Berkeley police have called off the search for a missing bicyclist after a hotel clerk in Roseville reported seeing him on Tuesday night, a police sergeant said. -more-

A fire at a vacant Berkeley apartment building on Monday night appears to have been sparked by Fourth of July fireworks on the roof, a fire deputy chief said today. -more-

Family and friends of a Berkeley physicist who went missing after a bike ride over the weekend are asking for the public's help in locating him. -more-

The much-delayed, and often criticized, Southside Plan moved a step further to formal action on adoption on June 14, 2011, when the City Council heard a staff presentation and public testimony on the Plan during a special early evening Council workshop. -more-

With cost-cutting and revenue-generating measures in place to fill the bulk of a billion-dollar budget gap resulting from steep cuts in state funding, the University of California staff is preparing to recommend to the Board of Regents that roughly one-quarter of the shortfall be offset with tuition and fee increases, UC Vice President Patrick Lenz said today (Friday, July 1). -more-

As of 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 5, 2011, neither [the Berkeley Police Department] or family or friends have had contact with missing cyclist Anthony Michael Martin. -more-

(July 4, 2011) -- With the July 4th bombs (at this very moment) bursting in air and the fog basking at bay, I find myself recalling a long-ago, fog-cursed day that I was part of the pyrotechnic gang in charge of the Chronicle-sponsored 1976 Bicentennial Fireworks Show on Alcatraz Island. -more-

I used to REALLY dread it each year when it was time for my birthday to come around. When I was a kid, my big sister Ann used to get all huffy because I was getting all the attention and make my life miserable. And then when I started getting older -- well, that's the point. I got older.

Then one year my former boss Robert Treuhaft took me to dinner at Chez Panisse on my birthday and everything suddenly changed. My birthday suddenly became important and special. Not only was the Chez Panisse dining experience magical for someone like me who could barely afford a night out at Brennan's, but Bob also kept me regaled with stories from his past life when he was an attorney for the Berkeley Free Speech Movement, worked for FDR in Washington DC during World War II, helped write his wife's pivotal book, "The American Way of Death," was knee-deep in the 1960s civil rights movement -- and had a whole bunch of other stories too. He even knew Alice Waters. -more-

It was a bad business day on Telegraph Avenue, July 4, for most of the hungry businesses that were open and as one native Berkeleyan explained it "historically, Berkeley is a town we leave on the Fourth." -more-

Preserve the Bartlett Houses; Gaza Flotilla; Where?Berkeley High and Gas Pipelines; Finding Gas Lines Near You; Women in Combat; Protect Children’s Programs; Israeli Women in Combat -more-

One visit to the White House changed my perspective on what is possible for us to achieve today. I hope it might affect yours too.

Last month I was honored to receive an invitation from the White House, asking me if I wished to meet with President Obama and his senior advisers to discuss policies affecting the people I serve. Organized by the White House’s Office of Intergovernmental Affairs and the Young Elected Officials Network, which represents state and local electeds under age thirty-six, the briefing and visit promised me a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to ask questions of those who craft federal policies that affect the Bay Area. I was joined by my colleague on the Berkeley Rent Stabilization Board, Asa Dodsworth, along with Berkeley Councilmember Jesse Arreguin, East Bay Municipal Utilities Director Andy Katz, Alameda County Board of Education Trustee Marlon McWilson, AC Transit Board Member Mark Williams, and about 200 other electeds from across the country. -more-

Richmond Councilmember Tom Butt writes: "The City of Richmond has a tradition of fireworks and the Oakland-East Bay Symphony on July 3 at at the Craneway Pavillion, part of the rehabilitated former Ford Assembly Plant and also part of Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park. As the fireworks begin, the Symphony breaks into a medley of stirring John Philip Sousa marches. This is the best Independence day celebration in the Bay Area." -more-

President Obama’s April 13th speech about the economy emphasized cornerstone American values. Voters must understand these values to fully comprehend what’s at stake as Democrats battle Republicans over the Federal debt limit and budget for the 14 months prior to the 2012 election.

While acknowledging there’s a streak of “rugged individualism” in the American character, President Obama observed Americans also share the belief that “we are all connected; and that there are some things we can only do together, as a nation.” As a community we build schools and roads. The President noted that Americans also share the belief that “each one of us deserves some basic measure of security,” which is why we have Medicare and Social Security. -more-

“Stupidity is caused, not by brain failure, but by a wicked heart. Insensitiveness, opacity, inability to make connections, often accompanied by low “animal” cunning. One cannot help feeling that this mental oblivion is chosen, by the heart or the moral will—an active preference.” -more-

On our way to a Fourth of July block party this afternoon, Ron and I witnessed a mass emergence of gulf fritillaries. Ten or a dozen of them were fluttering around a passionvine-covered fence, getting accustomed to their wings. Some checked out the passionvine flowers, but with minimal interest. One had worked its way a few doors down the street and was filling up at a buddleia. By the time we passed that corner again, a couple of hours later, the butterflies had all dispersed. -more-

Twelve cities in California have rent control laws, including Berkeley, Oakland, and San Francisco. Berkeley's "Rent Stabilization and Eviction for Good Cause Ordinance" was passed in 1980; Oakland's "Residential Rent Adjustment Program" was passed in 2007; and San Francisco's "Rent Ordinance" was passed in 2007. Enough time has passed to justify an independent empirical study of the effects of rent control, if any, on the quantity and quality of housing stock in these three cities. Why not start with Berkeley, Oakland, or San Francisco? -more-

A reader who can’t get a straight answer asks “What is this case management thing? How can I get it and do I want it? Is it true you have to turn over your Medicare or be on SSI and MediCAL? What can “they” do for me that I can’t do myself? And how much does it cost?”
xxxx -more-

Because persons with mental illness seem to get a raw deal in life, Buddhist or other meditative ideas of transcendence are appealing. It seems, despite what one might think, the playing field of meditative practices is more level compared to other areas that could be pursued. I have never believed I couldn’t practice meditation because of having a psychiatric disability. -more-

Editor's Note: The latest issue of the Pepper Spray Times is now available. -more-

It's summer, and the Mime Troupe's back on the street--or in the
parks, anyway ... this weekend at Berkeley's Cedar Rose Park with
their new '2012--The Musical,' written by Gene Michael Sullivan with
Ellen Callas, music and lyrics by Bruce Bathol, directed by Wilma
Bonet, live band led by Pat Moran ... about corporate funding for
THEATER BAM! (some little political troupe ... ), particularly wry, as
the Mime Troupe's NEA grants have been blasted by aptly-named
Congressman Jeff Flake (R-Arizona)--Jeff should audition! This
Saturday and Sunday afternoons, band from 1:30, show at 2--for 52
seasons now, FREE! sfmt.org


Woodminster Summer Musicals opens their 45th season with Oliver! this
weekend, with a cast of 42 singing, dancing, playing the characters
right out of the Dickens tale, under the stars in the great old WPA
amphitheater in Joaquin Miller Park in the Oakland Hills, overlooking
the Bay. Preview this Thursday at 8; all tickets $10. Thursday-Sunday
through july 17, $24-$42. woodminster.com


'Working for the Mouse,' Trevor Allen's play (directed by Nancy
Carlin), expanded from his Best of SF Fringe Festival one-act
'Character!', telling what really goes on in Disneyland if you're
costumed as a big cartoon character, has been extended by Impact and
Black Box Theatres through July 16 at LaVal's Subterannean, Impact's
home. Thursdays-Sundays 8 p. m. 1834 Euclid near Hearst. $12-$20.
224-5744; impacttheatre.com -more-

Saxophonist Dayna Stephens, a notable alum of the Berkeley High Jazz Band, will play Friday night at 8 at the Birdland Jazzista Social Club, 1733 Sacramento, across from North Berkeley BART. $10 members, $20 non-members (includes annual membership). Free BBQ for members. birdlandjazz.org -more-