little guys getting shafted, though they tend to suspect the feds more than the locals.  

Here in Berkeley, we’ve recently been treated to the unusual spectacle of a banner across the front steps of City Hall held at one end by a conservative ex-mayor and on the other end by a progressive ex-planning-commissioner. Both objected to the recent dumb deal by our own local government, sacrificing our city’s autonomy in planning for its own downtown for a very small mess of pottage promised by our resident megacorporation. The conservative end of the banner represented people who know that taxes will have to go up to pay for services used by mega-U’s expansion projects; the left-liberal end represented those who think that citizens should retain the right to control their own urban environment for the public good, and who understand that UC’s plans will end up being equivalent to the nastiest versions of urban redevelopment projects. Oh, and by the way, UC does have the power of eminent domain.  

Our readers in Oakland, in Rockridge, Temescal and North Oakland, face similar intrusions by greedy redevelopers. Another one of our sharp-eyed readers, Bob Brokl, recently contributed a fine explanation of how redevelopment works, and anyone who missed it should look it up on the Internet. Here again we have alert progressives who won’t take the fool’s gold offered to them by self-styled liberals in Oakland’s self-serving local government. Oakland has already been burned by classic redevelopment schemes, including the sports stadium trick and the convention hotel scam.  

What political observers more naïve than Conyers and Waters often miss is that the development lobby is not just “the developers,” though they get a good piece of the pie. Even more, it’s their financiers, who may be, for example, low-profile university business school professors. It’s also their contractors. The construction workers, the “jobs” behind which the lobby hides, usually turn out not to be the local unemployed, but poorly paid non-union outsiders who frequently work under substandard conditions with health hazards like asbestos exposure winked at by enforcers.  

It will be extremely interesting to see where these new progressive-conservative coalitions are going. Another sphere where both groups are beginning to catch on that government might be doing them in is the Iraq war. When you see rock-ribbed conservatives like Walter Jones beginning to ask why we’re there, you know something new has happened.  

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With onlookers clapping in approval, the City Council passed a budget Tuesday that slashed city jobs and services, but provided enough money for the library to reopen its doors on Sundays. 

On July 13, the library will present its board with a proposal to open the main branch seven days a week beginning in September, said Library Financial Director Beverli Marshall in an interview. Her comment came after the council passed a higher library tax rate increase than asked for by the library board of directors. 

Other departments in the city didn’t fare as well this year. 

Today (Friday) the city begins periodic fire company closures to save $1.1 million in overtime expenses. Fire Department overtime cost the city roughly $2.4 million this fiscal year, about 25 percent higher than original projections. 

Under the Fire Department’s plan, the city will close up to two fire companies at a given time rather than pay firefighters overtime to replace workers on vacation or leave. Minimum staffing levels will be reduced from 34 to 28. 

Chief Debra Pryor told the council that fire companies serving the Berkeley hills would be immune from closures during fire season which extends until the end of the year. The rotating closures were selected as an alternative to shutting down one of Berkeley’s two ladder truck companies. 

The struggle over this year’s budget took on a roller coaster quality. 

While soaring personnel costs and flat revenues opened up a $8.9 million shortfall, Berkeley’s sizzling real estate market netted the city an extra $3.5 million from the city’s property transfer tax. 

During meetings over the past half-year, the council opted to allocate most of the windfall for capital projects like street repair and technology upgrades, while slashing money to city departments and community agencies by an average of 10 percent. 

It was the third consecutive year of cuts in Berkeley. Since 2003, the council has slashed $20 million and reduced its work force by 10 percent. For fiscal year 2006, which begins Friday, the council cut $8 million from its general fund and eliminated 52 positions, all of which were vacant.  

Berkeley anticipates erasing its structural budget deficit by 2009 in part by denying employees raises for the first two years of future contacts.  

With most budget issues already resolved by Tuesday’s meeting, the final bone of contention was a proposal from Councilmember Dona Spring to transfer $500,000 set aside for street repair and technology upgrades for customer service improvements to community agencies that serve the poor.  

Spring was backed by Councilmembers Kriss Worthington and Max Anderson, but others on the council opposed reducing funding to capital projects. Councilmember Gordon Wozniak defended the technology upgrades as a way to improve worker efficiency at a time when the city was cutting jobs to balance the budget. Councilmember Darryl Moore, who had lent his name to an earlier request to restore funding to the agencies, said infrastructure repairs were too vital to cut.  

“We have to do something about the potholes and cracks in our streets,” he said. 

Ultimately the council voted 8-1 on a compromise that mirrored a proposal offered by Mayor Tom Bates, which restored funding to several agencies but didn’t go as far as Spring’s plan. The council allocated an extra $4,000 for the disability agency Center for Independent Living and $12,000 for the city’s public access station, Berkeley Community Media, and agreed to consider restoring $225,000 in funding for local non-profits in December. Councilmember Worthington cast the lone no vote, insisting the budget neglected the needs of low income residents. 

After passing the budget, the council unanimously voted to raise the library tax 5.26 percent, equivalent to the California Personal Income Growth index this year. The library board has asked for a 4.8 percent increase which was equal to the preliminary income growth figures available when at the time of the board vote.  

The higher rate affords the library an extra $50,000 next year and guarantees that the main branch will reopen Sundays. Last July the library closed Sundays and reduced hours at branches to balance its budget. Marshall said library brass would poll the public on which hours to restore on Sundays. 

Other Items 

• The council voted 8-1 (Olds no) to allocate to the city’s trust fund for affordable housing any money received from the sale of the city’s health building at 2344 Sixth Street above the city’s $2.4 million asking price. 

• Mayor Bates withdrew his proposal to require that all confidentiality agreements the council enters into for land use law suits include a provision allowing for public review and comment before the council settles the suit. 

Last week, Bates had pushed for a vote on the proposal he co-authored with Councilmember Worthington. According to his chief of staff, Cisco De Vries, the mayor was concerned that the proposal might be illegal on grounds that the council can’t vote on policies that bind future city councils. 

• By a 6-0-3 vote (Wozniak, Olds and Capitelli abstain), the council approved a resolution calling on the Bush Administration to create a cabinet level Department of Peace. The proposal came to the council after failing to win a majority in Berkeley’s Peace and Justice Commission.