Posted Sun., April 13—Preliminary results from testing water collected from the Berkeley Aquatic Park last week after a sewage spill showed no contamination, city officials told the Planet on Friday, but a section of the lagoon remained closed to the public throughout the weekend. 

A sewage spill discovered at Bayer Healthcare’s Berkeley campus on Monday prompted the city’s Division of Environmental Health to prohibit human contact with water in a section of the Aquatic Park.  

The city’s Environmental Health Manager Manuel Ramirez told the Planet Friday that the city had determined the spill amount to be approximately 1,170 gallons of sewage. 

He added that the shoreline from Bancroft Way to Carleton Street would be off limits until Monday, when the final test results will be available. 

“The spill is on the small scale, when compared to the millions of [gallons of ] sewage spilled in Marin County recently,” he said. “The preliminary results show there was no impact from the sewage, but we will need final test results to confirm that.” 

The spill, which occurred from a city-owned blocked pipe, carries human waste and clean water from Bayer’s administrative buildings at 800 Dwight Way, Bayer’s Community Outreach Manager Trina Ostrander told the Planet. 

Bayer’s Berkeley campus, located next to Aquatic Park, is the company’s global center for hemophilia and cardiology pharmaceuticals, and manufactures Kogenate, a large protein pharmaceutical that treats hemophilia.  

Ostrander said that a couple of Bayer employees had discovered the spill and notified the campus emergency response team.  

Ramirez said that prohibiting human contact with water in the area most likely affected was a precautionary measure. The human feces found in sewage can contain fecal coliform bacteria, which produce pathogens which could infect humans with diseases.  

The UC Berkeley School of Law Dean Christopher Edley Jr. came to the defense this week of law professor John Yoo, author of one of the "torture memos” for the Bush administration, and said the controversial professor could not be fired.  

Yoo, who was deputy assistant attorney general in the Office of Legal Counsel at the U.S. Department of Justice from 2001 to 2003, helped establish an interrogation policy towards terrorism suspects for the Bush administration that many have decried as harsh and inhumane. 

While Edley said that he disagreed with Yoo's legal analysis of how prisoners could be treated, he nonetheless defended Yoo’s position as a tenured professor. Edley’s comments were posted Thursday on the school's website at www.law.berkeley.edu/news/2008/edley041008.html 

Calling Yoo “a very successful teacher,” Edley wrote, “Assuming one believes as I do that Professor Yoo offered bad ideas and even worse advice during his government service, that judgment alone would not warrant dismissal or even a potentially chilling inquiry.” 

Edley’s remarks came as a response to the urging of the National Lawyers Guild earlier this week calling for the dismissal of Yoo from the UC Berkeley law school. 

"John Yoo's complicity in establishing the policy that led to the torture of prisoners constitutes a war crime under the U.S. War Crimes Act," National Lawyers Guild President Marjorie Cohn was quoted as saying. 

Yoo is scheduled to speak on Monday at the Bancroft Hotel, 2680 Bancroft Way, as part of the Berkeley Center for Law and Technology’s 2008 Privacy Lecture, focusing on the intersection between privacy and national security law. Yoo will be responding to remarks by keynote speaker David Cole, professor of law at Georgetown University Law Center. The lecture will begin at 4 p.m. 

Posted Fri., April 11—Tomorrow (Saturday) will be a day unlike the usual Saturday in Berkeley. Throngs will be headed for the UC Berkeley campus, but not for classes or football games. 

They’re taking part in Cal Day, and you can join them on this once-a-year opportunity to explore the university in Berkeley’s backyard. 

Cal Day started out years ago as something of an annual public open house, but now has the added character of an event to specially showcase the campus for prospective and newly admitted students.  

So if you have younger children pointed towards college, it can be a particularly enlightening experience. But the open house for all theme still pertains. 

Four years ago I wrote about Cal Day for the Planet. A generation of students has come and gone, and the event seems even bigger and even more interesting now. It’s an occasion when even the most staid-sounding academic departments have come up with fun and fascinating things to show and tell the public. 

The program alone—with just a few short paragraph for each activity-runs to nearly 60 pages. An estimated 30,000 visitors are expected to take part. The event starts at 9:00 am and wraps up by 4:00. 

There will be scores of tables and displays at the central “Information Marketplace” in Dwinelle Plaza, and orientation information available at several other campus gateways. 

Cal’s massive and multitudinous museums star this particular day. Admission is free to the Berkeley Art Museum, Hearst Museum of Anthropology, and tours are available at largely behind-the-scenes collections like the University Herbaria and the Museum of Paleontology.  

Live anthropods will be on view at the Essing Museum on the second floor of Wellman Hall, along with stuck-up preserved specimens from the insect world. “Live marine animals” will be on hand with “beach-bucket science” students as guides at the entrance to McCone Hall 

The Museum of Vertebrate Zoology housed in the Valley Life Sciences Building is turning 100 this year, and celebrates with “live animals, play games, a puppet show” as well as more adult seminars and tours. 

You can throw a pot—not at someone, but for your shelf—at the hands-on ASUC Art Studio near Sather Gate, or “Play With Clay” in the Archaeological Research Facility at 2251 College Ave., where the whys and hows of ancient ceramic-making will be taught. 

If you’d rather watch then participate, there’s lots of entertainment to take in. From 10 a.m.-2 p.m., student groups will perform “traditional and cultural dances, songs, and skits” on Sproul Plaza, or you can watch dance performances-ballet, modern, lyrical jazz, and other styles-in the Department of Physical Education in historic Hearst Gymnasium. 

Several of the campus theaters and dance studios will be showcased on a 12-1 tour hosted by the Department of Theater, Dance, and Performance Studies. And from 2-4 pm in the Chavez Student center students stage “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum: The Musical.”  

The University Baroque Ensemble performs in Hertz Hall, as does the University Symphony Orchestra. Taiko drumming reverberates outside Kroeber Hall, and the Campanile carillion will be played on the hour, starting at noon.  

At 1:30 p.m. at Hertz Hall you can hear the winner of the first Berkeley Piano Competition perform; he’ll go home with a Steinway grand. 

The “Bug Doctor” helps identify insects and spiders and diagnoses your “bug-riddled plants” at Wellman Hall and if you have a mysterious fossil in the attic, bring it by the “Fossil Roadshow” at the Life Sciences Building for an educated guess as to what it is. 

In Memorial Glade, north of Doe Library, the popular Army ROTC rock climbing wall will be open for business, and just uphill from Sproul Plaza UC Police will showcase their patrol cars, Segways, bomb disposal unit and (one hopes) cute bomb sniffing dogs. 

Down in Edwards Stadium a track and field showdown with Stanford will take place (there’s a ticket charge, but children under 12 are free) next to a free tennis match, Cal verses Washington, while the Golden Bears football team will have their final spring scrimmage in Memorial Stadium. 

Food is in abundance-there are 18 university run or related dining facilities open for the day on and off-campus. Rides to the top of the Campanile are free for the day, as are many University parking lots (through 5:00 PM) although use of public transportation is encouraged. 

Even “Curious George” will appear. Wait, don’t get out the Code Pink protest signs! It’s the fictional character—not the where-did-the-WMD’s go President—coming to the annual Celebration of Children’s Literature on the second floor of Tolman Hall. The simple simian will be joined by several children’s authors and illustrators including Thatcher Hurd. 

A potpourri of other offerings. Tour many of the campus residence halls, including historic Bowles Hall and the Clark Kerr Campus, and the Global Environment Green Suite where students demonstrate sustainable living. 

Walk the “Campus Tree Trail” (get a guidebook at Table 25 in the Information Marketplace). Hear a talk on “Cal 101: A Bear’s Necessities,” covering the basics a prospective student should know. Have tea with members of the Society of Women Engineers, explore the machine shop for Mechanical Engineering students in Etcheverry Hall, tour KALX, the student radio station, in Barrows Hall or visit the offices of the Daily Californian newspaper in Eshleman Hall.  

Parents can drop by the Cal Parents Hospitality Tent (Table 77) or nibble and chat at the Parents Reception at Alumni House, open to the proud progenitors of current and newly admitted students. 

Faculty and student insights, research, and opinion will be presented in a wide variety of talks and programs. 

Cal’s vaulted-and deserved-reputation for intellectual diversity and creativity is displayed in lectures on biofuels, “marking nuclear waste sites forever,” “Fact and Fiction of Immigration in the United States,” “Physics for Future Presidents,” “What’s the Good of the Liberal Arts?,” “How the Vikings Told Stories,” “Can Worms Teach Us About Our Immune System?,” “Blood, Guts, Bones, and Flesh Eating Beetles,” and “Better Living Through Economics.” 

Over in Davis Hall Professor Hassan Astaneh will demonstrate-no doubt with shattering results-the breaking points of various construction materials starting with steel (2 p.m.), timber (2:30 p.m.), and concluding with concrete (3 p.m.).  

In the Embedded Systems Design Laboratory in Cory Hall “students show off their latest and greatest projects, including a climbing Roomba,” while in Etcheverry Hall you can help set up obstacle courses for experimental robots, or observe how projectiles slam into various sorts of objects in the Ballistic Materials Testing Lab. 

If you haven’t been on campus in a while and want to know about new buildings, you can peek inside the recently opened C.V. Starr East Asian Library, take a “virtual walkthrough” of the CITRIS project (under construction on Hearst Avenue, above Euclid), tour the recently completed Stanley Hall (adjacent to Mining Circle), or explore the green slate-shingled Hargrove Music Library. 

Or, if you want to benefit from Cal Day but don’t want to join the crowds on the campus proper, the Lawrence Hall of Science, UC Botanical Garden, and Blake Garden in Kensington are open for free, with special programs. 

Download the Cal Day program from the campus website at.http://calday.berkeley.edu/ or pick up a printed program from one of the information tables as you enter campus. The program includes a handy guide for what starts when so you can plan out a sensible schedule. 

A hybrid car will chauffer visitors around campus, as will motorized cable cars, and there are electrical carts to carry the mobility impaired.  

Posted Fri., April 11—Is the Hayward Fault, which runs diagonally through Berkeley, a “tectonic time bomb in our back yard”?  

Although he’s a scientist not given to hyperbole, the answer is essentially “Yes” says Professor Roland Bürgmann, a researcher at the Berkeley Seismological Laboratory, who delivered that sobering conclusion in the annual Lawson Lecture Wednesday, April 9, on the UC Berkeley campus. 

The Lawson Lecture series was started several years ago during the build-up to the centennial commemoration of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. The lecture will be reprised for the public on Cal Day tomorrow (Saturday). 

Bürgmann led his audiences through both scientific analysis and a layperson’s layout of how the Hayward Fault acts and what impends for local communities in coming years. 

The Hayward Fault runs northwest to southeast along the base of the Berkeley Hills. In most places it “represents the topographic front of the hills,” where the steeper sections give way to the much gentler incline of the misnamed “flatlands” of Berkeley and neighboring communities. 

In 1868, the southern section of the Hayward Fault delivered what Bürgmann notes was called The Great San Francisco Earthquake for nearly 40 years, “until the 1906 earthquake stole its name.”  

1868 was the year the University of California was chartered. There were barely a quarter million residents in the Bay Area at the time, and most of the East Bay, including the future Berkeley, was very sparsely populated.  

Still, 30 people died and the quake’s namesake community of Hayward and other villages in southern Alameda County were wrecked, along with many buildings in San Francisco and elsewhere. 

Geological studies focusing on the UC Berkeley campus area have shown that the west side of the Fault has moved at least 335 meters north, relative to the east side, over millions of years, at a rate of about 10 millimeters per year.  

Strawberry Creek is offset considerably from its westward course when it hits the Fault at the mouth of Strawberry Canyon. Memorial Stadium is now constructed on this site, but the creek used to make a distinctive jog to the northwest, tumbling down a series of cascades and pools, before resuming its westward flow through the lower campus. 

The Hayward Fault, Bürgmann noted, has had a typical “creep” of several millimeters a year, documented in features like the creek displacement but also, today, in offset curbs and broken paving up and down the East Bay, and the slow shift northwards of the western half of Memorial Stadium.  

It’s not the creep that’s the problem, however, but when the Fault “locks” deep below the surface, building up strain that is then periodically and violently released in earthquakes. 

Since the early 1300s there have been at least five major earthquakes on the Hayward Fault, at intervals estimated to be approximately 155, 160, 95 and 143 years. Since the 1868 event it has been “139 years and counting,” Bürgmann noted. 

Thus 2008 takes on symbolic significance-it’s marks the end of the average 140 year interval between Hayward Fault earthquakes during the past several hundred years. 

That doesn’t mean that an earthquake will occur this year. But it does mean that the next Hayward Fault earthquake is coming ever closer, no longer a remote possibility but a projected likelihood within decades, if not years.  

Drawing data from several research approaches, “the Hayward Fault is ready today” for an earthquake, Bürgmann concluded.  

His lecture was supplemented by an elegant combination of graphics-both still and moving-showing the wide range of tools seismologists can employ today to map and analyze the Hayward Fault. 

Even if the subject weren’t so close to home for those of us in Berkeley, this was a fascinating lecture. The explanations of both traditional and revolutionary new research techniques were clear and intriguing. 

There were aerial photos and computer generated topographic images showing fault strain from above and the side. These were as vivid as if the fault was a living organism subjected to an MRI. 

One aerial showed hundreds of points in Berkeley where movement caused by fault creep or slow-moving landslides could be documented by satellite. Other images expanded out to the regional scale, documenting how the Pacific Plate beneath the ocean is moving north, relative to the North American Plate beneath most of the Bay Area. 

As the Pacific Plate moves north, it is pulling part of central and southern California along with it. “Ultimately, Los Angeles will be ruining our views” to the west, Bürgmann joked. 

However, even with all the detailed study of the Hayward Fault, “the earth doesn’t really behave the way we think it should,” Bürgmann notes. Earthquakes don’t come like clockwork. 

But “we have clearly reached the stress load that was sufficient to cause the last two earthquakes on the Hayward Fault.” 

Bürgmann closed his lecture with a quotation from Andrew Lawson, the renowned Berkeley geologist who named the San Andreas Fault and founded much of the science of modern seismology. 

“The best protection against the danger of earthquakes is not the knowledge of the particular dates upon which they will occur, but the realization that they may occur at any time, and that foundations and structures should be built sufficiently strong to withstand the shocks,” Lawson wrote in 1922. 

“Preparing ourselves for earthquakes is more important than all the earthquake prediction we can do,” Bürgmann concluded.  

You can learn more about the Hayward Fault and earthquake safety at the website of the 1868 Hayward Earthquake Alliance, a consortium of organizations organized to commemorate the 140th anniversary of the 1868 earthquake, at http://1868alliance.org/ 

The Berkeley Seismological Laboratory, with a wealth of earthquake related information, can be found on-line at http://seismo.berkeley.edu/ 

As pro-Tibet groups and supporters of the Beijing Games engaged in a war of words during the Olympic Torch Relay in San Francisco Wednesday, Tibetans in Berkeley kept their businesses closed to join in a movement very close to their heart. 

A handwritten message greeted customers at Little Tibet, a curio shop at 2037 University Ave., saying, “We are closed on April 8 and 9, sorry for the inconvenience.”  

Tsewang Khangsar, who owns Little Tibet, trekked across the Himalayas to escape from the Chinese occupation 47 years ago. Khangsar was one of thousands of Tibetan refugees from India to win a green card lottery in 1995, which eventually brought him to Berkeley. 

“We were there to let the world know what China is doing to Tibet,” said Khangsar, who spent Tuesday and Wednesday in San Francisco. “China has occupied Tibet for the last five decades ... Three generations have passed. They said they would liberate us from serfdom to justify their occupation, but there has been no economic or social progress since then. After 50 years, the condition of Tibet has not changed. It is politically unstable. Tibetans are still suffering economically. There is no religious freedom, and our culture has been destroyed.” 

Next door at a shuttered Lhasa Salon, a “Why Care about Tibet” poster with saffron-robed Bud-dhist monks rallying in the background left no doubts about where its owners could be. 

Signs encouraging passers-by to join the “Global Human Rights Torch Relay” to protest China’s crimes against humanity and free Tibet were plastered all over the desolate storefronts of adjacent stores Tibet Jewels and Cafe Tibet on University Avenue. 

Dawa Lama, who owns Tibet Jewels, echoed Khangsar’s comments. 

“We don’t have human rights in Tibet,” said Lama, who crossed over the Tibetan border into Nepal to escape from the Chinese when she was six years old. “There is no good education for the younger generation. We don’t even have the right to put Dalai Lama’s picture in our homes.” 

Lama said fear of being arrested by the Chinese government for believing in democracy kept her away from visiting Tibet. 

Neither Lama nor Khangsar had any qualms about the loss to their businesses during the last couple of days. 

“People are giving their lives in Tibet, what is closing your business for two days?” said Lama. “It’s the least we can do.” 

More than 160 groups from across the Bay Area rallied against the 2008 Olympic Games in San Francisco, the only city in North America through which the torch will pass during its journey spanning six continent and 150 cities. 

Students, local businessmen and entire families from Berkeley took BART or drove to San Francisco as early as 6 a.m. to support Tibet or the Beijing Games. 

Yiining Chan, a third-year finance student from UC Berkeley, missed school to show his support for the torch relay at the Justin Herman Plaza in front of the Ferry Building. 

“It is sports for people from all over the world,” said Chan, who grew up in Hong Kong. “It’s about the Olympic spirit, there should be no relationship between the Olympics and politics.” 

Jessica Kali, who had braved the crowds on the MUNI’s underground trains disagreed. 

“I think it’s important for people of color to stand in solidarity with supporters of Tibet,” Kali, a member of the National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum. “It’s up to us to pressure China to free Tibet. A lot of people think that China isn’t using the Olympics for political reasons, but it is. It’s using it to justify its power.” 

Yi, a Beijing Games supporter, held on tightly to a “San Francisco Welcomes Olympic Torch Flag,” on the steps of the Plaza. 

“My wife’s hometown is Beijing and we are very proud that the games are being held there,” he said. “We want to welcome this great moment. I think the protests are improper. It’s an insult to the Olympic spirit. When I read about how a protester hit a disabled torch carrier in France and grabbed the torch, I was very sad. We want this to be a peaceful event. We don’t want to talk about politics at a sports event.” 

Most Tibetans at the rally said they were not protesting the torch. 

“I did want to see the torch, and I was disappointed when they re-routed it,” said Tenzin, a sophomore at Berkeley City College who immigrated to the United State from Dharamsala, India. “What was great was we could carry our flag freely here. We can’t do it in Tibet. We want people to be safe, to be in peace, whether it is in Tibet or Burma or Darfur.” 

Groups clashed in a riot of sound and color at the Justin Herman Plaza minutes before the torch was scheduled to stop there, but it went down Van Ness Avenue instead. Edward Liu, who had mobilized hundreds of Bay Area Chinese for the relay, confronted his Tibetan opponents. 

“The Chinese community from all over the Bay Area have worked to showcase this event,” he said. “This has been destroyed by a very simple group of radicals using bull horns to get people together to bash China. With all due respect to Tibetans, the Dalai Lama’s speech about renouncing radicalism is not being followed. With all due respect to the Dalai Lama, he cannot control his own people.” 

More than 20 pro-Tibet protesters started circling him with Tibetan flags, but Liu kept on speaking. 

“When Tibetans peacefully protested, 140 Tibetans were killed,” Khangsar said. “We want China to give us the human rights it promised to the Olympics committee.”

Judging by comments at a Wednesday night hearing, Ber-keley residents like faster bus service but hate the notion of losing car lanes to bus expressways. 

AC Transit’s Jim Cunradi briefed a joint session of the city’s Planning and Transportation commissions on his agency’s Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) proposal. 

While a dozen speakers told the commissioners to urge the City Council to move ahead and another said BRT was fine so long as none of the controversial Van Hool buses were involved, 25 speakers said no to bus-only lanes, with many urging a no-build vote and a system redesign. 

Dean Metzger said opposition to the ACT Transit plan was strong in Berkeley neighborhoods, with polls by the Council of Neighborhood Associations and his own Claremont Elmwood Neighborhood Association running strongly against any proposal to take existing traffic lanes and convert them to bus-only use. 

Last week, Metzger said, “I initiated a measure to be on the November ballot” that would bar taking traffic lanes for BRT buses. 

BRT would link Berkeley and San Leandro with a 17-mile service that would flow in a pair of dedicated one-way bus-only lanes, except in the commercial heart of San Leandro itself, where the City Council has blocked the dedicated lanes in favor of keeping the buses in regular traffic lanes. 

The transit company is still in discussions with Oakland City Councilmember Jane Brunner about the configuration for North Oakland, Cunradi said. 

At the heart of the current AC Transit proposal for the northern leg of the system is the creation of two bus-only lanes down the center of Telegraph Avenue with stations in the middle of street which Cunradi said could also serve to promote public safety.  

In the model offered by BRT—which could change as the bus agency works with city government—the route would turn west off Telegraph, looping through downtown Berkeley, through a two lane route along Bancroft Way, then north on Oxford Street and down University Avenue to Shattuck Avenue, and looping back to Telegraph either via two-way dual BRT lanes on Bancroft or a one-line eastbound link on Durant Avenue. 

Keeping both lanes on Bancroft would result in a loss of more than 60 parking spaces on Bancroft, compared to the separated routing. 

Wednesday night’s meeting saw the forging of some unusual alliances, with individuals and organizations often opposed on other development finding common ground in opposition to BRT-only lanes. 

Thus Brendan Heafey of Ruegg & Ellsworth, the West Berkeley real estate brokerage and development firm, found himself allied with Doug Buckwald, Merilee Mitchell and others who have often occupied opposing side on development issues. 

Mark McLeod, president of the Downtown Berkeley Association, and Chamber of Commerce President Ted Garrett also called for re-evaluation of a system they feared would deter shoppers and pedestrians, as did representatives of Telegraph Avenue businesses. 

Members of Friends of BRT turned out to support the system, including Len Conly and Livable Berkeley Board Member Alan Tobey. 

Sierra Club Northern Alameda Group volunteer chair Kent Lewandowski offered support for BRT, which he said would be especially needed given the significant growth in enrollment and jobs projected in UC Berkeley’s Long Range Development Plan through 2020. 

Jeff Ranor of the Transportation and Land Use Coalition urged commissioners to “move as soon possible, because each additional delay is putting tons more carbon into the environment.” 

Linsay Imai of Urban Habitat urged the commissions “to work with urgency to select a locally preferred alternative so AC transit can address all the impacts.” 

But judging by the volume of applause, the consensus among BRT-only lane opponents seemed to be for a system dubbed Rapid Bus Plus, similar to the that now operating along San Pablo Avenue. 

That system would incorporate BRT features, including traffic signal priority, prepaid fares and live scheduling information posted at stops, while not requiring reconfiguration of turns along the route or generating additional congestion that would divert traffic onto neighborhood streets. 

George Williams, who is filling in on the Planning Commission for David Stoloff, asked if the bus agency could compare BRT and Rapid Bus Plus. 

“We could do that, sure,” said Cunradi, offering to add the comparison to the final EIR. 

Two former city councilmembers came to speak out, one, Miriam Hawley, to support BRT, and the other, former Mayor Shirley Dean, to oppose BRT, which she had previously endorsed as mayor when the council adopted a 2001 resolution calling for a BRT route down Telegraph. 

Critics questioned the time and energy savings that AC Transit has said will be significant benefits of what has been described in the past by Cunradi and others as a $300 million to $400 million system. 

But as the meeting was nearing its end Cunradi said that while there wasn’t $400 million available, his agency had come up with a system that would do the job for $250 million instead, largely by dumping the planned concrete busways and using the existing asphalt paving instead—a remark that drew gasps of disbelief from the audience. 

Cunradi confirmed one fear of many critics—namely that creation of BRT stations at the intersections of Telegraph and Bancroft Way and Haste and Derby streets, the downtown BART station and on Shattuck at Bancroft or Durant would create the opportunity for state Transit Village designations that would pave the way for denser development that currently allowed by city plans and codes. 

The designation itself, Cunradi told Planning Commissioner Patti Dacey, would come from the city and not his agency. 

City Transportation Planner Matt Nichols said the next step is development of a work plan based on comments from commissioners and the public to determine what is needed so the planners can present the city council with a preferred alternative. 

City staff had come under fire from some of the public speakers for its failure to work with the transit agency in coming up with a city designed preference. 

“The city has a lot of say in how it looks,” Cunradi said. 

If BRT-only lanes are approved for Berkeley, their advent will also bring a new law enforcement agency to the city’s streets. Cunradi said enforcement within the BRT zone, including citation of cars that venture into the newly forbidden bus turf, will be carried out by the Alameda County Sheriff. 

NIchols said he might return to the commissions in late May or early June to present a work plan for the next stage in the process. 

The draft EIR is available online at www2.actransit.org/news/articledetail.wu?articleid=42622c20&r=n

A sewage spill discovered at Bayer Healthcare’s Berkeley campus on Monday prompted the city’s Division of Environmental Health to prohibit human contact with water in a section of Ber-keley’s Aquatic Park. 

The city’s Environmental Health Manager, Manuel Ra-mirez, described the spill, caused by a city sewer pipe blockage, as small. City officials told the Planet on Thursday that they had not yet been able to assess the size of the spill. 

The environmental health de-partment collected water samples from Aquatic Park Tuesday morning to test for fecal coliform bacteria, which are present in human feces, and carry pathogens that could infect humans. 

Bayer officials informed the city’s environmental health department about a sewer release at the campus south of Building 14, at 800 Dwight Way, at 12:40 p.m. Monday, Ramirez said, after which a team went out to the site to meet with Bayer representatives to try to eliminate the overflow and contain the spill. 

“Some of the effluent reached a storm drain that feeds a basin that enters a wetland area of Aquatic Park,” Ramirez said. “We put up signs between Bancroft Way and Carleton Street to warn people to avoid contact with water. At this point the total spill amount or that of the effluent that reached the storm drain has not been reported. I know they were able to clear the blockage and took action to contain the spill between 2 and 3 p.m.” 

The area posted by the environmental health department includes the Dreamland children’s playground and the beginning of the disc golf course, where golfers often wade through water to rescue their discs. 

Bayer’s Berkeley campus, lo-cated next to the Aquatic Park, is the company’s global center for hemophilia and cardiology pharmaceuticals, and manufactures Kogenate, a large protein pharmaceutical that treats hemophilia. 

The Bayer campus Community Relations Manager Trina Ostran-der said the size of the spill was “fairly significant.” 

“It’s hard to give an estimate because it was flowing,” she said. “But the only thing that goes into the pipe from Bayer is human waste and clean water.” 

Ostrander said that a couple of Bayer employees had discovered the spill and notified the campus emergency response team. 

“Our environmental manager contacted the city,” she said. “The pipe is under Bayer property but it’s a city pipes so both the teams worked together to contain the spill.” 

The city’s Public Works Department is investigating the layout of the blocked pipe that carries sewer from the campus, Ramirez said. 

Calls to Public Works for comment from the Planet were not returned. 

“Of course you don’t want a spill,” said the city’s Public Information Officer Mary Kay Clunies-Ross. “But the right people are on it, taking the right step.”  

The water samples will be sent to a public lab to test for possible human sewage and the results will be available by today (Friday) afternoon, Ramirez said. 

“We are monitoring to make sure that the bacteria levels are below what could affect humans,” he said. “We are advising people to stay out of the water and will keep the signs up until the testing is completed and we know it’s safe to go into the water ... Some of these underground sewer pipes are quite old, although the city has done some updates.”

After five years on the back burner, the Southside Plan is finally coming to a boil—with the Planning Commission set to discuss the document later this month. 

Commissioners will hold a hearing April 23 on the draft environmental impact report (DEIR), a document that must be adopted before the adoption of the plan itself. The review was prepared by LSA Associates, an Irvine-based consulting firm with offices in Berkeley. 

The Southside Plan covers the area south of the main UC Berkeley campus, bounded by Bancroft Way on the north, properties along the eastern side of Prospect Street to the east, properties along the southern side of Dwight Way to the south and properties along the western edge of Fulton Street to the west. 

The plan, which had originally been completed in 2001 and revised two years later, has been delayed because UC Berkeley officials requested modifications. 

The environmental impact process was begun in 2004, with a scoping session held later in the year, but the entire study was then delayed so that the plan’s transportation element could include data from AC Transit’s planned Bus Rapid Transit service in its analysis and to allow detailed study of planned conversion of some one-way streets to two-way traffic, said Jesse Arreguin, aide to City Councilmember Kris Worthington. 

“It’s been a long time coming, and I hope it’s worth all that money,” said Councilmember Gordon Wozniak, who remembers dealing with the plan when he served on the Planning Commission. 

“The plan began over a decade ago,” he said, originating in discussions between then-UC Berkeley Chancellor Chang-Lin Tien and then-Berkeley Mayor Shirley Dean. 

“Then it got hijacked by the Planning Commission, with the university relegated to being just one of the players,” Wozniak said. 

The councilmember said the environmental review was “very expensive, but why it took so long I really don’t know.” 

Worthington, whose council district includes the largest share of the planning district, said his immediate concern is public access to the draft EIR. 

While the document is posted online at the Planning Department website at www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/ContentDisplay.aspx?id=17998, Worthington said he wants the city to provide printed copies “at least to those people who volunteered all their time” in helping to prepare the plan. 

Hard copies are available for $10 for the main document, plus an additional $30 for the accompanying technical appendices. 

“I think it should be available to everyone who needs it,” Worthington said, adding that reading a paper copy is often more convenient. 

While the transportation section is complex, Wozniak said, the land use changes are fairly simple, with upzoning along Bancroft Way and downzoning along Dwight Way. Upzoning also extends along Telegraph. 

The land use segment of the plan allows inclusion of one to two additional floors for housing projects that meet or exceed state density bonus law requirements, while calling for preservation of existing group living facilities and discouraging demolition of existing housing that meets current seismic and other safety standards, encouraging rehabilitation over demolition when financially feasible. 

The land use element calls for creation of four land use subareas within the plan’s boundaries: Residential Medium Density (R-3), Residential High Density (R-S), Residential Mixed Use (R-SMU) and Commerical (C-T). 

With the exception of the existing C-T zoning, most of the area is currently zoned R-4. 

The new R-S zone would bar office uses in new construction, while downscaling parking requirements for residences and increasing the amount of lot space a building could cover. 

University offices and facilities would be allowed in the new R-SMU zone, along with religious, social and cultural institutions and ancillary offices and facilities, recreational facilities, retail stores serving the neighborhood and parking garages, with housing listed as the preferred use. 

Construction of new infill projects on existing surface parking lots within the zone would also be encouraged. 

The plan also calls for preserving existing historic and architectural resources within the zone. 

Zoning in the C-T commercial zone would be expanded to encourage new mixed use buildings and additions to existing structures. 

The plan would allow for a 15-foot increase in maximum heights for structures in the C-T zone, from the current 50 feet to 65 feet, while eliminating setbacks for higher floors and eliminating parking requirements. 

The plan would significantly reduce the open space required for each housing unit in the new R-SMU zone from the 200 square feet required now in R-4 housing to 40 square feet. 

Heights in the R-SMU zone would increase from the current 65-foot limit to 75 feet for housing north of Durant Avenue, and in other areas would drop to 60 feet for buildings without housing.  

Heights for medium density (R-3) projects would remain the same at 35 feet while 45-foot heights would be allowed for R-S housing. 

Setbacks between buildings and lot lines would be reduced in some zones, and parking requirements generally would be reduced, with a no-parking overlay generally for housing along College Avenue between Bancroft and Haste Street west to the plan’s boundary lines, with the exception of the two-block area west of Ellsworth Street between Haste and Channing. 

Traffic changes 

The plan endorses AC Transit’s Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) plan, and calls for AC Transit and other regional transportation agencies to evaluate the possibility of light rail service along College and Telegraph avenues, Bancroft Way and Durant Avenue. 

Worthington said he is concerned at the timing of the release of the document, given the simultaneous push by AC Transit for approval of a preferred route for consideration in that agency’s own final EIR on the BRT project. 

“It’s funny how they let it (the Southside Plan) sit around for so long, then they suddenly rush it through now that they need it,” he said. 

Some of the plan’s greatest changes would affect drivers who navigate the Southside’s current maze of one-way and two-way streets. 

The plan calls for conversion of Dana and Ellsworth streets from their current one-way status to two-way, and calls for consideration of conversion of Bancroft Way and Durant Avenue to two-way streets, combined with restriction of through traffic on Telegraph Avenue. 

New or changed traffic signals and stop sign configurations should be considered for intersection with high collision rates, including those of Durant Avenue, Dwight Way and Bancroft Way with Telegraph Avenue, Bancroft’s intersection with Dana and Bowditch streets and Bancroft and College Avenue, it says. 

The plan also calls for programs to reduce car trips, including encouragement of transit subsidies, increased charges for employee parking, and prohibition of surface parking lots. 

Much of the street reconfiguration is also premised on the need to make bicycle and pedestrian travel safer. 

The consultants concluded that, after appropriate mitigations, the plan will have no significant environmental impacts, beyond a long-term increase in emissions of ozone precursors that would exceed thresholds set by the Bay Area Air Quality Monitoring District. 

As a result of land use changes embodied in the plan, LSA predicts construction of 472 new housing units with 1.038 residents, along with construction of 638,290 square feet of new commercial development that would provide an additional 2,130 jobs.

By a 5-4 vote, Berkeley planning commissioners voted Tuesday night to endorse the recommendations of the Joint Density Bonus Subcommittee over a more developer-friendly staff report. 

Both documents will go to the council, which will chose what—if any—measures to enact prior to the June 3 election, when passage of Proposition 98 could impose potentially harsh penalties on new land regulations by local and state government. 

Commissioners acted to give the City Council a chance to enact a law that would give city planning staff and the Zoning Adjustments Board more control over the size and massing of large mixed-use housing projects, so that it could be in place in case the statewide ballot initiative passes. 

The measure would contain a built-in sunset clause, so the measure would expire if the ballot measure fails. If 98 passes, the commission and council could subsequently modify the law. Critics of Proposition 98 contend that it would effectively forbid any kind of downzoning, ending the ability of city, county and state government to limit such construction projects. 

In a similar action on virtually identical alternatives prior to the November 2006 election when Proposition 90, a similar statewide initiative, threatened local land use controls, the council backed the staff version, which was characterized by some commissioners who voted with Tuesday’s majority as being more favorable to developers. 

It was Planning Commissioner Susan Wengraf who swung the vote in favor of the proposals by the subcommittee she had chaired. Gene Poschman had made the motion, which was seconded by Patti Dacey and joined by Helen Burke and Roia Ferrazares. 

Poschman said that by recommending the subcommittee proposals to the council, the commissioners would be giving the city’s top elective body the most options for staving off the most adverse potential impacts of the ballot measure. 

Commission Chair James Samuels had sought unsuccessfully to divide the vote into two sections, the first on the question of sending both proposals to the council, and the second to recommend one or the other. 

One of those voting against Poschman’s recommendations was Erin Rhoades, who was filling in on the commission for Harry Pollack. She’s the spouse of former Land Use Planning Manager Mark Rhoades, the author of the original staff report in 2006. Rhoades was present in the audience during the meeting, along with his new business partner, developer Ali Kashani of Memar Properties. 

“Now maybe I can stop attending these meetings,” quipped Bob Allen, one of the two remaining Zoning Adjustments Board members who had sponsored the creation of the subcommittee, originally an adjunct of ZAB alone. A City Council directive later expanded the group to include members of the Housing Advisory and Planning commissions. 

Allen has said that he favors the subcommittee proposals because they will give the board some measure of control over the size and shape of new projects within the constraints of a state law that grants a 35 percent size increase for projects that meet affordable housing requirements. 

Whatever action the City Council takes is likely to have a sunset clause. 

Allen and fellow ZAB members had long voiced concerns that without a local law to implement the state’s density bonus law, the city had little control over the size and shape of major housing projects on the city’s main thoroughfares. 

The state law, which grants developers increased building size over and above local ordinances in exchange for creating affordable housing, has been cited as justification for projects that significantly top the city’s height and mass limits. 

Just how much control the city can exert remains an open question and a matter of contention between acting City Attorney Zach Cowan and critics like Gene Poschman, who have said the city’s legal interpretation doesn’t match those of other cities in the state, which have enacted tighter controls than Cowan contends are legal. 

Despite an effort to turn out support for the staff proposals which had been emailed by Erin Rhoades in her role as chair of the Livable Berkeley pro-development lobbying group, Tuesday night’s audience was overwhelmingly in favor of the tighter subcommittee controls. 

Also voting no were Samuels, Larry Gurley and retired San Francisco city planning official George Williams, who was filling in for David Stoloff, the only subcommittee member who had opposed the group’s recommendations. 

Of 22 speakers, only four endorsed the staff version, while 17 backed the subcommittee’s recommendations. 

The remaining speaker, Jim Hill, was concerned only if the proposals would limit his ability to rebuild the building he owns at 48 Shattuck Square, should it be destroyed by an earthquake. He was assured by Samuels that he could do so, whatever action the council took, since his property is landmarked. 

Those who appeared in support of the staff position included Kashani, Livable Berkeley board member Alan Tobey, West Berkeley broker/developer Ruegg & Ellsworth’s infill project manager Brendan Heafey and West Berkeley resident Bill Walton. 

Subcommittee supporters included Allen, Housing Advisory Committee Chair Jesse Arreguin, Barbara Gilbert, Steve Wollmer of Planberkeley.org, ZAB member Sara Shumer, Julie Dickinson, Sharon Hudson, tree-sitter Zachary Running Wolf and Merilee Mitchell. 

Just what impacts Proposition 98 could have if passed by state voters remains unclear, given the measure’s vague language. Some critics charge it could effectively end the power of governments to regulate land use by allowing property owners to sue for compensation for any government action that could be construed to reduce the maximum potential value of their property.  

The measure’s anti-rent-control provisions, designed to end the last vestiges of the statutes landlords love to hate, have drawn strong support from apartment owner lobbies. Proposition 99, an alternative choice on the same ballot, is credited by supporters with solving perceived problems with the state’s power of eminent domain stemming from a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision without adding any other undesirable provisions. 

Meanwhile, Berkeley planning commissioners will continue to grapple with the density issue in upcoming meetings, on the premise that should Proposition 98 fail at the polls, they’ll still be charged with coming up with new regulations for density in the city.  

In Los Angeles, a lawsuit filed last week is challenging that city’s new density bonus, and more suits may be in the offing, according to a Tuesday story in the Los Angeles Daily News. 

Unlike many other cities in California, Berkeley already has an inclusionary housing law that requires developers of projects with five or more dwelling units to set aside an allotment of apartments or condos at rents or sales prices affordable to those otherwise unable to rent or buy.

Solemn firefighters from Berkeley, Livermore and Pleasanton will march through the streets of Berkeley Saturday morning, honoring one of their own, Jay Walter Randall. 

The 54-year-old, 15-year B.F.D. veteran died April 6, losing his battle with cancer, a disease that strikes firefighters so frequently that such cases are ruled as a matter of law to be occupational illnesses, said Deputy Fire Chief Gil Dong. 

The Saturday procession begins at 10 a.m. at Station 5 at Derby Street and Shattuck Avenue. From there, firefighters will march to Allston Way, then west to Martin Luther King Jr. Way, and then north to Addison Street and St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church, 1640 Addison, where the memorial service will begin at 11 a.m. 

Born in Westwood in suburban Los Angeles, Walter lost both his parents in childhood. After attending the University of Southern California and UC Irvine, Walter joined the army, serving as a member of the elite Special Forces Pathfinders, where he was also trained as a medic. 

After two tours of duty in Vietnam, he trained as a paramedic at UCLA Medical Center and began ambulance work in 1977, where he was teamed with Gerri Schmidt on her first assignment as a paramedic. They would marry four years later. 

In 1985, the couple moved to Morgan Hill, where Walter volunteered for the fire department, working a full-time position as a firefighter/paramedic starting in 1988. Walter joined the Berkeley Fire Department in 1993, and was promoted to Apparatus Operator in 1981. 

Walter’s assignments included service as SWAT paramedic for the Berkeley Police Hostage Negotiations Team, and he served on a variety of special squads, including the Oakland-based Urban Search and Rescue Team. 

He is survived by his spouse, a daughter, Roslyn, and a granddaughter, Addison. 

“We’ll miss him a lot,” said Dong. “It’s a tragic time for the Berkeley Fire Department family. We’re all going through a healing process.” 

“He was a great guy,” said Daily Planet Arts and Calendar Editor Anne Wagley, who recalled conversations with him at Caffe Roma.

The newly empowered school board of the Oakland Unified School District moved swiftly to exercise authority granted by California State Superintendent of Education Jack O’Connell, voting on Wednesday to hire an interim district superintendent on a one-year basis while the board looks for a permanent superintendent.  

But even more surprising than the swiftness of the OUSD Board’s actions—coming a day after the memorandum of understanding (MOU) signing ceremony at Grass Valley Elementary—was the board’s choice: Roberta Mayor, who, as chief management analyst for the Fiscal Crisis and Management Team (FCMAT), has been overseeing OUSD’s finances during the five years of state control. 

Since a massive budget shortfall led to the state takeover of OUSD in 2003, the state superintendent’s office, the state administrator hired by the state superintendent to run the Oakland schools, and FCMAT have been equally viewed by many Oakland residents as symbols of outside control of the local schools.  

Mayor, who will take office in Oakland on July 1, was hired on a 4-3 vote, reflecting the deep divisions that have emerged on the board as the district moves slowly out of state control.  

The MOU itself passed on a 5-2 vote of the board, with Director Chris Dobbins saying on Tuesday that he’d had second thoughts on voting for approval. Director Noel Gallo, who opposed the MOU, pointedly refused to go up on the Grass Valley Elementary stage with other directors and stand behind O’Connell and district officials while the MOU was being signed. 

Both Gallo and Dobbins say they are concerned that, under the MOU personnel authority transfer, the board will take over direct contract negotiations with the Oakland Education Association teachers union, even though the board has no say over the district’s fiscal matters. 

Under the MOU, the OUSD board regained control over facilities management and personnel, and with it the ability to hire a local superintendent and an independent auditor. Oakland earlier won authority over community relations and governance. Under a complicated arrangement, state administrator Vincent Matthews will have complete authority over the district’s finances and pupil achievement, and will serve as trustee—with veto power—over the three areas that have been returned to local control. 

OUSD Board President David Kakishiba said that, in the months since favorable FCMAT reports in facilities and management triggered a decision by O’Connell to take those areas out of state control and authorize the hiring of a local superintendent, board members have grappled with a decision on whether to hire a permanent superintendent, an interim superintendent, or no one until full local control had been restored.  

Kakishiba himself had originally supported hiring a superintendent, but early last month he told the Daily Planet in an interview that he was having second thoughts.  

“I’m concerned with our ability to attract the best candidates to Oakland given the present uncertainties,” Kakishiba said at that time. “I think it’s better to wait and have a clean transition.” 

By this week, however, Kakishiba had changed his mind again, and supported the interim hiring. 

“Ms. Mayor’s hiring will infuse the district with the leadership and exper 

tise needed to end the state takeover and get our finances in order,” Kakishiba said by telephone this week. “Given what we believe is needed at the present time, the board feels she is the right person at the right time.”  

In a prepared press release, the district said that Mayor “boasts 40 years’ experience as an educator, serving as a teacher, principal, deputy superintendent and superintendent in both California and Hawaii.”  

“The past five years have afforded me the opportunity to observe the inner workings of the Oakland Unified School District and to develop great affection for Oakland Public Schools,” Mayor said in a statement. “I am humbled and honored that the board has entrusted me with the task of leading the district in its return to a solid financial position and full local control.” 

Despite the fact that the SB39 state legislation authorizing the state takeover specifically called for the hiring of a state administrator with “recognized expertise in management and finance,” this is the first time since the state takeover that a fiscal expert has been hired to lead a portion of the district.  

None of the three OUSD state administrators hired by O’Connell—Randolph Ward, Kimberly Statham, and now Vince Matthews—had a background in fiscal management expertise. 

Kakishiba denied this week that there was any quid pro quo agreement with FCMAT over Mayor’s selection. 

“No, absolutely not,” he said. “I think that [the people at FCMAT] were probably shocked. But who else better to get the district focused on the FCMAT fiscal standards than the chief FCMAT investigator?” 

Under Mayor, FCMAT has written reports and recommendations that have been highly critical of the state’s management of Oakland Unified’s fiscal affairs, although the state management has received some praise from FCMAT for fiscal recovery in recent months.  

In its most recent assessment of Oakland Unified in November of last year, the assessment that led to the return of facilities and personnel management to local control, FCMAT said that “the reforms undertaken by the district [under state receivership] have not always considered fiscal recovery as the primary goal,” but that state administration was making “steady improvement” in that area. Still, of the five areas monitored by FCMAT, OUSD received its lowest marks in fiscal management.  

Fiscal recovery of the district was the sole reason the district was taken over by the state.

An Oakland education and labor attorney has filed a California Superior Court lawsuit against the City of Oakland and its recent decision to spend $7.7 million of Measure Y money on police recruitment, asking that the court immediately halt the collection of Measure Y taxes until the original community policing mandates of the bond measure are met. 

Marleen L. Sacks, an Oakland homeowner and a senior counsel with the Pleasanton Office of Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo law firm, filed the lawsuit on Tuesday on her own behalf. 

A spokesperson for the mayor’s office said they had no comment, and a spokesperson for the Oakland City Attorney’s office said the office had not yet seen a copy of the lawsuit as of Wednesday and could not comment on it. 

The first hearing on the lawsuit is scheduled for May 29 in Alameda County Superior Court. 

Last month, in order to meet Mayor Ron Dellums’ ambitious State of the City promise of fully staffing the Oakland Police Department by the end of the year to its authorized 803 officer strength, the Oakland City Council approved a proposal by Dellums and Police Chief Wayne Tucker to spend $7.7 million in Measure Y violence prevention bond money to run simultaneous police training academies, fund a recruitment advertising blitz, and cut red tape in the hiring approval process. Dellums had said at the time that the police augmentation plan was the only way to fully implement the Measure Y police hiring mandates. 

But in an e-mail press release announcing her lawsuit, Sacks called the $7.7 million expenditure “ill conceived and hastily drawn” and a “raid on Measure Y funds” because it is a general police recruiting measure, and not specifically targeted to hire Measure Y police officers. Among other things, the 2004 bond measure authorized the hiring of 63 new police officers—57 of them “problem solving officers” (PSOs) to be assigned to each of Oakland’s police beats—but only 40 of those PSOs have been hired.  

The lawsuit also asks for reimbursement to Measure Y of past money taken by the city to fund police academies “that resulted in no additional Measure Y officers.” 

Sacks has been considering filing a Measure Y lawsuit for months, well before the plans were announced for the $7.7 police augmentation program. Last November, in response to a San Francisco Chronicle column by Chip Johnson about concerns by Oakland residents over crime and violence in the city, the paper printed a story of e-mail responses by Oakland citizens. 

Among them was an e-mail from Sacks that read, “I’m really starting to think that filing a lawsuit for failing to implement Measure Y may be the only way to get their attention. The city is collecting $20 million a year based on the promise that they are totally not keeping. It is outrageous that we keep having to pay the tax and are not getting any of the benefits.”

Warm-water pool users lobbied the Berkeley Board of Education to save the Berkeley High School Old Gym and warm pool right before the board discussed a report recommending the site’s adaptive reuse at the school board meeting Wednesday. 

The report outlined the outcome of a charette held last month to settle a lawsuit against the Berkeley Unified School District. Board members refrained from taking any action and asked the district’s Director of Facilities Lew Jones to provide them with a more comprehensive cost analysis of the gym’s adaptive reuse. 

Friends Protecting Berkeley’s Resources sued the school district last year for what it called an inadequate environmental impact report on the demolition of the gymnasium and warm-water pool. 

The lawsuit charged that the district had failed to consider feasible alternatives to demolition that could be developed to meet all or most of the district’s objectives and that the EIR “did not justify its findings.”  

The district’s South of Bancroft Master Plan calls for the demolition of the nationally landmarked Old Gym to make room for a stadium and 15 new classrooms, with the option of relocating the warm-water pool to a site on Milvia Street.  

Friends’ spokesperson Marie Bowman told the board that charette participants had discussed adapting the gym to meet the school’s academic and physical education needs as identified in the master plan.  

“We should build our future through adaptability,” said Bowman, stressing that state, federal and private funds were available to rehabilitate the gym, now that it’s a national landmark. 

The report includes three different concepts, with Bowman’s team proposing classrooms on the second floor and adding a basement to a piece of the Old Gym.  

Bowman quoted architect Todd Jersey—responsible for projects such as the Albany Pool and the Richmond Plunge—as saying that it was possible to preserve the pool while accommodating the school’s progress. 

The second concept—put forward by a group of people who want to maintain a league-sized softball field at the high school—would demolish a part of the building to accommodate the field and convert the north pool into a warm-water pool.  

The third plan calls for the demolition of the Donahue Gym, constructing classrooms on the first floor and converting the north pool into the warm-water pool.  

Bill Savidge, a charette participant, said that the charette had not met the goals of the school board, which he said was to create more classroom space. 

“We have 3,300 students on 17 acres. The California Department of Education requires 40 acres of space in a school of this size,” he said. “All of us support the warm water pool, but it may not be appropriate to have non-student centered services right in the campus. I recommend moving it across the street.” 

School Board President John Selawsky called the adaptive reuse plans “wonderful conceptual ideas” and asked for a comparison between rehabilitation costs and new construction. 

One Warm Pool Advocacy Group co-chair Juanita Kirby said her group was open and flexible to anything that would save the pool, including a tax measure. 

The city is discussing the possibility of putting a bond measure to build a new pool, which would come with a $15 million price tag, on the November ballot. 

The mayor’s office is also exploring ways to convert the Milvia Street tennis courts into a warm pool but have not yet reached an agreement with Berkeley Unified about its use.  

“We are a small town with limited resources and we are on the brink of a recession,” said longtime pool user Pam Scullen, who supported rehabilitating the pool. “For us, this pool has saved lives.” 

One Warm Pool chair JoAnn Cook reminded the board that her group along with several other preservationists and community members had opposed the demolition of the pool and its relocation right after the master plan was completed. 

“We are not going to go away, whichever way the board decides on the proposals before it today,” she urged the board. “We will need your help to ensure a warm water pool for Berkeley. Make the commitment needed for that to happen—provide the land and the advocacy. If you take something away from someone, I was taught that you were to give back something of equal value.” 

It wasn’t all fun and games at the Berkeley Federation of Teachers’ community rally against Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s proposed $4.8 billion state education budget cuts Wednesday, although there was some clowning around. 

Some Berkeley public school teachers masqueraded as an overzealous Schwar-zenneger trying to “pink-slip” educators.  

The teachers said it was to tell Sacramento, “It’s time to share the money.” 

And Willard Middle School math teachers sang “Feel Like I’m Fixin’ to Get Fired Rag” to the tune of Country Joe McDonald’s “Feel Like I’m Fixin’ to Die Rag”: “Hey there, governor, it seems to me, you got a big mansion, a big old moat, but remember we know how to vote!” 

Parents, teachers, students, and union members came together in front of the Berkeley Unified School District’s headquarters at 2134 Martin Luther King Jr. Way to decry the governor’s proposal to slash public school funding and give teachers potential lay off notices. 

Berkeley Unified stands to lose up to $3.7 million from the proposed cuts, which could mean that the targeted teachers, counselors and special aid instructors will all lose their jobs after May. 

District superintendent Bill Huyett told the crowd that 12 teachers were brought back from the list of 50 who were pink slipped last month. 

“We feel terrible about laying off any teacher,” Huyett said. “It’s like eating the seed core. These teachers are among our best and our brightest. The state keeps cutting and cutting and one day there’s not going to be anything left.” 

Huyett stressed the importance of the voter-approved statute that establishes a minimum level of funding for California schools, which is under threat. 

District officials were able to salvage the 12 positions by determining school site budget and proposed budget reductions, Huyett said. 

The governor’s proposed K-12 funding would slash $400 million from the state education funds this year and take away $4.4 billion in the next fiscal year, which means $700 less for each of the approximately 6.3 million public school students in the state.  

“I am very scared for the Latino community,” said Berkeley Organizing Congregations for Action lead organizer Belen Pulido-Martinez. “The programs that help our children are going to be hurt. As a result the achievement gap is going to increase.” 

Education Week gave California a D+ for public school funding efforts. According to county officials, the state—which currently spends $2,000 less per student than the national average and ranks 46th nationally in school funding—ranks behind less prosperous states such as Louisiana and Mississippi.  

PTAs from all the Berkeley public schools are mobilizing for an April 24 rally in Sacramento to join the state PTA in the fight to defend public education. 

Students from Berkeley High and Independent Studies spoke in support of their pink-slipped college career counselors and teachers. 

“As long as I can remember, I have been hearing about cuts,” said Independent Studies student Devin Gamble. “We are going about as if this system is perfect, but it’s not. I understand we need to limit spending but there must be other ways besides cutting jobs.” 

Berkeley Board of Education member Karen Hemphill emphasized that California had a problem with revenue, and not spending. 

“It takes only one thirds vote to cut the budget but two thirds to increase the revenue,” she said. “The system is broken. We are being held hostage by Republicans who have taken a pledge not to increase revenue and are inflicting deep cuts to education, social service and the health care system.” 

Union members called on parents to write letters to their legislators requesting them to reinstate the vehicle license fee and close loopholes such as the yacht tax to increase revenue. 

“The governor thinks you can bring the budget back in a few years,” said California Federation of Teachers (CFT) President Marty Hittelman. 

“But a kindergarten student has only one year of kindergarten. A 11th grader has only one year of 11th grade. They can’t wait for four years. It’s a disgrace to be one of the most powerful and richest states in the world and cut education.” 

Hittelman, who is scheduled to speak against the proposed cuts at the CFT convention today (Friday) in Oakland, encouraged community members to organize. 

“We have plenty of money in California, It’s just in the wrong pockets,” he said to loud cheers. “When someone says to you, ‘let’s cut taxes,’ you should say to them, taxation is what you have to live in a civilized country. It’s the way we invest in our future.”  

For information about joining the BUSD trip to Sacramento on April 24 contact BUSD Public Information Officer Mark Coplan at Mark_Coplan@berkeley.k12.ca.us.  

SIRs are due May 1. What are SIRs, you might ask? The answer: a Student’s Intent to Register at a college. In the next several weeks, Berkeley High School (BHS) college-bound seniors will be deciding where to spend the next four years of their life.  

May 1 is the last day that you can tell a college that you will be attending their college. You also are supposed to send in a deposit for your chosen college by that date. 

“I think that I’m going to University of Oregon,” said BHS senior Calvin Young, 17. “It has a really great psychology program and a lot of people from BHS are going there. I’ve visited the campus. Sending my SIR in is going to be a breeze. I’ve already made my decision.” 

While Young knows where he wants to go, many do not and are having trouble deciding where they should register. Luckily, many colleges and universities are hosting Admitted Student Days, where kids admitted to their college can take classes, meet administrators, talk to counselors, and even spend a day overnight in the dorms, to find out if that college is right for them.  

For example, the University of California at Santa Cruz is hosting these Admitted Student Days from April 5 through April 19. Most colleges make it easy to RSVP for these events on their website. 

“It’s really exciting,” said senior Keenan Nelson-Barer, 17. “I’ve narrowed down my choices to UC Santa Cruz and UC Davis. I am probably going to visit there the next two weekends. It’s going to be a tough choice but both are great schools.” 

Ilene Abrams, college advisor at Berkeley High School, remarks to students that this time of the year, while most stressful, can also be very exciting. 

This part of the year can also be very confusing for seniors. Typically it’s the prime time for “senioritis,” when many students slack off on their schoolwork, since they have already been accepted into their school of choice. When senioritis occurs, grades drop and attendance usually does too. However, every year colleges are rescinding offers of admission because of significant drops in academic performance, in addition to disciplinary action. Students should contact schools to check their policy regarding rescinding of admissions. 

So, parents, make sure your kids don’t fall into the trap of senioritis, and help guide them so that they make a good decision come May 1. If you have any questions about the college admissions process for your student at Berkeley High School, contact Ilene Abrams at 644-6804 or Angela Price at 644-4576.

Tuesday's story on the light brown apple moth should have differentiated the roles of the United States Department of Agriculture and the California Department of Food and Agriculture. The USDA is responsible for the New Zealand testing of a new product to eradicate the moth, USDA named the Technical Working Group on the moth and the April 1 telephone press conference included experts from both the CDFA and the USDA.

Posted Wed., April 9—As pro-Tibet groups and supporters of the Beijing Games engaged in a war of words during the Olympic Torch Relay in San Francisco today (Wednesday), Tibetans in Berkeley kept their businesses closed to join in a movement very close to their heart. 

A handwritten message greeted customers at Little Tibet, a curio shop on University Avenue, saying, “We are closed on April 8 and 9, sorry for the inconvenience.” 

Tsewang Khangsar, who owns Little Tibet, trekked across the Himalayas to escape from the Chinese occupation 47 years ago. 

Khangsar was one of thousands of Tibetan refugees from India to win a green card lottery in 1995 that eventually brought him to Berkeley. 

Next door at a shuttered Lhasa Salon, a “Why Care About Tibet?” poster with saffron monks rallying in the background left no doubts about where its owners could be. 

Signs encouraging passers-by to join the “Global Human Rights Torch Relay” to protest China’s crimes against humanity and free Tibet were plastered all over the desolate storefronts of sister stores Tibet Jewels and Cafe Tibet at 2020 University Ave. 

More than 160 groups from across the Bay Area rallied against the 2008 Olympic Games in San Francisco, the only city in North America through which the torch will pass during its journey spanning six continent and 150 cities. 

Students, local businessmen and families from Berkeley took the BART or drove to San Francisco as early as 6 a.m. to support either Tibet or the Beijing Games. 

Yiining Chan, a third year finance student from UC Berkeley, missed school to show his support for the torch relay at the Justin Herman Plaza in front of the Ferry Building. 

“It is sports for people from all over the world,” said Chan, who grew up in Hong Kong. “It’s about the Olympic spirit, there should be no relationship between the Olympics and politics.” 

Jessica Kali, who had braved the crowds on the MUNI’s underground trains disagreed. 

“I think it’s important for people of color to stand in solidarity with supporters of Tibet,” she said. “It’s up to us to pressure China to free Tibet. A lot of people think that China isn’t using the Olympics for political reasons, but it is. It’s using it to justify its power.” 

Yi, a Beijing Games supporter held on tightly to a “San Francisco Welcomes Olympic Torch” flag on the steps of the plaza. 

“My wife’s hometown is Beijing and we are very proud that the games are being held there,” he said. “We want to welcome this great moment. I think the protests are improper. It’s an insult to the Olympic spirit. When I read about how a protester hit a disabled torch career in France and grabbed the torch, I was very sad. We want this to be a peaceful event. We don’t want to talk about politics at a sports event.” 

Posted Wed., April 9— The United Healthcare Workers-West members who met with the press outside the San Francisco Federal Building Tuesday are in a fight—but this time it’s not with their corporate bosses. 

Five executive board members of UHW, the 150,000-member union that is part of the Service Employees International Union, filed a lawsuit in federal district court Tuesday against SEIU President Andrew Stern and other high-ranking SEIU officials. The plaintiffs say the international is trampling on their free-speech rights in an attempt to prevent them, as members of the UHW, from pushing for a debate on union democratization, including the direct election of union officers, at the SEIU convention in June. 

“We’re a member-driven union that’s bottom up and not top down,” Martha Vasquez, a radiology technician and member of the UHW executive board told the press.  

“We’ve always been able to participate in decision making,” she said, accusing the international of muting the voices of the membership in its efforts to centralize the union. 

The lawsuit, filed by Oakland-based labor attorney Jonathan Siegel, says SEIU violated the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act by exercising conduct “designed to limit, inhibit and chill the exercise of [the members’] rights of free speech and equal participation as active members and advocates for democratic policies within their union.”  

It appears, however, that discontent within the UHW’s ranks has not spilled over to the city SEIU unions in Berkeley.  

James Wallace is a shop steward with Legacy 790, the union that is in the process of merging with what was formerly known as SEIU 535. Both are city employee unions and have become part of SEIU 1021. Wallace said that at first he and others in Berkeley did not like the idea of the merger. "We didn’t appreciate what was happening—it was forced down our throats," he said.  

But now he said he sees that the greater numbers mean a stronger position at the bargaining table. "We’re stronger together," he said, adding he is unaware of the problems within UHW.  

Asked whether the Berkeley city unions will have a voice at the SEIU convention in June, Wallace said they are sending two delegates. "I’m comfortable our voice will be heard," he said. 

The UHW lawsuit addresses the June convention directly and says some directives coming from the national union are intended to prohibit UHW from encouraging debate on the convention floor. 

“SEIU is at a crossroads. [UHW] has a right to participate in debate," Siegel said, accusing the parent union of having told UHW to take down its website.  

The suit says SEIU leadership wants to prevent the UHW from speaking out in support of a platform it wants to put forward at the June convention. The platform includes a demand for direct election by members of all international union officers, a guaranteed right for members to vote on contract proposals and collective bargaining agreements and the right of members to participate in and elect representatives to bargaining committees and more. 

Siegel underscored that the fight was not a clash of personalities between Stern and UHW President Sal Roselli. “It’s not a personal fight,” he said. The workers “should have their voices heard.” 

Specifically, the lawsuit says that SEIU ordered the UHW to take down its website, www.seiuvoice.org, which had outlined the group’s platform, at the same time that it put up a website of its own, seiufactchecker.org.  

“SEIU has denied plaintiffs the right to campaign concerning their convention resolutions and positions regarding policy matters by repeatedly instructing the UHW to ‘take down’ their website,” the suit contends, “while utilizing International Union funds to maintain their own website which sets forth distorted and false claims concerning the positions of the UHW in these matters.” 

UHW also claims that the international has threatened to place the union under trusteeship “which would include the removal of the plaintiffs as convention delegates.” 

UHW was formed in 2005 when two locals, 250 in northern California and 399 in Southern California agreed to merge. It makes up about 10 percent of the SEIU membership. 

Siegel said the international has 20 days to respond to the lawsuit. If they don’t respond satisfactorily he said they may seek a preliminary injunction so that UHW delegates can go to the convention in June and fight for their platform. 

The international union did not return calls for comment on this story by deadline. 

Posted Tue., April 8—A sewage spill discovered at Bayer Healthcare's Berkeley campus at noon Monday prompted the city’s Division of Environmental Health to prohibit human contact with water in a section of the Berkeley Aquatic Park. 

City officials told the Planet Tuesday they would be able to disclose the spill amount—consisting primarily of human feces—after receiving a report from Bayer about the incident. 

The city’s Environmental Health Manager Manuel Ramirez described the spill, caused from a city sewer pipe blockage, as fairly small. 

The environmental health department collected water samples from Aquatic Park today (Tuesday) morning to test for fecal coliform bacteria, which is present in human feces, and carries pathogens that could infect humans. 

Bayer officials informed the city’s environmental health department about a sewer release at the campus south of Building 14, at 800 Dwight Way, at 12:40 p.m. Monday, Ramirez said, after which a team went out to the site to meet with Bayer representatives to try to eliminate the overflow and contain the spill. 

“Some of the effluent reached a storm drain which feeds a basin that enters a wetland area of Aquatic Park,” Ramirez said. “We put up signs between Bancroft Way and Carlton to warn people to avoid contact with water. At this point the total spill amount or that of the effluent which reached the storm drain has not been reported. I know they were able to clear the blocking and took action to contain the spill between 2 and 3 p.m.” 

The area posted by the environmental health department includes the Dreamland children’s playground and the beginning of the disc golf course, where golfers often wade through water to rescue their discs. 

Bayer’s Berkeley campus, located next to the Aquatic Park, is the company’s global center for hemophilia and cardiology pharmaceuticals and manufactures Kogenate, a large protein pharmaceutical which treats hemophilia. 

The campus Community Relations Manager Trina Ostrander said the size of the spill was “fairly significant.” 

“It’s hard to give an estimate because it was flowing,” she said. “But the only thing that goes into the pipe from Bayer is human waste and clean water.” 

Ostrander said that a couple of Bayer employees had discovered the spill and notified the campus emergency response team. 

“Our environmental manager contacted the city,” she said. “The pipe is under Bayer property but it’s a city pipe so both the teams worked together to contain the spill.” 

The city’s Public Works Department is investigating the layout of the blocked pipe which carries sewer from the campus, Ramirez said. 

Calls to Public Works for comment from the Planet were not returned by press time. 

“Of course you don’t want a spill,” said the city’s Public Information Officer Mary Kay Clunies-Ross. “But the right people are on it taking the right step.”  

The water samples will be sent to a public lab to test for possible human sewage and the results will be available within the next two days, Ramirez said. 

“We are monitoring to make sure that the bacteria levels are below what could affect humans,” he said. “We are advising people to stay out of the water and will keep the signs up until the testing is completed and we know its safe to go into the water ... Some of these underground sewer pipes are quite old, although the city has done some updates.” 

A five-year-old city skateboard park that was to cost $200,000 and ended up costing four times that amount today is splitting at the seams.  

Its cracks and crevices are filled in weekly by attentive park staff and a $40,000 facelift is planned for the end of the month. 

Now the city may ask taxpayers for another $2.2 million to replace the faulty structure with a new skate park. 

It’s not out of line to ask voters to rebuild the park, said Deputy City Manager Lisa Caronna, head of the parks department when the project was built. 

“This is our reality. It meets the needs of small and big kids and adults,” Caronna told the Planet Wednesday. “We can’t walk away from something so popular.” 

If placed on the November ballot and approved by voters, a $2.2 million bond would cost the average homeowner $3 per year. “If there were errors, should the city not be able to have a skate park?” Caronna asked. 

The city is currently trying to determine who is at fault for the deterioration and may pursue litigation against those responsible, Caronna said, referring the Planet to Acting City Attorney Zach Cowan for details on the investigation. Cowan did not return Planet calls. 

Various engineers, designers and builders worked on the project over eight years, including Doug Fielding’s Association of Field Users, the Site Design Group of Carlsbad, San Francisco-based URS Corp., an engineering company also engaged in defense contracting owned by Richard Blum, husband of Sen. Dianne Feinstein and Altman General Engineering of Yuba City. 

At one point the city itself took the lead on the project, Caronna said. 

Contracts and details of the work of each company were in storage and unavailable until after the Planet deadline, according to Public Information Officer Mary Kay Clunies-Ross. 

History of problems  

Problems with the skate park go back to the purchase of the land from UC Berkeley in 1999. The San Francisco Chronicle reported in December 2000 that the parcel was the site of a former shoe factory and other reports noted that UC Berkeley had disposed of toxic soil on the parcel.  

At the time of purchase, Councilmembers Diane Woolley and Kriss Worthington questioned the $2.8 million purchase of the 6.4-acre site destined for the skate park and two soccer fields, arguing that the city should have done more research into toxics issues before buying the land.  

Another concern was that the groundwater table was high, which created problems when digging out the skate bowls.  

On Nov. 17, 2000, almost as soon as work began on the park bowls, one of which was to be nine feet deep, crews discovered hexavalent chromium (chrome 6) in the groundwater. Contractors had installed a pumping system to keep ground water from entering the bowl. 

It is now believed that the toxic plume may have been drawn under the skate park due to the action of the pumps. The chrome 6 was thought to have originated with Western Roto Engravers Color-tech, a block away. By 2000, the company had ceased to use the chemical, but it was known to be in the soil. 

City watchdog LA Wood wrote in a November 2000 commentary in the Planet: “It doesn’t take a hydrologist or toxicologist to understand this blunder, just a few facts and a little common sense. The ABCs of real estate say that before a property known to be contaminated is purchased, that either the buyer or the seller requests a Phase One technical site review which … also addresses off-site concerns. Such a study reduces the likelihood of being blindsided and stuck with the cleanup costs, such as those associated with the “newly” discovered toxic plume.” 

He continued, “If the zoning process had been conducted responsibly in 1998, a complete Phase One would have been performed at Harrison, if only to legally affirm the assumptions put forth in the re-zoning of the site for recreational use.” 

The city decided to have the park redesigned above the water table. 

Karen Craig, a member of the Disability Commission, wrote the Berkeley Voice in December 2000: “I do not believe raising the level of concrete will be the answer. Do we want our kids skateboarding in concrete bowls that supposedly cover up contamination?” 

Craig said Doug Fielding, first a lobbyist and then a contractor for the project, should share the blame. 

“Doug Fielding, who convinced the city to okay these parks and playing fields, has the contract to build the park through the Association of Sports Field Users. He still claims the concrete will protect the kids from contamination. I didn’t believe him the first time and I don’t believe him the second,” she wrote. 

The redesigned park held its grand opening Sept. 15, 2002, but was shut down three months later, when city workers again found low levels of chrome 6.  

A city press release announcing the June 7, 2003 re-opening of the park stated: “The city has cleaned and tested the skate park to assure that chrome 6-contaminated-water infiltration occurring last winter will not affect the use of the facility during dry weather ... The city has also retained a geotechnical consulting firm to determine why the groundwater has penetrated the skate park despite a design that should have prevented this situation. In addition, this firm will propose long-term solutions to prevent such an event from happening in the future.” 

Problems continue 

Still, problems persist. While chrome 6 is no longer a problem, Scott Ferris, recreation manager, told the Planet on Friday that he saw the cracks and crevices at the park when he came to work with the city two years ago.  

“It’s gotten a lot worse in the last two years,” Ferris said, noting that skate-park specialist A.J. Vasconi General Engineering of Concord has a $40,000 contract to work on the park, beginning at the end of the month. That fix will not be permanent—it is expected to last about two years, Ferris said, noting that the funds will come from the Public Works Emergency Fund. 

“We don’t know where the problems are coming from,” Caronna said.  

Toxics Manager Nabil Al Hadithy said he would hazard an educated guess, but underscored that he is not an engineer. 

“The cracking has nothing to do with the ground water,” Al Hadithy told the Planet Friday. It is likely either a faulty design of the structure or the use of poor materials or both, he said, explaining that the ground water should be able to infiltrate the structure without cracking the concrete.  

LA Wood told the Planet Friday that there’s plenty of blame to spread around, but the bottom line is that the city should have had better oversight. 

“This is city government at its worst,” he said. 

A small but dedicated crowd turned up to mark the 40th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King’s assassination by reading aloud his “Letter from a Birmingham Jail” at the downtown Berkeley Public Library on Friday. The event coincided with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Youth Council’s National Day of Nonviolence, started nine years ago by the organization’s former director Jamal Bryant to encourage youth to fight against community violence.  

“Back in 1999, there was an increase in violence, brought about by the shootings of artists such as Tupac and Biggie,” said Berkeley NAACP youth council advisor Denisha DeLane. “I remember being at the table when we created the day of non-violence, and almost a decade later, violence still lives and breathes. Attacks on Liberation Theology and what Rev. Jeremiah Wright said at the pulpit scare me. He doesn’t have to be everybody’s pastor but he’s somebody’s pastor. People are hurting, they feel rejected.”  

DeLane said that Dr. King’s letter, written in 1963, dealt with issues plaguing society that persist today. “Violence, crime, misogyny, sexism—it’s still out there,” she said. “Shootings and stabbings have increased in South Berkeley. One of my former classmates was shot by a young man in Berkeley two weeks ago. Unfortunately, we find ourselves gathering at the site of funerals and it’s not until the next funeral that we have another dialogue again.” Community leaders and local clergymen took turns reading from King’s letter, which was a rebuttal to a statement made by eight white clergymen from Alabama. In response to their belief that the battle against racial segregation was meant to be fought in the courts and not in the streets, what King said was that civil rights could not be won without forceful, direct actions. “This ‘Wait’ has almost always meant ‘Never,’” he wrote.  

“And people are still telling us to wait today,” Berkeley councilmember Kriss Worthington told the Planet after the reading. “It’s a very powerful message. Sometimes social movements of the past can get people involved in social changes of today. Dr. King and the Civil Rights Movement won some victories but the struggle still continues. America is not anywhere close to equality and fairness.”  

Berkeley Organizing Congregations for Action (BOCA) lead organizer Belen Pulido-Martinez said that the community had to take the first step to bring about change.  

“I work with young people from Berkeley High School who are involved in gang activities and violence,” she said. “I don’t think we need more police, I think we need more after-school activities, a safe place for them to go and do something constructive. How come in Berkeley we have three senior centers and not even one youth center?”  

Several meetings with Mayor Tom Bates and the city’s Parks and Recreation Department led to BOCA youth getting a small space at the West Berkeley Senior Center for themselves. PG&E recently donated a building downtown to the Berkeley YMCA for a teen center, scheduled to open next year.  

“We need more stuff like that,” Pulido-Martinez said. “We need a place for girls of color to go and dance for free. It’s something they love to do but can’t afford to pay for.” Rev. Byron Williams, pastor of the Resurrection Community Church in Berkeley, echoed her thoughts.  

“The hopelessness that was there when Dr. King died is pervasive even today,” he said. “People marched, people bled, they took on police dogs, they got civil rights legislation, but the economic condition put them in a second-class citizenship. Our current economic situation makes things just the same. It’s good to have the right to vote and fair housing, but what good is fair housing when you can’t afford it?”  

Jamaul Thomas, who had been trying to sell his R&B CDs outside the library gates, followed Rev. Williams to the reading.  

“It’s hard,” Thomas, 22, said. “When young people don’t have anything to do, they will find something to do. And more often than not, it’s bad things. What we lack today is a role model, somebody to guide us through times.”

A U.S. District Court judge has ruled that the Oakland Police Department’s street strip-search policies are generally constitutional—though portions of it are not—but trials in individual cases must be held before the court can determine whether constitutional rights have actually been violated. 

The March 27 ruling in Darnell Foster v. City of Oakland by Judge Marilyn Hall Patel of the Northern District of California came in response to lawsuits filed in several cases by the law firm of Oakland attorney John Burris. The lawsuits involved on-the-street strip searches of suspects conducted by Oakland police officers.  

One part of the ruling—in which officers must use a higher standard of proof to trigger a search—involves street strip searches only, and does not prevent officers from patting down suspects for weapons. In addition, it does not affect strip searches inside jail facilities, which have a different purpose and standard. The judge also ruled that the more invasive body cavity searches cannot be performed by Oakland police at all, but must be performed by trained medical personnel. 

The Oakland city attorney’s office has not yet decided whether to appeal. 

The Burris law firm says that that at least 32 plaintiffs have filed lawsuits against the City of Oakland and its street strip search policies in recent years. 

Ben Nisenbaum, an attorney with the Burris law firm, said he was pleased with the judge’s ruling, saying that it may lead to representatives of the Burris firm sitting down in negotiations with OPD officials “to develop a policy that will meet constitutional requirements.” 

Randolph Hall, chief assistant to Oakland City Attorney John Russo, said that the city attorney’s office “felt that the decision was a clarification of the city’s strip-search policy. This is a fairly new area, and there was no case law” for the judge to refer to. “We welcomed the judge’s clarification.” 

Hall added that regardless of whether the city decides to appeal, the Oakland Police Department “will apply the standards set forth by the court.” 

At issue in the cases was what circumstances should trigger a strip search by the police department, how much privacy should be afforded the subjects of such a search, and what type of personnel should conduct certain aspects of such searches. In her ruling, Patel said that established case law does not touch the area of strip searches by police on the street. 

The Foster case involves three plaintiffs—Darnell Foster, Rafael Duarte, and Yancie Young—all claiming their constitutional rights were violated during strip searches. 

Foster says he was stopped by Oakland Police Office J. Festag on School Street in the winter of 2004, questioned about his probation or parole status, and that after he was handcuffed, Festag “forced Foster over the hood of the vehicle.”  

Foster said Festag then “pulled [his] pants and underwear down to his knees” and “search[ed] around Foster’s testicles using his [latex] gloved hand. The officer also spread Foster’s buttocks and visually searched Foster’s anus, stating ‘I’m going to do a butt-crack search, see if you got crack in your butt-crack.’”  

Foster says no narcotics were found, and he was issued a citation for “loitering with the intent to sell narcotics.” That charge was dismissed when the arresting officers failed to show up for Foster’s criminal court hearing.” 

Duarte was stopped by unidentified Oakland police officers in March 2005 while he was riding with a friend in North Oakland. According to Duarte’s complaint, he was subject to a search in front of the police car in which “the officers pulled down Duarte’s pants and ordered him to bend over. Duarte’s buttocks were spread, permitting visual inspection of his anus. No contraband was found, but Duarte was placed in the rear of a police vehicle. The officers then performed a strip and visual body cavity search on Duarte’s friend. That search also yielded no contraband. During the searches of the two men, a crowd had begun to gather around the scene, including some people with whom Duarte was acquainted. The individuals witnessed the searches of both men.” 

Duarte says he was cited, but no charges were ever filed against him. 

Young says that he was stopped by OPD Officer William Bergeron while he was driving on West Street in West Oakland in the fall of 2003, and that Bergeron said he smelled marijuana in Young’s car. According to Young’s complaint, “Bergeron then took Young to the back of a police car. While facing Young, he pulled down Young’s pants and underwear, revealing Young’s genitalia. Then Officer Bergeron shined a flashlight directed at Young’s genitalia, visually inspecting Young for up to a minute. Officer Bergeron next performed a pat-search of Young, ordered Young to remove his shoes and felt Young’s private area through his pants.” 

Young said that no drugs were found, even after police did a canine search of his car, and that no charges were filed against him. 

Patel made no ruling on the merits of the claims in individual cases. 

In its 1998 policy on “Strip Searches, Visual Body-Cavity Searches, and Physical Body-Cavity Searches,” the Oakland Police Department defined three types of body searches: strip searches (“any search that requires the officer to remove or arrange some or all of a person’s clothing to permit a visual inspection of the subject’s underclothing, breasts, buttocks, or genitals”), visual body cavity searches (“a search which consists of the visual inspection of the subject’s rectal cavity and, if the subject is a female, vagina,” but not the mouth), and physical body cavity searches (“a search which consists of the physical intrusion into a body cavity for the purpose of discovering a concealed object”). 

In her ruling, Patel denied the plaintiffs’ claims that the 1998 policy was unconstitutional in many of its aspects, but did rule that the policy was “unconstitutional insofar as it allows physical body cavity searches to be performed by someone other than a medical professional.” 

OPD’s 1998 policy was amended in 2004. Patel ruled that the 2004 amendments were in general constitutional, but that the 2004 amended strip-search policy was “unconstitutional to the extent that it allows strip searches of any kind in the field to be performed on less than probable cause.” 

The 2004 OPD strip-search policy said that such searches could be done in the field if the officer had “reasonable suspicion to believe the arrestee is hiding or concealing evidence, a weapon, or contraband.” 

In a telephone interview, Nisenbaum explained that under “reasonable suspicion,” a police officer in Oakland could conduct a strip search under Oakland’s policy “if they observed someone give money to another individual and receive a package in return, that the transaction occurred in an area known for drug activity, and that one of the individuals is known to have been involved in drug transactions in the past.” 

Ni7senbaum said that “probable cause is a more heightened standard,” requiring that a witness such as a police officer actually observe a crime being committed, rather than inferring from an activity that it must have involved a crime. 

Under Patel’s ruling, street strip searches can now only be conducted by Oakland police if a witness actually observes a crime being committed. 

Demolition of the strip mall at the corner of University Avenue and Martin Luther King Jr. Way will begin June 1, said developer Chris Hudson. Some preliminary dismantling of the building is already visible. 

However, the city has yet to issue the final demolition permit, the last step legally required before the wrecking ball can wreak its havoc, and the city’s approval of the project still faces a court challenge.  

Leveling of the strip mall that once housed an auto parts store and a pet supply shop is the first stage in the construction of the project popularly known as the Trader Joe’s building, but more formally named The Old Grove, after the previous name of MLK Way.  

Hudson discounted rumors that the five-story, block-long project had been canceled, with only the popular grocery store to go into a remodeled mall. 

“We’re working on the project right now,” said Hudson. “Nothing has changed, and everything is on track.” 

The project will feature four floors totaling 148 apartments above a ground-floor grocery store and parking area. 

The city’s approval of the project is still the subject of a civil lawsuit filed by project neighbors on Berkeley Way, the residential street bordering the planned building on the north. 

Steve Wollmer of Friends of Berkeley Way said a decision on the litigation is due in the weeks ahead. 

His action would return the building permit application to city officials for review of two key issues involving parking and traffic. Traffic to and from the store is expected to peak at times when commuter traffic is heaviest, and could fill up spaces in the store’s indoor lot and spill over onto neighborhood streets, a long-time concern of neighbors. 

Controversy over the building’s size and mass was one of the main reasons cited by Zoning Adjustments Board members when they decided to form a subcommittee to examine the city’s density bonus policies and come up with proposals for drawing up a city ordinance. 

Later expanded by the City Council to include members of the Planning and Housing Advisory commissions, the panel came up with recommendations that will be considered by the Planning Commission for adoption Tuesday night. 

A key concern was that the structure was allowed to exceed size limits because city staff said the increases were justified by the developers adding parking for the grocery store, which staff had deemed a public benefit meriting greater size and more income-generating apartments. 

Members of the subcommittee favored a policy which would grant excess size only in return for adding new housing for low-income tenants. 

A second, less restrictive set of recommendations prepared by city staff is also up for consideration at the meeting. It is a repeat of the staff proposal that city councilmembers opted to adopt in November 2006 when confronted by a state ballot measure that would have radically restricted the ability of local governments to regulate land use. 

The council adopted the staff proposal as law, with a sunset provision that voided the law soon after the state measure failed. 

Another measure, Proposition 98, on the statewide June ballot, is behind the latest effort to adopt a sunsetting density law. Opponents believe that it could outlaw both local zoning and rent control under the pretext of banning the use of eminent domain to take private homes for development.  

Meanwhile, Planning Commission members will continue to work on the density ordinance on the premise that 98 will fail. A Berkeley committee, including some planning commissioners, is now forming to oppose Proposition 98 and promote Proposition 99 as a better, less restrictive alternative.  

The Berkeley Board of Education will discuss a report recommending adaptive re-use of the Berkeley High School Old Gym on Wednesday. 

The discussion—which will include public comments—is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. at the Old City Hall building, 2134 Martin Luther King Jr. Way. 

Friends Protecting Berkeley’s Resources—which sued the Berkeley Unified School District for what it called an inadequate environmental impact report on the demolition of the gymnasium and warm-water pool—met with school district officials and community members last month to discuss rehabilitation and re-use of the gym and the warm-water pool to settle the lawsuit.  

The lawsuit charged that the district had failed to consider feasible alternatives to demolition that could be developed to meet all or most of the district’s objectives and that the EIR “did not justify its findings.”  

Friends spokesperson Marie Bowman told the Planet that charette participants had discussed adapting the gym to meet the school’s academic and physical education needs as identified in the master plan. 

The district’s South of Bancroft Master Plan calls for the demolition of the nationally landmarked Old Gym to make room for a stadium and 15 new classrooms, with the option of relocating the warm-water pool to a site on Milvia Street.  

“We have determined that Berkeley High needs 14 classrooms to deal with its current space crunch,” the district’s Director of Facilities Lew Jones said. 

Four of those 14 classrooms are now located within portables at Washington Elementary School. The board will vote Wednesday on whether to construct six new portable classrooms near the high school’s softball field. 

If the district decides to follow its South of Bancroft Master Plan, then the portables will be used for the next five to six years, Jones said. 

“The first phase of the plan calls for the stadium to be built,” he said. “It would take around two years for the design and permitting process and construction itself would take 15 months. The second phase would be demolishing the Old Gym—which would take six months—and the third phase would be to build the classrooms. The board could also decide to modify the master plan after reviewing the charette report.” 

While some charette participants supported historic preservation of the Old Gym, others had concerns about its adaptive reuse. 

The report includes three different concepts, with the first proposing classrooms on the second floor and adding a basement to a piece of the Old Gym. 

The second concept—put forward by a group of people concerned about maintaining a league-sized softball field at the high school—would demolish a part of the building to accommodate the field and convert the north pool into a warm-water pool. 

The third plan calls for the demolition of the Donahue Gym, constructing classrooms on the first floor and converting the north pool into the warm-water pool. 

“All of these concepts are feasible, the question is whether they meet our program goals,” Jones said.  

He added that the district was required to listen to the outcome of the charette but were not legally bound to accept it. 

Bowman called the plan to demolish the Old Gym and rebuild wasteful, and said that since the building was now a national landmark, federal, state and private foundation funds were available for its restoration. 

Warm-water pool advocates were split between getting a bond measure passed for a new pool—which comes with a $15 million price tag—and preserving it. They are also exploring ways to convert the Milvia Street tennis courts into a warm pool but have not yet reached an agreement with Berkeley Unified about its use. 

The district hired Baker Vilar Architects to redesign the bleachers outside the track on Martin Luther King Jr. Way this summer and to create a timeline for the demolition of the Old Gym, which is not scheduled to start until 2010. 

Berkeley-based Disability Rights Advocates settled a seven-year-old lawsuit with the state Department of Education Friday. In the settlement the state agreed to study the pass rate for special education students on the California High School Exit Exam. 

Disability Rights Advocates had charged the state with not giving students with disabilities fair opportunity to pass the test, which students must pass to graduate from high school. 

“It’s an invalid and discriminatory exam as applied to these students,” said attorney Roger Heller, who has been working on the case for the last two years. “The settlement will provide information about what changes will be made to the policy.” 

Heller said that the group had filed the lawsuit after talking to special education students and their families from all over the state. 

“They were not being given proper instruction and not being taught by teachers with the right credentials,” he said. 

All California public school seniors are required to pass the state exit exam—which tests basic math and English skills—to graduate since 2006. 

As a result of the ongoing lawsuit, high school seniors in special-education classes who met all other graduation requirements in 2007 received a diploma regardless of whether they passed the exit exam. 

The state legislature passed Senate Bill 267 in 2006, which ensured that students with documented disabilities could receive their diplomas, in response to the lawsuit. 

The bill includes certain procedural requirements students must meet in order to graduate. 

However, lawyers from Disability Rights Advocates failed to get disabled high school seniors an exemption from the exit exam this year, making it mandatory for them to pass it to qualify for a diploma. 

If pending legislation sponsored by Sen. Gloria Romero passes and is signed into law by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, special education students in the classes of 2008 and 2009 would be exempt from taking the exit exam. 

“It’s a state-wide issue,” said Berkeley Board of Education President John Selawsky. “Special education kids might have proficiency but there may be time constraints and processing issues which make it a problem for them to take the test. We try and accommodate them as much as we can. Some students will get more time, others will get special resources.” 

Berkeley High School is estimated to have around 200 special education students who go through Individualized Educational Programs (IEP) for need-based assessment, Selawsky said. 

“The goal is to get them out of special needs,” said district spokesperson Mark Coplan. “There are some kids who clearly don’t have the ability to successfully pass the exit exam. It’s important to look at each student to see what their capacity is, but again, the state laws govern that. We are still trying to determine, as a district, how to address that.” 

According to the settlement, the state Department of Education will hire a consultant to study the exit exam and prepare a report outlining findings and recommendations. 

The study will take into account seniors who have taken the exit exam with modifications and accommodations specified to their respective IEPs, but have not passed it, and who have satisfied or will satisfy all other graduation requirements. 

Students with disabilities and parents who have been affected by the state exit exam can complete the Disability Rights Advocates’ exit exam impact survey at 

http://www.dralegal.org/cases/education_testing/exit_exam_surveys/cahsee.

Former 16th District Assemblymember Wilma Chan has filed a complaint with the California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) against 14th District Assemblymember Loni Hancock—Chan’s opponent in the race to succeed termed-out 9th District State Senator Don Perata—charging that Hancock has illegally used her assemblymember officeholder account to pay a campaign staff member. 

The Hancock campaign denies the charge. 

In their FPPC complaint, the Chan campaign says that Hancock for Senate 2008 Campaign Manager Terri Waller was paid some $15,000 for campaign work from the officeholder account between June of 2007 and March 14 of this year. Until she became Hancock’s campaign manager on the first of March of this year, Waller worked as a district director in Hancock’s 14th Assembly District office. 

California law has established officeholder accounts to pay for an officeholder’s political activities during their time in office, but not for specific campaign expenses, which are paid for by a separate campaign account. The officeholder accounts are donor-financed, and are regularly reported to the California Secretary of State, with contributions and expenditures posted on the Secretary of State’s website. 

Chan’s complaint says that Hancock compensated Waller from the officeholder account for “campaign consultant services,” and that Waller accompanied Hancock to four Senate endorsement interviews between December 2007 and February of this year. 

The complaint also says that Waller “introduced herself as the campaign manager during at least one Senate endorsement interview,” but does not give the date of that interview. 

Cliff Staton, a consultant with the Hancock campaign, says “there is no truth” to the allegations.  

Staton said that any work done by Waller prior to the first of March was in her capacity of district director and not as campaign manager. He also said that Waller was paid from Hancock’s officeholder account in March, but the payment was for activities Waller conducted for Hancock’s assembly office in February, before Waller became senate campaign manager in March. 

The state agriculture department’s plan to eradicate the light brown apple moth (LBAM) “is like the 9-11 terrorist policy applied to agriculture,” Miguel Altieri, UC Berkeley professor of agroecology and an entomologist, told the Planet Monday. 

Altieri will be among the panelists to discuss the LBAM Thursday, 7-9 p.m., at the Ecology Center, 2530 San Pablo Ave. The event is sponsored by East Bay Pesticide Alert. 

Numerous cities and organizations are making plans to oppose the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s $75 million plan to spray the Bay Area in the summer in an attempt to eradicate the LBAM, which California Secretary of Agriculture A.J. Kawamura calls a “globalized pest.”  

(Repeated sprayings in future years are yet unfunded, USDA spokesperson Larry Hawkins told the Planet.) 

April 1, Richmond joined Berkeley, Albany, Oakland, Emeryville, El Cerrito and a number of Marin County cities in opposing the spray. Richmond also authorized its city attorney to join the other East Bay Cities already exploring legal remedies. 

And on Monday morning, a San Francisco Board of Supervisors subcommittee unanimously approved measures that will go to the full board, opposing the spray and authorizing exploration of legal remedies. 

The city of Alameda will take on the issue at its April 15 meeting. The North Coast River Alliance has engaged Oakland attorney Stephan Volker to take first steps in opposing the spray, by commenting on the scope of the state’s pending environmental review.  

When the state declared the moth infestation an emergency, it gained the right to do an environmental impact report at the same time it sprays, rather than before it sprays. A number of cities and some state legislators have called on the state to conduct the environmental review before spraying. 

At issue is the light brown apple moth, a non-native pest the California Department of Food and Agriculture says just arrived in California last year. They say the LBAM must be completely eradicated before it causes great damage to California agriculture—no damage has been noted to date—and spreads to neighboring states and countries.  

The CDFA’s view is at odds with those of a number of scientists, such as entomologist James Carey of UC Davis, who says the LBAM has existed in California for a long time without causing crop damage, and Altieri, who says it is impossible to completely wipe out the moth. 

Having characterized the situation as an emergency, the CDFA sprayed Monterey and Santa Cruz counties with Checkmate in September. The main ingredient in Checkmate is a synthetic pheromone, a scent intended to disrupt mating behavior and eventually eradicate the moth. The product, which contains inert ingredients, some of which, according to Albany’s Integrated Pest Management Task Force, are carcinogenic, is delivered through microscopic capsules.  

Some 600 residents of the Santa Cruz-Monterey area say the spray made them ill last year. Since the September spraying, organizations and cities have mounted campaigns to stop the spray.  

The CDFA is not sitting back idly as opponents gear up for a fight. Last week it distributed a paper written by members of the state’s Technical Working Group on the LBAM aimed at countering opponents’ arguments, and held a press conference via telephone where a number of CDFA “experts” reaffirmed the need to do aerial spraying. 

Asked if it were true that the moth has been in California for decades as some claim, the CDFA response was that the 2005 trapping data shows that the moth was absent in California at that time. 

The CDFA and U.S. Department of Agriculture have been conducting surveys for the last 20 years, said Vic Mastro of the USDA. “They were all negative,” he said. 

When the question of the spray’s adverse health effects in the Santa Cruz area was raised, the response was that the illnesses—shortness of breath, itching skin, digestive problems—were not shown to be associated with the spray. 

Mastro said the CDFA is testing new products in New Zealand for use in the Bay Area, which he said are being assessed for “efficiency, safety and feasibility.” They are not being tested in urban areas, Mastro said. 

If the CDFA didn’t spray, would the USDA go ahead and do it themselves? Osama El-Lissy of the USDA answered indirectly: “This is obviously an invasive pest,” he said. “We determined this is an emergency.” 

Scientists opposing the spray downplay the “emergency.” They include Altieri and Daniel Harder, executive director of the Arboretum at UC Santa Cruz, who co-authored a study, “Integrated Pest Management Practices for the light brown apple moth in New Zealand.” 

“We don’t need to be so alarmed about this pest,” Altieri said, arguing that predators such as the non-native trichogramma wasps will eat the LBAM’s eggs while not interfering with beneficial insects. There are native predators and sprays such as bacillus thuringiensis or bt, which are considered safe, he said. 

Altieri also said there should be a change in the way farming is done in California, which generally is to plant one crop only. When there is a variety of crops, beneficial insects are encouraged and harmful pests are kept under control without sprays, Altieri said. 

In his comments on the scope of the environmental review, attorney Volker, representing the North Coast Rivers Alliance, underscored the danger presented to waterways. Before conducting aerial spraying anywhere, “much less over rivers, coastal waters, and densely populated urban regions, CDFA must conduct a thorough and comprehensive review of potentially significant ecological and public health effects resulting from the spray, including toxicity to fish, wildlife and beneficial insects and human illnesses such as respiratory damage, allergic reactions, aggravation of preexisting conditions, and skin inflammation,” he said. 

A federal decision on a plan to create a new North Richmond reservation for a landless tribe of Pomos who want to build a casino is months away, a federal official said Monday. 

The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) issued their final environmental impact statement on the project March 29, triggering a 30-day period for public and official comment. 

Once the comments are in, officials at the BIA’s Sacramento office will review them and prepare a record of decision that will, eventually, determine the fate of the Sugar Bowl Casino. 

Once the decision is forwarded to Washington, “it usually takes two or three months, especially for a decision like this, which is pretty controversial,” said Patrick O’Mallan, an environmental protection specialist for the BIA in Sacramento. 

But the record of decision is only one aspect of the approval process, said John Rydzik, chief of the BIA’s regional Division of Environmental, Cultural Resources Management and Safety. 

And while the full-scale casino project is listed as the preferred alternative, that doesn’t mean that will be the option selected, he added. 

Approval of the proposal would make the 181-member Scotts Valley band of Pomos the state’s only operators of a full-scale, Las Vegas-style urban casino. 

The Scotts Valley Pomos are a landless, poverty-stricken tribe, with a third of the band’s adults unemployed and 57 percent of tribe members receiving government assistance, according to the BIA. 

If the government approves the plan, the tribe would become owners of a 225,000-square-foot casino, along with its 3,549 parking spaces—2,044 of them in a five-level garage. The environmental impact statement estimates that 14,000 patrons would flock to the Sugar Bowl on a typical day. 

The casino complex would operate around the clock, and the complex would feature a 99,320-square-foot gambling venue with 1,940 slot machines, 55 table games and 13 Asian card games on the main casino floor, plus a poker room with 16 tables and a “high-roller” room with 60 slots, five table games and three Asian card games. 

Other features of the project include: 

• A 600-seat buffet, 

• A 120-seat full-service restaurant,  

• A 150-seat sports bar, 

• A 24,000-square foot events center capable of seating 1,500, and  

• Retail shops and an espresso bar. 

As proposed, the casino would hire 1,930 full-time and 342 part-time employees for an operation that would operate on a round-the-clock basis. 

While the project has drawn strong opposition from the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors and Assemblymember Loni Hancock, the City of Richmond has already signed an agreement with the tribe to provide their casino with police, fire and emergency medical services. 

Four proposals 

The Sugar Bowl was one of four proposals for full-scale East Bay casinos, with one in Oakland, another at Point Molate in Richmond and a proposal to turn the San Pablo Casino cardroom into a full-scale casino. 

The first proposal was to site a tribal casino and hotel complex on environmentally sensitive land near the Oakland airport, but it was withdrawn. 

The Point Molate project of the Guidiville Rancheria Pomos has stalled with the withdrawal of its major corporate partner, though an environmental impact statement is now in preparation based on plans for a hotel, massive casino and upscale shopping center. 

Rydzik said the draft enviornmental impact statement on the Point Molate project is now being finalized and could be ready for public review and a hearing in the next few months. 

Members of the Lytton Rancheria band of Pomos settled for slot-machine-like high speed bingo games in San Pablo after threats of federal action challenged the legality of a provision in federal legislation passed for the tribe which had backdated their title to the land. 

The speed of the electronic bingo games eventually installed in San Pablo proved enough like slots to significantly raise the Lytton’s gaming revenues, and they allowed their proposal for a Vegas-like casino to lapse. 

The high-speed machines have greatly expanded the casino’s revenues, with the city’s share under a negotiated agreement with the tribe accounting for 28 percent of San Pablo’s revenues for fiscal year 2007, an increase of nearly $2.7 million from the year before, according to the city’s annual financial statement. 

The casino also became the city’s third largest employer, beaten out by Contra Costa College by a one-worker margin. 

The promise of jobs won the tribe endorsements of many members of Richmond’s black clergy, who viewed the hope of employment as a counter to the poverty and violence that have wracked the city. 

Both the Scotts Valley Pomos and the Guidiville tribe who applied for the Point Molate casino were eligible to apply for off-reservation casinos because they had once had tax-exempt rancherias of their own which, the government later determined, had been illegally stripped of legal recognition by the federal California Rancheria Termination Act of 1958 and further legislation enacted six years later. 

The Scotts Valley band’s legal recognition was restored in 1991, but “without a land base,” according to the EIS. 

In their responses to the draft EIS circulated two years ago, critics of the casino project charged that establishing a new reservation in the East Bay would be inappropriate, given that the Miwok and Ohlone tribes typically ranged in the area. 

Alternatives, approvals 

The EIS examines four alternatives of the site, plus a no-development option, with the full-scale casino being the preferred choice. 

The others are: 

• A “reduced casino” complex and events center totaling 95,000 square feet with 1,140 full-time and 201 part-time employees serving 5,900 patrons a day. 

• A “reduced casino” of the same size as the second alternative, but without an events center, using that space for more gambling which would attract an estimated 11,300 daily patrons served by 1,187 full-time and 260 part-time workers. The site would also house a 68,150-square-foot retail and office complex would bring the total  

• Finally, the tribe could build a two-level, 248,000-square-foot regional office and retail center, with 332 full-time and 232-part-time employees. 

At least seven separate approvals would be needed before a casino could be approved, including the Secretary of the Interior’s okay for transfer of the 30-acre site into federal trust status on behalf of the tribal government. 

The Washington-based National Indian Gaming Commission would have to approve a set of gambling ordinances for the tribe, as well as its management contract with Richmond Gaming Ltd., the casino operator. 

The federal Environmental Protection Agency would have to issue a stormwater discharge permit and water quality certification, while the tribe would have to consult with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service about potential endangered species issues. 

Another consultation would be required with the state Office of Historic Preservation, though there are no likely landmarks involved, and a Contra Costa County encroachment permit would be needed to build a roadway, utility and drainage improvements along Richmond Parkway and Parr Boulevard. 

The EIS is available online at http://scottsvalleyeis.com./

Berkeley Planning Commissioners face back-to-back meetings this week where they’ll juggle two political hot potatoes on succeeding nights. 

Tuesday night, it’s a session to vote on temporary density rules that would govern the city’s developers should Proposition 98 pass during the statewide election in June. 

That measure, officially described as a law to restrict eminent domain actions designed to benefit private developers, casts a much wider net, with abolition of the state’s last vestiges of rent control being a target that has drawn big bucks from apartment owners and their lobbying groups. 

The two alternative measures being presented to the commission are the same ones presented to the City Council and passed before another eminent domain measure failed during the November 2006 election. 

The more restrictive of the two was created by a subcommittee created by the Zoning Adjustments Board and later expanded to include members of the Planning and Housing Advisory commissions. 

Councilmembers rejected that measure in favor of a more developer-friendly version prepared by city staff. 

One group which will be on hand to argue for the staff version is Livable Berkeley. Chair Erin Rhoades, has called for members to come out in support of higher density growth on transit corridors. She’s the spouse of former city Land Use Planning Manager Mark Rhoades, who is now a business partner in the for-profit Memar Properties development company of Ali Kashani, formerly the director of the non-profit Affordable Housing Associates.  

Erin Rhoades is also asking members to come out the following night, Wednesday, when the commission holds a joint hearing with the Transportation Commission on Bus Rapid Transit. “They need to hear from people who support BRT and want full consideration of workable design systems,” she wrote in an e-mail to members. 

Clarence Johnson, AC Transit’s media affairs manager, said Wednesday’s meeting is informational in nature, with the agency looking for public and city comment of the proposal which would create a bus-only transit lane from Berkeley to San Leandro along Telegraph Avenue and International Boulevard. 

One projected loop would take buses from Telegraph down Bancroft Way and into city center and the downtown BART station. 

“There are several possibilities” for design of the system, Johnson said. “None of it is set in stone at this stage,” he added. 

Both meetings begin at 7 p.m. in the North Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst Ave. 

Southside plan 

During the weeks ahead, planners will be reviewing another city plan and the key environmental documents for another. 

Commissioners are currently reviewing the Downtown Area Plan as they prepare their own recommendations for the City Council to consider alongside the original draft by the Downtown Area Plan Advisory Committee. 

They will also hold a hearing during their April 23 session on the Draft Environmental Impact Report on the Southside Plan, which has just been posted on the city’s website at www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/ContentDisplay.aspx?id=17998. 

That document also briefly addresses the Draft EIR that AC Transit prepared on four BRT options, two controversial variations of which would narrow heavily trafficked Bancroft Way to a single traffic lane.  

The project would also limit traffic on Telegraph Avenue, which has raised concerns of merchants and residents.

Larry Bensky was kind enough to forward to us an article by Dan Eggen, from Sunday’s Washington Post. The headline is “Permissible Assaults Cited in Graphic Detail.” 

He suggested that we should reprint the whole piece, which we’re not legally entitled to do. But we can direct your attention to the story on the paper’s web site. It’s an excellent parsing of a truly appalling document, a memo on the legal boundaries governing interrogation by members of the U.S. military forces which was written by John C. Yoo, then a U.S. Justice Department lawyer, and now a faculty member at the local law school formerly known as Boalt Hall, which is part of the University of California.  

His memo functions as a justification for a variety of forms of physical torture. The article reports that the memo claims that “federal laws prohibiting assault, maiming and other crimes by military interrogators are trumped by the president’s ultimate authority as commander in chief.” 

It was taken as the law of the land for eight months, until it was overruled by Jack Goldsmith, Yoo’s boss at the Office of Legal Counsel, who was later quoted as calling some of his memos “deeply flawed: sloppily reasoned, overbroad, and incautious in asserting extraordinary constitutional authorities on behalf of the President.” Well, yes, that’s obvious, even to non-lawyers. 

We asked Larry, KPFA’s longtime national repor-ter, to write a commentary for the Planet on the topic. “What is there to say? It speaks for itself, alas,” he replied. 

That’s true, as far as it goes, and everyone should certainly read the Post piece or even, if you have the stomach for it, the whole memo. 

Brad DeLong, ace blogger and Econ Prof, is one of the few UC faculty members whose moral compass seems to be relatively intact. He’s been hosting online discussions of how Yoo might be sent packing. 

His own first take on the topic: “I should write to Professor William Drummond, Chair of the Berkeley Division of the University of California Senate, stating that in my opinion it is time for him to convene a committee to examine whether John Yoo’s appointment to the University of California faculty should be revoked for moral turpitude.” But that’s followed by a lengthy exchange about the propriety of such an action. 

Yes, yes, we know the whole academic freedom routine. We’re reluctant to suggest that Yoo be fired just because some would describe his work product as sadomasochistic with fascist tendencies.  

But here’s another question: Who hired this jerk to work at the Law School? It’s the “sloppily reasoned” part that should have kept him from getting the job in the first place. Yoo’s “faculty profile” says he’s been at U.C. since 1993. Why? 

If the Planet had a huge investigative staff, that might make an interesting inquiry. But we have our hands full reporting on U.C.’s sweetheart deals with major petroleum companies, and the hiring halls of academia are traditionally shrouded in mystery and cloaked in enigma.  

This is a job for an insider. We know that a number of past and current law school faculty members read the Planet, because they’ve told us that they do, and we know that they’re just as disgusted as we are by Yoo’s presence among them.  

We’re also aware that a few doughty souls at UCB have staged demonstrations and teach-ins against Yoo for years. We’ve encountered several law students who seem to have ethics and energy.  

Forget about moral turpitude. Some of these people should inquire delicately but forcefully why their school has a faculty member whose work is notoriously shoddy. 

Of course, Yoo’s not the only UC faculty member who does some mediocre work from time to time. This could be a slippery slope—it might make some of his colleagues very nervous. 

Even though the subject matter is deadly serious, some observers have half-jokingly suggested taking direct action to shame Yoo. Two respectable Berkeley matrons were overheard fantasizing about donning burqas and smacking him with pies in front of his classes.  

On Brad DeLong’s blog, one Kate G. says that it’s not a question of academic freedom exactly, and proposes a more Draconian alternative: “Yoo’s briefs on torture, especially the infamous observation that the president could, if he choose, legally ‘crush the testicles’ of an innocent child if he thought that would advance an American agenda, is more like a form of reckless endangerment of the country and of its citizens and their morality. But I’d settle for a controlling legal and political authority crushing Mr. Yoo’s testicles and then asking to have their case heard by a higher court. I don’t think he has to be fired from Berkeley to make the point.”  

Bloggers are chewing over these alternatives as we speak, and perhaps someone over at the law school might actually do something. The latest dialogue on the topic as of this writing, from posters to Brad DeLong’s site: 

“I think a complaint should be filed but it’s largely symbolic. I do not believe that the University should be pressured into firing Yoo, though I am personally appalled by his directives to the government. Tenure protects academics’ rights to hold and voice unpopular opinions. I am not interested in silencing those I disagree with, but rather in engaging in public debate with them. Anything else smacks of liberal facism.” 

And the response to this post, from someone signing on as A. Citizen: 

“‘Silence in the face of evil is itself evil: God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.’—Dietrich Bonhoeffer. I am no liberal, sir, and it is an attitude such as you voice here which has brought our nation to the precipice. Let me be clear. Your failure to speak out, to take action, against Yoo and his vile ilk makes you no better than they.”  

History, if not God, will judge who’s right. Meanwhile, it’s up to the faculty and students of the law school of the University of California at Berkeley to figure out, at least, who saddled their institution with this infamous character in the first place.  

Reminders of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, 40 years ago on Friday, were everywhere last week. His sonorous voice was replayed again and again on every radio station—his picture was in every paper. For me, the most immediate and vivid memories of that dreadful week in 1968—indeed, of that whole dreadful year—came flooding back at the Tuesday farmers’ market, to which Full Belly Farms brought huge fragrant bunches of lilacs. 

Most people who lived through the several tragedies of the ’60s can tell you exactly where they were and what they were doing when they heard John Kennedy had been shot. For me at least the subsequent and accelerating shocks tended to run together, the details getting less and less vivid as they got closer together. So my memories of the week when Dr. King was assassinated are fragmentary.  

We were living then in an old former rooming house on a busy town street in the Midwest. With great effort, we’d dug up two ancient lilacs from the yard of a demolished house and transplanted them into our own tiny front yard to provide a welcome screen from the traffic. On April 4, 1968, they were in full and glorious bloom, earlier that year than usual, for the first time since we’d lived there. 

Blooming lilacs will always be linked in my mind with Walt Whitman’s powerful lament for Abraham Lincoln, also assassinated in April, When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom’d. We stayed home with our two small kids all that week, glued to the television as the horrifying events unfolded. At some point I pulled down from a high shelf my copy of Whitman’s Leaves of Grass, one of many masterpieces purchased but never assimilated when I was an undergraduate literature student. Whitman’s description of his overwhelming grief at losing Lincoln seemed to give voice to our own feelings. 

Everyone we knew was in mourning. One friend, a tough-minded self-sufficient woman (as one of the first women computer scientists, she had to be), called and said she was on her way over a noodle kugel. Why? I asked. It’s what we do when someone is sitting shiva, she said. 

Since I’d never known her to show the slightest interest in either cooking or religion, some explanation was in order. She told me about the Jewish custom of having a bereaved family stay home for about a week while their friends and neighbors come to pay calls, often with gifts of food, including noodle kugels, a traditional sweet comfort food, a kind of pudding made with noodles and often raisins. And she was right, we were all part of the same grieving family then, huddled together in our homes trying to make sense of what was happening, sitting shiva for a family member most of us had never met. 

As it happened, I had met Dr. King, just for a moment, in 1964. We spent just a day at the Democratic Convention in Atlantic City, to lend a little support to the Freedom Democrats who were trying to be seated as Mississippi’s delegates. Number One child was left with my parents that day, and I was hugely pregnant with Number Two, but we thought that at least we could contribute a little sign-waving and shouting to the cause. We encountered King having breakfast with a couple of associates in an ordinary cheap local restaurant. Those were still innocent days—no one worried that he might be in danger. I plucked up my courage, went over to his table and asked to shake his hand, and he graciously agreed. (I probably had some primitive belief that it would confer a special blessing on my unborn child. In truth, though she’s turned out to be a stalwart advocate for justice, so have the other two.) 

From all the King tributes I’ve seen this last week, one fact which I’d never thought about before jumped out at me. Martin Luther King was only 39 years old when he died. From my current vantage point, that now seems amazingly young, considering what he accomplished: younger than two of my children are now. When he died I was only 28 myself, so 39 seemed to be middle age or worse, but it now seems like the trailing edge of youth.  

This perspective makes the fabricated “experience” dispute between the Democratic presidential candidates look even sillier. It’s clear that Obama is no green kid—he’s plenty old enough to be expected to continue his already impressive accomplishments if elected. But that doesn’t mean that Hillary Clinton is too old just because she’s sixty. Like many of us, she devoted a substantial part of her energy in her younger years to her spouse and child, but she’s still got plenty to spare for the public good—look at Nancy Pelosi, who had five kids before she got into gear in public life. It’s time for both candidates to stop drawing imaginary lines in the sand and get on with the serious work of the nation.  

And how have the rest of us done with getting on with the important things in the forty years since King died? We’ve had more years than he had on earth to get a few more jobs done.  

On the plus side, legally-sanctioned discrimination on the basis of race is gone. Many informal social barriers have fallen—many of us are now part of mixed-race families like Barack Obama’s. But the playing field has not yet been levelled for all Americans. As Obama pointed out in his landmark address, economic and other scars of slavery still oppress many of the descendants of slaves.  

And sadly the other two scourges to which Martin Luther King devoted his short life are still with us: war and poverty. The current violence in Iraq is starting to seem even worse, even more pointless, than the war in Vietnam which he so eloquently denounced. The Memphis sanitation workers King went to Memphis to help did get their union, but it’s still a weak one—their current pay and benefits are not much to boast about. People like them at the bottom of the economic ladder are still not making it. 

We have a few new problems, too, the precipitous decline of the climate of Earth chief among them. Even if Martin Luther King had lived and worked until today, there would still be plenty to do. Though we need saints and heroes like King to inspire us, for the hard jobs still ahead we also need to keep in mind the exhortation in the old spiritual: “Keep your hand on the plow—hold on!” Translated for the post-agricultural, that means we need to push ahead steadily in a straight line without wavering if we want to accomplish our goals. King probably knew that song well, and it’s still good advice. 

NEWS BLACKOUT IN GAZA 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

There’s a news blackout about the siege of Gaza in the United States. I am writing you to request a more critical, in-depth coverage of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. 

Since 2006, Israel has controlled the flow of goods, food and fuel, access to health care, and freedom of movement of all 1.5 million Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. In the past four months, Israel has intensified this siege by reducing imports of food and medicine to a trickle. Despite the lack of clean water for the people of Gaza to drink, Israel bars the delivery of water filters. 

Half of the people of Gaza are children under the age of 18. Growing up in this environment, they must be “shocked by the miserable things” they see, as UN humanitarian affairs official John Holmes said he was. Holmes also blamed the siege for the collapse of Gaza’s economy, which has left 80 percent of the population dependent on international food aid. 

Since 2000, over 2,680 Palestinians in Gaza have been killed by Israeli violence. While Palestinian militants have been illegally firing rockets into southern Israel, killing 11 people since 2000, collective punishment of the Palestinians by Israel will neither bring about an end to the rockets, improve the security of ordinary Israelis, nor open the path to a viable and just peace. Water filters, food, medicine, and clean drinking water in the hands of Gazans are not security threats. 

The United States, which provides Israel with the economic, military and diplomatic support that makes Israel’s history of violating the human rights of Gazans possible, has a moral responsibility to use its influence to stop Israel’s siege of the Gazan people. Instead, it is currently pursuing a policy of fomenting civil war in Gaza, as recently revealed by a groundbreaking report in Vanity Fair. 

Anne White 

Alameda 

• 

SIMPLISTIC THINKING 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

Jim Harris’ op-ed piece (Planet, 4/4/08) equates the war and U.S. occupation of Iraq with the Israeli occupation of the west bank, and calls on Barbara Boxer to condition aid to Israel on its immediate withdrawal. While I’m sure he has his followers, this kind of simplistic thinking in support of a political agenda can get us into trouble (as if we need more). Anyone possessed of reasonable analytical ability and a rudimentary knowledge of history can see the situations are not remotely comparable, as Ms. Boxer well knows. For Harris, history conveniently begins forty years ago; had he chosen to go back a little farther he would have understood that from its inception Israel has been engaged in a war for survival among hostile governments that have included at one time or another Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kuwait, Algeria and Iran. Israel occupies the west bank as a result of its victory in the six-day war, a war it did not seek, at the end of which it also found itself in possession of the Sinai peninsula. Perhaps Harris’ selective view of history does not permit him to recall that Israel returned the Sinai to Egypt in exchange for a peace treaty that has more or less held up. Unfortunately, other governments in the region continue to maintain the objective, by whatever means necessary, of the complete destruction of Israel. Or, as it is called by the current gang that passes for a government in the west bank, “the struggle.” 

Evelyn Giardina 

Walnut Creek 

• 

FRAUDULENT TITLE 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

Pardon me all to hell. I was naively of the opinion that the title of a piece should bear a relationship to its substance. Instead, we readers were confronted with a bait-and-switch. Regardless of whether we saw Mr. Sapir’s original title, or the truncated DP title, we could correctly call the title a fraud.  

I have the quaint notion that if we waited for the troops to rebel before the war can be ended, we will be waiting till judgment day, will have gone to heaven, and St. Peter’ll be the straw boss then (to borrow a phrase or two from “Talking Union”). Instead, some of us (including the Progressive Caucus of the CDP) have been striving to use political pressure to end the war—and we seem to have convinced several candidates to take that position. If Sapir wants to propose programs to KPFA, let him do so without involving the rest of us in his attempt. I have no dog in that fight. But I for one am tired of Sapir’s faction in KPFA taking its fight public—and seeking to use adherence to it to be the test of political orthodoxy. Give it a rest, please. 

For the record, my name is spelled as below, and I am only the co-chair of the Progressive Caucus. The caucus is a home for many progressives inside the California Democratic Party; it is not an attempt to appropriate to ourselves the exclusive use of the term “progressive.” Organized in 2005, we have put into the platform of the CDP single payer health insurance, out of Iraq, public financing of elections, and other progressive measures. We are proud of our accomplishments in a few short years, but realize we have a long way to go. If the DP were less fixated on Berkeley land use, KPFA and Bates-bashing, it might have noticed the caucus. 

Mal Burnstein 

• 

BUS RAPID TRANSIT 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

Looking at the packet for this week’s joint Planning-Transportation Commission meeting about Bus Rapid Transit, I see eight letters from the public supporting BRT and a grand total of three letters opposing BRT. 

A few opponents have claimed that there is widespread opposition to BRT in Berkeley. The tiny number of opposing letters in the packet of this major commission workshop shows that the opposition is just inches deep. 

There are a few people who are fiercely opposed to BRT, but the great majority of the criticism that we hear is just the usual negativism and kvetching that is the inevitable response to any proposed change in Berkeley, however small or however beneficial the change may be. 

Charles Siegel 

• 

RAPID BUS PLUS 

Editors, Daily Planet: Berkeley’s April 9 Planning and Transportation Commission hearing seemed like a turning point in discussion of AC Transit’s misnamed Bus “Rapid” Transit (BRT) proposal. 

Speakers opposed bus-only lanes by about a 2:1 ratio. And several BRT opponents spoke on behalf of whole neighborhood associations or merchants’ groups. 

Some 20 BRT opponents signed a letter offering two pages of alternatives to AC Transit’s plan. 

Apparently, opponents were heard. AC Transit’s Jim Cunradi said the agency would be willing to study a “Rapid Bus Plus” package like the one presented in that letter. 

Perhaps this bus has turned a corner. We may no longer be reacting to a plan solely of, by, and for AC Transit. We may instead have an chance to shape a broader transit plan that will really serve Berkeley’s goals over the next generation. 

Michael Katz 

• 

RELIGIOUS SECT? 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

None dare call it what it is! Texas state troopers have rescued 400 children, mostly girls, from the compound of the Fundamentalist Church of Latter Day Saints. Where are all the boys and what is so saintly about this religious sect?  

Why is this End Times sect popping out so many children when they believe an Apocalypse is right around the corner? Could it be this was more of a ranch of prostitution to satisfy the pent-up sexual desires of male egos? 

And what really boggles the mind is why Republicans, including John McCain, continue to pay homage and pander to fundamentalists who have infiltrated, hijacked and found a comfortable home in the GOP? 

Rob Lowe 

Grass Valley 

• 

FOLLOWING HESTON 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

What did Charleton Heston always say? “From my cold, dead hands...!” Well, it’s time. Time to enact some real gun control so an 18-year-old can’t buy a gun from K-Mart like bubble-gum, with no background check, fingerprinting or anything. Guns are for only two things, killing and practising killing, so convenience must step way back for safety. To idiots parroting “If guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns” I say: No, stupid, the police will too, whom you support, and who always advise against taking the law into your own hands! And to sicko hunters I say: Where’s the thrill in shooting an unarmed animal? Be men: hunt each other! 

J. Andrew Smith 

Bloomfield, NJ 

• 

POSTER CHILD 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

Many people want to demonstrate against China at the Olympic Torch run in SF because of its policies re: Tibet and Darfur. But who are we to protest? Here are some posters I would love to see at the demonstrations: 

“China! Stage your own ‘free’ controlled elections on Tibet with proven voting machines of Diebold, ES&S, Sequoia and Hart. Remember, bad exit polls only prove election fraud in OTHER countries.” 

“China! Create your own 9/11 psy-ops event as we did to then ‘bring democracy’ to any oil country you choose!” 

“China! Trouble controlling your people? Create your own 9/11 event as we did! Then you can start your own phony ‘war on terror’ and use it to suppress dissent!” 

“China! Problems with Tibet? Have you tried the humane American approach of waterboarding and renditions!” 

“Free Tibet! Free Darfur! Free U.S. from lying election thieves! Free Guantanamo! Free our good young boys from learning how to torture. Free our press!” 

“FREE America! Impeach Bush and Cheney!” 

Richard Tamm 

• 

FREE TIBET, FREE CHINA 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

I stood on the Embarcadero for four hours, immersed in a crowd of Chinese Americans waiving flags of China as we waited for the Olympic torch. My “Free and Independent Tibet” sign jostled with their flags as we tried to position ourselves for maximum media exposure when the torch would pass us by. 

After half an hour of this low-grade competition, we started to talk, and more importantly, to listen to each other. I learned they felt “Tibetan independence” was an insult to China’s national pride. Several people told me stories they believed about Tibetan slavery, ignorance and poverty. I told them the stories I’ve heard from my Tibetan friends, stories of Chinese oppression, repression, and brutality. We agreed that most news outlets were untrustworthy. 

We didn’t change each other’s minds, but we did hear each other, respect each other, and we did deeply appreciate this country, in which people with opposing politics can stand peacefully alongside one another. 

Was I disappointed that the torch was rerouted? Not really. It was four hours well spent. The way I see it, the torch ran away from the people who were all gathered at the appointed place. The Chinese government wants everyone to follow the Olympics, but today, the Olympics evaded the people. 

Bruce Joffe 

Piedmont 

• 

OLYMPIC IDEAL 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

We are inspired by the tremendous international dialogue taking place regarding the spread of democracy, protection of human rights and the Olympic Ideal as the theme of the 2008 Olympics: 

“Reaffirming that the Olympic ideal promotes international understanding, particularly among the youth of the world, through sport and culture in order to advance the harmonious development of humankind ... Noting with satisfaction the increasing number of joint endeavors of the International Olympic Committee and the United Nations system, for example in the fields of development, humanitarian assistance, protection of the environment, health promotion and education, in which the United Nations Development Programme, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the United Nations Environment Programme, the World Health Organization and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization have participated ... —Building a peaceful and better world through sport and the Olympic ideal.” United Nations General Assembly, 25 November 1997: 52/21. 

As the host country, China, in recognition of the Dalai Lama being honored with the U.S. Congressional Gold Medal (The White House, Oct. 17, 2007), is enhancing global education initiatives about the plight of Tibet and this global leader who was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1989. 

Stephen Michael Apatow 

• 

SUSPICIOUS LOOKS 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

If Senator Obama were to visit North Berkeley unannounced, sans retinue and in street clothes, I’m sure he would enjoy the same suspicious, scrutinizing glowers that I have since purchasing property here a few years back. 

Zac Morrison 

• 

XXXXXXXXXX 

• 

SKATE PARK 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

So, the five-year-old city skateboard park “that was to cost $200,000 and ended up costing four times that amount is splitting at the seams.” (Judith Scherr, Berkeley Daily Planet, April 8–10) 

Reportedly, cracking was noticed at least two years ago. That suggests that the skateboard park was showing problems a mere three years after being constructed. 

Now, in addition to the original cost of $800,000, plus on-going weekly repairs, and a scheduled $40,000 “facelift” planned for the end of the month, Deputy City Manager Lisa Caronna contends that “It is not out of line to ask voters to rebuild the park” ... to the tune of another $2.2 million via a bond issue on the November ballot. 

Ms. Caronna justifies this expense as, “This is our reality. It meets the needs of small and big kids and adults. We can’t walk away from something so popular.” And she disingenuously asks, “If there were errors, should the city not be able to have a skate park?” 

Just a moment! Whether or not a skateboard park is popular, Berkeley taxpayers are in NO way responsible for the faulty design, materials and/or construction that appear to be causing the cracking. Ms. Caronna and the city need to drop any idea of socking it to Berkeley taxpayers and hold accountable the original engineers and contractors. It is their responsibility—not the taxpayers—to make the necessary repairs or re-construct to acceptable standards. 

Rather than inappropriately using her current office to lobby for taxpayer money to fix this fiasco, Ms. Caronna might accept responsibility for her own part in it. After all, as reported in that same article, she was head of the parks department when the project was built. 

Barbara Witte 

• 

NORTH SHATTUCK PLAZA 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

Is anyone besides me upset about the proposed North Shattuck Plaza Plan as describd recently in The Planet? 

Less parking, which would hurt businesses like Black Oak Books. A lovely place for people to sit, like anybody has time or inclincation besides the old timers now content to sit before the French Laundry.  

The planners want to goad us to walking. Have they seen some of us using canes these days? I’m counting the days until I get mine. 

Block off parts of Vine? Ugh. 

It’s a beautiful architect’s dream, just like some of Adolf Speer’s and Adolf Hitler’s for a coming paradise that somehow didn’t come off. 

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. This is one of the few areas of Berkeley now working. 

Avis Worthington  

• 

PAYPAL BOTS? 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

I am wondering whether PayPal is managed by humans or whether the robots have taken over. I am being held hostage from using PayPal’s much vaunted online payment system which is preventing me to pay for pre-booked holiday accommodation in Europe. I am compelled to use PayPal because it is the only system of payment used by the accommodation agency. PayPal’s payment website every time pops up an an error message that claims that my password or email address is incorrect.  

I am totally unable to get any human to respond to my request that I be contacted to sort out the problem. My guess is that there are many equally frustrated persons among your readers because of PayPals automated responses, promising that someone will respond, but no one ever does. How can an organization like PayPal that has a major impact on people’s ability to do online transactions refuse to communicate in person with the public. If there is a human among the robots at PayPal, please, please please contact me! 

Rembrandt Klopper 

Gillitts, South Africa 

• 

ZAPATISTA WOMEN 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

People from Berkeley, Oakland, San Francisco, Santa Rosa and Chico, California attended the Comandanta Ramona Gathering of Zapatista Women with the Women of the World in the Lacandón Jungle of Chiapas, Mexico during the last week of December 2007. A report on this amazing experience will be presented to residents of the Strawberry Creek Lodge on April 17, 2008 at 7:30 p.m.  

Some 3,000 people from around the world attended this gathering dedicated exclusively to the Zapatista women and their experience and struggle for equality within their own revolutionary organization, the Zapatista National Liberation Army. They discussed their history as serfs on plantations and their coming to voice in women’s collectives after the 1994 Zapatista Uprising. They also explained their roles in the civilian self-governing (autonomous) structures.  

The Zapatistas rose up in arms on January 1, 1994, the day that NAFTA went into effect, and declared a truce 13 days later. That truce has held for 14 years as the movement declared itself nonviolent, while maintaining its weapons only for self defense. Since the 1994 Uprising, the Zapatistas became known all over the world for their analysis of neoliberalism (corporate globalization) and for their construction of a civilan alternative to big government and political parties.  

We invite you to join us on Thursday, April 17 at Strawberry Creek Lodge, 1320 Addison Street , Berkeley, 7:30 p.m. for this report and slide show 

Mary Ann Tenuto Sánchez. 

• 

PEACE WITHIN 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

We need peace within to enable peace in the wider world. All our efforts to bring forced friendliness and democracy will not have a positive outcome. I hear how we have lost international standing because of our style of dealings with other nations. I don’t believe in forced understanding. I like to talk things over with the people involved and wait patiently for good results to emerge. War creates fear and leads inevitably to retaliation. We should devote our attention instead to learning about other people’s thought process. Let us also practice staying centered in our own lives and resolving our personal problems with patience. The influence of our peaceful way of resolving small conflicts is bound to ripple out to the wider human community. 

Romila Khanna 

Albany 

The one thing that was clear at last night’s joint Planning and Transit Commission workshop was that not much is really known about AC Transit’s Bus Rapid Transit proposal. That may surprise many people after the multitude of public hearings and thousands of pages of material written by AC Transit, BRT supporters and those who support better public transit but are opposed to dedicating public roadways to busses that will come once every 10 minutes. 

So where do we start first to try to get solid information about the effects of Bus Rapid Transit on Berkeley?  

One place could be the Draft Environ-mental Impact Statement/Report published last May but proponents of BRT, and AC Transit, say it’s just the draft and should not be taken seriously. For those of us trying to understand BRT’s impact, it is the only source of information and facts about the project. 

Here’s what AC Transit does say about automobile congestion: BRT could mean longer drive times on Telegraph Ave. BRT requires a transitway for safe and efficient operations. This means that the length of time driving along the route is expected to increase due to congestion and delay when a traffic lane in each direction is converted to BRT. 

How bad will that congestion be? The draft is clear that it’s not just Telegraph where congestion will worsen. A significant number of auto trips will divert onto College Avenue and Shattuck Avenue. AC Transit doesn’t use the term gridlock, but they do say that unsatisfactory conditions will occur at a number of local intersections. 

Will there be other impacts to the surrounding neighborhoods due to the added congestion on the major roadways? Neigh-borhood cut-through traffic is dismissed in the draft. AC Transit’s traffic analysis shows that they did not model many of the smaller residential streets. AC Transit’s vision of the shortest time path across Berkeley is at odds with what those of us who live and, yes, drive here everyday know. 

We are currently in the process of defining the Locally Preferred Alternative route. That’s what the joint Planning and Transportation Commission workshop was all about. What they got instead was an outpouring of community sentiment believing that we just don’t know enough yet to decide if we want dedicated lanes for buses, let alone where we might want them. 

So where does that leave us when looking for real answers to the question of traffic impacts to Berkeley? 

AC Transit and the City of Berkeley should implement a “Real World Test” of the lane closures on Telegraph to get some real data about the impacts on congestion, travel time, cut-through traffic and many other variables about which we currently can only conjecture. Here are questions that should be examined: 

1. Will the neighborhood concern that we will see a big increase in cut-through traffic become a reality?  

2. Will there be gridlock along Telegraph Ave., like that which exists today on College Ave. in Elmwood? 

3. Will the restriction of left turns from Telegraph Avenue add much additional local traffic to residential streets? 

4. Will the reduction in parking greatly impact many of the businesses on Telegraph Ave., as owners fear? 

5. Will the imposition of metered parking in residential areas further restrict residents’ ability to find parking near their houses? 

6. Will the interruption of bike lanes in the vicinity of the BRT stations put cyclists at greater risk? 

AC Transit has produced their proposal for the lane configuration and traffic flow on Telegraph Ave. with BRT in place. We should use their plan as the basis for any test of the impacts of BRT. The test should cover the area from Dwight Way to the Berkeley/Oakland border and should examine: 

• Blocking off lanes of traffic with cones or other temporary but effective barriers to traffic (consistent with public safety needs). 

• The restrictions on turns both onto and off of Telegraph Ave. 

• The reduction of parking around stations and left turns. 

• The removal of bike lanes in the vicinity of stations and left turn lanes. 

• Appropriate signage to make sure motorists, pedestrians and cyclists understand the reconfigured roadway. 

The following should be measured before and during the test: 

• Traffic volume on Telegraph Ave. and on each of the cross-streets at which traffic will be allowed to cross Telegraph Ave. 

• Traffic volume where neighborhood streets exit onto adjacent arterials of College, Shattuck, Dwight, Ashby and Alcatraz and at major intersections on those arterials. 

• Congestion delay at each intersection that is measured for traffic volume. 

• Public transit ridership on all of the AC Transit routes adjacent to and crossing the test area. 

• Business activity along Telegraph Ave. based on sales tax revenue. 

A post-test neighborhood resident survey covering qualitative and quantitative measures of the impact the test had on their daily lives should also be made. 

When and for how long should the test be conducted: 

• The test should last long enough for ingrained travel patterns to adjust to the new roadway configuration. It’s clear than a few days, or even a few weeks will not give people enough time to actually find the path that best fits their particular travel needs. 

• The test should take place during the peak travel season. 

The following process could be followed: 

• Request the City Manager to produce a plan, based on the above request with projection of costs and potential sources of funding for such a test. Also, an analysis of how neighborhood volunteers could be used to help reduce the funding costs of such a test. 

• Request the City Manager to produce a projected implementation timeline for such a test. 

Opposed to BRT” does not fairly describe my position. We citizens have been offered a bad choice: accept BRT in roughly its present form or oppose BRT. Given these lousy choices, I choose to oppose. 

In my view AC transit is doing its job responsibly. Our own city is failing to serve its citizens. This is an embarrassingly poor performance by the city of Berkeley. The city’s failure to spend any money to author its own BRT alternatives has brought us to this point of no good choices. 

Three years ago when the lines where still drawn in pencil, Jim Cunradi of AC transit and the Downtown Berkeley Asso-ciation tried to get city staff to engage in co-planning this system. AC transit could get no ears at the city. “Everyone is over-worked. There’s a hiring freeze,” was the excuse heard from city staff.  

Regardless of the fact that this plan will impose drastic alterations on the street infrastructure that will persist for 25 years, no one in the city had time for it. The city did not see it as sufficiently important to hire its own draftsman and veteran designer to work with AC and with its citizens in order to devise a good design. 

The city said DAPAC will figure this out, even though the design of alternatives requires skills far beyond the means of citizen volunteers. The city said the “Transit Zone Urban Design Plan” will figure this out, though fleshing out alternatives was far beyond the scope of that competent but stingily-funded study—commissioned by Berkeley but NOT funded by Berkeley. The city refused to spend a dime or an hour on this when it was in a state begging for collaborative design and Jim Cunradi was pleading for the city’s input. 

The city now says, “make AC transit pay for additional design in Berkeley.” He who pays the piper calls the tune! 

In the ’60s occurred the last comparable change to the city’s infrastructure, the construction of BART. The following can be found at BART.GOV regarding the events of 1963-66. 

“Prime examples of how public pressures escalated the cost of the system are the Berkeley subway and the Ashby Station. After originally approving a combination aerial and subway line through Berkeley, that city later came to oppose the plan in favor of a subway-only line, which was much more expensive. The new plan necessitated redesign of the Ashby Station from an aerial to a subway facility. Extensive controversy and hearings ensued for the next two-and-a-half years, finally to be resolved by Berkeley residents voting to tax themselves additionally to finance the changes they wanted. Next, a Berkeley City Councilman filed a successful suit to redesign the Ashby Station, yet a second time, asserting the use of skylights in the original plans was not a true subway design. 

“The Berkeley situation resulted in a two-and-a-half year delay in subway construction, a 17-month delay in starting Ashby Station construction, and additional costs of $18 million.” 

Those Berkeleyans paid heed. They had courage. They shouldered the cost. We can learn from our brave and farsighted forebears. 

Bruce Wicinas is a Berkeley citizen.

Using its absurd draconian police powers embedded in its Blight Ordinances, the City of Oakland has fined a woman resident of Oakland the amount of $951.00 as a penalty for leaving her garbage can on the street curb for a couple of days. 

This morning’s Contra Costa Times reported an outrageous story of bullying by the City of Oakland, “Woman fined $951 for leaving garbage can out,” (The Contra Costa Times, April 4, 2008). It seems that this woman, who had been away from home for three days, had left her garbage can on the curb to be picked up and some anonymous busybody neighbor had reported it to the Oakland Blight Police. (Back in the good ole days, the garbage collectors used to walk up to each home, press on a cover lever, lift out a small cylindrical garbage can from its hole and carry it back to the garbage truck. They then returned the can to its hole and closed the cover...). 

Oakland needs to completely scrap its over-reaching heavy-handed Blight laws and start over with some open public hearings on this subject and related subjects: flowers, grasses, shrubs, trees, vines and perennials grown on private property. Oakland residents have had their private properties raided and devastated by over-zealous and untrained and ignorant contractors in past years. 

Blight exists in the mind of the beholder. One person’s “blight” may be another person’s picturesque or natural-looking. We need to end this present abusive system of secret spying and reporting by neighbors on other neighbors to the Blight Police bureaucracy, which then does selective enforcement of their overly-broad and unconstitutionally-vague rules. Selective enforcement is both arbitrary and discriminatory. 

This Oakland system is an echo of the former communist East German government system of neighbor spying on neighbor and then reporting their observations to the secret police. The Sixth Amendment to our Constitution, requires that we be allowed to publicly confront our accusers in open hearings in court. We are tired of the spying and secrecy of the Bush regime in Washington, DC. We don’t need to have these same governmental bullying tactics applied to us in Oakland. We should not have to live in fear of our neighbors who may not care for the cut of our shrubs to be able to secretly and anonymously report us to the Oakland Blight Police for persecution and prosecution. 

The Oakland City Council should immediately repeal its present bullying “blight” laws and should start from scratch and hold open public hearings on any future laws attempting to regulate garbage cans left on the street and the state of flowers, grasses, shrubs, trees, vines and perennials grown on private property. 

James K. Sayre is an Oakland resident.

Ask the average American to name a famous war-tax resister and most folks would probably cite Henry David Thoreau. But how about Joan Baez, Noam Chomsky, Gloria Steinem and Julia Butterfly Hill? 

The author of Walden Pond was an anomaly in 1846 when he served time in a Massachusetts jail for refusing to finance the Mexican-American War but, 120 years later, Baez, Chomsky and Steinem—and more than 500,000 fellow Americans— openly resisted paying taxes to support the war in Vietnam. 

Following the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq, Baez, Chomsky and Steinem issued a new Appeal to Conscience proclaiming that citizens had a “moral duty” to oppose Bush’s aggression by refusing “to pay taxes used to finance unjust wars.” Today, as the Iraq occupation enters its sixth year, war-tax resistance is gaining new converts. 

In 2004, Julia Butterfly Hill refused to pay her Federal taxes to protest spending on killing. She redirected her withheld taxes to fund conservation and social justice programs. As Hill explained, “Every time I pass a newspaper stand and see a headline about the war, it’s good to know I’m contributing to a different headline.” 

Pulitzer-prizewinning New York Times reporter Chris Hedges recently declared his intention to refuse paying taxes if the U.S. attacks Iran, and prompting others to make similar pledges. 

The link between taxpayers and warmongers was underscored during the Vietnam War when Richard Nixon’s Secretary of State Alexander Haig dismissed anti-war protesters with the comment: “Let them march all they want, as long as they continue to pay their taxes.” 

“Taxation is the closest war-making link between the government and most citizens,” the War Resisters League (WRL) notes. “The maintenance of [America’s] arsenal depends upon the willingness of the American people ... to finance it.” 

The Pentagon spent $1.6 trillion on weapons in 2007—double the billions spent in 2000—and the Center for Defense Information estimates “national defense” now consumes more than half (51 percent) of all discretionary spending in the federal budget. The true impact is obscured by accounting tricks like the “Unified Budget,” which includes Trust Funds such as Social Security to make the military portion of the budget appear smaller than it actually is. 

A Short History of Taxation and  

Resistance 

Until the outbreak of WWII, war-tax resistance was largely limited to a few religious communities—notably the Quakers, Mennonites and Brethren. The rise of a US “War Economy” in 1943, saw the introduction of employee withholding—a preemptive seizure of earnings designed to conscript the wages of working Americans. 

In April 1948, American pacifist A. J. Muste responded by creating a tax-resistance group called the Peacemakers. As Muste memorably observed: “People are drafted through the Selective Service System and money is drafted through the Internal Revenue Service.” 

In 1964, singer Joan Baez made war-tax resistance a national issue when she vowed to withhold 60 percent of her taxes to protest the Vietnam War. A tax-resistance statement authored by Muste was signed by Baez, poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti, ‘Catholic Worker’ founder Dorothy Day, professor Noam Chomsky, publisher Lyle Stuart, Nobel Prizewinner Albert Szent-Gyorgyi and thousands of others. 

When Washington imposed a 10-percent surcharge on phone use to cover the escalating costs of the Vietnam War, Gore Vidal, Gloria Steinem, Kirkpatrick Sale and 528 colleagues announced a Writers and Editors War Tax Protest. 

The early 1970s saw more than 20,000 active federal tax resisters while phone-tax protesters swelled to an estimated 500,000. The IRS had to throw in the towel on phone-tax refuseniks because the individual amounts withheld were so small, the government actually lost money on the few cases it did pursue. 

By 1972, there were War Tax Resistance chapters in 192 US cities and churches were openly encouraging tax resistance. Then-Congressman Ronald Dellums introduced the World Peace Tax Fund Act to create a “conscientious objector” status for taxpayers. 

Resistance Strategies 

The government’s aggression in the Middle East has given tax-resisters new justification for non-cooperation. And, with Washington operating in defiance of the United Nations Charter, the Nuremberg Principles, the Geneva Conventions and the US Constitution, some resisters argue that filing 1040s could render taxpayers “complicit” in the commission of war crimes. 

Resisting war-taxes can be as simple as filing a blank 1040 with a note of explanation. Some resisters fill out 1040s but refuse to pay all or a token amount of taxes owed. Some refuse to pay the percentage that goes to war while others withhold a symbolic $10.40 or underpay their tax levy by a dollar. 

Some make their 1040 checks payable to the Department of Education or the EPA while others donate the withheld portion of their taxes to organizations like the Peoples Life Fund in Berkeley. The PLF redirects liberated war dollars to peace and social justice causes. On April 14, the PLF will award $10,000 to dozens of peace organizations in a Tax Day event set for 6 PM at the Co-Housing coop at 2220 Sacramento. 

Tax resisters can face civil penalties on the amount owed (plus compound interest at a rate of around 10 percent) but One Million Taxpayers for Peace advises that the actual risk is “negligible” and resisters need not fear arrest or the loss of “one’s car, home or other assets.” Criminal prosecution is possible but uncommon. 

Such penalties would become a thing of the past under the Religious Freedom Peace Tax Act (H.R. 1921), which allows citizens to assign the “defense” portion of their taxes to a fund supporting peace work and social services. The bill, introduced by Rep. John Lewis (D. GA), now has 30 co-sponsors. 

If neither Congress nor the United Nations can prevent Washington from launching preemptive wars of occupation, a National Tax Strike may be the last, best hope for reining in this rogue administration. 

For more information, contact the War Resisters League (www.WarResisters.org), National War Tax Resistance Coordinating Committee (www.wartaxboycott.org) and the Northern California War Tax Resistance (www.ncwtr.org). 

With the Time Magazine, April 7 issue, the BP program at Berkeley now becomes so useless that one can not find words to describe it. On March 29, the chief scientist at the United Kingdom’s Department of Environment, Farms and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), Dr Bob Watson, was cited for his calling on the European Union to drop its whole bioethanol program as being a causer of increased emissions of greenhouse gasses (GHGs) not a reducer of such emissions. And a paper in ‘Nature’ has now stirred up charges that the IPCC report with various supposed control steps for global warming are basically unattainable pipedreams. 

Meanwhile back on the globe, food costs are skyrocketing, causing riots in Egypt, Haiti and now India as various food crops have been pushed off the land for biofuels, events BP appears to be unaware of. Al Gore starts a big ad campaign calling for emission cuts that will mainly do nothing to cut the 35 percent, and growing, overload of carbon dioxide already on the globe, which continues to melt the icepacks and permafrost, changing ocean acidity, which in turn causes coral deaths, and worsening weather. We have to find some way to cut into that overload and should take advantage of what nature gives us. I wonder if Mr. Gore’s attention can be directed toward the food problems, so that his Alliance for Climate Protection will call for rescinding bioethanol subsidies. 

Again the program of pyrolyzing organic wastes will lead to charcoal formation that can be buried to bring about a real reduction in our carbon footprint and will also destroy problems of germs, toxims and drugs in wastes, thereby greatly cutting costs in future waste disposal programs and in water pollution problems. For faster reduction of our carbon footprint, I have pointed out before that we need a well organized tree-farming system that would supply wood for pyrolysis to get charcoal, perhaps some energy and a distillate of organic chemicals that could supply needs in drug and other chemical manufacturing. With increasing temperatures and humidity likely to increase termites and molds that feed on wood, new home construction may need to shift away from wood as global warming’s effects expand. 

So where do we go now? First order is to scream for the rescinding of bioethanol and oil subsidies. Corn farmers losing their fatted calf will quickly get wheat and rice acreages up because that is where big money will soon be gotten. I urge you to contact any fed or state official to tell him that we have to drop the bioethanol program to get farming back to growing food. 

Next we should call for no more coal plants, and tell officials such as our governor to get energy from the wind within the state, thereby creating thousands of new jobs here. Windmill-generated electricity uses some of the energy overload created by burning fossil fuels, emits no GHGs or mercury, usurps no land or water from crop production. leaves no environmental messes like those that occur with fossil fuel mining, allows farming beneath them, and requires no security costs such as those incurred with nuclear power. We may soon have hydrogen available as two catalysts to split water to hydrogen with sunlight energy have recently been reported. 

While hydrogen and wind can give us energy free of GHG emissions, we still have that overload of carbon dioxide hanging over us. So the last point is to call for the development of the pyrolysis process to be applied to organic wastes to clean up the messes, especially polluting water, that they presently are causing across the world. With that process we cut into nature’s carbon cycling process to actually reduce the overload, albeit slowly. By getting a tree-farming system to supply pyrolysis plants, we would greatly speed up the reducing of our carbon footprint by cutting into nature’s recycling of carbon dioxide and thereby getting control of global warming. 

Dr. James Singmaster, III, is a retired Environmental Toxicologist living in Fremonr.

The Governor’s proposed budget would have a devastating impact on California’s public education system, already noted for being 47th in the nation for per pupil spending. This budget does not consider the educational needs of our children or the protection that voters put in place with Proposition 98, which the Governor will have to set aside in order to slash education funding. He needs the support of two-thirds of the legislature to set aside Proposition 98. 

The current budget proposes to cut $4.4 BILLION from public education. Such a cut would come at a time when school district's budgets are already lean, (the BUSD cut $13 million over three years). In Berkeley alone, layoff notices have gone out to 55 certificated educators as a first step in the budget reductions of $3.7 million the BUSD would have to suffer under the Governor’s recommendation.  

The state PTA is mobilizing a statewide rally in Sacramento on April 24 to “Flunk the Budget”, and we hope to send five to ten buses of Berkeley parents and community members. Funds are needed to help pay for the buses the PTA Council will need to rent for this event. We would like to keep down the cost for those who are able to ride the busses to represent our community, and this is one way that those who are not able to make the trip can participate. Berkeley residents do so much to support our schools, through Measure A of 2006 continuing 20 years of BSEP funding, to incredible volunteerism in Berkeley’s classrooms. This is all the more reason that we must stand up to the Governor’s continued efforts to strip the most basic funding from California’s public schools. The Berkeley PTA Council is asking for your support, be it $10 or $100. Every penny will be used to support this and other efforts in Sacra-mento. 

We cannot let the education of our children suffer. Our children are our future, and the future of our state's economy. The public education guaranteed to all children is the cornerstone of democracy. Today’s students are tomorrow’s well-educated and highly skilled citizens who will fill more high paying jobs, create more new businesses, and cost the state less in other social services – if we support them now. 

The budget cannot be balanced at their expense. California already spends about $2,000 less per student than the national average, and is 47th in the nation in per pupil spending. Proposition 98 was passed by the voters in 1988 to guarantee a level of minimum funding for education. It was suspended four years ago, and the governor and legislature are threatening to suspend it again. 

Last year, the Republicans in Sacra-mento signed a pledge not to raise revenues by any amount, under any circumstances. This is not a responsible way to govern. A state budget process that looks at cuts alone is not a real solution, and blindly slashing 10% shows absolutely no effort on the Governor’s part. For the richest state in the nation to become the last in the nation for per pupil spending would be criminal. Prior to Proposition 13, Califor-nia proudly stood at 5th in the nation. 

The Democratic Majority of the State Legislature are committed to doing whatever is necessary to flunk this budget and not cut a dime from public education, but they need to have our support, both locally and whenever we can travel to Sacramento to lift our voices. 

To make a donation for this effort, you can give to your local PTA, or send checks to: Rebecca Abravanel, Treasurer, PTA Council, 716 the Alameda, Berkeley, 94707. 

Of course, it would be great if you could join us in Sacramento. Please contact Berk-eley PTA Council president Cathyrn Bruno at: jefcat1991@sbcglobal.net or the PTA at the school nearest you. 

Thanks for your support! 

The Berkeley PTA Council 

Cathyrn Bruno, President 

Jonathan Squire, Secretary 

Mark Coplan, VP Communication 

and the PTA Council Executive Board

• 

HAPPY SOWING 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

The Bay Area Seed Interchange Library of the Berkeley Ecology Center will be holding our first Bay Area Homegrown Tomato Show-Off. So keep track of which varieties you are planting and plan on bringing some of your first and best (Non-Hybrid) tomatoes to the Show-Off on Saturday, Aug. 9 at the Berkeley Farmer’s Market’s Tomato Tasting Celebration. 

Seeds will be saved to be shared through The Seed Library. Be a part of finding, saving, sharing and adapting seed that does well in our special heat challenged climate. Also through seed saving we are reclaiming a crucial part of the sustainability cycle and offering an antidote to the corporate buy-out of world seed companies. Plus you’ll get to show off the fruits of your labor and be eligible for groovy raffle prizes. May your gardens prosper! 

Terri Compost 

Bay Area Seed Interchange Library 

• 

INSTANT RUNOFF VOTING 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

Our two-party system is really unfair and disenfranchising. Watching the Clinton-Obama battle over superdelegates makes me think how much fairer our elections would be if we went to instant runoff voting. Everyone could rank all the candidates—regardless of party.  

Steve Geller 

• 

PROTESTS 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

A reserved parking space for protesters in front of the recruitment office that stands a block away from the nearest station of a world-class mass-transit system and a major intersection served by several bus lines? 

The U.S. military is in Iraq for oil—first and last. Anything else—like weapons of mass destruction (WMD in Iraq? Check Pentagon receipts.), overthrowing a hostile regime (are fewer Iraqis in jail with U.S. forces than under Hussein?), spreading democracy, liberating the Iraqi people—is window dressing. Congress and the White House are using the U.S. military as a private security force for the oil industry. 

A reserved parking space to protest the wasteful and insane oil war is reminiscent of those who converged upon Universal Studios to protest Martin Scorcese’s The Last Temptation of Christ. Rather than taking the bus that runs along Ventura Boulevard right past Universal Studios, the protesters drove their cars and parked in Universal’s lot, paying thousands of dollars in parking fees to the Studio—effectively canceling out their protest. 

Every time we turn the key in the ignition, we’re dropping more money in the oil industry’s pocket and keeping our troops in an oil-rich region. 

However, we can break our habit of wide-spread car ownership by walking, bicycling, hitch-hiking, taking public transportation, foregoing all motorized recreation and leisure driving, voluntarily rationing gasoline by driving fewer days a week, driving no faster than 55 mph (During World War II, the United States had a national speed limit of 35 mph to save not only fuel, but rubber, for the troops.), etc.—all of which would go a long way toward reducing oil consumption, having less pollution, and a better, stronger, and more open society. 

We can protest the lying war machine without driving around town. 

Michael Lang 

• 

TRAFFIC CIRCLES VS.  

TRAFFIC BLOCKERS AND  

NEIGHBORHOOD CHOICE 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

History should not be ignored. About two decades ago, during the height of the crack epidemic, residents near the intersection of Fairview and California streets had severe problems with fast cars. Barriers were busted through, and when the “staple” (low steel under-carriage device) between the barriers was installed, some drivers went up the curb and drove on the sidewalk to go east from California Street onto Fairview. The installation of some permanent pillars on the sidewalk finally cut out that option. Fairview became a quiet street. 

The questionnaire justifying the traffic circles did show initial support for some in the neighborhood. But whether or not you supported “enhancing” your neighborhood, the survey only gave choices for first or second priority for each intersection; the only way to indicate you wanted any particular intersection left alone was to provide no answer, which was the response in 36 percent to 41 percent of the cases. The highest first priority rating was an uninspiring 44 percent.  

Some residents at the Fairview and California intersection got assurances that the barriers would remain in place even with the circle installed. Instead, the barriers were moved to the side. Now the city has gone to the expense of removing the “staple” and painting the road and posting signs saying, in effect, “don’t drive through here.” People who drive in a legal fashion may obey that, if they figure it out with the confusion of the circle signs. People who would drive on the sidewalk are not likely to be impressed. 

As the economy tanks and legal employment decreases, and new cheap, addictive drugs become available, the open air drug market is likely to become a problem again. Could we at least keep a few of the safety measures that worked in the past, and re-block Fairview? 

Barbara Judd 

• 

EDUCATING OUR CHILDREN 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

I am an educator with 36 years of teaching experience in classrooms for both regular and challenged students. 

But here in the United States (where I have been teaching for 15 years) I have noticed that the attention of teachers of challenged students has shifted from strengthening the children’s’ academic skills to helping them gain certificates and credentials. I want to remind us that handicapped students feel self-reliant only when they can analyze abstract problems on their own. 

A high school certificate may make such children feel good but it is no substitute for careful training in reading, mathematics and critical thinking. 

Let us not be false helpers who push students through to the credential. Let us teach them the three Rs with discipline and with passion. 

Romila Khanna 

Albany 

• 

WATER QUALITY 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

The American Waterworks Association reports that the water quality in San Francisco is almost alone in being free of contaminants. They tested 20 of the nation’s water systems including Marin County but nothing has been reported regarding the quality of our drinking water in the East Bay. 

Tori Thompson 

• 

THANK YOU, BRAD SMITH 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

I can’t image the number of meetings, days and hours of sweat and conscientious thinking that Commissioner Brad Smith has generously given to the Waterfront Commission and to this city during his long tenure. He has been a dedicated servant in looking after our marvelous waterfront. It is not easy to find community members willing to serve as commissioners, and it is particularly hard to find good ones who fill the 350 or more commission seats on something like 40 commissions. Brad is an outstanding one, and I for one honor and appreciate his commitment. 

My experience I’m sure is one of many. Brad stepped up early in our efforts to usher the Chavez Memorial Solar Calendar and Education Project through the many tiers of city government. He was always balanced and fair in his assessments and advice. Our project had many a rocky exchanges with some of the Commissioners in the early stages 10 years ago. Brad always kept above the fray and guided us to consensus and forward movement. He is a trained mediator, and he brings all those skills and more to bare in ways that change the tenor of the discussion to an understanding and appreciation of one another’s positions. But when needed he also has backbone. 

We went back to the commission many times over those 10 years, and each time the commission had a different makeup. Brad was a source of stable leadership who guarded the institutional memory of the commission. 

I do not know how the commission or the city will honor his departure. But I know that his last meeting will end, the lights will be turned off, people will go on to the remainder of their evening, and the commission will begin a new chapter. But the seat that he occupied so nobly will be a huge one to fill. 

We have not finished the journey with the Chavez Memorial project yet, but we have brought it a long way. Brad Smith will forever occupy a position of high honor in its history. I salute your service, Brad. Thank you! 

Santiago Casal 

• 

DEVELOPMENT AROUND  

MEMORIAL STADIUM 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

As a resident in the Claremont/Elmwood neighborhood I was very interested to read about the technicality on which rests “to build or not to build” the new office/gym facility at the Memorial Stadium (“UC Tries to Re-Write Earthquake Safety Law,” Commentary, Hank Gehman, April 4). It would seem to me that the earthquake construction regulations and safety laws are written for a purpose. And that being that a very large massing in the area of potential earthquake activity is to be avoided. How can it even be discussed that a “sports athletic high performance center” adjacent (connected?) to a sports stadium is not, in the spirit of the regulation and safety law “connected” ? Earthquake safety laws and regulations are written to protect those within structures and very large structure(s) very close together with potentially high degree of usage (as at a sports event, an office in daily use) need additional, not negative, space around them for possible collapse and to offer the maximum safety and ability to leave to those using the structure(s). The massing of additional building(s) within the geographical area at the bottom of Strawberry Canyon is very dangerous indeed for the whole earthquake readiness of the Claremont/Elmwood neighborhood and could potentially burden the city streets and facilities beyond any possible emergency readiness. The university students are a large part of our neighborhood population and even as we speak, there are plans to start additional seismic retrofit work at the Clark Kerr Campus, although the buildings are well spaced and low in massing, which is also in our neighborhood and lies on the earthquake fault. For the safety of this community I would hope the judge sees the connection. 

Wendy Markel 

• 

ISRAEL-PALESTINE 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

Jim Harris’ April 4 commentary equates the war and U.S. occupation of Iraq with the Israeli occupation in the West Bank, and calls on Barbara Boxer to condition aid to Israel on its immediate withdrawal. While I’m sure he has his followers, this kind of simplistic thinking in support of a political agenda can get us into trouble (as if we need more). Any one possessed of reasonable analytical ability and a rudimentary knowledge of history can see the situations are not remotely comparable, as Ms. Boxer well knows. For Harris, history conveniently begins 40 years ago; had he chosen to go back a little farther he would have understood that from its inception Israel has been engaged in a war for survival among hostile governments that have included at one time or another Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kuwait, Algeria and Iran. Israel occupies the West Bank as a result of its victory in the six-day war, a war it did not seek, at the end of which it also found itself in possession of the Sinai peninsula. Perhaps Harris’ selective view of history does not permit him to recall that Israel returned the Sinai to Egypt in exchange for a peace treaty that has more or less held up. Unfortunately, other governments in the region continue to maintain the objective by whatever means necessary of the complete destruction of Israel. Or, as it is called by the current gang that passes for a government in the West Bank, “the struggle.” 

Evelyn Giardina 

Walnut Creek 

• 

RESPONSE 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

Mal Bernstein writes, with sarcasm, that my commentary published April 1 in the Planet under the title “The Winter Soldier Investigation” was “a rather poor April Fool’s joke.” I agree with Mal. Indeed, I had a bit of a dust-up with Becky O’Malley over that misleading title. However, Mal uses the title mainly as the entry point to distort the substance of my article. The article had two distinct themes. One was merely reportage from a forum organized and conducted by KPFA programmers, producers, and the head of the Apprenticeship program, essentially representing several ethnic minority communities. That’s not happened before. If KPFA staff with those credential don’t have a right to critique KPFA, then who does? The forum content was around the question of how poor and disempowered communities can get themselves represented in Media. The critique of KPFA by KPFA staff was in that context. The second theme presented my own thoughts on how to get past the KPFA internal acrimony, proposing three new nationally based programs: a GI rights program, a prison rights program and an Immigrants rights program each organized within those respective national movements with technical help from KPFA. Mal attacked my article without mentioning the proposals at its heart. I think it’s time that we all focus on the need for national movement programs that represent disempowered people (as the forum itself proposed)? Mal Bernstein is the current chair of the “Progressive Caucus” of the California Democratic Party. His avoidance of the substance of my article is indicative of the way that some people believe they can appropriate the title “progressive” to themselves but do not want to debate real issues we now face. In my view we aren’t going to get out of Iraq until the GIs refuse to fight en masse. Iraq Veterans against the War (IVAW.org) needs our support. I challenge Mal or anyone else to respond to the proposal (pro or con) for regular programs that help these important national movements for change. 

Marc Sapir 

EDITOR’S NOTE: Due to space restrictions, the headline for Mr. Sapir’s commentary was shortened. However, the piece was published on the Planet’s website under Mr. Sapir’s original title, “The Winter Soldier Investigation and Our National Movement for Liberation and Popular Democracy.” 

• 

10 THINGS ABOUT McCAIN 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

There are some things I never seem to hear about John McCain from the media. This list comes from MoveOn.org. 

Ten things you should know about John McCain (but probably don’t): 

1. John McCain voted against establishing a national holiday in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Now he says his position has “evolved,” yet he’s continues to oppose key civil rights laws. 

2. According to Bloomberg News, McCain is more hawkish than Bush on Iraq, Russia and China. Conservative columnist Pat Buchanan says McCain “will make Cheney look like Gandhi.” 

3. His reputation is built on his opposition to torture, but McCain voted against a bill to ban waterboarding, and then applauded President Bush for vetoing that ban. 

4. McCain opposes a woman’s right to choose. He said, “I do not support Roe v. Wade. It should be overturned.” 

5. The Children’s Defense Fund rated McCain as the worst senator in Congress for children. He voted against the children’s health care bill last year, then defended Bush’s veto of the bill. 

6. He’s one of the richest people in a Senate filled with millionaires. The Associated Press reports he and his wife own at least eight homes! Yet McCain says the solution to the housing crisis is for people facing foreclosure to get a “second job” and skip their vacations. 

7. Many of McCain’s fellow Republican senators say he’s too reckless to be commander in chief. One Republican senator said: “The thought of his being president sends a cold chill down my spine. He’s erratic. He’s hotheaded. He loses his temper and he worries me.” 

8. McCain talks a lot about taking on special interests, but his campaign manager and top advisers are actually lobbyists. The government watchdog group Public Citizen says McCain has 59 lobbyists raising money for his campaign, more than any of the other presidential candidates. 

9. McCain has sought closer ties to the extreme religious right in recent years. The pastor McCain calls his “spiritual guide,” Rod Parsley, believes America’s founding mission is to destroy Islam, which he calls a “false religion.” McCain sought the political support of right-wing preacher John Hagee, who believes Hurricane Katrina was God’s punishment for gay rights and called the Catholic Church “the Antichrist” and a “false cult.” 

10. He positions himself as pro-environment, but he scored a 0—yes, zero—from the League of Conservation Voters last year. 

John McCain is not who the Washington press corps makes him out to be. 

Jonah Zern 

• 

PEDESTRIAN PLAN 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

The plan to close the service road between Rose and Vine streets to purportedly “ease” traffic congestion is without foundation. There is no traffic congestion. We don’t want the service road closed or altered. 

Our petition, North Shattuck Neighbors Opposed to the Plaza, is very specific about the service road between Rose and Vine streets, it states “We want the angled parking between Vine and Rose streets to remain, not be torn up, removed or reduced. We oppose tearing up the sidewalks and/or service road for a plaza project or any other purpose.” 

The North Shattuck Plaza project would signal an end to our “small village” lifestyle. Our beautiful neighborhood “gone” in the name of development. Gone would be the easy parking needed to unload our laundry and/or used books which keep long-time business like Bing Wong Laundry and Black Oak Books alive. 

Gone as well would be our clean air and quiet environment. People don’t like shopping around noisy, dirty construction sites. The merchants surrounding the proposed Plaza would surly take a major economic hit because of diminished sales and services. 

Once completed, the North Shattuck Plaza project would escalate rents without guaranteeing more business or a larger customer base. 

There’s another problem that our local merchants might not want to deal with once the plaza is built. The unfortunate truth is that environments such as plazas and parks turn into sleeping encampments for people who are seeking shelter. The question then becomes who is going to pay for the additional policing and maintenance of the plaza? 

If we enter into a recession, Berkeley’s stretched budget would be better spent on social programs to help these men, women and children survive the economic downturn. The North Shattuck Plaza proposal runs contrary to the wishes of the community. 

As of April 2, we have collected 1,128 signatures opposed to the North Shattuck Plaza development. The majority of these signatures were collected within a block or two of the proposed plaza project. 

The following local businesses carried our petition. They collected hundreds of signatures in their effort to stop the North Shattuck Plaza project: Copy Central, Bel Forno, Vitamin Express, Black Oak Books, Nina Hairstylist, Earthly Goods, You Send Me. 

Harvey Sherback 

• 

CODE PINK 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

Whatever you may think of the integrity or wisdom of Code Pink’s April Fools Day hoax about the Marine Recruiting Office 

moving out of Berkeley, please consider that many of us had a full day’s flush of happiness that the political culture of 

Berkeley produced a positive result. This would not have happened without the wide media coverage of the City Council’s 

actions against the Marines’ presence in the city. Medea Benjamin’s skillful mimic of a perfect press release was utterly convincing—it even fooled Amy Goodman (Democracy Now) for a whole day. 

And consider the noisy outcry against “lying” on such a serious issue. Contrast this with the lack of a noisy outcry from the 

press and the country generally to the official lying about the 9/11 destruction of the World Trade Center, the stories about WMDs, 

the quick “victory” of the war, the Iraq public’s gratitude to the United States, the need for a forever war on terror, the democratic new Iraq Parliament, the Iraqi oil revenues that would rebuild the country... (this could get to be a long paragraph). 

Those of us against the war need a victory of some kind (even a bogus one) to keep our spirits up in this perpetual war so we 

can have some hope our efforts will be successful. When faced with the reality that an overwhelming proportion of Americans want 

this war to end, Cheney’s attitude of “So..” is the latest and scariest evidence of the undemocracy fostered by seven years of lies 

about the intent of this administration. 

I say Bravo! to the City Council and the Code Pink women! 

Joan Levinson 

• 

RULE NUMBER ONE 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

Rule number one of journalism is “spell the name right.” Mr. Brenneman’s brief on the redesign proposals for Lower Sproul Plaza mistakenly referred to Eshelman Hall throughout. The building is named after former Lt. Governor John Morton Eshleman. The UC did not alter the spelling when dedicating it, nor in the request for qualification (link cited in the brief). 

Jason Eshleman 

• 

BUS RAPID TRANSIT MEETING 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

Wednesday evening, one of the most important public meetings so far about Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) will be held at the North Berkeley Senior Center, starting at 7 p.m. Don’t know the details of BRT? Better educate yourself, because its effects would be felt city-wide for decades to come. In fact, there is a common misunderstanding about BRT—that it will be restricted to the Southside. Not true! BRT advocates are already recommending other Berkeley thoroughfares for inclusion in a BRT network: University, Shattuck, San Pablo, and others. But they are keeping this as quiet as possible now, so as not to alarm residents who use these roads. They plan to take away traffic lanes on all of them! But wait a minute, if you decrease the capacity of our major thoroughfares by 50 percent, where will all the cars go? Well, frankly my dears, they don’t give a damn. No, actually it’s even worse than that—they are intending to make traffic congestion so bad that it will cause automobile drivers to suffer so much that they will somehow decide to hop on buses that are uncomfortable, noisy, expensive, unsafe at night, spew diesel exhaust, don’t go where they need to travel, have very limited transfer policies, and don’t coordinate schedules with other transit agencies. And they will do this because with BRT the average passenger would save about a minute and a half of time compared to the existing bus service? Yes, that’s right—I said about a minute and a half. Ninety seconds. 

Does this make any sense? No. Shouldn’t the citizens of Berkeley have a major say in evaluating the BRT proposal? Yes. So here is your chance to participate. Show up and let your views be known—before it’s too late, and the human-scale Berkeley we love is gone forever. 

Doug Buckwald 

• 

COMMUNISTS AT BERKELEY HIGH 

Editors, Daily Planet: 

With the ruckus going on in Berkeley about the Marines Officer Recruitment Center, I’ve been curious about the groups World Can’t Wait (WCW) and Code Pink. Without much trouble I have learned that the Code Pink founders are practicing Marxists and that WCW shares offices with the American Revolutionary Communist Party in San Francisco. 

I have also learned that Berkeley High School hosted a “Teach In” sponsored by the WCW. Mr. Kenneth Theisen, who is listed as the organizer for WCW, has published commentaries in the Berkeley Daily Planet stating that the WCW does not support our troops and has preached the teachings of Bob Avakian (Leader of the American Revolutionary Communist Party).  

I can understand exposing students to a myriad of political beliefs; but why would a school allow the Communist Party the facilities and school backing to organize a “Teach In"? 

Why do the parents of Berkeley High students allow the Communist Party access to their Children? Are the parents aware there is an active chapter of WCW at Berkeley High?  

Tom Cavallero 

Auburn

The either/or alternatives of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) vs. no-project is a false choice. But before I suggest another choice let us step back and look at the goal of BRT and what we can learn from the current BRT dry run. 

The goal of BRT is to increase ridership. This would seem obvious for all of AC Transit operations but recently the board had a hard time convincing management that that was their primary goal. Management has been working under the assumption that finding the money for importing more no-bid buses from their partner, Van Hool, was their primary function. 

It’s strange AC Transit doesn’t seem to give BRT a high priority—it’s not even mentioned on their website’s home page, www.actransit.org. 

The Transportation and Land Use Coalition (TALC) recently had a speaker, Todd Litman, executive director of the Victoria Transport Policy Institute (www.vtpi.org) who said the way to increase ridership is to make bus riding a pleasure. Imagine that! Locate stops near activity such as stores so people feel safe and can do something while waiting for the bus. Provide attractive comfortable shelters with a working real-time information display. And should one even need to say, the buses should be a pleasure to ride. For more on quality service, access: www.vtpi.org/quality.pdf.  

The San Pablo Rapid Bus and the 1R on Telegraph are dry runs for BRT that we can learn from. The San Pablo lines had increased ridership after the introduction of the Rapid bus for its first few years but the ridership has been flat for the past two years. So a Rapid Van Hool bus doesn’t seem to be a guarantee for increased ridership but at least ridership did not decrease as it has on most routes. 

With the introduction of the 1R on Telegraph, Berkeley has for the first time, I believe, been able to experience riding the 60-foot articulated Van Hool bus. If you think the 40-foot one is hard to manage, try the 60-foot one! There are no floor level seats until the second half of the bus. Even the users of the larger motorized wheelchairs have problems because the motor is located opposite their space. And once you do manage to get into a seat, the bus bounces so much it is hard to read. 

These 60-foot monster buses run practically empty from downtown Oakland to downtown Berkeley. I have had many occasions to observe them and have rarely seen them more than half full, whereas, in East Oakland they are often more than half full. So the 1R is an asymmetrical line. It should be split into two lines, one like the old 82 line that ends at the West Oakland BART station and has 60-foot buses and another from downtown Berkeley to the Oakland Amtrak station in Jack London Square with 40-foot buses. (And a lot of college students like to go to Jack London.) 

So what is the other alternative? I would call it Rapid Bus Plus (or BRT-lite?). 

1) Split up the route as outlined above. 

2) Have signal priority. 

3) Try to select the stops where there is some existing activity, stores, etc.  

4) Provide bulb-outs at all stops with an attractive, comfortable shelter with posted schedules and a dependable next-bus. The bulb-outs should accommodate a pedestrian cross walk plus a 40-foot bus on the downtown-Berkeley-to-the-Oakland-Amtrak-station-in-Jack-London-Square route. And they should accommodate 60-ft buses on the old 82 line. 

5) Select buses that decrease dwell time and make the riding experience a pleasure. That means not the low-aisle Van Hools that AC Transit is married to but true low floor American buses that one can enter and sit in with ease with a ride smooth enough for reading. (Incidentally, they cost about $100,000 less thus leaving more funds for operations.) 

The bulb-outs mean a bus can save time because it does not need to maneuver to a curb and then get back into the flow of traffic. It means, ipso facto, a bus priority lane is created and no parking is lost. To help prevent double parking, every block with some commercial development on it should have a limited time loading zone. 

At most locations bulb-outs could be built to accommodate level boarding for the bus. 

The Van Hools take the “public” out of the term public transportation because they discriminate against a growing segment of the population— the elderly and disabled. Any bus should be consumer tested by the frail and disabled. If they find it comfortable, everyone will. 

It is hard to imagine that with the current mismanagement at AC Transit that they could manage something as complex as a full BRT. They are having trouble providing even bread-and-butter service. Generally there is a community-felt need for BRT when a line has very high ridership like the Geary in San Francisco. We do not even have the density along the downtown-Berkeley-to-downtown-Oakland Telegraph line to warrant BRT. But with Rapid Bus Plus, bus riding can be such a pleasure that we will, in time, need a more full-blown BRT. 

This is the middle way. It is cost effective, doable within a reasonable time period, will have the community behind it and attract new riders because it will make bus riding a pleasure. People will be tempted to leave the comfort of their cars if they have a comfortable bus to ride. 

Oakland resident Joyce Roy does not own a car and would like bus riding to be a pleasure. She speaks for herself and not for any organization she belongs to.

This is a people-friendly, eco-friendly plan to increase riders and decrease congestion and pollution. It will save millions for transit improvements. 

You can do all the above quite simply by using Rapid Bus BUS with Ecopass instead of BRT for Telegraph Avenue north of Downtown Oakland. Millions saved can restore local buses; enhance transit connections; replace diesel with eco friendly buses; and pilot Eco-pass for all in Planning Area 1 (Northern Alameda County). 

Here are the details: 

1. Rapid Bus with Eco-pass takes the same time to board as BRT but is a much more flexible system for transit demand management. It does not need multi-million dollar platforms built on Berkeley’s narrow streets. 

2. Restore the 1R transfer point at 14th and Broadway so Rapid Bus can go north, on Telegraph Avenue without BRT. Improve timing for connecting buses. Increase Rapid Bus to Berkeley during rush hour, every six instead of 12 minutes. Decrease off-peak Rapid Bus as huge empty buses frequent Berkeley while local buses have been decimated generating intense ill will toward AC Transit and Berkeley officials. 

3. The millions of dollars saved by not building a BRT project north of Downtown Oakland, could be used toward restoring local buses. And “shopper shuttles” for business loops such as Shattuck, Solano, etc, would be grand, like the DASH in Los Angeles! Local buses help us shop locally, and increase sales tax to help AC Transit through Measure B. 

4. Money saved should also be used for eco-friendly buses to reduce toxic fumes and particulates. Eco-friendly buses would increase ridership while decreasing Global Warming. The large Van Hool buses are considered dangerous and wasteful (at 3.5 miles per gal). The small, 30-foot Van Hool busses, however, are quiet, clean, cute, helping to provide a pedestrian friendly environment. Riders do complain about layout and seating in these buses too, but many people much appreciate the advantages of these over the roaring stinkers. 

5. Ecopass for residents is long overdue. AC Transit has Eco-passes for UC students and staff, for city employees and businesses, for developments and projects. We need Eco-pass for the local residents and taxpayers. Eco-passes might be financed many ways including parking meter funds, if the notorious city-parking elimination strategist is stopped from taking ours and giving hundreds to UC Berkeley. Eco-passes “spare the fare” and have great benefits—increasing transit use and safety for bus drivers, sparing the air and decreasing global warming, and giving us some long overdue environmental justice. 

Berkeley resident Merrilie Mitchell does not drive a car. 

Even though AC Transit began planning for Bus Rapid Transit 18 years ago, in Berkeley we’re still only about half way to deciding whether to build such a system in south Berkeley along with neighbor cities Oakland and San Leandro. 

Bus Rapid Transit would improve bus service on Telegraph Avenue and into the downtown by increasing speed, dependability and comfort compared to current buses and routes; it would follow existing bus routes to downtown Oakland and out International Boulevard to San Leandro. On most of its route it would use a dedicated lane to avoid competing traffic; and everywhere would employ green-light signal priority, proof-of-payment ticketing, and multi-door level loading from dedicated stations to meet its service goals. That BRT plan, in its general framework, has recently been endorsed in two city planning documents: the draft Downtown Area Plan sees it as key to the future of Downtown as an efficient transit hub, and the draft Climate Action Plan sees BRT as an important step in reducing dependence on the private automobile by providing better transit alternatives; both plans state the need for more complete information before making a decision. BRT in Berkeley has also been endorsed bthe 120 organizations making up the regional Transportation and Land Use Coalition, among which is the Sierra Club.  

Some citizens, however—who mostly are affiliated with business groups or southside neighborhood associations—have expressed concerns about potential negative impacts of such a BRT project. They point mainly to the need for dedicated lanes, and have stated their belief that losing an automobile lane on much of the route would potentially lead to net loss of parking, traffic gridlock on Telegraph and increased cut-through traffic in neighborhoods. In short they believe BRT would be bad for both business and residents, and they are skeptical about the purported benefits. 

AC Transit has been following the law in preparing a required environmental impact report. A draft document was completed early in 2007, and the public comment period ended last May. AC Transit now needs to prepare and release the Final EIR; this will more fully describe the specific project parameters, look in more detail at potential negative impacts, and more specifically describe potential mitigations that could eliminate or minimize potential problems. 

This months-long interim leaves the BRT evaluation process awkwardly at half-time: all of the negative opinions have been expressed, but none of the responses and proposed mitigations from AC Transit is yet available to consider. It’s no surprise that BRT opponents continue to express frustration, and tend to assume that their presumed problems can’t be solved; but the truth is that none of us can know fully until we see the final report. So, as with most planning processes in Berkeley, considerable patience is still required. 

Before AC Transit can complete the final EIR, the city of Berkeley must choose among the project possibilities that the agency has nominated for detailed study in the final document. The draft EIR laid out alternatives for BRT routes on upper Telegraph, in the downtown, and for the streets between; discussed lane-closure options; described multiple possibilities for station locations and configurations; and listed several other undecided parameters. From these possibilities, the city now needs to select its “preferred” choices—not yet whether or not to approve constructing the project, but only what to describe and study as the main scenario in the final EIR. 

Impatient opponents of BRT, however, have been lobbying the city as if this choice of a “preferred local alternative” in the new few months will be a vote on whether or not to build the project—but that is not the case. City commissioners and council-members cannot make such a choice until they have all the relevant information—and that information will only be available in the final EIR that will still require several more months to complete. 

Opponents are trying to pre-empt such a careful process by asking the City Council to select now a “no build” alternative for the final EIR to study, rather than select from the choices about what might actually be built. But such a “verdict first, evidence second” approach is entirely unhelpful. We will only learn if BRT is a good project for Berkeley after all the evidence is in—when we can carefully study the potential benefits, the potential negative impacts, and the potential mitigations for those negative impacts. So the city needs to deny the passionate requests to kill the BRT project before fully studying it—it needs to choose one of the “build” alternatives for the final EIR. 

On April 9, the city’s Planning Commission and Transportation Commission will hold a joint workshop to ask for any information or opinion relevant to BRT that has not already been submitted as comments in response to the draft EIR. That additional information will figure into discussions about the city’s choice of the BRT “local alternative” later this spring. The city is therefore going out of its way to hear all views and inputs—a desirable policy during this frustrating half-time before we can take decisive next steps. 

Alan Tobey is a member of Friends of BRT, a transit advocate group that has a adopted a “so far so good” view of the BRT project, but that is awaiting the rest of the evidence before deciding whether or not to mount a campaign for public support.

The architect Frank Lloyd Wright is supposed to have said that the right angle is a fascist symbol. That observation may be apocryphal, but it well applies to some of the newer buildings on Berkeley’s commercial corridors, big square apartment complexes that dwarf adjacent residential properties. Currently, the boxes are creeping north along San Pablo Avenue and threatening to change the character of West Berkeley. 

Tonight (Tuesday, April 8) the Planning Commission is holding a public hearing on proposals that will affect the quality of life in many flatland neighborhoods and the value of residential properties on or near the commercial corridors of San Pablo, University, Shattuck, and Telegraph Avenues. 

Planning staff wants to implement the state Density Bonus Law, which allows developers to exceed zoning limits in exchange for building a certain percentage of “affordable” units, but staff’s recommended allowances are greater than the proposals by a joint subcommittee of the Planning and Housing Advisory Commissions and the Zoning Adjustments Board.  

The proposals relate to height, setbacks up to four stories from adjacent residential properties and the percentage of roof top that can be calculated as “open space” as well as parking and ground floor use. The subcommittee wants to limit height on San Pablo to three floors, whereas staff recommends four. Height limits differ for other commercial zones. Neither proposal considers changes in ground elevation, which can be considerable because the flatlands are in fact not flat but sloping upwards. 

The setbacks by floor recommended by the subcommittee are greater than those proposed by staff, but both revise the current minimum of 10 feet or 10 percent of the depth of the lot, whichever is greater for commercial lots abutting residential zones (Section23E.04.050 C). Since many commercial lots exceed 100 feet in depth, the proposed setbacks of only ten feet are a reduction in the buffer zone. Adequate setbacks are critical because most blocks on the avenues are split-zoned with commercial next to residential.  

The proposals also differ in the roof top open space allowance. The subcommittee recommends 25 percent while staff wants 75 percent. Roof area reduces yard requirements on the ground, allowing greater density. 

A flat roof with some plants in pots may be open but it’s no substitute for earth space that can support trees, the best barrier between commercial and residential lots on the same block. A new roof should serve as a secure support for a solar array, and a slant roof with a southern exposure is best. Also slant roofs are much prettier against a backdrop of rolling hills, the star attraction of the flatlands. 

Staff’s proposals add up to flat roofed four story buildings set back 10 feet at the base from residential property, a huge mass that would rob existing houses of privacy, sun and views. 

Zoning should be balanced, granting allowances for new construction but also protecting the value of existing property. The staff proposals before the Planning Commission lean too heavily toward promoting new development at the expense of current owners. That’s not equitable zoning; that’s theft. 

Although the current zoning allows four stories along San Pablo Avenue, very few have built that high because most lots contain operating businesses producing a revenue flow and because there are many costs and risks in the area. Where former car repair shops and other industrial uses have left toxic residue, the ground needs to be decontaminated, a pricey process. 

And there’s crime. People who talk blithely about increasing pedestrian traffic along transit corridors have never been mugged. My last tenant had his jaw broken by two drug dealers just to take his cell phone, and last week my neighbor, a 65-year-old woman, was assaulted by a trio of young purse snatchers. Silence is not PC, and ignoring crime and other public safety issues like earthquake and fire is not good city planning. 

The San Pablo area needs TLC, not big badly designed developments that meet density requirements or ABAG quotas. We can fulfill the need for additional housing by building on available lots to an appropriate scale and by situating larger projects in locations that do not encroach on existing houses. 

If you are a neighbor concerned about the new zoning proposals for the commercial corridors, the Planning Commission hearing tonight starts at 7 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center, Hearst at King. Be there or be content to live in the shadow of a big square. 

Toni Mester is a West Berkeley homeowner. 

When figures like $16 billion and $8 billion and $5 billion are tossed about on a regular basis it’s fair for a person to wonder how Gov. Schwarzenegger’s budget proposal for next year affects the average citizen. What can I do, one might ask, about a gaping deficit of billions of dollars, and why should I care? 

In fact, there’s a tremendous amount the average citizen can do, and nothing less than whether our state will be a place people can live, work, be healthy and raise a family is at stake. It’s critical that we all act in the face of this threat to our future. 

Our governor has proposed balancing next year’s budget on the backs of children, students and poor people. He proposes to cut nearly $5 billion dollars from the education budget alone. 

The governor is proposing to spend $800 less per pupil in 2008-2009. Given that we currently rank 46th in the nation in per pupil spending this is nothing short of criminal. His proposal is the equivalent of cutting more than $24,000 per classroom. California currently spends about $25,000 less than the national average per classroom. Imagine that figure doubled. 

In California only 3 percent all of K-12 pupils attend schools in district with per pupil spending at or above the U.S. average. In the United States as a whole that number is 46 percent. Our governor says we have a spending problem; clearly this is not the case. We have a revenue problem. 

In Berkeley the governor’s proposed cuts could mean the loss of all of our elementary and middle school literacy and math coaching positions, many of our secondary counselors, four of our art teachers, and all of the release time provided to the department, program and small school “teacher leaders” at our high school. In addition it may mean reductions in the number of Instructional Assistants that provide vital one-to-one support to students with special needs and to whole classes, and the loss of a vice principal position at our largest middle school, not to mention the employment specialist at our continuation high school. Nearly 40 teachers and counselors in our district will head into layoff hearings next week because of the position our governor has taken on addressing the budget deficit. While the superintendent will bring budget recommendations to the board in June that try to avoid impacts to student performance and safety, no one can say these cuts will not affect achievement and the environment in which our students learn. 

Other nearby districts will be affected as well. In Alameda families could be faced with K-3 classrooms that go from 20 students to 32 students, and two elementary schools may be closed. Of the 18 districts in Alameda County as many as 15 may go into “qualified” or “negative” budget status meaning that the district may not, or will not, be able to meet its financial obligations for the current year and the two forthcoming years. Given California’s tremendous achievement gap, and the high standards for our students we have set but are still failing to meet, addressing our budget deficit through cuts is simply unacceptable. 

So what is the solution to this problem if not devastating cuts to public education and human services? The answer is increasing state revenue through fair tax policies. We are the richest state in the richest country in the world, and yet we are severely under funding education. We need our legislative leaders to push for progressive taxes that do not harm the average Californian; we need to make the investments in education and human services that will move our state forward and address the achievement and equity gap in our state. We need to increase revenue rather than cutting programs that serve students, the elderly and the ill. 

If this is to happen each and every one of us must act. Your legislator needs to hear from you. Do not believe for a moment that you will be “preaching to the choir” if you communicate with your local representatives. This is going to be a fight and they need to hear from voters in their district. It is going to take political power to refuse to pass a budget balanced by cuts, and as the pressure builds to approve a budget it is going to be critical that they know they have their constituents’ support. Go to www.leginfo.ca.gov/yourleg.html today and write your assemblymember and senator. Send them a letter a week until a progressive budget is passed. Contact people in your professional organizations, especially people in the more conservative areas of our state, and urge them to write their representatives. A statewide effort is critical. 

You can also make a difference by attending a mass event meant to communicate clearly with our governor and our legislators. On April 24 Berkeley parents and community members, as well as parents and guardians across the state, will board buses to Sacramento to add our voice to calls for support of public education. If you are interested in joining the contingent please contact BUSD Public Information Officer Mark Coplan at Mark_Coplan@berkeley.k12.ca.us. 

And tomorrow, April 9, the Berkeley Federation of Teachers is holding a Community Rally to protest the governor’s proposals and to call for increased revenues at 5:00 p.m. at the BUSD administration building at 2134 Martin Luther King, Jr. Way. We urge you to join teachers, classified employees, parents, students and community members in saying no to these cuts and yes to investments in our children and our future as a state. 

Whatever you do, do something. We need a budget that is not balanced on the backs of poor people, our students and our schools. It matters, and we can make a difference. 

Cathy Campbell is the president of the Berkeley Federation of Teachers, a long-time middle school teacher and the parent of a 9th-grader at Berkeley High. You can contact the BFT at berkeleyfederationofteachers.org.

When the Battle of Basra opened on March 25, President Bush described it as a “defining mo-ment” for the U.S.-backed government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. Within days, however, the White House was scrambling to distance itself from the shellacking the Iraqi Army took at the hands of Muqtada al-Sadr’s Mahdi Army. 

As the Iraqi Army disintegrated in Basra and Baghdad—plus Kut, Amarah, Nasiryah, and Diwaniya, the provincial capitals of four important southern provinces—the Washington Post was quoting administration officials “speaking anonymously” claiming that Maliki “decided to launch the offensive without consulting his U.S. allies.” 

But as historian and author Gareth Porter points out in the Asia Times, the claim is ludicrous. In fact, the Administration’s fingerprints were all over the operation. 

“No significant Iraqi military action can be planned without a range of military support functions being undertaken by the U.S. command,” Porter argues. When Maliki attacked Basra, U.S. military spokesman, Col. Bill Buckner, announced that “coalition forces” were “providing intelligence, surveillance and support aircraft for the operation.” 

When the Iraqi Army found itself in trouble, U.S. aircraft bombed and strafed targets in Baghdad and Basra, and U.S. Special Forces teamed up with the Iraqi Army to kill “22 suspected militants” in Basra, according to the U.S. Command. U.S. soldiers also sealed off Sadr City in Baghdad. Lastly, the U.S. military’s Transition Teams are so deeply embedded in every unit of the Iraq Army that the latter can’t spit without getting an okay. 

It is increasingly obvious that the White House planned the entire operation. The genesis of the March 25 attack goes back to last August, when Muqtada declared a unilateral ceasefire with the Americans and the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq (ISCI) militia, the Badr Brigade. The ceasefire is a major reason why civilian and U.S. casualties have fallen over the past six months. 

Maliki’s Dawa Party and his allies in the ISCI have long been at loggerheads with Muqtada over three major issues.  

First, Muqtada is a nationalist and deeply opposed to the U.S. occupation, while Maliki and the ISCI’s leader, Abdel-aziz al-Hakim, support the presence of U.S. troops as a shield against the nationalists.  

Second, Muqtada supports a unified Iraq with a strong central government. Maliki and Hakim, on the other hand, have pushed for dismembering Iraq into separate provinces dominated by the country’s three major ethnic groups—Sunnis in the west, Kurds in the north, and Shiites in the south. Since most of the oil reserves are in the south, as is the country’s only port, whoever controls the south essentially controls 70 percent of Iraq’s economy. 

Which leads to the third point of contention, and one closely tied to the first two: Muqtada’s followers, along with most of the Sunnis and Iraq’s illegal, but still powerful, trade unions, want Iraq to keep control of its oil. Maliki, Hakim and the U.S., on the other hand, want to privatize Iraq’s enormous oil wealth and open it to exploitation by international oil cartels. 

According to Leila Fadel of the McClatchy newspaper chain, when Vice President Dick Cheney visited Iraq March 17-18, he “strong armed” Iraq’s Presidency Council into passing a provincial election law. The law sets up an October election in which the various provinces will vote on whether they want to remain a unified country or splinter into separate provinces. 

Cheney also sealed an agreement with Maliki to keep U.S. troops in Iraq indefinitely, in spite of the fact that seven out of 10 Iraqis want the occupation to end. 

If the U.S. and Maliki and Hakim are to pull off dismembering Iraq and privatizing the oil, they need to win the election in the south. About 20 percent of the Middle East’s oil reserves are in Basra Province. 

But the Mahdi Army has far more support among the Shiia masses than either the Dawa Party or the ISCI. Muqtada and his family have long been associated with the poorest of the Shiia—who constitute the overwhelming bulk of the sect—while Maliki and Hakim have always been close to the Shiia merchant class. The latter has the money, the former has the numbers. 

Which is why Maliki launched the attack on Basra.  

“Separatist Shiites want to make sure the nationalist Shiites won’t win the election—by killing them,” says Raed Jarrar of the American Friends Service Committee. If Maliki can destroy the Mahdi Army or drive it out of Basra, the October elections will go to the Dawa Party and the ISCI, insuring that Iraq’s huge oil reserves would be turned over to the big oil cartels.  

A subsidiary target of the Basra attack was the oil and dock workers unions, which staunchly oppose the privatization of the industry. An oil union statement said the Basra attack was aimed at “the planned corporate takeover of the port [of Basra] … in order to facilitate the activities of the international oil companies.” 

According to Sami Ramadani, a London-based exile from the government of Saddam Hussein, “many Iraqis are linking what they regard as a premeditated and unprovoked attack on a relatively peaceful city with Cheney’s visit [and] to the fact that oil and dock workers unions, declared illegal, are fully in control of the ports and the major oil fields.”  

So how did the “defining moment” end up a debacle? 

The first reason was the absolute cluelessness of the American military, coupled with the isolation of the Maliki government.  

It now appears that both interpreted Muqtada’s August ceasefire as a sign of weakness, concluding that the Mahdi Army was no longer capable of carrying out coordinated military operations. 

Sensing an opportunity, the U.S. and Maliki began attacking Sadrist strongholds, arresting and detaining more than 2,000 of Muqtada’s followers. When the Mahdi Army did not respond, the U.S. was certain it had the militia on the ropes. “We’ve degraded their capability,” bragged General David Patraeus’ spokes-man, Rear Admiral Gregory Smith. 

According to historian Porter, when Muqtada extended the ceasefire this past February, “that apparently convinced Patraeus and the Bush White House that they could now launch a large-scale ‘cordon and search’ operation against the Mahdi Army in Basra without great risk of a military response.”  

In fact, Muqtada—a man the U.S. has constantly underestimated—used the six-month ceasefire to rearm, reorganize, and train some of his troops and commanders in Iran. 

While Tehran favors Maliki and Hakim, the Iranians have always hedged their bets by aiding Muqtada as well.  

When the Iraqi Army attacked Muqtada’s strongholds in Basra, the Americans told them they would roll right over a disorganized and demoralized Mahdi Army. A U.S. advisor told the Washington Post he thought the operation—Charge of the Knights—would take a week to 10 days. 

The isolation of the current Iraqi government also played a role in the disaster. According to Patrick Cockburn of the Independent, the Iraqi government has virtually no support outside of the American-controlled Green Zone. That isolation led Maliki to believe that his U.S.-trained army would make short work of Muqtada’s militia. 

Instead, the militia not only whipped them in Basra but also organized sympathy uprisings in every major city from Baghdad south, as well as rocketing and shelling the supposedly secure Green Zone. U.S. fighter-bombers, helicopters and Special Forces couldn’t cover up the refusal of the Iraqi Army to take on the disciplined and motivated Mahdi Army. 

“The Iraqi Army doesn’t have the ability to do much of anything,” says Joost Hiltermann of the International Crisis Group. On the other hand, he says, Muqtada “remains undefeated and looks like the moderate.” 

According to Ali al-Fadhily and Dahr Jamail of the Inter Press Service, the Iraqi Army simply disintegrated. A Baghdad police colonel told them that the “Iraqi Army and police forces, as well as the Dawa and Badr militias, suddenly disappeared from the streets, leaving their armored vehicles for the Mahdi militia to drive around in joyful convoys.” 

Maliki was humiliated by the Battle of Basra, but there was plenty of mortification to go around. The Bush White House, for instance, had to watch as Iranian Brigadier General Qassem Suleimani, commander of the Quds Force—an organization the Administration has designated a “terrorist group”—pulled its chestnuts out of the fire by negotiating a ceasefire between Maliki and Muqtada. 

“This failure takes Iraq to point zero or worse,” Brigadier General Kathum Alwan told IPS. 

“Worse” is likely where things are headed. Not only has the fragile ceasefire between the Shiite groups been breached, but also there is plenty of chaos waiting in the wings. 

The Sunni “Awakening Councils” are still being frozen out of the army and the police, and many Sunnis have made it clear that they have no intention of allowing Iraq to be dismembered. A number of Sunni leaders have openly threatened civil war if they continue to be sidelined. 

And in the north, Arabs and Kurds are at each other’s throats over control of the cities of Mosul and Kirkuk, while Turkey continues its cross-border attacks on Kurd- ish PKK separatists. 

As Cockburn notes, any of these issues “could ignite in a moment, and almost certainly will.” 

Since the division of the Oakland Police Department into three geographical districts late last year—a move that is key to Mayor Ron Dellums’ goal of moving OPD into a community policing model—the mayor has begun quietly going around to meetings of the city’s various Neighborhood Crime Prevention Councils, trying to get a community assessment of how the new police realignment is working. 

In mid-March, the mayor spoke and was spoken to at the Chinatown NCPC, a group that conducts its meetings largely in Cantonese, and draws Cantonese-speaking members from all over the city. At the meeting, which attracted an overflow crowd of more than 200, the Chinatown Chamber of Commerce was circulating a petition calling, in part, for more bilingual officers in Chinatown. One of the meeting participants, a merchant, explained those concerns to the mayor, the chief of police, and other city officials present. 

“I hope that the patrolmen who are assigned to Chinatown understand our culture,” the merchant said. “We do a few things here that are illegal. We double-park, and we jaywalk. If the patrolmen come down hard on that, they will just drive people away, and it will hurt business in this area. Ask them to put out notices in the [Chinese language] papers, and give out warnings first. Tell them to lighten up.” 

In his remarks, translated into Cantonese as he went along, Dellums agreed that “there ought to be more Chinese-speaking police officers. That’s a policy I’m fully committed to.” 

There is every reason to see why this would be a good policy. 

In 2003, anger erupted in San Jose’s large Vietnamese-American community following the shooting death of 25-year-old Cau Thi Bich Tran, a mother of two, by San Jose Police, after the police say the woman threatened them in her home with a knife. Local Vietnamese newspapers reported that Tran had locked herself out of her bedroom and was trying to jimmy the lock with a dao bao, which they described as a common Vietnamese vegetable peeler, and was gesturing with the object to the police in an effort to explain what was happening. Both language and cultural differences between Tran and the police may have contributed to the assumption by the police officers that they were being threatened. 

And it is easy to see the cultural differences between the rest of Oakland and Oakland’s Chinatown, with Chinatown’s enormous influx of Chinese-speaking residents and an atmosphere that one imagines replicates Hong Kong or other major Chinese cities. Hiring officers who can enforce the law while understanding and appreciating those differences seems like, well, the exercise of good common sense. 

It is unfortunate that such good, common sense does not extend to another major segment of Oakland’s diverse population—African-Americans. 

Here the assumption is that because there is no new source of African-American immigration since the days of the slave trade—immigrant Africans, Jamaicans, and African-Puerto Ricans constitute a related but distinctly different group—because of years of assimilation, and because of access to political power since the civil rights era, African-Americans are different from the rest of the population, but not so different that they—we—merit special cultural consideration and treatment in the same way that, say, Chinese- or Vietnamese-Americans do. 

Unfortunately, one of the ironies of the Black Experience is that because it has had so much influence on American cultural life, there are vast numbers of non-African-American people in the United States who stubbornly insist that they have had it and that, therefore, the Black Experience is indistinguishable from the American experience. 

But this is simply not true. 

I give a small example, to make a larger point. 

In a television interview some years ago, singer-composer Billy Joel talked about growing up during the years when African-American and European-American music was strictly segregated. He recalled hearing Ray Charles’ songs on late-night radio, calling the music “wild” (his face lighting up as he said it), and saying how much it inspired and influenced him in the later creation of his own music. 

I grew up on Ray Charles’ music. He was one of my father’s favorite artists. I would describe it in many ways, but never “wild.” It reminds me of backyard gatherings with my parents’ African-American family friends, my mother’s fried chicken and potato salad, the safety of a childhood around known and friendly surroundings. When Charles’ “What’d I Say” came out, it shocked many white folks with what they believed was its reproduction of raw, “jungle” sex. To be honest, it wasn’t until the movie Ray came out a couple of years ago that I realized anyone thought the song was anything more than a jumping summer tune. I listen to it now, not to be titillated, but to be reminded of family life and people long since passed. 

Between Billy Joel and me, therefore, there is a distinct difference in the meaning of the Black Experience. 

I have heard enough and seen enough and lived long enough to have become quite comfortable in my own culture, and while I am interested in how Mr. Joel sees it, it does not have any influence over how I see myself, or in what I put on my CD or mp3 players when I get home at night. 

But there are areas where the opinions of the majority culture have a profound—and sometimes detrimental—effect on some segments of the African-American community. That is most evident with African-American youth, and in the distinct African-American-derived cultural direction that is called hip hop. 

The success of hip hop on a national media scale hides the deep suspicion and mistrust that it is greeted with by many people who meet it on the streets of a city like Oakland. Minstrel show music used to be the dominant, driving force in American culture—it is no accident, after all, that the first talking picture in America, The Jazz Singer, featured an Al Jolsen recreation of a cork-blackface, down-on-one-knee singing of “Mammy.” Hip hop has supplanted that, and it is impossible to imagine American advertising or a major American sporting event (remember when the Black-Eyed Peas’ “Let’s Get It Started” used to start every NBA game?) without hip hop’s driving beat and potent lyrics. 

But just as blues music used to be synonymous—amongst some observers—with Saturday night shootings and knife-cuttings, hip hop culture is intertwined in some people’s eyes with crime and violence. In a recent League of Women Voters forum with candidates for Oakland City Council’s at-large seat, for example, candidate Charles Pine—who is campaigning on a law and order platform—talked of how crime and violence are ruining Oakland, mentioning the problems of “sideshow culture” and “boom boxes” in the same breath. Boom boxes? 

Oakland’s war on sideshows provides probably the best example of this intermixing, in which it is difficult to see whether the actual target is violence, people doing donuts in the middle of the street with their cars, people playing loud music while driving in their cars, or simply large, unregulated crowds of African-American youth in Oakland. Oakland police and officeholders, like Mr. Pine, seem to go after all of them interchangeably. (One remembers the most infamous incident when, under California’s Oakland-inspired anti-sideshow law, an Oakland police officer once impounded the van of a coach taking basketball players back home in East Oakland because the police officer charged that the coach was playing his radio too loud.) 

This culture war—if we can call it that—has had profound repercussions on Oakland gatherings. Two of the city’s most successful festivals—Carijama and the Festival at the Lake—both went out of existence because of clashes between African-American youth and Oakland police. Oakland’s ability to successfully operate a downtown night-time entertainment district has been severely hampered by similar problems, causing the shutdown of Sweet Jimmy’s and other establishments attracting an African-American clientele, and curtailing events at Geoffrey’s. Some of these problems involved street violence, but others—how many, it is difficult to say—involved difficulties directly resulting from the way Oakland police officers have handled crowd control. 

Too often, discussions of such activities come down to a laying on of “blame.” But that may be a mistake. Sometimes it is merely a matter of handling a situation differently because of seeing the world differently, and that makes all the difference in the world. 

I once saw OPD Tactical Squad members trying to clear a block of International Boulevard between 88th and 87th Avenues of a crowd of African-American young people following an East Bay Dragons Motorcycle Club street fair on an adjoining side street. (Why the Tac Squad needed to clear the street is another matter; the young people were just standing along the storefront, talking, in their own neighborhood, and nobody seemed to be causing trouble; the Tac Squad appeared to be going on the assumption that any “unauthorized” gathering of young African-Americans in that section of Oakland constituted a problem.) In any event, a burly Tac Squad officer gave the order to disperse, but none of the young people moved. While the squad was preparing to make a sweep of the block—something that might, indeed, have caused problems—one of the East Bay Dragons officers walked down the street, quietly telling the gatherers, “All right, y’all. The fair’s over. It’s time to go.” Within moments, without grumbling, the sidewalk cleared. 

Why was a single East Bay Dragon officer able to clear the street of young African-Americans with no problem and no threats, while the OPD officers were not? Partly I just don’t know, since I didn’t talk with the individuals who dispersed, and part of it is too complicated to break down in a column. But in large part, I believe, it was because the East Bay Dragon officer was able to talk in a language that the young African-Americans understood, and by that I don’t mean he was talking a language other than English. 

That is the crux of the difficulty in understanding the similarities of the cultural needs of Oakland’s Chinatown and some of Oakland’s African-American communities. And while these cultural needs of Oakland’s African-American community in part involve the need for more African-American officers, the issue goes far beyond that. 

Does Oakland’s Chinatown need police officers who are knowledgeable of and sensitive to the culture of that community? Absolutely. The same is true for large sections of the city’s African-American community. Outside of their boundaries, those communities are not so well-known as many of us think. 

I’ve been the Mulch Queen, or at least her Majesty’s faithful herald, for years. The sight of our locally predominant clay soil lying naked to the elements upsets me. I know what happens when it gets walked on and rained on—yes, rain does compress soil over time if that soil doesn’t have nearly perfect drainage or spongelike absorption—and dried to dust by the sun.  

Besides, I’m lazy. Or I prefer to mimic natural processes when I can. Choose one; please don’t consult the editors whose deadlines I break habitually, if not merrily.  

When I want to add compost to my garden, I do it by spreading it as mulch. Then I stand back and let the worms do the work, and by gum they do it right. They don’t mess up existing root webs or useful mycorrhizae. (At least, not in my garden they don’t. What imported earthworms have done to the soil networks in some of our forests, that’s a story that can leave me catatonic.) 

And though some folks who plant the margins of apartment blocks in Berkeley seem not to believe it, we don’t have much in the way of dangerously venomous snakes here in the flatlands. The bare dirt between those wilting dwarf rosebushes and mums is just so sad and starved-looking.  

Now comes UC’s Gordon Frankie to mess with my cherished beliefs. Dang. 

We have a surprisingly large number of native bee species right here in Berkeley: at least 74. This doesn’t include the familiar honeybee or one of our leafcutter bees, which are exotics native to Eurasia. Frankie has been doing research and education on the ecosystem roles of assorted bees, especially in pollination. I’ve seen him gently catch bees in flight, hold them for a group’s appreciation, and then release them to resume their business.  

The good news is that we still have that many bee species in the city. The bad news is that, according to Frankie, some 60 to 70 percent of native bees, most of them solitary rather than colonial species, make their nests in the ground and they need access to bare dirt to do so.  

Typically, what ground-nesting bees do is dig a little hole—some line it with bits of leaf or with polyester that they manufacture themselves—lay an egg or a few eggs in it, and provision the egg with a lunchbox of pollen and maybe nectar. This takes numerous trips to each nest, and she needs more than one spot to make a season’s worth of nests.  

Frankie recommends leaving half your garden’s soil open and bare. Seems to me you’d also have to keep it undisturbed and not dig up the babies, too. I’d suggest keeping at least the spaces underneath furniture, decks, and such features bare, just mulching places that get walked on and the rootways of plants. (And keep it a foot or so away from tree trunks too!)  

Unlike barbeque, it seems gardening isn’t a place to go whole hog about anything.

In my young adulthood, I fought valiantly against the notion that I would be disabled, unable to work, and dependent on the medical establishment and on public benefits. I tried exceedingly hard to work at jobs, at first by quitting prescribed medication against medical advice, and then tried to work while taking these medications which I had little choice but to take.  

The jobs were quite demanding and I bit off more than I could chew in a repeated pattern. The medication prevented me from performing on a competitive basis. However, it did something to treat my psychotic symptoms, and therefore, I needed to keep taking the meds, or face a psychotic relapse.  

The experiences of the jobs being too hard, and of me quitting them because of how uncomfortable I was, etched the wrong pattern into my brain. Also, in many cases, I experienced traumatic situations in relation to work, such as being held up at gunpoint, getting in a fist fight, getting in a car accident on the way to work, having a rough breakup with a girlfriend, and having a dog chase me (not in that order). By the time my 20s wound to a close, I managed to create a case of burnout and post-traumatic stress related to jobs. I was also forced by then to accept SSI and SSDI in order to survive.  

Now I am in a very stuck scenario, as millions of Americans find themselves to be. Since I have SSI, SSDI, Medicare, Medical, and HUD housing, any money that I earn is subject to reporting. I cannot earn any money without some of my benefits being reduced. The medical insurance is set up in such a way that I would need to have a full-time job with medical benefits to replace the medical insurance I currently have by not working. In order to pay for the same housing that I currently have through public benefits, I would need to work full time. I am certainly grateful for the fact that I have this stuff. However, if I ever want to have any assets, I’m screwed.  

In the foreseeable future I am not going to be able to hold down a full-time job. Because of the way things are set up, part-time work only works against me because it eats away at my benefits. I’m not allowed to have more than a couple thousand in assets, or I stop getting SSI and Medical.  

The detrimental experiences of my 20s did a handy job of knocking out most of my earning capabilities. At 43, having spent over 25 years on heavy antipsychotic medications, I am qualified to do entry-level work but not capable of it physically any more. My choices are limited.  

This is called “The SSI Trap” in which once you receive SSI it is very hard to get off of it. I knew in my 20s that the SSI trap existed, and attempted to evade it, but was caught despite my best efforts.  

Millions of disabled Americans find themselves stuck in “the SSI trap” just as I am. Employment doesn’t exist which is geared for people who may be a little bit slower [unless they have risen through the levels of the system] and yet who may have something valuable to contribute.  

My plan at this point is to accept help from the Clubhouse [clubhouse.org] that is being created in Contra Costa County, and secondly to create my own expertise in some field (which includes educating myself), and promote myself as a self-employed person. In American culture as I know it, there is generally hope for someone who wants to contribute to society and make money, regardless of the apparent obstacles. 

The City of Oakland will honor the legacy of Paul Robeson—one of the giant figures in American history—with an April 9 City Hall reception on the 110th anniversary of his birth.  

Robeson, the son of a minister escaped from Southern slavery, was a nationally famed athlete, singer, and film and stage actor, but he made his greatest mark as one of the leaders of the protest movement against injustices against African Americans. His protest work bridged the gap between the W.E.B. DuBois and Marcus Garvey eras and the beginning of the 1950s-1960s civil rights movement. Robeson spoke in the Bay Area many times during his career, particularly at the University of California, and had many close ties and associations in the area.  

The 5 p.m.-7 p.m. April 9 reception in the rotunda of Oakland City Hall will include speeches by ICLWU Executive Committee member Clarence Thomas and Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums, an excerpt presentation by English playwright Tayo Aluko of his newly written Paul Robeson play, and a performance by the Vukani Mawethu Southern African choir.  

Oakland's City Hall rotunda is the site of a month-long photo and memorabilia exhibit on Paul Robeson, his life and his accomplishments in sports, art, and protest, which will end April 30. The exhibit is sponsored by the Bay Area Paul Robeson Centennial Committee.  

The Berkeley Zoning Adjustments Board (ZAB) will consider an expansion permit for Jupiter Restaurant on Thursday. 

Project applicant John Martin proposes to expand the restaurant’s space into an adjacent space occupied by Cafe Panini. 

The entrances to both Cafe Panini and Jupiter are located on Trumpetvine Court, a commercial courtyard and passage way accessible from both Shattuck Avenue and Allston Way. 

The proposed project would extend Jupiter’s operations into the interior and exterior space of Cafe Panini. 

The development involves interior modifications to the expanded space, including the construction of a bar and reconfigured interior seating. 

Although zoning staff has not received any letters of objection for this project, there are several objections from neighbors about noise for a pending application for outdoor music at the site. 

Martin is working with the city and an acoustical engineer to address these concerns, and this application is scheduled to appear before the board in the next two to three months. 

A public hearing has been scheduled for the project on Thursday at 7 p.m., Old City Hall building, 2134 Martin Luther King. Jr. Way. 

Joe and I spent the other afternoon moving dirt and reshaping the malva rosa by the garage, to allow some sun on the pile we were making. This isn’t the first time we’ve radically reshaped the thing, and it won’t be the last. Except for the fact that it’s so inherently bewildering, I’d call this plant the ideal first thing to learn pruning with: it’s woody but soft; it puts out lots and lots of branches to choose from, and it can take a severe pruning and recover.  

It’s also quite malleable in form. I’ve seen hedges of it—good as a background loose hedge, not so good sheared into wan-looking cubes—and big full self-directed airy mounds, and what could pass for trees. 

Maybe it’s not quite a regulation-sized tree, but Lavatera assurgentiflora, the malva rosa or island tree-mallow, comes close. One source says it can attain a height of fifteen feet, and ours is close to that. It’s usually considered a shrub, though, and a highly decorative one. 

The legendary California plantswoman Lester Rowntree was fond of it. In her Flowering Shrubs of California and Their Value to the Gardener, she called it “a valiant battler with the elements and a courageous bloomer. In spring it is gay with flowers….when most wild shrubs are overtaken by drought and relax into rest, there are usually a few blooms left on the mallow. It is only when the cold January winds thrash it about that L. assurgentiflora begins to look depressed...” 

Rowntree praised its bright green maple-ish leaves and two-inch-wide flowers: “rosy pink, a little paler toward the center, and striped with deep purple-carmine, suggesting in their detail an old flower picture.” Her only caveats were that the mallow needed pruning to help it keep its shape, and that it could be prolific: “As it will volunteer all over the place, you may expect to see a whole forest of little Mallows.” We haven’t had volunteers, but the thing would eat the yard if we let it.  

Like its neighbor the Catalina ironwood, the island mallow is a Channel Islands plant that made good. Those islands are as close as California comes to a Galapagos, an evolutionary funhouse full of ancient relicts and newly minted neoendemics. Most of the specialties are plants, but the islands are also inhabited by an oversized scrub-jay, a miniature gray fox, and-formerly-the oxymoronic pygmy mammoth. 

L. assurgentiflora has a northern subspecies native to Anacapa and San Miguel Islands and a southern subspecies native to Santa Catalina and San Clemente. It has had to contend with browsing by exotic ungulates, notably goats, and few survive in the wild. On Catalina, it’s down to two isolated rocks near the island’s isthmus. Old accounts talk about forests of malva rosa on San Clemente, but the goats have pretty much done for them. 

But the mallow does well in cultivation, and has naturalized itself on the southern California mainland coast as well as parts of Baja California, Peru, Ecuador, and Chile. Several cultivars are available, one of which, Purisima mallow, is a hybrid between L. assurgentiflora and L. venosa from the San Benito Islands off the Pacific coast of Baja. 

The island tree-mallow’s closest relatives are all Mexican island species, with two occurring on goat-bombed Guadalupe Island. The other Lavateras are native to the Mediterranean region, central and eastern Asia, and Australia; a few are also tree-sized. The genus was named for the Lavater brothers, a pair of 16th-century Swiss naturalists. Lavatera is a member of the Malvaceae, the mallow family, along with hollyhocks, hibiscus, okra, cotton, and (in the latest classification) the cacao tree.  

You’ll see other bush-sized native mallows in the trade, including the endangered San Clemente Island bush mallow (Malacothamnus clementinus). They tend to be more compact than the tree-mallow and to have white or gray foliage, due to tiny hairs that may cause skin rash in the susceptible. They also bear their flowers in spikes rather than singly, as Lavatera does. 

Like Rowntree, contemporary garden writers stress the need for discipline. Carol Bornstein, David Fross, and Bart O’Brien, in California Native Plants for the Garden, refer rather harshly to the mallow’s “rank growth and coarse appearance [which] make it a poor choice for formal garden settings.” They also describe it as short-lived, vulnerable to a virus specific to the mallow family, and popular with leaf-eating insects, gophers, and deer. We’ve never has an insect problem on ours (knock wood) and we don’t have many deer or gophers in the neighborhood.  

On the other side of the ledger, it grows fast and tolerates wind and salt spray. No salt spray here either, so the fast growth is untrammeled except by the garage and people getting there. And periodic attacks of Felco shears and Silky saws, of course.  

Ron Sullivan is a former professional gardener and arborist. Her “Green Neighbors” column appears every other Tuesday in the Berkeley Daily Planet, alternating with Joe Eaton’s “Wild Neighbors” column. Her “Garden Variety” column appears every Friday in the Planet’s East Bay Home & Real Estate section.

FRIDAY, APRIL 11 

CHILDREN 

Storytelling from Japan Traditional Japanese folktales, songs and games at 7 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. Workshop follows to learn how to make toys from recycled materials. 525-2233. 

THEATER  

Altarena Playhouse “Chicago” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m. at Altarena Playhouse, 1409 High St., Alameda, through April 12. Tickets are $17-$20. 523-1553.  

www.altarena.org 

Aurora Theatre “The Trojan Women” Wed.-Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 and 7 p.m. at 2081 Addison St., through May 11. Tickets are $40-$42. 843-4822. www.auroratheatre.org 

California Conservatory Theatre “The Turn of the Screw” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sat. and Sun. at 2 p.m. at 999 East 14th St., San Leandro City Hall Complex, near BART, through April 27. Tickets are $20-$22. 632-8850. 

Contra Costa Civic Theater “Foxfire” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m. at 951 Pomona Ave. at Moeser, El Cerrito, through May 11. Tickets are $11-$18. 524-9132. www.ccct.org 

Masquers Playhouse “Tartuffe” Fri.-Sat. at 8 p.m., some Sun. matinees at 2:30 p.m. at 105 Park Place, Pt. Richmond, through April 26. Tickets are $18. 232-4031. www.masquers.org 

Shotgun Players “Mrs. Warren’s Profession” by George Bernard Shaw. Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 5 p.m., through April 27, at The Ashby Stage, 1901 Ashby Ave. Tickets are $17-$25. 841-6500.  

www.shotgunplayers.org 

Teen One Acts Festival with the winners of the Teen writing competition Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m. at Berkeley Rep School of Theater, 2017 Addison St. Tickets at the door ate $6-$12. 647-2917. 

TheatreFirst “Future Me” Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 3 p.m. at Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave. Tickets are $23-$28. 436-5085. www.theatrefirst.com 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Fiber 2008” Works by Ingrid Cole, Tom Chen, Donna Duguay, Karin Lusnak, and Alexandra von Burg. Reception at 6 p.m. at ACCI Gallery, 1652 Shattuck Ave. 843-2527. 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Coffee House Press Night Readings by Joseph Lease and Martha Ronk at 7:30 p.m. at Moe’s Books, 2476 Telegraph Ave. 849-2087. 

Paul Belz and Norm Milstein will read their poetry at 7 pm on Friday, April 11th at Nefeli Caffe, 1854 Euclid Avenue, a little north of Hearst, in Berkeley, as part of the Last Word Reading Series. There is also an open reading.  

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Pacific Boychoir “American Spirituals” at 7:30 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Berkeley, 2345 Channing Way. Tickets are $15-$20, children under 10 free. 652-4722. 

California’s Música Mexicana with Dr. Loco’s Rockin’ Jalapeño Band and La Familia Peña-Govea at 8:30 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $10-$12. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

JJovino Santos Neto and Harvey Wainapel Brazilian music from yesterday, today and tomorrow at 7:30 p.m. at Chapel of the Chimes, 4499 Piedmont Ave., Oakland. Tickets are $10-$15, children under 12 free. 228-3218. 

Ben Stolorow & His Quartet at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. $12. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Jerry Kuderna in Recital Friday, April 11th at 8:00 pm Admission $15 ($10 for HSC members and Seniors) The Berkeley Hillside Club, 2286 Cedar St. 845-1350. 

Stompy Jones, East Coast Swing, at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Dance lesson at 8 p.m. Cost is $13. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Ron Thompson, blues, at 8 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave., at Dwight. 548-5198.  

Ramana Viera Ensemble at 8 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $18. 845-5373. www.jazzschool.com 

Karla Bonoff with Kenny Edwards at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $26.50-$27.50. 548-1761.  

www.freightandsalvage.org 

Charles Wheal & the Excellorators, blues, at 9 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810.  

Resistant Culture, Black Fire, Disobediencia Civil at 8 p.m. at 924 Gilman St., an all-ages, member-run, no alcohol, no drugs, no violence club. Cost is $5. 525-9926. 

Kevin Beadles Band at 9:30 p.m. at Beckett’s Irish Pub, 2271 Shattuck Ave. 647-1790. www.beckettsirishpub.com 

Bird Head at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 843-8277. 

SATURDAY, APRIL 12 

CHILDREN  

Celebration of Children’s Literature with Marissa Moss, Gennifer Choldenko, Thacher Hurd, Elisa Kleven, Joel ben Izzy, Gary Lapow, LeUyen Pham, and Sarah Klise at 11:30 a.m. at Tolman Hall, UC Campus. http://gse.berkeley. edu/admin/childlit.html  

East Bay Children’s Theater “The Emperor’s New Clothes” at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. at the Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak St. Cost is $10. 655-7285.  

Los Amiguitos de La Peña with Jerry Kennedy, blues and soul music, at 10:30 a.m. at La Peña. Cost is $5 for adults, $4 for children. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Active Arts Theatre, “The Emperor’s New Clothes” Sat. and Sun. at 2 p.m. at Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Ave. Tickets are $14-$18. www.activeartstheatre.org 

J. Otto Seibold on illustrating “Seamore, The Very Forgetful Porpoise” at 4 p.m. at Cody’s Books, 2201 Shattuck Ave. 559-9500. 

THEATER  

San Leandro Players “Redwood Curtain” Sat. at 8 p.m. and Sun. at 2 p.m. at San Leandro Museum Auditorium, Casa Peralta, 320 W. Estudillo Ave., through May 4. Tickets are $10-$15. 895-2573. www.sanleandroplayers.org  

EXHIBITIONS 

“Pamplona Spain 1953” Historic color photographs by Andrew Stern on diplsy at Downtown Restaurant, 2102 Shattuck Ave. 649-3810. andresternphoto.com 

“Dancing for Joy” Group art show celebrating dance and movement. Opening reception at 6 p.m. at Expressions Gallery, 2035 Ashby Ave. Gallery open Wed.-Sat., noon to 5 p.m., Sun. noon - 3 p.m. www.expressionsgallery.org 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Moazzam Sheikh reads from his new book “The Idol Lover” at 4 p.m. at Eastwind Books of Berkeley, 2066 University Ave. 548-2350, www.asiabookcenter.com 

Small Press Distribution Open House from noon to 4 p.m., readings by Joanne Kyger, Marjories Welish, Taylor Brady and Rob Halpern at 2 p.m., at 1341 7th St. at Gilman. 524-1668. 

Book Party for “Love, Grandma” letters written mostly by women activists to their grandchildren, telling how they became activists, at 2 p.m. at Redwood Gardens, 295l Derby St. 549-2210. www.gawba.org 

West Coast Live with Germaine Greer, author of “Shakespeare’s Wife,” Sue Miller, author of “The Senator’s Wife,” and Mark Wilson, author of “Julia Morgan, Architect of Beauty” at 10 a.m. at Freight & Salvage Coffee House, 1111 Addison St. Tickets are $13-$18. 415-664-9500. www.ticketweb.com 

Robert Kourik explains “Roots Demystified: Change Your Gardening Habits to Help Roots Thrive” at 4 p.m. at Mrs. Dalloways, 2904 College Ave. 704-8222. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Oakland Youth Chorus “Music of Our World Concert” at 3 p.m. at First Unitarian Church of Oakland, 685 14th St., Oakland. Suggested donation $5 per family. 893-6129. www.uuoakland.org 

Animal Crackers! Music by Gershwin, Whitacre, PDQ Bach at 7:30 p.m. at Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley, 1 Lawson Rd., Kensington. Tickets are $15-$20, no one turned away for lack of funds. 525-0302. 

Oakland Ballet “The Secret Garden” at 2 and 8 p.m. at Oakland Paramount Theater 2025 Broadway, Oakland. Tickets are $15-$50. 465-6400. www.paramounttheatre.com.  

Kensington Symphony with Geoffrey Gallegos, conductor, Kelsey Walsh, piano, at 8 p.m. at Northminster Presbyterian Church, 545 Ashbury Ave., El Cerrito. Suggested donation $12-$15, children free. 528-2829. 

San Francisco Bay Area Chamber Choir “Utterly English” Choral music of Britten, Rutter Howells at 7 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Alameda, 2001 Santa Clara at Chestnut. Suggested donation $10-$15. 522-1477. 

Akademie fur Alte Musik Berlin at 8 p.m. at First Congregational Church, Dana and Durant. Tickets are $48. 642-9988. 

Kat Parra, jazz vocalist, at 1 p.m. at Downhome Music, 1809b Fourth St. 204-9595. 

Nosotras at 8:30 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $13-$15. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Macy Blackman & The Mighty Fines at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $14. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

“Rock the Planet” A Benefit for Greenaction with Nu Snowmen, Lebo, The Jolly Gibsons and David Gans at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz, 1317 San Pablo. Tickets are $20-$40. www.ashkenaz.com  

Geoff Muldaur at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Vocal Masters Series: Nancy King and Steve Christofferson at 8 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $20. 845-5373. www.jazzschool.com 

Dave Rocha Jazz at 9 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810.  

Roger Rocha & The Goldenhearts at 9:30 p.m. at Beckett’s Irish Pub, 2271 Shattuck Ave. 647-1790. www.beckettsirishpub.com 

Blue Bone Express, New Orleans jazz, at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 843-8277. 

Street Eaters, and showing of film “156 Rivington” 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. 

Omar Sosa Afreecanos Quartet at 8 and 10 p.m., through Sun. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $10-$22. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

SUNDAY, APRIL 13 

EXHIBITIONS 

Darfur Humanitarian Aid “Tents of Hope” outdoor painting project for Darfur Humanitarian Aid from 1 to 5 p.m. at Congregation Beth El, 1301 Oxford St. 813-3777. 

“The Nature of LA” Paintings by Samantha Fields, Portia Hein, Stas Orlovski and Andre Yi at Traywick Contemporary, 895 Colusa Ave. through June 28. By appointment. 527-1224. 

FILM  

The Magnificent Orson Welles “It’s All True” at 2 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $5.50-$9.50. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Victor Martinez and Enrique Chagoya in discussion at 2 p.m. at Berkeley Art Museum Galleries Cost is $5.50-$9.50. 642-0808.  

www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

Rusty Morrison, Barbara Claire Freeman and Elizabeth Robinson read their poetry at 7:30 p.m. at Pegasus Books Downtown, 2349 Shattuck Ave. 649-1320. 

Jazz/Poetry with poet Michael McClure and saxophonist George Brooks at 2 p.m. on the 5th flr of Berkeley Public Library, 2090 Kittredge St. 981-6100. 

Kota Ezawa: The History of Photography Remix Artist lecture at 3:30 p.m. at the Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak St. Cost is $5-$8. 655-7285.  

“Freedom Illuminated: The History of The Szyk Haggadah” with Rabbi Irvin Ungar at 2 p.m. at the Judah L. Magnes Museum, 2911 Russell St. Cost is $6-$8. RSVP to 549-6950. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Community Women’s Orchestra, Dr. Kathleen McGuire, conductor, at 4 p.m. at Lake Merritt United Methodist Church, 1330 Lakeshore Ave., Oakland. Suggested donation $10, children free. 463-0313. www.communitywomensorchestra.org 

Art Lande & Paul McCandless Duo at 7 p.m. at The Berkeley Hillside Club, 2286 Cedar St. Tickets are $10-$15. 

The Itchy Mountain Men “Kickgrass” at 4 p.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave. Tickets are $10-$20. 684-7563. 

San Francisco Chamber Orchestra celebrates the 175th birthday of Johannes Brahms at 3 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 2345 Channing Way. Free. 415-248-1640. www.sfchamberorchestra.org  

The Grassroots Composers and Performance Worksop A two-hour jazz lecture/performance event at 3 p.m. at Chapel of the Chimes, 4499 Piedmont Ave., Oakland. Tickets are $10-$15, children under 12 free. 228-3218. 

Kate Royal, soprano, Roger Vignoles, piano, at 3 p.m. at Hertz Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $42. 642-9988. www.calperformances.net 

Anton Schwartz Quartet with Tim Bulkley at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $10. 841-JAZZ.  

www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

The Angry Philosophers at  

9:30 p.m. at Beckett’s Irish Pub, 2271 Shattuck Ave. 647-1790. www.beckettsirishpub.com 

Dave Ellis “A Tribute to Joe Henderson” at 4:30 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $18. 845-5373. www.jazzschool.com 

Reilly & Maloney: Tribute to Tom Dundee at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

MONDAY, APRIL 14 

CHILDREN 

Alex Ramon, illusionist, of Mickey's Magic Show at 11:30 a.m. at Bayview Library, 5100 Hartnett Ave. near Carlson and Bayview, Richmond, and at 2 p.m. at West Side Library, 135 Washington Avenue,in Point Richmond. 620-6566. www.richmondlibrary.org 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Cassandra Clare reads from “City of Ashes” the second book in The Mortal Instruments Trilogy at 4 p.m. at Cody’s Books, 2201 Shattuck Ave. 559-9500. 

Scoop Nisker on “Crazy Wisdom Saves the World Again!” at Cody’s Books, 2201 Shattuck Ave. 559-9500. 

Poetry Express with Cynthia Ruth Lewis and “The Bard of San Francisco” at 7 p.m. at Priya Restaurant, 2072 San Pablo Ave. 644-3977. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Berkeley New Music Project performed by the Berkeley Contemporary Chamber Players at 8 p.m. at Hertz Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $4-$12. 642-4864. http://music.berkeley.edu 

Kinsella Brothers at 9:30 p.m. at Beckett’s Irish Pub, 2271 Shattuck Ave. 647-1790.  

www.beckettsirishpub.com 

Berkeley High School Ensembles at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $10-$15. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

TUESDAY, APRIL 15 

CHILDREN 

Walter the Giant Storyteller for ages 3 and up, at 6:30 p.m. at Kensington Library, 61 Arlington Ave. 524-3043. 

FILM  

“Schindler’s Houses” at 7:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $5.50-$9.50. 642-0808.  

www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Amy Goodman introduces “Standing Up to the Madness at 6:30 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Oakland, 2501 Harrison St. at 25th, Oakland. Tickets are $12-$15. www.kpfa.org/events. 

Jack Hirschman, San Francisco Poet Laureate, reads at 7:30 p.m. at Moe's Books, 2476 Telegraph Ave. 849-2087. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

LeRoy Thomas & the Zydeco Roadrunners at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cajun dance lesson at 8 p.m. Cost is $12. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Singers’ Open Mic with Ellen Hoffman at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $5. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

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

Karen Blixt at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $10-$14. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

Jazzschool Tuesdays, a weekly showcase of up-and-coming ensembles from Berkeley Jazzschool at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 843-8277. 

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Joshua Kryah and Alex Lemon read their poems for National Poetry Month at 7:30 p.m. at Pegasus Books Downtown, 2349 Shattuck Ave. 649-1320. 

Bob Barde discusses his new book “Immigration at the Golden Gate: Passenger Ships, Exclusion, and Angel Island” at 5:30 p.m. at University Press Books, 2430 Bancroft Way. 548-0585. www.universitypressbooks.com 

Priscilla Royal talks about her medieval mystery series at 2 p.m. at at West Side Library, 135 Washington Ave., Point Richmond. 620-6567. www.richmondlibrary.org. 

Cafe Poetry hosted by Paradise at 7:30 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Laurel Anne Hill reads from her new crossover novel “Heroes Arise” at 7 p.m. at Laurel Bookstore, 4100 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland. 531-2073. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Fever, swing music at noon at 555 12th St., Oakland. Part of Oakland City Center Spring Concerts.  

Wednesday Noon Concert, with Jared Redmond, piano, at Hertz Hall, UC Campus. Free. 642-4864. http://music.berkeley.edu 

UC Berkeley’s Cal RaijinTaiko, Taiko Drumming Concert, at 7 p.m. at Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Ave. Tickets are $5-$7 at the door.  

Mesut Ozgen at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Terrence Brewer Quartet with Lorca Hart at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $10. 841-JAZZ.  

www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

MIBB, University of Copenhagen Jazz Big Band in a benefit for Ashkenaz, at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Swing dance lesson at 7:30 p.m. Cost is $10. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

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

Benny Verde at 9:30 p.m. at Shattuck Down Low, 2284 Shattuck Ave. Salsa dance lessons at 8:30 p.m. Cost is $5-$10. 548-1159.  

Keith McArthur Project, funk, at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 843-8277. 

Billy Cobham & Friends at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square, through Sun. Cost is $16-$24. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

THURSDAY, APRIL 17 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Here: Oakland Through the Arts” Works by Excel High School Students. Presentation by the artists at 7 p.m., performance at 5 p.m. at the Craft & Cultural Arts Gallery, State of CA Office Bldg., Atrium, 1515 Clay St., Oakland. 622-8190. 

Enrique Chagoya: Borderlandia Guided tour at 12:15 p.m. at Berkeley Art Museum. Cost is $5.50-$9.50. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

THEATER 

“Medea, A Tragedy by Euripides” Thurs.-Sat. at 7 p.m. at Oakland School for the Arts, 1800 San Pablo, Oakland, 1 block from 19th St BART. Tickets are $5-$10. 873 8800. www.oakarts.tix.com 

FILM 

Heinz Emigholz: Architecture as Autobiography “Sullivan’s Banks” at 7 p.m. and “Loos Ornamental” at 8:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $5.50-$9.50. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Adam David Miller, reads from “Ticket to Exile” at 2 p.m. at Berkeley Public Library, 2090 Kittredge St. 981-6107. 

June Jordan’s Poetry for the People at 7:30 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $7-$15. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Adam Mansbach reads from “The End of the Jews” at 7 p.m. at Cody's Books, 2201 Shattuck Ave. 559-9500. 

Doug Fine reads from “Farewell, My Subaru: An epic Adventure in Local Living” at 7:30 p.m. at Mrs. Dalloways, 2904 College Ave. 704-8222. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

San Francisco Chamber Jazz Quartet, live recording session at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $10. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

The California Honeydrops, New Orleans blues and roots, at 9 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $10. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Bryn Terfel, bass-baritone, at 7:30 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $35-$100. 642-9988. www.calperformances.net 

Vladimir Tarasov, Mark Dresser & Larry Ochs: Thinking About Morton Feldman at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $19.50-$20.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Houston, Jones & Jacques at 7 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave., at Dwight. 548-5198.  

The Sacred Profanities at 9:30 p.m. at Beckett’s Irish Pub, 2271 Shattuck Ave. 647-1790. www.beckettsirishpub.com 

Dietsnaks, funk, nu-jazz, at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 843-8277 

The Emperor’s New Clothes, a family show by that great musicals team Ahrens & Flaherty (Seussical, Ragtime), will be staged by Active Arts for Young Audiences, opening this weekend at the Julia Morgan Center on College Avenue. 

The old story’s presented with a twist: the emperor’s a 14-year-old boy (though played by a professional adult actor, part of Active Arts’ credo), Marcus the Third, who’s approaching his imperial inauguration nervously. A smart kid who likes to read, Marcus doesn’t think he has what it takes to be an emperor—not if an emperor’s a big, tough guy wielding a sword. 

“Marcus begins to think, perhaps it’s the clothes which make the emperor,” said Nina Meehan, executive director of Active Arts and co-producer of this show.  

Meehan described the musical, which she said was in a new version being premiered in California by Active Arts with the shows at the Julia Morgan, directed by Mike Kasin. With sophisticated music and humor to engage the older kids and the adults, Meehan said it welcomes younger children to the world of theater, with interactive moments (”the audience helps make a parade”), vibrantly colorful costumes and a medieval fairytale inspiration reminding audiences the story came from books—a pop-up storybook effect “that pops out to the audience.” 

Plus, Meehan said, “there’s a song every three minutes that tells the story, drives the plot” in a show that, with intermission, runs about an hour and 20 minutes. 

“My favorite moment in the play,” said Meehan, “is a really fun song, a duet between the emperor and the scullery maid. They’ve become friends, though they’re not supposed to, and realize they can play together, use their imaginations to create stories. So they play a guessing game. They come from different worlds, but find common ground.” 

Meehan continued: “What’s neat for me as a producer to see is the scullery maid being played by Jayne Deely, a recent Fordham graduate and newcomer to the Bay Area, while Emperor Marcus is played by Brendan Simon, who performed in our first show ever, at the Bay Area Discovery Museum in 2004, and has always done our choreography.” 

Meehan calls the cast of five “spectacular, all incredible vocalists” with each actor (except Simon) playing two roles. 

Active Arts is committed to producing shows based on children’s literature, “to enchant children and their families, encourage them to use their imaginations, and entertain not only the child, but the mother, aunt and older sister or brother sitting next to them,” Meehan said. “Hopefully, we’re educating the next generation of theatergoers.”  

She added how much the actors respond to performing for younger audiences, meeting them after the show “so the experience doesn’t end with the end of the show and the children can see that the actors are real people, not just images on a screen. They let you know immediately when they’re having a good time.” 

The Emperor’s New Clothes 

Active Arts for Young Audiences 

weekends through April 20 

Julia Morgan Center on College Ave.  

Tickets: $14 for children, $18 for adults. 

(925) 798-1300  

www.active artstheatre.org 

The crowd was streaming through the flaming metal portals of The Crucible’s big industrial complex on Oakland’s 7th Street well before curtain time for the “fire ballet” production of Stravinsky’s Firebird.  

Like a sideshow, there were “fire arts” demos going on inside, Crucible artists and volunteers pulling molten glass from a blindingly hot oven and shaping it, or showing someone how to pound out a burning ingot on an anvil, or just displaying artworks from one of the center’s many workshops. 

Once the big audience was seated in rows of chairs on the floor in front of the stage and on the bleachers just behind them, the taped Midd;e Eastern-flavored dance music went off and an emcee welcomed everyone, touching on the workaday, educational and community features of the foundry-like place that was presenting a 1910 Ballet Russe classic, reforged in real flame, “an incendiary update,” with proceeds to benefit their education fund. 

“A funky and fiery reinterpretation of the classic Russian folktale,” The Crucible’s Firebird was conceived and designed by Michael Sturtz, founder and executive director of the nonprofit, with choreography by Viktor Kabaniaev of Diablo Ballet, where Tina Bohnstedt, excellent as the Firebird and onetime principal with the Bavarian State Ballet, also performs.  

The stage direction is by Mark Streshinsky, whose staging of Chrysalis for Berkeley Opera was a highlight of recent East Bay theater. The musical direction (all prerecorded) is by Scott Sterling and Ben Davis handles the lighting. The show features appearances by performers from Smuin (dashing Easton Smith as Prince Ivan) and San Jose (lithe Haley Henderson as Tsarevna) ballets, exotic dance company Nekiya, street dancers from Flavor Group and fLo-Ology, as well as aerialist (the other Firebird) Janine Fondiller and “Moto Prince Ivan” (stuntman Darius Khashabi doubling the Prince, riding Sturtz’s dream machine) and an airborne ’70s flaming red (and flaming) Pontiac Firebird. 

In many ways the Crucible’s hour-long production follows the fairytale (and the original Fokine ballet) pretty closely, albeit with the anachronistic air of an illustrated storybook for young techies, with the huntsman Prince, out for a ride (in this case, on his cycle), encountering and snaring the Firebird, who begs her freedom, rewarding the prince with a (flaming metal) feather.  

Anachronistic in more ways than one, as The Crucible’s FIREBIRD is at once like seeing a revival of the Ballet Russe original, but as performed by the early Siegfried and Roy in Vegas at the Circus Circus. Given the close connection between early 20th-century ballet and the carnivalesque (recall Picasso’s Ballet Russe designs), it’s a doubly wry tribute. 

A well-known local dancer, once a ballet student, who’s seen other Crucible shows with enthusiasm, commented afterwards how high-quality the soloists and the aerialist were, but suggested that the choreography “never completely gelled” and that The Crucible’s signature pyrotechnics weren’t “integrated as fully” as in last year’s ROMEO & JULIET, in which the dancers at the ball waved flaming fans. 

But THE FIREBIRD, in any case, is unusual entertainment, with high production values and in an unusual and intriguing setting. The audience, on the youngish side but diverse enough in every way, ate it up, afterwards pouring out of the vast studio to West Oakland BART, a couple blocks away. 

Firebird  

The Crucible, 1260 7th St, Oakland 

Wed.-Sat., April 16-19, 8:30 p.m. 

Tickets $55 

444-0919 

www.thecrucible.org 

Firebird Gala 

Friday, April 18 

Reception 6:30 p.m. featuring wines, fiery hors d’oeuvres, exclusive performances and an opportunity to meet the cast 

Tickets: $150  

The Berkeley Art Center’s current show, “Loom & Lathe: The Art of Kay Sekimachi and Bob Stocksdale,” is full of revelations. 

Sekimachi, a weaver and fiber artist, and Stocksdale, a wood turner, are both internationally renowned but largely unrecognized in Berkeley, despite having lived and worked here for most of their lives. Sekimachi is in her early 80s; Stocksdale died in 2003 at the age of 89.  

“Loom & Lathe” is a handsomely staged survey of their work. It offers Berkeleyans a rare opportunity to appreciate the extraordinary achievements of these two local treasures. 

Be prepared to gasp in delight as you encounter Sekimachi’s hangings, scrolls, boxes, bowls and baskets, and Stocksdale’s bowls. These elegant and ingenious objects exploit and reveal the qualities of their materials in surprising ways. Many embody what curator Robbin Henderson calls “the lyrical dialog between the artists,” who were wed in the early ’70s, and whose creations often took the same form, rendered in different materials.  

At the same time, Sekimachi and Stocksdale worked in—and reworked—traditions peculiar to their respective crafts. As Suzanne Baizerman writes in the show’s beautifully produced catalogue, Sekimachi drew on both the Japanese culture of her family and the mainstream culture of the United States.  

Albert LeCoff’s essay, also in the catalogue, tells how Stocksdale was distinguished among modern wood turners by his “passion for the wood itself: finding it”—especially exotic wood—“working it, and showing it.” 

Sekimachi’s and Stocksdale’s lives and works also bear witness to the creativity of the contemporary Berkeley crafts community. Famous for its progressive politics, Berkeley is also nationally known for its fiber artists, ceramicists and woodworkers.  

As founding members of the Art Co-op, now ACCI gallery, which grew out of the mid-century progressive cooperative movement, Sekimachi and Stocksdale contributed to this town’s fertile melding of politics and art. Having nurtured that melding for over forty years with integrity, skill and economy, the Berkeley Art Center is the perfect venue for their creations. 

Loom & Lathe: The Art of  

Kay Sekimachi and Bob Stocksdale 

through April 27  

Berkeley Art Center, 1275 Walnut St. (Live Oak Park).  

Wed.–Sun., noon–5 p.m.  

Admission is free.  

644-6893.

I’ve been the Mulch Queen, or at least her Majesty’s faithful herald, for years. The sight of our locally predominant clay soil lying naked to the elements upsets me. I know what happens when it gets walked on and rained on—yes, rain does compress soil over time if that soil doesn’t have nearly perfect drainage or spongelike absorption—and dried to dust by the sun.  

Besides, I’m lazy. Or I prefer to mimic natural processes when I can. Choose one; please don’t consult the editors whose deadlines I break habitually, if not merrily.  

When I want to add compost to my garden, I do it by spreading it as mulch. Then I stand back and let the worms do the work, and by gum they do it right. They don’t mess up existing root webs or useful mycorrhizae. (At least, not in my garden they don’t. What imported earthworms have done to the soil networks in some of our forests, that’s a story that can leave me catatonic.) 

And though some folks who plant the margins of apartment blocks in Berkeley seem not to believe it, we don’t have much in the way of dangerously venomous snakes here in the flatlands. The bare dirt between those wilting dwarf rosebushes and mums is just so sad and starved-looking.  

Now comes UC’s Gordon Frankie to mess with my cherished beliefs. Dang. 

We have a surprisingly large number of native bee species right here in Berkeley: at least 74. This doesn’t include the familiar honeybee or one of our leafcutter bees, which are exotics native to Eurasia. Frankie has been doing research and education on the ecosystem roles of assorted bees, especially in pollination. I’ve seen him gently catch bees in flight, hold them for a group’s appreciation, and then release them to resume their business.  

The good news is that we still have that many bee species in the city. The bad news is that, according to Frankie, some 60 to 70 percent of native bees, most of them solitary rather than colonial species, make their nests in the ground and they need access to bare dirt to do so.  

Typically, what ground-nesting bees do is dig a little hole—some line it with bits of leaf or with polyester that they manufacture themselves—lay an egg or a few eggs in it, and provision the egg with a lunchbox of pollen and maybe nectar. This takes numerous trips to each nest, and she needs more than one spot to make a season’s worth of nests.  

Frankie recommends leaving half your garden’s soil open and bare. Seems to me you’d also have to keep it undisturbed and not dig up the babies, too. I’d suggest keeping at least the spaces underneath furniture, decks, and such features bare, just mulching places that get walked on and the rootways of plants. (And keep it a foot or so away from tree trunks too!)  

Unlike barbeque, it seems gardening isn’t a place to go whole hog about anything.

FRIDAY, APRIL 11 

City Commons Club Noon Luncheon with Charles Wollenberg on “Berkeley: A City in History” Luncheon at 11:45 a.m. for $14.50, speech at 12:30 p.m., at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant St. For information and reservations call 524-7468.  

East Bay Sanctuary Covenant: Celebrating 26 Years in Berkeley at 7 p.m. at St. Joseph the Worker Church, 1640 Addison St. Free, donations gratefully accepted. 527-0324. 

Celebrating Cesar Chavez and the Farmworkers’ Movement with a screening of the Cesar E. Chavez Foundation film “Common Man, Uncommon Vision: The Cesar Chavez Story” and “Immokalee: From Slavery to Freedom,” at 7 p.m. at the Ecology Center, 2530 San Pablo Ave, near Dwight Way Free. 548-2220, ext. 233. 

California Studies Conference “Changing Climates: Class Culture, and Politics in an Era of Global Warming” Fri.-Sun. at Berkeley City College, 2050 Center St. For details see http://geography. 

berkeley.edu/ProjectsResources/californiastudies.html 

“Ministry as Vocation” A week-end long free conference open to all at Pacific School of Religion, 1798 Scenic Ave. For information call 849-8253.  

Girls Inc. of Alameda County 50th Anniversary Gala at 6 p.m. at the Rotunda Bldg., 300 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Oakland. Tickets are $250. RSVP to 357-5515, ext. 282. 

Friday Films for Teens at 3:30 p.m. at the Berkeley Public Library, 2090 Kittredge St. For details call 981-6121. 

Non-Toxic Cleaning at noon at Elephant, 1607 Shattuck Ave. 549-9200.  

Berkeley Women in Black weekly vigil from noon to 1 p.m. at Bancroft and Telegraph. Our focus is human rights in Palestine. 548-6310. 

SATURDAY, APRIL 12 

John F. Kennedy High School 40th Anniversary Celebration from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 4300 Cutting Blvd., Richmond. Activities include art exhibits, carnival games, entertainment, and food. 231-1433, ext. 25883. 

Goats are Groovy Meet the new goats at the Little Farm in Tilden Park, learn how we care for them, and take them for walks. For ages 6-10 at 2 p.m. at Tilden Park. 525-2233. 

The 2008 Edith Coliver Festival of Cultures from 11 a.m. at 6 p.m. at International House, 2299 Piedmont Ave. 642-9461. http://ihouse.berkeley.edu  

“California Budget Crisis: How Tax Reform Can Solve It” at 7 p.m. at the Alameda Free Library, Conf. Room A, 1550 Oak St. at Lincoln, Alameda. Sponsored by the Alameda Public Affairs Forum 841-9592. www.alamadaforum.org 

Music and Crafts the Ohlone Way including dances by the Maidu-Miwok Dance Group, stories from the elders and other cultural events, from to 2 to 4 p.m. at Peralta Hacienda Historical Park, 2465 34th Ave., Oakland. Free. 532-9142. 

“The Power of Community” a film on urban organic farming and how Cuba met the oil depletion crisis, at 7 p.m. at Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists 1924 Cedar St at Bonita. Suggested donation $5. 540-1975. www.bfuu.org 

“On Sacred Grounds: Religion and the Counterinsurgency in Iraq” with Prof. Ron Hassner, UC Berkeley, at 7 p.m. at Congregation Beth El, 1301 Oxford St. 642-3398. 

“Once Upon a Time...” Spring benefit for The Museum of Children’s Art with artists and authors from the annual children’s book illustrators exhibit, at 5:30 p.m. at 538 Ninth St., Oakland. Tickets $150. For details call 465-8770. 

The USS Hornet Museum Commemorates the Doolittle Raid in a Living Ship Day demonstration from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. onboard the aircraft carrier berthed at 707 W Hornet Ave, Pier 3, in Alameda. Museum admission is $14 for adults and $6 for children 5-17. 521-8448. www.hornetevents.com. 

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

Around the World Tour of Plants at 1:30 p.m., Thurs., Sat. and Sun. at UC Botanical Garden, 200 Centennial Drive. 643-2755. http://botanicalgarden.berkeley.edu 

The Berkeley Lawn Bowling Club provides free instruction every Wed. and Sat. at 10:30 a.m. at 2270 Acton St. 841-2174.  

Oakland Artisans Marketplace Sat. from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sun. from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Jack London Square. 238-4948. 

SUNDAY, APRIL 13 

Learn About Plankton An adventure for the whole family to look at the tiny organisms that live in Jewel Lake, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. in Tilden Park. 525-2233. 

Little Farm Open House Meet the animals, learn some new songs, make a craft and more from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Tilden Little Farm, Tilden Park. 525-2233. 

Native Plant Garden Tour “Meet the Do-It-Yourselfers” A self-guided tour of gardens in San Leandro, Oakland and Berkeley, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Cost is $30. To register see www.bringinbackthenatives.net 

CodePink Newcomer Orientation and activist training at 9:30 a.m. at 1248 Solano Ave, Albany. RSVP to 524-2776. 

Earth Day Electronics Recycling & Safe Medicine Disposal Event from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Elephant Pharmacy, 1607 Shattuck Ave. 

Free Hands-on Bicycle Class on Flat Repair at 10 a.m. at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. 527-4140. 

Talk with Cheri Huber, Zen teacher and author of books on meditation and psychology at 7 p.m. at Northbrae Community Church, 941 The Alameda. www.eastbayopencircle.org  

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 

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 

Berkeley Chess Club meets every Sun. at 7 p.m. at the Hillside School, 1581 Le Roy Ave. 843-0150. 

Tibetan Buddhism with Erika Rosenberg on “Seeing through Self-Images” at 6 p.m. at the Tibetan Nyingma Institute, 1815 Highland Pl. 809-1000 www.nyingmainstitute.com 

Sew Your Own Open Studio Come learn to use our industrial and domestic machines, or work on your own projects, from 4 to 8 p.m. at 84 Bolivar Dr., Aquatic Park. Also on Fri. from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Cost is $5 per hour. 644-2577. www.watersideworkshops.org 

MONDAY, APRIL 14 

Tax Day Event: People’s Life Fund Granting Ceremony Join Bay Area War Tax Resisters are the donte over $10,000 in resisted taxes to groups that are working for peace, justice and human needs, at 7 p.m. at 2220 Sacramento St. Pot-luck at 6 p.m. 843-9877. 

Uhuru Forum and Call to Action for Social Justice in Oakland with presentations by Wendy Snyder and Bakari Olatunji at 7 p.m. at Humanist Hall, 390 27th St., Oakland. 

El Cerrito Green Party County Council Candidates and others at 7 p.m. at The Sky Lounge, 10458 San Pablo Ave. Donation $2-$5. 526-0972. 

Habitot 10th Anniversary Week Dress in costumes, meet Lovee the Clown and enjoy art activities all week at 2065 Kittredge St. 647-1111. 

Berkeley School Volunteers Orientation from 4 to 5 p.m. at 1835 Allston Way. Come learn about volunteer opportunities. 644-8833. 

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. 

Dragonboating Year round classes at the Berkeley Marina, Dock M. Meets Mon, Wed., Thurs. at 6 p.m. Sat. at 10:30 a.m. For details see www.dragonmax.org 

Free Boatbuilding Classes for Youth Mon.-Wed. from 3 to 7 p.m. at Berkeley Boathouse, 84 Bolivar Dr., Aquatic Park. Classes cover woodworking, boatbuilding, and boat repair. 644-2577. www.watersideworkshops.org 

TUESDAY, APRIL 15 

Tuesdays for the Birds Tranquil bird walks in local parklands, led by Bethany Facendini, from 7 to 9:30 a.m. Today we will visit Crockett Hills Regional Park. Call for meeting place and if you need to borrow binoculars. 525-2233. 

Tilden Mini-Rangers Hiking, conservation and nature-based activities for ages 8-12. Dress to ramble and get dirty. From 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. Cost is $6-$8, registration required. 1-888-EBPARKS. 

Birds and Butterflies: Easy Garden enchantment with California Native Plants. An Audubon Nature Studies class begins at 7 p.m. at Albany Adult School. Cost is $35. For details on the class call 559-6580 http://www.albany.k12.ca.us/adult/birding.html 

Amy Goodman and David Goodman: Ordinary Heroes in Extraordinary Times and 6:30 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Oakland 2501 Harrison St., Oakland. Tickets are $12. 444-8511. www.brownpapertickets.com/event/31304  

Bayview Library Grand Re-opening Party from 4 to 7 p.m. at Bayview Library, 5100 Hartnett Ave., near Carlson and Bayview, Richmond. 620-6566, www.richmondlibrary.org. 

“Texts We Wish Were Not In the Bible” with Mary A. Tolbert, Professor of Biblical Studies, at 11:10 a.m. at Pacific School of Religion Chapel, 1798 Scenic Ave. 

Climbing Mt. Shasta Tips for the novice and expert at 7 p.m. at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. 527-4140. 

Teen Playreaders meets to read and discuss plays at 4:30 p.m. at Claremont Branch Library, 2940 Benvenue. 981-6121. 

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. 215-7672, 524-9992. 

End the Occupation Vigil every Tues. at noon at Oakland Federal Bldg., 1301 Clay St. www.epicalc.org 

Street Level Cycles Community Bike Program Come use our tools as well as receive help with performing repairs free of charge. Youth classes available. Tues., Thurs., and Sat. from 2 to 6 p.m. at at 84 Bolivar Dr., Aquatic Park. 644-2577. www.watersideworkshops.org 

Fresh Produce Stand at San Pablo Park from 3 to 6 p.m. in the Frances Albrier Community Center. Sponsored by the Ecology Center’s Farm Fresh Choice. 848-1704. www.ecologycenter.org 

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 

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. 

Sing-A-Long Group from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Albany Senior Center, 846 Masoni Ave., Albany. 524-9122. 

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16 

City of Oakland 14th EarthEXPO with products and tips to reduce energy use, be a greener consumer, information on bay-friendly gardening, and more, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Frank Ogawa Plaza, 14th and Broadway. www.oaklandearthexpo.org 

Tilden Explorers An after-school nature adventure program for 5-7 year olds. We will learn about plants from 3:15 to 4:15 p.m.. Cost is $6-$8, registration required. 1-888-EBPARKS. 

“Bush’s Brain” A documentary about Karl Rove, at 7:30 p.m. at Humanist Hall, 390 27th St., Oakland. Donation $5. www.Humanist Hall.org 

“Rising Powers, Shrinking Planet: The New Geopolitics of Energy” with author Michael Klare, introductory remarks by Daniel Ellsberg, at 7:30 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Berkeley, 2345 Channing Way at Durant. Donation $10-$20, no one turned away for lack of funds. ProgressivePersp@aol.com 

Green Chamber of Commerce “Green Industry Trends” at 5:30 p..m. at StopWaste.org, 1537 Webster St., Oakland. Cost is $20-$30, includes program and tour of LEED Platinum building. greenchamberof commerce.net 

Simplicity Forum “Decluttering—physical, mental and metaphysical” at 6:30 p.m. at Claremont Library, 2940 Benvenue Ave. 

Anime in the Afternoon at Bayview Library Watch a classic Japanese animation film featuring a mysterious forest spirit who befriends two young girls at 3 p.m. at Bayview Library, 5100 Hartnett Ave., near Carlson and Bayview, Richmond. Appropriate for all ages. 620-6566.  

www.richmondlibrary.org. 

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 and a warm hat. Heavy rain cancels. 548-9840. 

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 

Teen Chess Club from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the North Branch Library, 1170 The Alameda at Hopkins. 981-6133. 

Theraputic Recreation at the Berkeley Warm Pool, Wed. at 3:30 p.m. and Sat. at 10 a.m. at the Berkeley Warm Pool, 2245 Milvia St. Cost is $4-$5. Bring a towel. 632-9369. 

Morning Meditation Every Mon., Wed., and Fri. at 7:45 a.m. at Rudramandir, 830 Bancroft Way at 6th. 486-8700. 

After-School Program Homework help, drama and music for children ages 8 to 18, every Wed. from 4 to 7:15 p.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave. Cost is $5 per week. 845-6830. 

Stitch ‘n Bitch at 6:30 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave., at Dwight. 548-5198.  

THURSDAY, APRIL 17 

Berkeley High School Red & Golden Girls Reunion Luncheon at 11 a.m. at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave. Tickets are $35, reservations required. 582-2478. 

Chiapas Support Committee Report and slide show on the International Zapatista Women’s Meeting at 7:30 p.m. at Strawberry Creek Lodge, 1320 Addison St. Park on the street, not in Lodge parking lot. 654-9587. 

LeConte Neighborhood Association meets at 7:30 p.m. at the LeConte School, Russell St. entrance. If you have agenda items please forward them to karlreeh@aol.com 

Stories about Travels to Australia with Stuart Pawsey at 6 p.m. at Berkeley Public Library North Branch, 1170 The Alameda. 981-6250. 

Brain Games at Bayview Library Exercise your brain and have fun with your neighbors at this free, casual event at 1 p.m. at 5100 Hartnett Ave., near Carlson and Bayview, Richmond. 620-6566.  

www.richmondlibrary.org. 

Fitness Class for 55+ at 9:15 a.m. at Jewish Community Center, 1414 Walnut St. 848-0237. 

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

ONGOING 

E-Waste Recycling St. Vincent de Paul of Alameda County accepts electronic waste including computers, dvd players, cell phones, fax machines and many other ewaste products for disposal free of charge at many of its locations throughout Alameda County. Free bulk pick-up available. 638-7600.  

CITY MEETINGS 

Council Agenda Committee meets Mon., April 14, at 2:30 p.m., at 2180 Milvia St. 981-6900. 

www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/citycouncil/agenda-committee 

Youth Commission meets Mon., April 14 , at 6:30 p.m., at City Council Chambers, Old City Hall. 981-6670.  

Citizens Humane Commission meets Wed., April 16, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-6601. 

Commission on Aging meets Wed., April 16, at 1:30 p.m., at the South Berkeley Senior Center. 981-5344. 

Fair Campaign Practices Commission meets Thurs., April 17, at 7:30 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-6950.  

Transportation Commission meets Thurs., April 17, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 

“Don’t let school interrupt your education,” said Mark Twain. He spent most of his youth on steamboats going up and down the Mississippi River, earning a living. He lost his father when he was young and could not complete his school education. Later he went on to write many books, such as The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. 

At the other end of the world, in India, the Nobel laureate poet Rabindranath Tagore expressed similar sentiments when he established the institution “Shantiniketan” (meaning “an abode of peace”) . He too did not complete his formal school education.  

He has stated, “My object in starting the institution was to give the children full freedom of joy, of life and of communion with nature. I myself had suffered when young through the impediments that were inflicted on most boys while they attended school, and I have had to go through the machine of education, which crushes the joy or freedom of life for which the children have insatiable thirst. And my object was to give freedom and joy to children (of men).” 

Freedom of expression, living without fear, joy of learning and reaching out to marginalized families have been the four principles on which the Center for Human Settlements (CHS)-Habitat developed its philosophy towards life and learning. The executive director of CHS-Habitat, Professor K. P. Bhattacharjee (the author of this article), was exposed to India’s Freedom Movement, having witnessed the freedom struggle and non-violence movement initiated by Mahatma Gandhi and Nobel laureate Indian poet Rabindranath Ta-gore’s cry for freedom and democracy scripted in his poems.  

During his years on the UC Berkeley campus he observed the famous Free Speech Movement and the brutal force unleashed on students by the state to curb freedom of expression.  

The founders of CHS-Habitat longed for the type of democracy about which the Indian Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore wrote in his book Gitanjali: “where the mind is without fear and the head is held high ...” Similar ideas on freedom have been written and propagated by many authors including the famous Irish author Iris Murdoch.  

The directors of CHS-Habitat initiated action research on socio-economic issues and development to provide economic freedom to the economically weaker section of the population.  

In order to extend the output of its action research to the field, CHS assisted marginalized families to enhance their income, assisted families to build affordable houses, provided free books to school-going children of marginalized families and provided health care facilities. Households were guided to improve their living environment. Such inputs from CHS has helped the marginalized families in improving their lives and freed them from the shackles of economic burden.  

In order to exchange ideas with other institutions and individuals on improving the quality of life of the marginalized families, CHS-Habitat organized international conferences bi-yearly during last 20 years. Many participants from abroad and local areas contributed toward implementing income-generation projects and social housing for the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) of the society.  

Among them was Dr. Jon D. Raggett, a senior structural design engineer based in California. He is also the director of the Development Engineering Research Institute (an organization supporting development of school projects in different developing countries around the world.)  

During Dr. Raggett’s participation at the International Conference on Human Settlements in Calcutta in 1997-98, he exchanged his ideas on the need for development of schools in villages in India with Professor Bhattacharjee and assured him that some joint venture project would be taken up in the future.  

In the meantime, CHS-Habitat prepared the ground for implementing its ideas developed from his action research toward total development of children in villages by making available to them shelter, education, employment opportunities and basic amenities (SEBA Mission). The word SEBA in Sanskrit means “service.” CHS would ensure that democracy, freedom of speech, joy of learning and rule of law would be the four cornerstones of his institution. His concept of development has been appreciated by many experts including Dr. Ramachandran, former Executive Director of UNCHS, Nairobi, and an advisor to CHS-Habitat.  

Many NGOs located in Indian villages came forward to implement the SEBA project. In order to get the local NGOs’ participation and involvement in the project, CHS-Habitat insisted that the local NGO is required to participate in the development of the project. In case they cannot devote time for the development and maintenance of the project, then they are required to provide land or donations. 

Action research  

The implementation of the present SEBA project (to develop an institution) has been initiated in a village named Chamtagarah within the district of Bankura (which is connected to Calcutta by motor-able road and rail track) in the state of West Bengal, India. A local welfare society named Vivekanada Adibasi Kaliyan Samity, serving the Adibasi (indigenous people) children of the villages, having realized the need for education for the children, invited CHS-Habitat to implement the SEBA project and offered its land on which the project would be developed. 

Prior to preparation of the project report and the physical layout design of the building complex and infrastructure, a number of visits to the site were made by the CHS team to inspect the land, to learn about the local conditions and the need for a primary and secondary school in the area. 

Bankura is one of the most backward districts in West Bengal, India. It is about 250 kilometers from Calcutta. The village of Chamtagarah is within the Block Chhatna (under Saldiha Gram Panchayat, the local administration). Hot and dry climate prevails for nine months of the year and the temperature is around 35 to 42 degrees C. There is little rain from July to September, and soil is unfertile and red. There is very little agricultural activity, and vast land lies barren. There are a few stone chip crushing mills and small business units. Small industries are now coming up in the area. 

Consequently, residents have little income and most of them come under the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) and are Below the Poverty Line (BPL) as defined by the government of India, except a few traders and businessmen. About 40 percent of the population of the village belong to Schedule Tribe and Castes (indigenous people) of the locality.  

According to the information collected by the CHS field team, those children who are not admitted to schools from the 12 villages in Saldiha Gram Panchayat under Chhatna Block within the district Bankura are likely to attend the new school. The local population of the block is about 10,000, and out of this about 40 percent (say 4,000) belong to the Schedule Tribe (indigenous people) and 25 percent of the remaining population belong to other backward classes.  

Among the 2,000 school-going children between 9 to 18 years of age within the 12 villages of Saldiha Gram Panchayat, about 1,000 children are enrolled in the only secondary school in the locality (Kesra High School) in this Gram Panchayat. Thus more than 50 percent of the children of this Gram Panchayat remain uncovered by any secondary education.  

Proposal for a green school and vocational training center 

During the field survey in the village on the type of school that should be developed, parents of children requested to introduce classes in nursery and primary sections first.  

They also requested to introduce kindergarten or Montessori system and to teach English conversation to students. Though such demand from the parents were not expected, considering that it is a village school, it appeared that a section of the villagers are well educated with degrees and even graduate qualifications. They know well that for higher education and employment, English is essential. 

Accordingly, a proposal has been made by CHS-Habitat for development and construction of a sustainable institution consisting of nursery and primary sections at the first stage.  

However, CHS committee decided to develop a long range master plan for this project to include Secondary section, hostel accommodation for the children who come from different villages and districts, as well as vocational training center for children who would not pursue higher education so they may be gainfully employed. It was also decided that a GREEN and SUSTAINABLE complex should be developed so that no greenhouse gas is contributed by this project, so the project has been planned to include electricity lights from solar panels ( installed on the roof of the building) and rainwater harvesting Accordingly, a master plan has been prepared and a view of the scheme can be seen in the website www.chshabitatcal.org.  

Fortunately, these facilities for the complex met the approval of the well-known Indian author and social worker, Maheswata Debi, who is also involved in social service work for the Indigenous people in the district of Bolpur which is located adjacent to the district of Bankura in West Bengal. 

The scheme for the school complex also met the approval of our American friend Dr. Jon D. Ragett, whose charitable organization Development Engineering Research Institute (DERI) had encouraged CHS to proceed with the project. 

He discussed the project with the board of directors of DERI who unanimously approved the project and agreed to provide grant for the class rooms and essential infrastructure for the school. 

Project implementation and its operation  

CHS has designed the building complex to meet the need of the local hot and dry climate All external brick walls were made of thick cavity walls so as to reduce transmission of external heat within the interior so classrooms are cool. Even during summer months mechanical fans are not required. In addition adequate cross windows and ventilators were provided for cross circulation of air and to keep the interior cool. Use of exposed bricks has enabled the building to merge with the local vernacular architectural style. The main roof is flat and made of concrete so that rainwater can be collected and then drained out by down pipes to discharge into the existing well at the edge of the compound. Water is scarce in the locality, so rainwater harvesting is essential. However for drinking water a submersible pump is to be installed at a local water tank far away. 

Carbon emission in this project has been reduced to nil, since solar panels have been used for lighting the class rooms. Though the initial investment for solar panels has been high, recurring expense for maintenance is very little. This is a green and sustainable project in view of taking care of the utilities and services which are served by renewable energy and harvesting of rain water to make water available for the institution. 

The first stage project has been successfully completed and on seeing the complex on our website, Dr. Raggett and his colleagues highly appreciated the project and remarked it is a “great project” and added he will take steps to strengthen this Indo-American partnership. 

The governor of the state of West Bengal has been invited by the directors of CHS to visit the school and he agreed to do the same. He has highly appreciated the school building project since it is green and sustainable.  

Social impact of ‘SEBA Mission’ project: 

The new school complex set in a green environment merged with the local surrounding and was immediately accepted by the people of the villages; word spread and people from distant places came just to see the school complex made in local vernacular architectural style using local bricks and construction techniques. Many families visit the school every afternoon and rest in its garden. Garden seats were built within the compound for visitors. Children play within the garden adding life to the entire area. 

Children were admitted and nursery classes started in August 2007. The school’s education and environment have been appreciated by parents and visitors. CHS’s current plan is to add seven more classrooms to accommodate its primary and secondary schools.  

There is an urgent need to build residential accommodation for teachers and dormitories for students, install pumps for drinking water and build other infrastructure. CHS desires donors and philanthropic organizations to come forward and complete this project where education is the light which would guide the villagers to a better living environment free from hunger and disease. 

For information write to chskpbcal@gmail.com  

For more details: www.chshabitatcal.org  

Krishna P. Bhattacharjee, professor, architect and planner, is the executive director of the Center for Human Settlements Int’l (CHS-Habitat). He is a graduate of UC Berkeley 

TUESDAY, APRIL 8 

FILM  

“Intimate Communications: Films by Audrius Stonys” with the artist in person at 7:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $5.50-$9.50. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Susan Griffin on “Wrestling with the Angel of Democracy: On Being and American Citizen” at 7:30 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Berkeley, 2345 Channing Way. 559-9500. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Slide Hampton, interactive presentation at 7 p.m. at Oakland Public Conservatory of Music, 1616 Franklin St., Oakland. Tickets are $10-$20, free for youth under 13. www. BrownPaperTickets.com/event/3087 

Bandworks at 7:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $5. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Singers’ Open Mic with Kelly Park at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $5. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Natalia Zukerman, Heather Combs at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $17.50-$18.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

George Cotsirilos Trio at 7 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave., at Dwight. 548-5198.  

Eric Alexander Quartet, featuring Harold Mabern, 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 Jazzschool at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 843-8277. 

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Paul Robeson, A Hero for All Time” A exhibit celebrating the 100th anniversary of Paul Robeson’s birth. Opening reception at 5 p.m. at Oakland City Hall Rotunda, corner of 14th and Broadway. www.bayarearobeson.org 

FILM  

“Belle de Jour” with lecture by Marilyn Fabe at 3 p.m. Film and Video Makers at Cal at 7:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $5.50-$9.50. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

“Portraits: Faces and Emotions” with Dr. Paul Ekman at 7:30 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $10 and up. Benefit for Ethsix Magazine. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Micheline Aharonian Marcom introduces “Draining the Sea” at 7:30 p.m. at Cody's Books, 2201 Shattuck Ave. 559-9500. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Wednesday Noon Concert, with Rachel Li, piano, Kai Chou, cello, Jessica Ling, violin, at Hertz Hall, UC Campus. Free. 642-4864. http://music.berkeley.edu 

Carla Kaufman Ensemble with Noel Jewkes and Benny Watson at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $8. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Mazacote at 9:30 p.m. at Shattuck Down Low, 2284 Shattuck Ave. Salsa dance lessons at 8:30 p.m. Cost is $5-$10. 548-1159.  

Stephane Wrembel at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 843-8277. 

Martin Hayes & Dennis Cahill at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $25.50-$26.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Keola Beamer & Chris Yeaton at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $14-$20. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

THURSDAY, APRIL 10 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Call & Response” Works from Richmond High School and the National Institute of Art & Disabilities. Opening reception at 5 p.m. at NIAD, 551 23rd St., Richmond. 620-0290. www.niadart.org 

Enrique Chagoya: Borderlandia Guided tour at 12:15 p.m. at Berkeley Art Museum. Cost is $5.50-$9.50. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

“Eccentrics, Heroes, and Cutthroats of Old Berkeley” slide talk by author Richard Schwartz featuring highlights of Berkeley’s history from 1850 to 1925 at 7 p.m. at El Cerrito Library, 6510 Stockton Ave., El Cerrito. 526-7512. 

“The Radical Jack London” with author Jonah Raskin at 1 p.m. at Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak Sts. 238-2200. www.museumca.org 

“Forms in the Abyss: A Philosophical Bridge Between Sartre and Derrida” with author Steve Martinot, in conversation with Sandra Luft at 5:30 p.m. at University Press Books, 2430 Bancroft Way. 548-0585. www.universitypressbooks.com 

Adam Mansbach on “The End of the Jews” at 7:30 p.m. at the JCC of the East Bay, 1414 Walnut St. 848-0237. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Don Carlos, Jah Levi, reggae, at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $18-$20. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Martin Hayes & Dennis Cahill at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $25.50-$26.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Jazzalicious! at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $10. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

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

Holly Near & emma’s revolution at 8 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $20-$25. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Akosua Mireku, Ghanaian-American folk-singer, at 9:30 p.m. at Beckett’s Irish Pub, 2271 Shattuck Ave. 647-1790. www.beckettsirishpub.com 

Omar Sosa Afreecanos Quartet at 8 and 10 p.m., through Sun. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $10-$22. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

Moped at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 843-8277. 

FRIDAY, APRIL 11 

CHILDREN  

Storytelling from Japan Traditional Japanese folktales, songs and games at 7 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. Workshop follows to learn how to make toys from recyceld materials. 525-2233. 

THEATER  

Altarena Playhouse “Chicago” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m. at Altarena Playhouse, 1409 High St., Alameda, through April 12. $17-$20. 523-1553. altarena.org 

Aurora Theatre “The Trojan Women” Wed.-Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 and 7 p.m. at 2081 Addison St., through May 11. Tickets are $40-$42. 843-4822. www.auroratheatre.org 

California Conservatory Theatre “The Turn of the Screw” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sat. and Sun. at 2 p.m. at 999 East 14th St., San Leandro City Hall Complex, near BART, through April 27. Tickets are $20-$22. 632-8850. 

Contra Costa Civic Theater “Foxfire” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m. at 951 Pomona Ave. at Moeser, El Cerrito, through May 11. Tickets are $11-$18. 524-9132. www.ccct.org 

Masquers Playhouse “Tartuffe” Fri.-Sat. at 8 p.m., some Sun. matinees at 2:30 p.m. at 105 Park Place, Pt. Richmond, through April 26. Tickets are $18. 232-4031. www.masquers.org 

Shotgun Players “Mrs. Warren’s Profession” by George Bernard Shaw. Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 5 p.m., through April 27, at The Ashby Stage, 1901 Ashby Ave. Tickets are $17-$25. 841-6500. www.shotgunplayers.org 

Teen One Acts Festival with the winners of the Teen writing competition Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m. at Berkeley Rep School of Theater, 2017 Addison St. Tickets at the door ate $6-$12. 647-2917. 

TheatreFirst “Future Me” Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 3 p.m. at Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave. Tickets are $23-$28. 436-5085. www.theatrefirst.com 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Fiber 2008” Works by Ingrid Cole, Tom Chen, Donna Duguay, Karin Lusnak, and Alexandra von Burg. Reception at 6 p.m. at ACCI Gallery, 1652 Shattuck Ave. 843-2527. 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Coffee House Press Night Readings by Joseph Lease and Martha Ronk at 7:30 p.m. at Moe’s Books, 2476 Telegraph Ave. 849-2087. 

Paul Belz and Norm Milstein will read their poetry at 7 pm on Friday, April 11th at Nefeli Caffe, 1854 Euclid Avenue, a little north of Hearst, in Berkeley, as part of the Last Word Reading Series. There is also an open reading.  

MUSIC AND DANCE 

California’s Música Mexicana with Dr. Loco’s Rockin’ Jalapeño Band and La Familia Peña-Govea at 8:30 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $10-$12. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Jovino Santos Neto and Harvey Wainapel Brazilian music from yesterday, today and tomorrow at 7:30 p.m. at Chapel of the Chimes, 4499 Piedmont Ave., Oakland. Tickets are $10-$15, children under 12 free. 228-3218. 

Ben Stolorow & His Quartet at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $12. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Stompy Jones, East Coast Swing, at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Dance lesson at 8 p.m. Cost is $13. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Ron Thompson, blues, at 8 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave., at Dwight. 548-5198.  

Ramana Viera Ensemble at 8 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $18. 845-5373. www.jazzschool.com 

Karla Bonoff with Kenny Edwards at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $26.50-$27.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Charles Wheal & the Excellorators, blues, at 9 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810.  

Resistant Culture, Black Fire, Disobediencia Civil at 8 p.m. at 924 Gilman St., an all-ages, member-run, no alcohol, no drugs, no violence club. Cost is $5. 525-9926. 

Kevin Beadles Band at 9:30 p.m. at Beckett’s Irish Pub, 2271 Shattuck Ave. 647-1790. www.beckettsirishpub.com 

Bird Head at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 843-8277. 

SATURDAY, APRIL 12 

CHILDREN  

Celebration of Children’s Literature with Marissa Moss, Gennifer Choldenko, Thacher Hurd, Elisa Kleven, Joel ben Izzy, Gary Lapow, LeUyen Pham, and Sarah Klise at 11:30 a.m. at Tolman Hall, UC Campus. http://gse.berkeley. edu/admin/childlit.html  

East Bay Children’s Theater “The Emperor’s New Clothes” at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. at the Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak St. Cost is $10. 655-7285.  

Los Amiguitos de La Peña with Jerry Kennedy, blues and soul music, at 10:30 a.m. at La Peña. Cost is $5 for adults, $4 for children. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Active Arts Theatre, “The Emperor’s New Clothes” Sat. and Sun. at 2 p.m. at Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Ave. Tickets are $14-$18. www.activeartstheatre.org 

J. Otto Seibold on illustrating “Seamore, The Very Forgetful Porpoise” at 4 p.m. at Cody’s Books, 2201 Shattuck Ave. 559-9500. 

THEATER  

San Leandro Players “Redwood Curtain” Sat. at 8 p.m. and Sun. at 2 p.m. at San Leandro Museum Auditorium, Casa Peralta, 320 W. Estudillo Ave., through May 4. Tickets are $10-$15. 895-2573. www.sanleandroplayers.org  

EXHIBITIONS 

“Dancing for Joy” Group art show celebrating dance and movement. Opening reception at 6 p.m. at Expressions Gallery, 2035 Ashby Ave. Gallery open Wed.-Sat., noon to 5 p.m., Sun. noon - 3 p.m. www.expressionsgallery.org 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Moazzam Sheikh reads from his new book “The Idol Lover” at 4 p.m. at Eastwind Books of Berkeley, 2066 University Ave. 548-2350, www.asiabookcenter.com 

Small Press Distribution Open House from noon to 4 p.m., readings by Joanne Kyger, Marjories Welish, Taylor Brady and Rob Halpern at 2 p.m., at 1341 7th St. at Gilman. 524-1668. 

Book Party for “Love, Grandma” letters written mostly by women activists to their grandchildren, telling how they became activists, at 2 p.m. at Redwood Gardens, 295l Derby St. 549-2210. www.gawba.org 

West Coast Live with Germaine Greer, author of “Shakespeare’s Wife,” Sue Miller, author of “The Senator’s Wife,” and Mark Wilson, author of “Julia Morgan, Architect of Beauty” at 10 a.m. at Freight & Salvage Coffee House, 1111 Addison St. Tickets are $13-$18. 415-664-9500. www.ticketweb.com 

Robert Kourik explains “Roots Demystified: Change Your Gardening Habits to Help Roots Thrive” at 4 p.m. at Mrs. Dalloways, 2904 College Ave. 704-8222. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Oakland Youth Chorus “Music of Our World Concert” at 3 p.m. at First Unitarian Church of Oakland, 685 14th St., Oakland. Suggested donation $5 per family. 893-6129. www.uuoakland.org 

Animal Crackers! Music by Gershwin, Whitacre, PDQ Bach at &:30 p.m. at Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley, 1 Lawson Rd., Kensington. Tickets are $15-$20, no one turned away for lack of funds. 525-0302. 

Oakland Ballet “The Secret Garden” at 2 and 8 p.m. at Oakland Paramount Theater 2025 Broadway, Oakland. Tickets are $15-$50. 465-6400. www.paramounttheatre.com.  

Kensington Symphony with Geoffrey Gallegos, conductor, Kelsey Walsh, piano, at 8 p.m. at Northminster Presbyterian Church, 545 Ashbury Ave., El Cerrito. Suggested donation $12-$15, children free. 528-2829. 

San Francisco Bay Area Chamber Choir “Utterly English” Choral music of Britten, Rutter Howells at 7 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Alameda, 2001 Santa Clara at Chestnut. Suggested donation $10-$15. 522-1477. 

Akademie fur Alte Musik Berlin at 8 p.m. at First Congregational Church, Dana and Durant. Tickets are $48. 642-9988. 

Kat Parra, jazz vocalist, at 1 p.m. at Downhome Music, 1809b Fourth St. 204-9595. 

Nosotras at 8:30 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $13-$15. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Macy Blackman & The Mighty Fines at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $14. 841-JAZZ. AnnasJazzIsland.com 

“Rock the Planet” A Benefit for Greenaction with Nu Snowmen, Lebo, The Jolly Gibsons and David Gans at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz, 1317 San Pablo. Tickets are $20-$40. www.ashkenaz.com  

Geoff Muldaur at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Vocal Masters Series: Nancy King and Steve Christofferson at 8 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $20. 845-5373. www.jazzschool.com 

Dave Rocha Jazz at 9 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810.  

Roger Rocha & The Goldenhearts at 9:30 p.m. at Beckett’s Irish Pub, 2271 Shattuck Ave. 647-1790. www.beckettsirishpub.com 

Blue Bone Express, New Orleans jazz, at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 843-8277. 

Street Eaters, and showing of film “156 Rivington” 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. 

Omar Sosa Afreecanos Quartet at 8 and 10 p.m., through Sun. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $10-$22. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

SUNDAY, APRIL 13 

EXHIBITIONS 

Darfur Humanitarian Aid “Tents of Hope” outdoor painting project for Darfur Humanitarian Aid from 1 to 5 p.m. at Congregation Beth El, 1301 Oxford St. 813-3777. 

“The Nature of LA” Paintings by Samantha Fields, Portia Hein, Stas Orlovski and Andre Yi at Traywick Contemporary, 895 Colusa Ave. through June 28. By appointment. 527-1224. 

FILM  

The Magnificent Orson Welles “It’s All True” at 2 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $5.50-$9.50. 642-0808.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Victor Martinez and Enrique Chagoya in discussion at 2 p.m. at Berkeley Art Museum Galleries Cost is $5.50-$9.50. 642-0808.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

Rusty Morrison, Barbara Claire Freeman and Elizabeth Robinson read their poetry at 7:30 p.m. at Pegasus Books Downtown, 2349 Shattuck Ave. 649-1320. 

Jazz/Poetry with poet Michael McClure and saxophonist George Brooks at 2 p.m. on the 5th flr of Berkeley Public Library, 2090 Kittredge St. 981-6100. 

Kota Ezawa: The History of Photography Remix Artist lecture at 3:30 p.m. at the Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak St. Cost is $5-$8. 655-7285.  

“Freedom Illuminated: The History of The Szyk Haggadah” with Rabbi Irvin Ungar at 2 p.m. at the Judah L. Magnes Museum, 2911 Russell St. Cost is $6-$8. RSVP to 549-6950. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Community Women’s Orchestra, Dr. Kathleen McGuire, conductor, at 4 p.m. at Lake Merritt United Methodist Church, 1330 Lakeshore Ave., Oakland. Suggested donation $10, children free. 463-0313. www.communitywomensorchestra.org 

Art Lande & Paul McCandless Duo at 7 p.m. at The Berkeley Hillside Club, 2286 Cedar St. Tickets are $10-$15. 845-135. 

The Itchy Mountain Men “Kickgrass” at 4 p.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave. Tickets are $10-$20. 684-7563. 

San Francisco Chamber Orchestra celebrates the 175th birthday of Johannes Brahms at 3 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 2345 Channing WAy. Free. 415-248-1640. www.sfchamberorchestra.org  

The Grassroots Composers and Performance Workshop A two-hour jazz ecture/performance event at 3 p.m. at Chapel of the Chimes, 4499 Piedmont Ave., Oakland. Tickets are $10-$15, children under 12 free. 228-3218. 

Kate Royal, soprano, Roger Vignoles, piano, at 3 p.m. at Hertz Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $42. 642-9988. www.calperformances.net 

Anton Schwartz Quartet with Tim Bulkley at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $10. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

The Angry Pholosophers at 9:30 p.m. at Beckett’s Irish Pub, 2271 Shattuck Ave. 1790. www.beckettsirishpub.com 

Dave Ellis “A Tribute to Joe Henderson” at 4:30 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $18. 845-5373. www.jazzschool.com 

Reilly & Maloney: Tribute to Tom Dundee at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org

Empathy—it’s a muscle. If you don’t use it, it wastes away.” What “society’s monsters”—that is, child molesters—experience, in Stephen Brown’s play Future Me at the Berkeley City Club, seems to have little to do with empathy—with their victims, from society, with themselves.  

But this uncanny exploration of this difficult subject manages to open up a hidden world, unknown territory even to its troubled inhabitants, avoiding melodrama as well as the temptation to resolve a complex human tragedy with assertions or answers in scenes that follow the tortuous path of a seemingly normal, even successful offender, from the moment an e-mail from his computer is sent out to everyone in his address book with a child porn photo attached. 

“It hasn’t crashed—more of a malfunction.”  

Right from the start, ironic lines highlight questions that are never answered, true dramatic, living ambiguity. Is Peter (Dana Jepsen)—a mature, charming London attorney with everything going for him—outed by a bizarre technical accident or by an unacknowledged wish to get caught? The text of the play makes no comment on this incident or the others that follow, offers no speculation nor whisper of inference, just the events as they unfold in time—a time of duration which ripens certain memories and reflections, while others become more elusive. 

The scenes cluster around relationships—Peter with his journalist girlfriend Jenny (Maggie Mason), with his techie brother Mike (Ryan Purcell) and their always-offstage father, with other offenders both sympathetic (Dana Kelly as Harry) and rowdy or mocking (Ryan Purcell as Patrick, Peter Ruocco as Tim), as well as with a rehab specialist (TheatreFIRST founding member Alison Studdiford as Ellen).  

In a challenging role, Dana Jepsen plays both protagonist and straightman, seemingly amazed by his own story, only gradually able to begin to see the part he played in making it. This corresponds to an unusual feature in Brown’s dramaturgy: the ongoing sense of hiddenness and revelation, of something shown both obliquely, yet very directly. 

The whole cast, with Dylan Russell’s careful direction, explores this minefield of concealed and overt emotions in nuanced performances, each with an individual point of view, the perspectives contradicting, overlapping, or snarling up—as when Harry, a lifelong offender, chides Peter for missing his cry for help (which the audience may very well admit to having missed as well), or Jenny, in a tension-filled confrontation with Ellen, tells of the terrible fantasy in lovemaking of being a child victim. 

But there’s much humor, and the irony’s never cold, often communicated through puns in language and situation. Meeting again, once they’re “out,” Peter and Harry talk about life, staying clean and temptation—at the dog races: “We went to the dogs.” Harry’s genial, even eager awkwardness is expressed through some bad pub guitar. The moods shift subtly as the questions turn, displaying different facets and reflections. 

“Sometimes I can sit quite outside myself,” Peter says, maybe echoing the thoughts of a spectator of this exploration of engagement and detachment, in which achieving or even just thinking about your desires may get you “more than you wanted—exactly what you wanted.”  

FUTURE ME 

Presented by TheatreFirst at 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and at 3 p.m. Sunday at Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave. $23-$28. 

436-5085, www.theatrefirst.com.

Future Me is about how society deals with its monsters,” said British playwright Stephen Brown, “what we do with people who’ve done terrible things.” 

Brown, visiting to catch TheatreFirst’s U.S. premiere of his play at the Berkeley City Club, summarized its point of departure: a bright, young, successful London barrister is about to move in with his girlfriend, with everything going well, when his computer sends out an e-mail to everybody in his address book with child pornography attached.  

The play follows him over the next five years, into and back out of prison, showing the people he meets (two other sex offenders, a probation officer who works in a treatment program) and the impact his troubles have on his girlfriend and his brother. 

“It deals with desire and anger, with what happens when our reasonable mind hits the iceberg of our buried visceral reactions, when we don’t know what to think,” said Brown. “Ungoverned desire provokes ungoverned anger. It’s slow burning. How to stay calm, think clearly—to punish, rehabilitate? When does punishment end? And what does it mean to say you’re sorry?” 

Brown emphasized Future Me is in no way a tract or merely an educational problem play: “It has a lot of black humor in it. How do humans cope with strong emotions on a day-to-day basis? Maybe by laughing a lot, not beating their chests. It also has a lot of story.” 

Brown, who’s written plays professionally “for four or five years,” started out as “a freelance journalist working in publishing,” publishing and writing for the British political magazine Prospects for the better part of a decade, then writing theater reviews for Prospects, the Times Literary Supplement and others. 

Clive Chafer, TheatreFirst’s cofounder and director of Future Me, had read reviews of the play last summer. “I’d been looking for a play on this subject,” he said. “Then in September I picked up a copy of the script in the bookstore of the National Theatre before a show, read half of it standing in the shop, then at intermission—even though the play was good—went to a pub and read the second half. By the end, I was wrung out. It’s the final taboo, which has reduced intelligent and rational people to monosyllables. We’ll have six post-show discussions with professionals who are in the rehabilitation field. We certainly want to make people think—but it’s important to remember it’s a play, not an essay.”  

Brown stressed how “very exciting it is for me to see a cast of American actors, with a different style, reveal different aspects of what I’ve written. I’ve started seeing lines, scenes opened up a bit. More open emotion.” 

TheatreFirst, an Oakland-based troupe for more than 13 years, has been searching for a new home after their site at the Old Oakland Theatre on 9th Street near Broadway became unavailable last spring after a successful season, for which the company won awards from the Bay Area Theater Critics Circle. 

“It’s astonishing that a city of over 400,000 doesn’t have a professional, full-season-producing theater company,” Chafer said. 

TheatreFirst is negotiating for a space for a 99-seat theater not far from the Paramount Theater, where they will pay commerical rates, in the range of $50,000 for the year. The group receives some city funding and has also secured some private funds to help compete for commercial rents. 

“The area around the Paramount and Fox theaters is being talked about as an arts district and is coming up rapidly,” said Chafer. “We’ve planned our next season, planning to go from three to four plays.”

You may ask, Why another Rolling Stones concert film? Aren’t they a tad past their prime? And haven’t these guys had enough camera time over the past 45 years?  

The answer is simple: Not only is it unprecedented for a rock ’n’ roll band to stay together this long, to keep recording and performing well into their 60s, but the Stones are undoubtedly a better live band today than they’ve ever been.  

Martin Scorsese’s new concert film, Shine a Light, showing at Shattuck Cinemas and in an IMAX version at San Francisco’s Metreon, captures the latter-day Stones in its current incarnation as the hardest-working band in show business.  

The dynamics of the band’s performances have changed over the years, and at nearly every significant stage of their development they’ve had a great director drop in to document the proceedings. In the early 1960s they were a British white-boy blues band, with much of their repertoire drawn from the songbooks of their Chicago blues idols: Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Willie Dixon, Buddy Guy. By the late ’60s, the band was something quite different, having carved out its own identity with a unique sound that blended their influences into an idiosyncratic new brand of rock. The band’s image had grown darker, and their live shows began to take on a somewhat menacing air—the Stones seemed genuinely dangerous. The era reached its conclusion with the infamous free concert at Altamont in which a man was murdered by Hell’s Angels right in front of the stage, a harrowing moment caught on film in the first of the great films about the Stones, Gimme Shelter.  

By the early ’70s the aura of danger had faded a bit, and the Stones took on an air of camp rock ’n’ roll decadence, dabbling in reggae and disco, glitter and makeup, and staging ever more outrageous live performances. Once again, they were put on the big screen in Ladies and Gentlemen, The Rolling Stones. In the 1980s, the Stones set out on rock’s first stadium tour, proving that even while pushing 40, they were still the biggest band in the world, and legendary director Hal Ashby caught it all on film in Let’s Spend the Night Together. Since that time, as the band morphed into a smoothly run global enterprise, they’ve been competently filmed by a variety of lesser-known directors for the band’s various DVD releases. 

But here they get another great director, one able to go beyond the mechanics and craft of a concert film to strive for something more, to attempt to capture the essence of a live performance and transform it into something distinctly cinematic.  

Critics have complained that Shine a Light isn’t a documentary, that it neither seeks nor provides much insight into the inner workings of the band and the secret to its longevity. These critics are missing the point. There is no shortage of documentaries about the band’s storied career. Perhaps it is true that the definitive Stones documentary has yet to be made, and perhaps Scorsese, coming off well-received films about Bob Dylan and blues, is just the man to do it. But this is not that film. Here Scorsese is simply interested in the performance itself. The Stones have never been particularly introspective, never sentimental, never prone to dwelling on the past. Thus it is entirely fitting that Shine a Light should simply focus on the moment. 

A good concert film first requires a good concert, but more than that it requires an understanding of what makes that concert good. Most of the ingredients are here: a great band at the peak of its form; a great venue, New York’s Beacon Theater, intimate and packed to the rafters; and a great director to capture it all. What is missing from Shine a Light is a true Stones crowd. The occasion was a benefit concert for Global Warming Awareness, with Bill and Hillary Clinton and their vast entourage taking up the center of one balcony. But the real problem is the floor crowd, which Scorsese decided to fill with a bevy of photogenic 20-something women—hardly the Stones’ prime demographic these days. As a result, much of the first few rows are filled with young fillies more focused on being photographed than on the band and the music. Their conspicuous placement and posturing only detracts from the film. 

Still, you’ve never seen such a beautifully photographed concert. Scorsese matches the movement of his cameras to the pace of the band, following guitarists Keith Richards and Ron Wood around the stage, registering the crack of Charlie Watts’ tightly controlled drumming, and relentlessly pursuing singer Mick Jagger as Jagger relentlessly pursues the audience. Scorsese built a team of top-notch cinematographers to man the 17 cameras that relentlessly traverse the theater to keep pace with the whirling dervish that is Jagger. Low-angle shots transform the lights and ceilings into a dizzying pattern that swirls above the heads of the band as they roam the stage and dart in and out along the catwalk. Close-ups of the guitarists give a glimpse of the band’s unique dual-guitar attack, in which both trade off playing lead and rhythm. And plenty of screen time is given to the cast of backing musicians, most of whom have been touring with the Rolling Stones for at least 20 years, and, in the case of saxophonist Bobby Keyes, for nearly 40. 

And Scorsese never loses sight of the crowd, keeping them dappled in warm light and misty shadow, as much a part of the tableau as the gilded theater and set design.  

Though the set list begins and ends with stalwart Stones classics, 12 of the concert’s 18 songs are lesser-known or at least less-often-performed tracks. After the behind-the-scenes prologue, which, in the IMAX version, is projected at standard movie size, the frame immediately expands to full IMAX size at the first notes of “Jumpin’ Jack Flash,” and the frenetic pace, rapid editing and flashing lights make the experience a bit overwhelming. But things settle down a bit with “Shattered,” as the Stones settle into gear and highlight album tracks and overlooked gems, with a special emphasis on 1978’s Some Girls album. And in between, Scorsese peppers the film with brief archival clips from interviews with the Stones through the decades, most of them adding a light comedic touch to the proceedings. There is just one misstep, as Scorsese interrupts Richards’ rendition of the rarely performed “Connection” with clips of interviews with the guitarist. 

Fittingly, the one moment where Scorsese’s restless camera comes to a stop, if only for a few seconds, is for a prolonged close-up of guest star Buddy Guy. Fitting because Guy, as one of the still-living icons of the Chicago blues sound of the 1950s, is at the very center of what the Stones are all about. He joins them for a cover of “Champagne and Reefer,” a song by the great Muddy Waters, the man who more than anyone else inspired the Stones’ music and identity. They even took their name from a Waters song. Sure, most of their signature riffs are based on the guitar work of Chuck Berry, and there were myriad other influences along the way. But it was Waters, along with the rest of the electrified, urban, plugged-in Chicago blues masters, that led the way for a quintet of English white boys in the early 1960s. 

The Stones have always been loyal to those roots and paid homage to them, sharing the stage with their idols and helping to bring greater fame to those elder gentlemen, even when it means getting blown off the stage by them. For all of Jagger’s manic energy and cheeky posturing, for all Keith Richards’ swaggering attitude, it is Buddy Guy who summons the essence of the hard, driven sound that inspired them, with his deft, soulful guitar work and powerful, resonant voice. As Guy solos, standing firmly at center stage, the band circles him, surrounding the man like worshippers paying tribute to the sound and spirit which launched them on their five-decade journey.

Joe and I spent the other afternoon moving dirt and reshaping the malva rosa by the garage, to allow some sun on the pile we were making. This isn’t the first time we’ve radically reshaped the thing, and it won’t be the last. Except for the fact that it’s so inherently bewildering, I’d call this plant the ideal first thing to learn pruning with: it’s woody but soft; it puts out lots and lots of branches to choose from, and it can take a severe pruning and recover.  

It’s also quite malleable in form. I’ve seen hedges of it—good as a background loose hedge, not so good sheared into wan-looking cubes—and big full self-directed airy mounds, and what could pass for trees. 

Maybe it’s not quite a regulation-sized tree, but Lavatera assurgentiflora, the malva rosa or island tree-mallow, comes close. One source says it can attain a height of fifteen feet, and ours is close to that. It’s usually considered a shrub, though, and a highly decorative one. 

The legendary California plantswoman Lester Rowntree was fond of it. In her Flowering Shrubs of California and Their Value to the Gardener, she called it “a valiant battler with the elements and a courageous bloomer. In spring it is gay with flowers….when most wild shrubs are overtaken by drought and relax into rest, there are usually a few blooms left on the mallow. It is only when the cold January winds thrash it about that L. assurgentiflora begins to look depressed...” 

Rowntree praised its bright green maple-ish leaves and two-inch-wide flowers: “rosy pink, a little paler toward the center, and striped with deep purple-carmine, suggesting in their detail an old flower picture.” Her only caveats were that the mallow needed pruning to help it keep its shape, and that it could be prolific: “As it will volunteer all over the place, you may expect to see a whole forest of little Mallows.” We haven’t had volunteers, but the thing would eat the yard if we let it.  

Like its neighbor the Catalina ironwood, the island mallow is a Channel Islands plant that made good. Those islands are as close as California comes to a Galapagos, an evolutionary funhouse full of ancient relicts and newly minted neoendemics. Most of the specialties are plants, but the islands are also inhabited by an oversized scrub-jay, a miniature gray fox, and-formerly-the oxymoronic pygmy mammoth. 

L. assurgentiflora has a northern subspecies native to Anacapa and San Miguel Islands and a southern subspecies native to Santa Catalina and San Clemente. It has had to contend with browsing by exotic ungulates, notably goats, and few survive in the wild. On Catalina, it’s down to two isolated rocks near the island’s isthmus. Old accounts talk about forests of malva rosa on San Clemente, but the goats have pretty much done for them. 

But the mallow does well in cultivation, and has naturalized itself on the southern California mainland coast as well as parts of Baja California, Peru, Ecuador, and Chile. Several cultivars are available, one of which, Purisima mallow, is a hybrid between L. assurgentiflora and L. venosa from the San Benito Islands off the Pacific coast of Baja. 

The island tree-mallow’s closest relatives are all Mexican island species, with two occurring on goat-bombed Guadalupe Island. The other Lavateras are native to the Mediterranean region, central and eastern Asia, and Australia; a few are also tree-sized. The genus was named for the Lavater brothers, a pair of 16th-century Swiss naturalists. Lavatera is a member of the Malvaceae, the mallow family, along with hollyhocks, hibiscus, okra, cotton, and (in the latest classification) the cacao tree.  

You’ll see other bush-sized native mallows in the trade, including the endangered San Clemente Island bush mallow (Malacothamnus clementinus). They tend to be more compact than the tree-mallow and to have white or gray foliage, due to tiny hairs that may cause skin rash in the susceptible. They also bear their flowers in spikes rather than singly, as Lavatera does. 

Like Rowntree, contemporary garden writers stress the need for discipline. Carol Bornstein, David Fross, and Bart O’Brien, in California Native Plants for the Garden, refer rather harshly to the mallow’s “rank growth and coarse appearance [which] make it a poor choice for formal garden settings.” They also describe it as short-lived, vulnerable to a virus specific to the mallow family, and popular with leaf-eating insects, gophers, and deer. We’ve never has an insect problem on ours (knock wood) and we don’t have many deer or gophers in the neighborhood.  

On the other side of the ledger, it grows fast and tolerates wind and salt spray. No salt spray here either, so the fast growth is untrammeled except by the garage and people getting there. And periodic attacks of Felco shears and Silky saws, of course.  

Ron Sullivan is a former professional gardener and arborist. Her “Green Neighbors” column appears every other Tuesday in the Berkeley Daily Planet, alternating with Joe Eaton’s “Wild Neighbors” column. Her “Garden Variety” column appears every Friday in the Planet’s East Bay Home & Real Estate section.

TUESDAY, APRIL 8 

Tuesdays for the Birds Tranquil bird walks in local parklands, led by Bethany Facendini, from 7 to 9:30 a.m. Today we will visit the Albany Bulb of the Eastshore State Park. Call for meeting place and if you need to borrow binoculars. 525-2233. 

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. 215-7672, 524-9992. 

Board Games Days, for 4th -8th graders, Tues.-Thurs. from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave. 526-3720, ext. 17. 

“Kayaking 101” at 7 p.m. at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. 527-4140. 

End the Occupation Vigil every Tues. at noon at Oakland Federal Bldg., 1301 Clay St. www.epicalc.org 

Family Storytime at 7 p.m. at Kensington Library, 61 Arlington Ave. 524-3043.  

Street Level Cycles Community Bike Program Come use our tools as well as receive help with performing repairs free of charge. Youth classes available. Tues., Thurs., and Sat. from 2 to 6 p.m. at at 84 Bolivar Dr., Aquatic Park. 644-2577. www.watersideworkshops.org  

Teen Playreaders meets to read and discuss plays at 4:30 p.m. at Claremont Branch Library, 2940 Benvenue. 981-6121. 

Fresh Produce Stand at San Pablo Park from 3 to 6 p.m. in the Frances Albrier Community Center. Sponsored by the Ecology Center’s Farm Fresh Choice. 848-1704. www.ecologycenter.org 

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 

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. 

Sing-A-Long Group from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Albany Senior Center, 846 Masoni Ave., Albany. 524-9122. 

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9 

Bus Rapid Transit in Berkeley A community discussion at the Planning and Transportation Commission meetings, at 7 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 

Sudden Oak Death Preventative Treament Training Session Meet at 1 p.m. at the Tolman Hall portico, Heast Ave. and Arch/Leconte, UC Campus for a two-hour field session, rain or shine. Pre-registration required. SODtreatment@nature.berkeley.edu 

Cycling Lecture with Gary Fisher, bicycle racer, at 7 p.m. at Velo Sport Bicycles, 1615 University Ave., enter at 1989 California St. RSVP to 849-0437. 

Board Games Day, for 4th -8th graders, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave. 526-3720, ext. 17. 

Radical Movie Night “Fern Gully—The Last Rainforest” at 8:30 p.m. at the Long Haul, 3124 Shattuck Ave. 

“Behind Every Terrorist There is a Bush” A documentary with stand-up comics and stage artists questioning the “War on Terror” at 7:30 p.m. at Humanist Hall, 390 27th St., Oakland. Donation $5. www.Humanist Hall.org 

“The Ugly Side of the Beauty Industry” Learn about toxics in beauty products with author Stacy Malkan at 7 p.m. at Elephant, 1607 Shattuck Ave. 549-9200.  

Green Home Improvement 101 A lecture at 6 p.m. at 2619 San Pablo Ave. www.ecohomeimprovment.com  

“About Face: The Psychology of Portraiture and the Human Face” A benefit lecture for Ethsix* magazine featuring psychologist and facial expert Dr. Paul Ekman at 7:30 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck Ave. Donation $10 and up. 849-2568. 

Teen Chess Club from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the North Branch Library, 1170 The Alameda at Hopkins. 981-6133. 

Theraputic Recreation at the Berkeley Warm Pool, Wed. at 3:30 p.m. and Sat. at 10 a.m. at the Berkeley Warm Pool, 2245 Milvia St. Cost is $4-$5. Bring a towel. 632-9369. 

After-School Program Homework help, drama and music for children ages 8 to 18, every Wed. from 4 to 7:15 p.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave. Cost is $5 per week. 845-6830. 

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 and a warm hat. Heavy rain cancels. 548-9840. 

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 

Morning Meditation Every Mon., Wed., and Fri. at 7:45 a.m. at Rudramandir, 830 Bancroft Way at 6th. 486-8700. 

Stitch ‘n Bitch at 6:30 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave., at Dwight. 548-5198.  

THURSDAY, APRIL 10 

Alternatives to the Aerial Spray Program A forum on the spray plan for the Light Brown Apple Moth and alternatives to the spary, with agroecologist and UC Berkeley professor Miguel Altieri, Mayor of Albany and registered nurse Robert Lieber, and farmers Robert Shultz and Ames Morison, and healthcare worker John Davis, at 7 p.m. at the Ecology Center, 2530 San Pablo Ave., near Dwight Way. 548-2220 ext. 233, erc@ecologycenter.org 

Poverty Truth Commission at 6:15 p.m. at the Bade' Museum Building, Pacific School of Religion Campus, Graduate Theological Union, 1798 Scenic Ave. For more information, contact 845-6232, ext.103 glettini@sksm.edu 

“Eccentrics, Heroes, and Cutthroats of Old Berkeley” slide talk by author Richard Schwartz featuring highlights of Berkeley’s history from 1850 to 1925, at 7 p.m. at El Cerrito Library, 6510 Stockton Ave., El Cerrito. 526-7512. 

“Growing Dinosaur Salad” a discussion with UC Botanical Garden Director, Dr. Paul Licht on Cycads, primitive cone-bearing plants that have survived for over 200 million years, and once provided food for dinosaurs, at 7 p.m. at Espresso Roma, 2960 College Ave. at Ashby. 644-3773. 

Berkeley School Volunteers Orientation from noon to 1 p.m. at 1835 Allston Way. Come learn about volunteer opportunities. 644-8833. 

Creative Movement and Sign Language for ages 5-10 at 3:30 p.. at Elephant, 1607 Shattuck Ave. 549-9200.  

Board Games Day, for 4th -8th graders, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave. 526-3720, ext. 17. 

Babies & Toddlers Storytime at 10:15 and 11:15 a.m. at Kensington Library, 61 Arlington Ave. 524-3043.  

Fitness Class for 55+ at 9:15 a.m. at Jewish Community Center, 1414 Walnut St. 848-0237. 

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

FRIDAY, APRIL 11 

City Commons Club Noon Luncheon with Charles Wollenberg on “Berkeley: A City in History” Luncheon at 11:45 a.m. for $14.50, speech at 12:30 p.m., at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant St. For information and reservations call 524-7468.  

East Bay Sanctuary Covenant: Celebrating 26 Years in Berkeley at 7 p.m. at St. Joseph the Worker Church, 1640 Addison St. Free, donations gratefully accepted. 527-0324. 

Celebrating Cesar Chavez and the Farmworkers’ Movement with a screening of the Cesar E. Chavez Foundation film “Common Man, Uncommon Vision: The Cesar Chavez Story” and “Immokalee: From Slavery to Freedom,” at 7 p.m. at the Ecology Center, 2530 San Pablo Ave, near Dwight Way Free. 548-2220, ext. 233. 

California Studies Conference “Changing Climates: Class Culture, and Politics in an Era of Global Warming” Fri.-Sun. at Berkeley City College, 2050 Center St. For details see http://geography.berkeley.edu/ProjectsResources/californiastudies.html 

“Ministry as Vocation” A week-end long free conference open to all at Pacific School of Religion, 1798 Scenic Ave. For information call 849-8253.  

Girls Inc. of Alameda County 50th Anniversay Gala at 6 p.m. at the Rotunda Bldg., 300 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Oakland. Tickets are $250. RSVP to 357-5515, ext. 282. 

Friday Films for Teens at 3:30 pm. at the Berkeley Puplic Library, 2090 Kittredge St. For details call 981-6121. 

Non-Toxic Cleaning at noon at Elephant, 1607 Shattuck Ave. 549-9200.  

Berkeley Women in Black weekly vigil from noon to 1 p.m. at Bancroft and Telegraph. Our focus is human rights in Palestine. 548-6310. 

SATURDAY, APRIL 12 

John F. Kennedy High School 40th Anniversary Celebration from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 4300 Cutting Blvd., Richmond. Activities include art exhibits, carnival games, entertainment, and food. 231-1433, ext. 25883. 

Goats are Groovy Meet the new goats at the Little Farm in Tilden Park, learn how we care for them, and take them for walks. For ages 6-10 at 2 p.m. at Tilden Park. 525-2233. 

The 2008 Edith Coliver Festival of Cultures from 11 a.m. at 6 p.m. at International House, 2299 Piedmont Ave. 642-9461. http://ihouse.berkeley.edu  

“California Budget Crisis: How Tax Reform Can Solve It” at 7 p.m. at the Alameda Free Library, Conf. Room A, 1550 Oak St. at Lincoln, Alameda. Sponsored by the Alameda Public Affairs Forum 841-9592. www.alamadaforum.org 

Music and Crafts the Ohlone Way including dances by the Maidu-Miwok Dance Group, stories from the elders and other cultural events, from to 2 to 4 p.m. at Peralta Hacienda Historical Park, 2465 34th Ave., Oakland. Free. 532-9142. 

“The Power of Community” a film on urban organic farming and how Cuba met the oil depletion crisis, at 7 p.m. at Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists 1924 Cedar St at Bonita. Suggested donation $5. 540-1975. www.bfuu.org  

“On Sacred Grounds: Religion and the Counterinsurgency in Iraq” with Prof. Ron Hassner, UC Berkeley, at 7 p.m. at Congregation Beth El, 1301 Oxford St. 642-3398. 

“Once Upon a Time...” Spring benefit for The Museum of Children’s Art with artists and authors from the annual children’s book illustrators exhibit, at 5:30 p.m. at 538 Ninth St., Oakland. Tickets $150. For details call 465-8770. 

The USS Hornet Museum Commemorates the Doolittle Raid in a Living Ship Day demonstration from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. onboard the aircraft carrier berthed at 707 W Hornet Ave, Pier 3, in Alameda. Museum admission is $14 for adults and $6 for children 5-17. 521-8448. www.hornetevents.com. 

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

Around the World Tour of Plants at 1:30 p.m., Thurs., Sat. and Sun. at UC Botanical Garden, 200 Centennial Drive. 643-2755. http://botanicalgarden.berkeley.edu 

The Berkeley Lawn Bowling Club provides free instruction every Wed. and Sat. at 10:30 a.m. at 2270 Acton St. 841-2174.  

Oakland Artisans Marketplace Sat. from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sun. from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Jack London Square. 238-4948. 

SUNDAY, APRIL 13 

Learn About Plankton An adventure for the whole family to look at the tiny organisms that live in Jewel Lake, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. in Tilden Park. 525-2233. 

Little Farm Open House Meet the animals, learn some new songs, make a craft and more from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Tilden Little Farm, Tilden Park. 525-2233. 

Native Plant Garden Tour “Meet the Do-It-Yourselfers” A self-guided tour of gardens in San Leandro, Oakland and Berkeley, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Cost is $30. To register see www.bringinbackthenatives.net 

Earth Day Electronics Recycling & Safe Medicine Disposal Event from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Elephant Pharmacy, 1607 Shattuck Ave. 

Free Hands-on Bicycle Class on Flat Repair at 10 a.m. at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. 527-4140. 

Talk with Cheri Huber, Zen teacher and author of books on meditation and psychology at 7 p.m. at Northbrae Community Church, 941 The Alameda. www.eastbayopencircle.org  

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 

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 

Berkeley Chess Club meets every Sun. at 7 p.m. at the Hillside School, 1581 Le Roy Ave. 843-0150. 

Tibetan Buddhism with Erika Rosenberg on “Seeing through Self-Images” at 6 p.m. at the Tibetan Nyingma Institute, 1815 Highland Pl. 809-1000 www.nyingmainstitute.com 

Sew Your Own Open Studio Come learn to use our industrial and domestic machines, or work on your own projects, from 4 to 8 p.m. at 84 Bolivar Dr., Aquatic Park. Also on Fri. from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Cost is $5 per hour. 644-2577. www.watersideworkshops.org 

MONDAY, APRIL 14 

Tax Day Event: People’s Life Fund Granting Ceremony Join Bay Area War Tax Resisters are the donte over $10,000 in resisted taxes to groups that are working for peace, justice and human needs, at 7 p.m. at 2220 Sacramento St. Pot-luck at 6 p.m. 843-9877. 

Uhuru Forum and Call to Action for Social Justice in Oakland with presentations by Wendy Snyder and Bakari Olatunji at 7 p.m. at Humanist Hall, 390 27th St., Oakland. 

Berkeley School Volunteers Orientation from 4 to 5 p.m. at 1835 Allston Way. Come learn about volunteer opportunities. 644-8833. 

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. 

Dragonboating Year round classes at the Berkeley Marina, Dock M. Meets Mon, Wed., Thurs. at 6 p.m. Sat. at 10:30 a.m. For details see www.dragonmax.org 

Free Boatbuilding Classes for Youth Mon.-Wed. from 3 to 7 p.m. at Berkeley Boathouse, 84 Bolivar Dr., Aquatic Park. Classes cover woodworking, boatbuilding, and boat repair. 644-2577. www.watersideworkshops.org 

ONGOING 

E-Waste Recycling St. Vincent de Paul of Alameda County accepts electronic waste including computers, dvd players, cell phones, fax machines and many other ewaste products for disposal free of charge at many of its locations throughout Alameda County. Free bulk pick-up available. 638-7600.  

Free Tax Help If your 2007 household income was less than $42,000, you are eligible for free tax preparation from United Way's Earn it! Keep It! Save It! Sites are open now through April 15 in Alameda and Contra Costa counties. To find a site near you, call 800-358-8832. www.EarnItKeepItSaveIt.org 

CITY MEETINGS 

Commission on Disability meets Wed., April 9, at 6:30 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-6346. TDD: 981-6345.  

Homeless Commission meets Wed., April 9, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-5426.  

Planning Commission meets Wed., April 9, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-7484.  

Police Review Commission meets Wed., April 9, at the South Berkeley Senior Center, 981-4950. 

Waterfront Commission meets Wed., April 9, at 7 p.m., at 201 University Ave. 981-6740. 

Community Health Commission meets Thurs., April 10 at 6:45 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-5356.  

Zoning Adjustments Board meets Thurs., April 10, at 7 p.m., in City Council Chambers. 981-7410.