Although last year was considered by most to be one of broad economic expansion, five businesses in the South Shattuck area closed shop. 

The loss of these businesses, located along Adeline Street and Shattuck Avenue from Dwight Way to Ashby Avenue, brought out concerns from city planners and neighbors. 

Even earlier, in 1998, nearby residents had called for a study into the blight they saw in the area. 

That same year, the City Council approved the South Shattuck Strategic Plan which contained a recommendation for a preliminary study looking into whether the location should become a Redevelopment Area. 

That study, which Redevelopment Manager Daniel Vanderpriem called a “first-look” draft, concluded that the area “appears to be a suitable candidate for further study and includes several conditions that are within the conditions described in pertinent sections of (state law).”  

A June update identified the five new vacancies in the area and provided the impetus for an expanded redevelopment feasibility study for the area, which the City Council will consider approving that study tonight. 

“There has to be one physical blight and one economic blight for an area to be considered,” Vanderpriem said. 

He explained that a physical blight means a dilapidated building, or one that is built from un-reinforced masonry. Vanderpriem said the area contains 18 URMs.  

The area also contains 22 “soft-story” buildings, or buildings with minimal load-bearing walls, and one “tilt-up,” or one in which concrete is poured horizontally, then tilted up to form a wall.  

Vanderpriem said that these are all physical blights and earthquake hazards, and said that tilt-up walls could theoretically come down “like fly-swatters” during an earthquake. 

Vanderpriem said the state usually uses five indicators when determining economic blight: 

• Depreciated or stagnant property values or impaired investments (including properties with hazardous wastes.) 

• Abnormally high business vacancies, low lease rates, high turnover rates, abandoned buildings or excessive vacant lots within an area developed for urban use and served by utilities. 

• A lack of necessary neighborhood commercial facilities (characterized by grocery stores, drug stores and banks or other lending institutions.) 

• Residential overcrowding or excess bars, liquor stores or other businesses catering exclusively to adults. 

• A high crime rate. 

Vanderpriem said that the number of vacancies can categorize it as an economicly blighted area.  

“You don’t need something in each category,” he said.  

The Council will also vote on whether to include the South San Pablo area, from University Avenue to the Oakland border, in the redevelopment study. 

Vanderpriem said that, though the planning commission hasn’t been directed to study the South San Pablo area, a preliminary inventory was concluded that the area is blighted. 

He said that the area was scoped for blight while the commission was researching opportunities to strengthen the financial feasibility of redevelopment in the South Shattuck area. 

If the areas were consolidated, he said, it would increase the available cash flow by 75-percent, and during the fifth year of the combined project areas, a bond issue of approximately $1 million could be issued for commercial use, two years sooner than South Shattuck alone. 

“It generates more money to use earlier in the process”, he said of combining the two neighborhoods. “And it gives us a more diverse tax base.” 

He explained that property tax money paid to the county would be diverted back into the city for use in the redevelopment. 

“It has nothing to do with increasing people’s taxes. It’s a democratization of the whole property-tax system,” he said. 

Several potential projects that could reduce the conditions of blight in the South Shattuck area include: 

• A URM retrofit program with loans or grants to leverage private property investment in earthquake strengthening. 

• Bike route improvements to implement the Bikeways Plan. 

• Traffic signalization to improve pedestrian and bicycle safety. 

• Parking improvements in the vicinity of the Berkeley Bowl and the proposed Walgreens (in the former Rite-Aid pharmacy). 

• Recruitment efforts to secure a full-service commercial bank to serve residents, businesses and the expanded auto dealership. 

• Property acquisition and developer recruitment for properties suffering from long-term decay and vacancy. 

If the council chooses to go ahead, a formal “project study area” as required by state law will be designated.  

The “project study area” would provide the detailed legal and financial basis for pursuing the establishment of the two redevelopment areas.

Tuesday, July 25

“The Candy Cottage” 

2:30 p.m. 

The Hall of Health 

2230 Shattuck Ave 

A comedy for children ages 3 to 12 and their parents. Learn about health and nutrition. “The Candy Cottage” is a short play written and performed by Hall of Health staff. The play provides information about eating healthily, the food pyramid, and what various vitamins and mineral do for your body. 

549-1564 

“Commitment Ceremonies” 

6-7:30 p.m. 

Judah L. Magnes Museum 

2911 Russell St. 

Rabbi Allen B. Bennett of Temple Israel in Alameda, and Muchal Friedlander, Blumenthal Curator of Judaica at the Judah L. Magnes Museum, will discuss “Commitment Ceremonies.” Rabbi Bennet will pose the question of-and whether-new concepts of commitment can be integrated with more traditional Jewish and general perspectives on marriage. 

$5 donation suggested for non-members. 

Reservations are appreciated, but not required. 

549-6950 

Chinese Macrame: Ornaments 

10 a.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst at MLK Jr. Way 

644-6107 

Violin and Piano Classical  

Musical Concert with Cooper  

and Yand 

1:15 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst at MLK Jr. Way 

644-6107 

Community Dance Party 

7:45-9:45 p.m. 

Live Oak Part Social Hall 

1301 Shattuck Ave. 

Dance instruction included with admission. 

Teens $2, Non-members $4 

Wednesday, July 26 

Nursing Home Reform 

1:30 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave. 

Prescott Cole, staff attorney and elder abuse coordinator for California Advocates for Nursing Ho me Reform is the featured speaker at the membership meeting. Also speaking is Betty Brown of Common Agenda. 

 

“Peace and Dignity Run 2000” 

6 a.m. 

Point Reyes Station 

834-9455 ext. 231 

 

Deaf and Disabled  

Telecommunications Program  

with Mike Mening 

1:00 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst at MLK Jr. Way 

510-644-6107 

 

Disaster Council 

7 p.m. 

997 Cedar St. 

Discussions include bicycle policy issues and BPD Chief’s report. 

644-6480 

 

 

Townhall Meeting on the  

Public Housing Plan 

6-8 p.m. 

South Berkeley Senior Center 

2939 Ellis Street 

1-800-773-2110 

 

Baby Bounce and Toddler Tales 

7 p.m. 

West Branch Berkeley Public Library, 1125 University Ave. 

This storytime program is designed for families with children up to 3 years old. The free, participatory program features a half hour of multicultural songs, rhymes, lap jogs and stories to give very young children a lively introduction to the magic of books. Parents also will enjoy the new stories, rediscover old favorites and learn new songs and games to share. 

644-6870 

 

---

Thursday, July 27

Tai Chi exercise with Brain  

Omeki 

1:00 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst at MLK Jr. Way 

644-6107 

From Bears to Bigfoot 

7 p.m.  

REI 

1338 San Pablo Ave 

An Evening With California Wildlife Expert Tom Stienstra: San Francisco Examiner outdoors writer Tom Stienstra. Come find out how to best handle close encounters with bears, rattlesnakes, sharks and more. 

527-7377 

Zoning Adjustments Board Agenda 

7:00 p.m. 

Council Chambers 

2134 Martin Luther King Jr. Way 

Items on the agenda will include the request by Patrick Kennedy and Gordon Choyce to demolish the existing building at 2700 San Pablo Ave. 

705-8111 

Berkeley Art Center’s Salon for the 16th Annual National Jutied Exhibition 

7:30 p.m. 

Berkeley Art Center 

1275 Walnut St. 

Three artist featured in the Berkeley Art Center’s 16th Annual National Juried Exhibition will present slide-lectures of their work. 

Friday, July 28

“KPFA on the air” 

7:30 p.m. 

U.C. Theater 

2036 University Ave. 

A film reviewing KPFA’s history from the time community-sponsored radio was just an idea in the head of pacifist Lew Hill to July 13 of last year when KPFA staff were booted out of their studio by Pacifica managers and arrested by Berkeley police. 

Teen Poetry at Berkeley Public Library 

7:15 p.m. 

2940 Benvenue 

Teen poets are invited to share their best work at Berkeley Public Library’s Claremont Branch. Doors open at 7:15 p.m., and sign-ups to read will be taken until 8:11. 

All ages are welcome to attend, but poets must be at least 12 and no older than 19 to share their work in this venue. There will be prizes for those who turn in the best performances. This free event is sponsored by Teen Services and the Friends of the Library. 

644-6100 x313 

Disablity Awareness and  

Outreach Subcommitte  

Meeting 

11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. 

First Floor Conference Room 

Public Works Administration Office 

2201 Dwight Way 

Items on the agenda will include “Sidewalk Benches and Planters Design Guidelines,” and sidewalk seating and obstacles on the sidewalk. 

665-3445 or 548-1351

NAACP does not endorse  

As a lifetime member of the Berkeley branch of the NAACP and the current Chairman of the Black Property Owners Association, I am aware that the policy of the NAACP is never to endorse political parties, i.e. the Green Party, BCA, or any other party. The flagrant error on the front page of the Berkeley Daily Planet on July 17 sent a message to the Black community that the NAACP endorsed the Green Party and BCA. The good name of the NAACP was used to boast the candidates of these parties and it was made to appear that they represented the Black community and had a coalition as rent slate. While this front page error was subsequently corrected in the Berkeley Daily Planet on the bottom of the third page on July 18 the signal suggests that it is okay not to check facts and discredits how the NAACP conducts itself. 

Because I have received numerous calls asking what is happening I think it is fair to let the reading public know that the president of the local chapter of the NAACP, Mr. Johnnie Porter, has registered his disappointment and affirmed that the NAACP has not changed its focus or policies and accordingly does not make endorsements as a membership organization. We simply ask that the public not be misled. 

Frank Davis, Jr. 

Berkeley 

Reflections on Jerusalem 

Recently you ran a letter of mine about Israel being one-sixteenth of an inch on a map of the Middle East; on 22 July 00 I was blown away by the following item from the LA Times (via The Chron): 

“The Old City (of Jerusalem), a cramped half-mile square enclave, contains the holiest site in Judaism, the Western Wall that is a remnant of the second temple mourt. 

“A few feet above the Western Wall is the Al-Aqsa mosque, the third holiest site in Islam. And the holiest site in Christendom, the Holu Sepulcher Church where Jesus is said to have been crucified and resurrected, are also located inside the Old City’s ancient walls.” 

In other words, all this is not even a square mile, all this is where the victors will drown in their own blood. My wife and I were in all the above places a few years ago, plus Christmas Eve in Bethlehem; we are not Jewish or religious. just bewildered. 

George Kauffman

Tuesday, July 25

“The Candy Cottage” 

2:30 p.m. 

The Hall of Health 

2230 Shattuck Ave 

A comedy for children ages 3 to 12 and their parents. Learn about health and nutrition. “The Candy Cottage” is a short play written and performed by Hall of Health staff. The play provides information about eating healthily, the food pyramid, and what various vitamins and mineral do for your body. 

549-1564 

“Commitment Ceremonies” 

6-7:30 p.m. 

Judah L. Magnes Museum 

2911 Russell St. 

Rabbi Allen B. Bennett of Temple Israel in Alameda, and Muchal Friedlander, Blumenthal Curator of Judaica at the Judah L. Magnes Museum, will discuss “Commitment Ceremonies.” Rabbi Bennet will pose the question of-and whether-new concepts of commitment can be integrated with more traditional Jewish and general perspectives on marriage. 

$5 donation suggested for non-members. 

Reservations are appreciated, but not required. 

549-6950 

Chinese Macrame: Ornaments 

10 a.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst at MLK Jr. Way 

644-6107 

Violin and Piano Classical  

Musical Concert with Cooper  

and Yand 

1:15 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst at MLK Jr. Way 

644-6107 

Community Dance Party 

7:45-9:45 p.m. 

Live Oak Part Social Hall 

1301 Shattuck Ave. 

Dance instruction included with admission. 

Teens $2, Non-members $4 

Wednesday, July 26

Nursing Home Reform 

1:30 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave. 

Prescott Cole, staff attorney and elder abuse coordinator for California Advocates for Nursing Ho me Reform is the featured speaker at the membership meeting. Also speaking is Betty Brown of Common Agenda. 

“Peace and Dignity Run 2000” 

6 a.m. 

Point Reyes Station 

834-9455 ext. 231 

Deaf and Disabled  

Telecommunications Program  

with Mike Mening 

1:00 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst at MLK Jr. Way 

510-644-6107 

Disaster Council 

7 p.m. 

997 Cedar St. 

Discussions include bicycle policy issues and BPD Chief’s report. 

644-6480 

Townhall Meeting on the  

Public Housing Plan 

6-8 p.m. 

South Berkeley Senior Center 

2939 Ellis Street 

1-800-773-2110 

Baby Bounce and Toddler Tales 

7 p.m. 

West Branch Berkeley Public Library, 1125 University Ave. 

This storytime program is designed for families with children up to 3 years old. The free, participatory program features a half hour of multicultural songs, rhymes, lap jogs and stories to give very young children a lively introduction to the magic of books. Parents also will enjoy the new stories, rediscover old favorites and learn new songs and games to share. 

644-6870 

Thursday, July 27

Tai Chi exercise with Brain  

Omeki 

1:00 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst at MLK Jr. Way 

644-6107 

From Bears to Bigfoot 

7 p.m.  

REI 

1338 San Pablo Ave 

An Evening With California Wildlife Expert Tom Stienstra: San Francisco Examiner outdoors writer Tom Stienstra. Come find out how to best handle close encounters with bears, rattlesnakes, sharks and more. 

527-7377 

Zoning Adjustments Board Agenda 

7:00 p.m. 

Council Chambers 

2134 Martin Luther King Jr. Way 

Items on the agenda will include the request by Patrick Kennedy and Gordon Choyce to demolish the existing building at 2700 San Pablo Ave. 

705-8111 

Berkeley Art Center’s Salon for the 16th Annual National Jutied Exhibition 

7:30 p.m. 

Berkeley Art Center 

1275 Walnut St. 

Three artist featured in the Berkeley Art Center’s 16th Annual National Juried Exhibition will present slide-lectures of their work. 

Friday, July 28

“KPFA on the air” 

7:30 p.m. 

U.C. Theater 

2036 University Ave. 

A film reviewing KPFA’s history from the time community-sponsored radio was just an idea in the head of pacifist Lew Hill to July 13 of last year when KPFA staff were booted out of their studio by Pacifica managers and arrested by Berkeley police. 

Teen Poetry at Berkeley Public Library 

7:15 p.m. 

2940 Benvenue 

Teen poets are invited to share their best work at Berkeley Public Library’s Claremont Branch. Doors open at 7:15 p.m., and sign-ups to read will be taken until 8:11. 

All ages are welcome to attend, but poets must be at least 12 and no older than 19 to share their work in this venue. There will be prizes for those who turn in the best performances. This free event is sponsored by Teen Services and the Friends of the Library. 

644-6100 x313 

Disablity Awareness and  

Outreach Subcommitte  

Meeting 

11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. 

First Floor Conference Room 

Public Works Administration Office 

2201 Dwight Way 

Items on the agenda will include “Sidewalk Benches and Planters Design Guidelines,” and sidewalk seating and obstacles on the sidewalk. 

665-3445 or 548-1351

In the early 1980s, politicians told California voters that the state lottery would be a way to improve schools. In the 15 years since the lottery has been running, however, California schools have deteriorated and lottery earnings have simply replaced some tax revenues. 

Starting with that information last winter, Berkeley’s collaborative theater Central Works created its latest production “Lottomania: Play Here,” which is currently running at Durham Studio Theater on the Cal campus. 

With a final script written and directed by Gary Graves, “Lottomania” was initially generated by Central Works actors out of improvisations. The improvisations were themselves based on real-life people who had important experiences with the lottery. 

Performed competently by a Central Works cast of six doubling in multiple roles, “Lottomania” in its final form weaves through and around about a dozen stories, featuring different characters, to create an 80-minute intermission-less show. 

For example, in one story, blue collar worker Bud (Ken Ingram) wins $2 million and goes on a spending spree. Later he discovers that the monthly check he gets from the lottery for 20 years, isn’t enough to cover his expenses. 

Elsewhere, panhandler Willie (Claudia Rosa), who lives in a tent near the freeway, spends nearly half his panhandled money each day on lottery tickets. He debates about whether he has a problem or not. 

In another scene, pony-tailed Xer Richy (Gregory Scharpen) wipes out his $6,000 savings on 6,000 lottery tickets. Similarly, a young couple blows its $16,000 housing down payment. 

In one of the funnier segments, two dancers (Jan Zvaifler and Bonnie Akimoto) working as big ping pong balls on the Pennsylvania lottery big spin television show try to weight the show’s actual ping pong balls in order to rig the numbers that are drawn. 

One on-going story follows strong-armed negotiations between a representative (Norman Gee) of a professional lottery operations business, and the state administrator (Zvaifler) that he is lobbying. 

Connecting the scenes, sort of, are the voices of reason and unreason, in the form of an angel (Akimoto) and a devil (Zvaifler). They whisper in the gamblers ears, pulling them in opposite directions. 

In “Lottomania,” the people who are addicted to gambling come to bad ends. The play ends up being a cautionary moral fable about the dangers and destruction of gambling. But “Lottomania” is a didactic script. 

Much of the interactions among the characters consists of moralistic pitches about whether one should or should not gamble – not particularly dramatic material once the basic point has been made. 

Nor are the characters’ voices particularly distinct, which makes them more symbolic than real. After a while their dilemmas become predictable and repetitious. 

Also, the device of the angel and devil having a tug of war inside each gambler’s head doesn’t benefit from repetition. 

“Lottomania’s” scenes feel more like actors’ improvisation work, than they do a play. This is no surprise, since that’s how the material was created. 

But scene improvs are not a play. Some basic unifying element is missing. Largely, there is no inherent relationship among the different stories in “Lottomania,” beyond the gambling connection in general. 

A collaborative piece like this would have benefited from a stronger dramaturgical hand in development. 

Scenic designer Chad Owens is one of the evening’s stars, creating a black numerological set covered with white lottery numbers. Lottery numbers painted on the black floor look like so many discarded betting tickets.  

Since 1991, Berkeley-based Central Works has mounted thirteen productions, six of which were originals created collaboratively. Their previous effort was “Taming of the Shrew (Revised),” a thoughtful and harrowing deconstruction of the domestic violence in Shakespeare’s play, staged last February at Venue 9 in San Francisco 

“Lottomania: Play Here,” presented by Central Works, runs Thursday through Saturday through August 5 at Durham Studio Theater (the west side of Dwinelle Hall), on the U.C. Berkeley campus. Most shows start at 8 p.m., although there are some 5 p.m. shows at half price. For reservations and information, call (510) 558-1381. 

Expect a late one tonight, folks. 

In its final meeting before the City Council’s summer break, the city’s mothers and father plan to go into special session at 5:30 p.m., have a quick Housing Authority meeting, hear a report from staff regarding the Hills Fire Station, vote to put two measures on the November ballot and try to squeeze in everything from toilets to telephones. 

The council will hold a Housing Authority meeting at 7 p.m. to decide whether BHA meetings should be longer than the regular five minutes every third Tuesday. The BHA says that their concerns merit more than the scheduled five minutes, which inevitably leads to delays in the council’s agenda and deflects attention from significant BHA matters.  

And they will request the city manager analyze whether the BHA should continue to be composed of the City Council plus two Housing Authority tenants.  

Points of interest on the 86-item agenda include: 

• A vote whether or not to put a measure on the Nov. 7 ballot issuing a $9.75 million bond and the approval of a special tax to finance a portion of the cost of a mobile disaster fire protection system. 

• A vote to put the Rent Stabilization Ordinance on the Nov. 7 ballot. 

• A presentation from the Fire Department and the staff about the proposed Hills Fire Station, including: why the retrofitting of Fire Station 7 is not enough; the analysis that has been made of factors such as response time; the preparation of a map showing specifically which sites have been studied; the factors determining the size of the station; a recommendation of a preferred site; an explanation of the process, including the use of Measure G funds; an outline of a time frame for each step of the process and a recommendation to the council as to what the next steps should be. 

• A recommendation to investigate the number of heavy trucks still using residential streets six months after the implementation of the citywide truck route system 

• A recommendation to add $920,475 to the contract with Exp@nets of California Inc., for the purchase and installation the second phase of the citywide telephone system. 

• A recommendation to execute a contract for the purchase and implementation of the Duncan Meter rechargeable Smart Meter Debit Cards which includes the purchase of the necessary software program, handheld units and training to implement the cards and the maintainance and audit programs. 

• A recommendation to direct our state lobbyist, Lynn Suter and Associates, and staff to work with the City of Oakland’s state lobbyist and Senator Perata’s staff to develop the request for a State Legislative Audit of the California Natural Assistance Program. 

• A recommendation to begin the immediate enforcement of existing city regulations at Black & White Liquors and Grove Liquors. 

• A recommendation from Councilmember Linda Maio directed toward improving the working relationships with the city staff and the City Council. 

• A request to the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory to provide information on activities at its other labs in the city, including information that clarifies what activities are there, what kind of radioactive, hazardous and mixed waste substances are located or used at those facilities. 

• A recommendation to establish regulations to control the unnecessary cruelty in the operation of live animal markets and to send letters in support of the bill to Assemblymember Sheila Kuehl, members of the Senate Appropriations Committee and our state elected officials. 

• A recommendation to allow for excused absences from a commission meeting for religious purposes. 

• A recommendation to execute a contract with Elbasani & Logan Architects to add interior design services for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Civic Center Building at 2180 Milvia and increase the authorized contract amount by $71,500, bringing the grand total to $2,571,000. 

• A recommendation to refer a proposal to install two Adshel automatic toilets in commercial districts and the removal of billboards within the city in exchange for a billboard along I-80 to the City Manager. 

The Council will go into closed session at 5:30 p.m. at 1900 Addison to confer with the City Attorney about possible litigation stemming from a letter that suggests the city’s inclusionary housing ordinance may violate state law. 

They will also discuss in closed session whether or not the city should file suit against Grace Chizar to enforce the provisions of a loan agreement and related deed of trust concerning property located at 1504-14 10th Street, where such agreement requires that the units be rented at specified rates to low income tenants. 

The council meets at 7 p.m. at 2134 Martin Luther King, Jr. Way. 

Meetings are broadcast on KPFB 89.3-FM and telecast on TV-25.

Dear Neighbors, 

Have served two terms as your Councilmember, I will not be a candidate for District 5’s City Council seat this November. 

I feel privileged to have been allowed to serve as your Councilmember for these six years. You and this office have given me an extraordinary education in human nature, in life and in the perplexities of city government. This education has been beyond price. 

I hope that I’ve succeed in softening the rough edges of government for some and perhaps heading off or paring down some of its worst blunders. I’ve worked hard for District 5 and for the betterment of all Berkeley. My hope is that my gift to you is a city that has benefited from these efforts. 

I have gotten to meet scores of you, made friends, and carry many of you and your causes in my heart. 

With thanks, hope and love, 

Diane Woolley 

P.S. When you have a chance, ask the next Council to increase the budget for fixing the sewers.

Maverick City Councilmember Diane Woolley is beating a retreat from the harsh spotlight of public officialdom. 

She will not run for reelection for a third City Council term.  

Well known for her brash independence, Woolley often has voted with the liberal/progressive block on social issues – she is a self-described civil-rights activist – and with the moderates on fiscal and tax matters. 

She says she’ll be happy to see folks on the street now and be able to say hello without the constant tug at her to bring this or that matter to the council.  

“It’s a cloud that hovers over you,” she said. 

She’s looking forward to a more relaxed life – perhaps writing and taking classes. And she’s looking back on her council years with some pride. 

“I saved the city $22 million on the pipeline,” she said, referring to the pipe system that was to be built for firefighting purposes. It was dropped after Woolley and others fought it, arguing it was an inappropriate way to spend Measure G bond funds and a less-than-optimal firefighting system. 

Woolley’s also proud of her fight not to allow some Sea Scouts, a branch of the Boy Scouts, to have a free berth at the Marina, because of the Boy Scouts’ refusal to allow homosexuals into its ranks. 

Another victory Woolley points to is her role in blocking a new hotel at the waterfront. She had argued that further commercialization of the Marina would hurt the environment and the ambiance. 

Her experience in city government has not been jading. “To know that so many people would like to participate is heartening,” she said of the commissioners, particularly those who sit on the Planning Commission and the Zoning Board. 

There is no good time to leave the job of councilmember, Woolley said. Once one job is done, there is always another to do. 

“Still, nobody likes to leave something in the middle,” she said, adding, however, “At some point you realize you’ve learned what you can learn and you’ve done what you can do.”

In February, Bessie Wash was named interim director of the Pacifica Foundation, which holds the license to KPFA and four other listener-sponsored stations around the country. She took over from the former Executive Director Lynn Chadwick – the target of much of the wrath of KPFA aficionados. 

Chadwick fired popular General Manager Nicole Sawaya last March and enforced the hated “gag order” that resulted in a number of staff members being tossed off the air, either temporarily or – in the case of national programmer Larry Bensky – being permanently removed from the paid national staff. 

Since her ascension to the helm of the Pacifica Foundation’s administrative branch, the Daily Planet has tried to contact Wash a half-dozen times without success. 

Recently Wash has been reaching out to the media and made herself available for the following interview of which the following is the first part. The second half of the interview will appear in Wednesday’s paper. 

Daily Planet: I appreciate you taking the time to call me, we’ve not been able to connect earlier. Now that you’ve taken over as executive director, I’d like to know what your goals are? 

Bessie Wash: To do great radio. Expanding our programming so that we reach a wider and broader audience.  

DP: I’m wondering how you feel about taking over when there’s so much conflict, particularly out here at KPFA, and some, I guess at WBAI (in New York) as well. 

BW: Well, you know, I can only tell you that my experience as I went around to the stations was that everyone only wants to be in the business of radio. And they want to get back to doing their programming.  

They were interested in ways that they can strengthen their programming. 

They wanted to know, just like you did, what my feelings were, how I saw moving the foundation forward. There was just a general interest, I think, in the fact that I am new in coming in. There’s also an appreciation, I think, that I came from one of the other stations (Wash is general manager at WPFW in Washington D.C.). I also feel that there was appreciation for my commitment to the foundation. 

DP: I’m wondering what you think of the new move, out here at KPFA, to actually have an elected Local Advisory Committee.  

(KPFA is going through the process of nominating candidates to the Local Advisory Board. Elections will follow in August. The board has been appointed up to now.) 

BW: I don’t know, I really don’t know. You kind of caught me off guard because I really don’t know much about that. I can only tell you that it is the role of the governance board to govern the foundation. The governance board has the authority to exercise policy control over the station and the foundation. The advisory board is there as advisory only. 

That’s a policy statement that you’re asking me about, I couldn’t really address it. And I don’t know anything about any kind of election. I guess the person to ask would be Jim Bennett, who is our interim station manager there. And I certainly will ask because I don’t know anything about it. 

DP: One of the complaints of the KPFA supporters is that the new way that the governance board is chosen leaves local people out of the loop. 

BW: I can only speak to that from my knowledge base, which is that there were members of the Local Advisory Board present (as members of the governance board) when the changes were made. If they had concerns, I don’t know because I wasn’t (in my present position). I would assume it would have been expressed, but those same members are members who came from the community, and are still part of the governance board.  

I would say that the input, before and after, from the community is the same. I know that I definitely have an interest in the needs of the community because I want to make sure that we are providing a viable service – meaning that we are providing a program that the community is interested in hearing. 

I also know that Jim Bennett is also very interested in that. At least one public affairs program in the afternoon has been added that would be appealing to the youth that specifically came from requests and concerns from the community. 

DP: I know that one of the concerns is that the station appeals to a broader range of people. I wonder how you find out how to do that because I understand that the Arbitron ratings don’t include Asian/Pacific Islanders, Arab-Americans, South Asians and some other minority groups. In addition to that one program that has come on in the afternoon, how do you see broadening the station’s appeal? 

BW: I only brought up that one program because I know it is a new program that is Jim’s baby. He wanted to put it on the air and wanted to be sure that it did occur. And you’re absolutely right. We very much want to include the growing Asian, Hispanic and African American communities. You’re also right that the Audiographic numbers that we look at from Arbitron don’t really give us the true measurement of everything. 

What we try to do, or are attempting to do, [our goal] is to put on our own programming that would attract those audiences, and then attract the community response to that.  

The tool that you’re talking about, in terms of audience measurement, is the only one that we use. We also look to feedback – feedback from the advisory boards, feedback from the community and the schools. One of the things that I want to do very much, as I visit the signal areas, is to go to the schools, speak with the teachers, try to attract more youth, find out what it is that they want to hear. And, if they are listening to the station, try to address the minority groups in the community and begin to get feedback directly from them, to let them know that we are very interested in their needs and making sure that they are heard and that we are providing a service to them.  

DP: Do you see other kinds of programming changes in order to broaden the appeal?  

BW: Programming changes and new programming (decisions) are made on the local level within the station. So I’ll be depending, again, very heavily on the general manager, along with his programming staff, on what programs either go on or come off the air, and are either extended or not extended. 

Those are all local decisions. Right now, what we are interested in is strengthening the two national programs that we do have – which is Democracy Now! And Pacifica Network News – to make sure, again, that they do fit in with the local flavor and that the community also feels that it is satisfying a local need. 

The programming that comes on the station that you hear is actually made by the general manager and the program director and the staff at the stations themselves. They are not made at the foundation level and will not be made at the foundation level.

A 23-year-old Richmond man was shot three times about 8:30 p.m. Sunday night at the corner of Berkeley Way and Walnut Avenue. 

“We still do not know much about what went on,” said Capt. Bobby Miller, spokesperson for the police department. The victim, who was rushed into surgery as soon as he reached the hospital, was in stable condition Monday at Highland Hospital in Oakland.  

Miller said investigators hoped the man would be alert by evening and able to tell investigators about the incident. 

The shooting seemed to begin with a dispute between the victim and two other people, Miller said. After the man was shot, he managed to get into his car and drive to the downtown BART station. Police were called from there. 

Before being taken to the hospital, the victim was able to describe the suspects as two black males around 17 or 18 years of age, each with one gold front tooth. One male was 5 feet 9 inches, 160 pounds and the other is described as 5 feet 7 inches, 155 pounds.  

The suspects fled the scene in a white Ford Mustang of an unknown year.

Quiet activists, resident anchors, low–key community builders – they’re in every community. Neighbors know them and generally appreciate what they do, but the appreciation is usually pretty quiet too. Such neighborhood treasures are all too often taken for granted. 

One such unsung hero for the neighborhood south of Ashby and just east of Sacramento is Bob Clear, who has occupied the modest white house with blue trim with his family for over twenty–three years. What has Bob Clear done for this South Berkeley neighborhood? Better known as “Bicycle Bob,” Clear has been fixing the bicycles children bring to him for over twenty years. 

His neighbor, Jack Moore, who lives next door, has watched the story unfold for the whole two decades. 

“He’s been doing this for years. I see children there almost every day. Whenever a child has a problem with a bicycle, they come knock on Bob’s door.” 

An unassuming man with a slightly sardonic smile, Clear is modest about his contribution. 

“Mostly I do it just to be part of the community. I’m not a religious person and I’m not a joiner, so when I think about community and ask myself what am I gonna give back, my answer is, one of the things I can do is work on bicycles. There are a lot of people doing things, but most of them do it in an organization.” 

At least twice others in the community tried to organize what Clear does into more formal youth development efforts. 

“Two or three years ago, a woman who was part of the church up the street tried to organize my repair work at the church. She tried to tie it to getting the children involved in doing things in the community. And recently someone else came by and asked me to teach the children how to fix their own bikes, but the children wouldn’t come on a regular basis. Some of the children are amenable to learning how to fix bikes themselves and some of them aren’t.”  

Clear doesn’t remember exactly how the tradition got started. “It was very much chance. Probably somebody walked by pushing a bike with a flat tire and I said, ‘you want that fixed?’ But then it got to be too much – I found I was doing it all the time – so I ended up having to set hours. Wednesday afternoon and most of Saturday I try to be here. I don’t always succeed.” 

Before Clear established regular hours, children would knock on an almost daily basis with a bicycle in hand. 

As good as Clear feels about giving back to the community, he’s had his doubts about it from time to time. 

“It’s had it’s ups and downs. You know, children can play rough, and sometimes games get out of hand, especially if they get into the insult game. One child says something that strikes too close to home and gets someone mad. It can escalate real fast. I’ve had concerns that I might be creating a nuisance, with there being so many children gathered here and some of them not always polite.”  

A few times, Clear or his wife have even been threatened “because I didn’t do something they wanted me to do, or I broke up a fight.” 

“I worry sometimes whether it’s too much for my neighbors who live in the first floor apartment, because it’s happening so close to them. And sometimes, though not recently, I’ve had a hard time keeping a hold of tools and that can get discouraging.” 

But the satisfactions outweigh the discouragement.  

“What’s most satisfying is to have the children you’ve helped come up to you a few years afterwards and say they’re doing okay, that they have a job, that they’re making something of themselves. Often it’s the children I’ve had lots of problems with. Seeing them doing well as adults feels good.” 

As he talked, Marshawn, 7, and Michael, 9, rode up.  

“What do you need?” 

“I need my handlebars straightened,” said Marshawn. 

“And I need air in my front tire,” said Michael. 

Examining Michael’s bike, Clear said, “That’s not the only thing you need. This is going to be a real problem. See all this loose stuff hanging here?” he said pointing to the frayed ends of Michael’s pants legs. 

Marshawn looked at his friend’s ankles and concurred with Clear’s prognosis. “I hit a pole once when my pants got stuck in the chain.” 

Clear tells a story of how he and his wife, Barbara, were riding their bikes and came upon a boy fallen by the roadside lashed tightly to his bike by his pants. 

“He was locked to his bike. We had no tools, so we ended up having to cut the end of his cuff off and then burn the torn end out from under the chain.” 

The children said that they learn a lot from Clear. “The last time my chain was broken I brought it here and I kept on watching him so I could learn how to fix it,” Marshawn said. “I come here every time I get a problem.” 

“Really, what I have is access to tools,” Clear said as he worked on the handlebars, “and patches are inexpensive.” 

“And I’ve learned things from the children too,” Clear said, telling how once a child came to him with an inner tube that was too big for the tire. “He had a unique way of holding the tube and stuffing it inside on itself to get it in the tire. It was very clever.” 

Clear came to the Bay area with a doctorate in chemistry from UC San Diego, but he hasn’t worked as a chemist for over twenty years. Instead, he ended up at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, working on energy conservation.  

He and his wife looked around for what they could afford, and ended up in their present home, which he expanded five years ago by adding a second floor. 

Clear, 53, is now semi–retired, only occasionally being called to the Lab to help out. He puts in a lot of unpaid time developing mathematical models. 

“My wife and I live simply. Our house is paid for. We have no car. A lot of people take a lot of money to live. Seeing the prices of houses climb the way they are right now, I must confess I’m pretty concerned that soon people won’t be able to afford to live here anymore.” 

But while such larger issues of community sustainability worry him, he nonetheless constantly radiates the calm assurance that he is doing what he can to help knit the community together. 

“It makes me feel good about being in the community. I can provide a model. Once a child asked me how much I charge and I told him, ‘I charge an awful lot. I’m doing you a favor and I want you to go out and do a favor for someone else,’” Clear said 

“So in some ways it does get back to philosophy. I’m not religious, so when I ask myself the question ‘what’s the purpose of life?’ my answer is ‘the only purpose I have is the purpose I make for it.’”

Monday, July 24

“Pros and Cons of Measure B” with Marike Baan 

1:15 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst at MLK Jr. Way 

644-6107 

Parks and Recreation Commission 

7 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave. 

The commission will address naming the tot lot at San Pablo Park after Corene Butler Bayless and the audiorium/meeting room there after Esther Bell. There will be a public hearing on naming the new park at Fifth and Harrison streets and a discussion of the use/management/maintenance agreement for People’s Park.  

Affordable Housing Advocacy Project 

5:30 p.m. 

Harriet Tubman Terrace 

2870 Adeline St. 

Topic for discussion: Getting ready for the fall election and what will be on the ballot. 

1-800-773-2110 

Design Review Committee Meeting  

7:30 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave., Workshop B 

The agenda will include 801 Grayson Street, the Bayer corporation, South Properties, and 1608 Fourth Street. 

705-8118 

Monday, July 24 

“Pros and Cons of Measure B” with Marike Baan 

1:15 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst at MLK Jr. Way 

644-6107 

Parks and Recreation Commission 

7 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave. 

The commission will address naming the tot lot at San Pablo Park after Corene Butler Bayless and the audiorium/meeting room there after Esther Bell. There will be a public hearing on naming the new park at Fifth and Harrison streets and a discussion of the use/management/maintenance agreement for People’s Park.  

Affordable Housing Advocacy Project 

5:30 p.m. 

Harriet Tubman Terrace 

2870 Adeline St. 

Topic for discussion: Getting ready for the fall election and what will be on the ballot. 

1-800-773-2110 

Design Review Committee Meeting  

7:30 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave., Workshop B 

The agenda will include 801 Grayson Street, the Bayer corporation, South Properties, and 1608 Fourth Street. 

705-8118 

Tuesday, July 25  

“The Candy Cottage” 

2:30 p.m. 

The Hall of Health 

2230 Shattuck Ave 

A comedy for children ages 3 to 12 and their parents. Learn about health and nutrition. “The Candy Cottage” is a short play written and performed by Hall of Health staff. The play provides information about eating healthily, the food pyramid, and what various vitamins and mineral do for your body. 

549-1564 

“Commitment Ceremonies” 

6-7:30 p.m. 

Judah L. Magnes Museum 

2911 Russell St. 

Rabbi Allen B. Bennett of Temple Israel in Alameda, and Muchal Friedlander, Blumenthal Curator of Judaica at the Judah L. Magnes Museum, will discuss “Commitment Ceremonies.” Rabbi Bennet will pose the question of-and whether-new concepts of commitment can be integrated with more traditional Jewish and general perspectives on marriage. 

$5 donation suggested for non-members. 

Reservations are appreciated, but not required. 

549-6950 

Chinese Macrame: Ornaments 

10 a.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst at MLK Jr. Way 

644-6107 

Violin and Piano Classical Musical Concert with Cooper and Yand 

1:15 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst at MLK Jr. Way 

644-6107 

Community Dance Party 

7:45-9:45 p.m. 

Live Oak Part Social Hall 

1301 Shattuck Ave. 

Dance instruction included with admission. 

Teens $2, Non-members $4 

Wednesday, July 26 

Nursing Home Reform 

1:30 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave. 

Prescott Cole, staff attorney and elder abuse coordinator for California Advocates for Nursing Ho me Reform is the featured speaker at the membership meeting. Also speaking is Betty Brown of Common Agenda. 

“Peace and Dignity Run 2000” 

6 a.m. 

Point Reyes Station 

834-9455 ext. 231 

Disaster Council 

7 p.m. 

997 Cedar St. 

Discussions include bicycle policy issues and BPD Chief’s report. 

644-6480 

Townhall Meeting on the Public Housing Plan 

6-8 p.m. 

South Berkeley Senior Center 

2939 Ellis Street 

1-800-773-2110 

Baby Bounce and Toddler Tales 

7 p.m. 

West Branch Berkeley Public Library, 1125 University Ave. 

This storytime program is designed for families with children up to 3 years old. The free, participatory program features a half hour of multicultural songs, rhymes, lap jogs and stories to give very young children a lively introduction to the magic of books. Parents also will enjoy the new stories, rediscover old favorites and learn new songs and games to share. 

644-6870 

Thursday, July 27  

From Bears to Bigfoot 

7 p.m.  

REI 

1338 San Pablo Ave 

An Evening With California Wildlife Expert Tom Stienstra: San Francisco Examiner outdoors writer Tom Stienstra. Come find out how to best handle close encounters with bears, rattlesnakes, sharks and more. 

527-7377 

Friday, July 28 

“KPFA on the air” 

7:30 p.m. 

U.C. Theater 

2036 University Ave. 

A film reviewing KPFA’s history from the time community-sponsored radio was just an idea in the head of pacifist Lew Hill to July 13 of last year when KPFA staff were booted out of their studio by Pacifica managers and arrested by Berkeley police. 

Teen Poetry at Berkeley Public Library 

7:15 p.m. 

2940 Benvenue 

Teen poets are invited to share their best work at Berkeley Public Library’s Claremont Branch. Doors open at 7:15 p.m., and sign-ups to read will be taken until 8:11. 

All ages are welcome to attend, but poets must be at least 12 and no older than 19 to share their work in this venue. There will be prizes for those who turn in the best performances. This free event is sponsored by Teen Services and the Friends of the Library. 

644-6100 x313 

Saturday, July 29 

63rd Annual Bay Regional Golf Tournament 

Saturday and Sunday July 29 and 30 and Saturday and Sunday August 5 and 6 

Tilden Park Golf Course 

The Tournament consists of 72 Holes with a cut made after 2 Rounds. NCGA player points awarded-over $5000 in Prizes  

$115 Entry Fee-Entries Close July 19  

925-253-0950 

Berkeley State Health Toastmasters Club 

12:10-1:10 p.m. 

State Health Building, Eighth Floor, 2151 Berkeley Way 

Toastmasters International, a nonprofit educational organization, has been working for over 70 years to help people conquer their pre-speech jitters and improve communication skills. The local club meetings the second, third and fourth Thursdays of each month. 

649-7750 or higgins_edie@hotmail.com 

Sunday, July 30 

“Hammering it out” 

7:30 p.m. 

La Peña Cultural Center 

3105 Shattuck Ave 

“Hammering It Out” is the story of a community initiated laws that resulted in hundreds of women getting trained and working on a billion-dollar freeway in Los Angeles in the 1980s and 90s. 

$7.00 donation 

Monday, July 31 

Newly Diagnosed Breast Cancer Support Group 

Professionally facilitated support group allows members to share their feelings and to support each other in the healing process. Support group held every first, third and fifth Monday of each month.  

Call 204-4330 or 204-1769 for time and location.  

Friday, August 4 

“Human Nature” 

8:30 p.m. 

New College Cultural Center 

766 Valencia 

San Francisco 

Watch or participate in an idyllic nude ritual of groupbody which reconnects us to a merged mindset. Put on by X-plicit Players. 

Ticket: $12 

484-1985 

www.xpliciteplayers.com 

Sunday, August 6 

Creative Writing Workshop with Dr. Joi Barrios, 

10:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. 

Pusod, Center for Arts, Culture and Ecology 

1808 Fifth Street 

Berkeley, CA 

Barrios is an acclaimed Filipina writer and Associate for Fiction at the Creative Writing Center at the University of the Philippines. 

Pre-registration is required by July 25. Pre-submission of written work that would be the subject of the workshop is also required. 

A registration fee of $15 would cover basic costs, which will be waived for participants with resulting poetry that tend to integrate arts, culture and ecology in the content. 

Please contact Pusod at ipat@bwf.org or call 883-1808 for more details. 

“The San Francisco Chronicle Tour de Peninsula 2000” 

8 a.m. 

A 33-mile bicycle tour which benefits the San Mateo County Parks and Recreation Foundation. The ride, open to all ages, is a scenic loop that includes the Sawyer Camp Trail in the San Francisco Watershed. It starts at 8 am at Sequoia High School in Redwood City. Early registration fee, by July 28: $25 adults, $15 children 16 years and under. Race day entry fee: $30 adults, $20 children 16 years and under. Stop by REI to pick up a registration brochure. For additional information about the ride please call (415) 759-2690.  

Tuesday, July 25

“The Candy Cottage” 

2:30 p.m. 

The Hall of Health 

2230 Shattuck Ave 

A comedy for children ages 3 to 12 and their parents. Learn about health and nutrition. “The Candy Cottage” is a short play written and performed by Hall of Health staff. The play provides information about eating healthily, the food pyramid, and what various vitamins and mineral do for your body. 

549-1564 

“Commitment Ceremonies” 

6-7:30 p.m. 

Judah L. Magnes Museum 

2911 Russell St. 

Rabbi Allen B. Bennett of Temple Israel in Alameda, and Muchal Friedlander, Blumenthal Curator of Judaica at the Judah L. Magnes Museum, will discuss “Commitment Ceremonies.” Rabbi Bennet will pose the question of-and whether-new concepts of commitment can be integrated with more traditional Jewish and general perspectives on marriage. 

$5 donation suggested for non-members. 

Reservations are appreciated, but not required. 

549-6950 

Chinese Macrame: Ornaments 

10 a.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst at MLK Jr. Way 

644-6107 

Violin and Piano Classical Musical Concert with Cooper and Yand 

1:15 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst at MLK Jr. Way 

644-6107 

Community Dance Party 

7:45-9:45 p.m. 

Live Oak Part Social Hall 

1301 Shattuck Ave. 

Dance instruction included with admission. 

Teens $2, Non-members $4 

Wednesday, July 26

Nursing Home Reform 

1:30 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave. 

Prescott Cole, staff attorney and elder abuse coordinator for California Advocates for Nursing Ho me Reform is the featured speaker at the membership meeting. Also speaking is Betty Brown of Common Agenda. 

“Peace and Dignity Run 2000” 

6 a.m. 

Point Reyes Station 

834-9455 ext. 231 

Disaster Council 

7 p.m. 

997 Cedar St. 

Discussions include bicycle policy issues and BPD Chief’s report. 

644-6480 

Townhall Meeting on the Public Housing Plan 

6-8 p.m. 

South Berkeley Senior Center 

2939 Ellis Street 

1-800-773-2110 

Baby Bounce and Toddler Tales 

7 p.m. 

West Branch Berkeley Public Library, 1125 University Ave. 

This storytime program is designed for families with children up to 3 years old. The free, participatory program features a half hour of multicultural songs, rhymes, lap jogs and stories to give very young children a lively introduction to the magic of books. Parents also will enjoy the new stories, rediscover old favorites and learn new songs and games to share. 

644-6870 

Thursday, July 27

From Bears to Bigfoot 

7 p.m.  

REI 

1338 San Pablo Ave 

An Evening With California Wildlife Expert Tom Stienstra: San Francisco Examiner outdoors writer Tom Stienstra. Come find out how to best handle close encounters with bears, rattlesnakes, sharks and more. 

527-7377 

Friday, July 28

“KPFA on the air” 

7:30 p.m. 

U.C. Theater 

2036 University Ave. 

A film reviewing KPFA’s history from the time community-sponsored radio was just an idea in the head of pacifist Lew Hill to July 13 of last year when KPFA staff were booted out of their studio by Pacifica managers and arrested by Berkeley police. 

Teen Poetry at Berkeley Public Library 

7:15 p.m. 

2940 Benvenue 

Teen poets are invited to share their best work at Berkeley Public Library’s Claremont Branch. Doors open at 7:15 p.m., and sign-ups to read will be taken until 8:11. 

All ages are welcome to attend, but poets must be at least 12 and no older than 19 to share their work in this venue. There will be prizes for those who turn in the best performances. This free event is sponsored by Teen Services and the Friends of the Library. 

644-6100 x313 

Saturday, July 29 

63rd Annual Bay Regional Golf Tournament 

Saturday and Sunday July 29 and 30 and Saturday and Sunday August 5 and 6 

Tilden Park Golf Course 

The Tournament consists of 72 Holes with a cut made after 2 Rounds. NCGA player points awarded-over $5000 in Prizes  

$115 Entry Fee-Entries Close July 19  

925-253-0950 

Berkeley State Health Toastmasters Club 

12:10-1:10 p.m. 

State Health Building, Eighth Floor, 2151 Berkeley Way 

Toastmasters International, a nonprofit educational organization, has been working for over 70 years to help people conquer their pre-speech jitters and improve communication skills. The local club meetings the second, third and fourth Thursdays of each month. 

649-7750 or higgins_edie@hotmail.com 

Sunday, July 30

“Hammering it out” 

7:30 p.m. 

La Peña Cultural Center 

3105 Shattuck Ave 

“Hammering It Out” is the story of a community initiated laws that resulted in hundreds of women getting trained and working on a billion-dollar freeway in Los Angeles in the 1980s and 90s. 

$7.00 donation 

Monday, July 31

Newly Diagnosed Breast Cancer Support Group 

Professionally facilitated support group allows members to share their feelings and to support each other in the healing process. Support group held every first, third and fifth Monday of each month.  

Call 204-4330 or 204-1769 for time and location.  

Friday, August 4 

“Human Nature” 

8:30 p.m. 

New College Cultural Center 

766 Valencia 

San Francisco 

Watch or participate in an idyllic nude ritual of groupbody which reconnects us to a merged mindset. Put on by X-plicit Players. 

Ticket: $12 

484-1985 

www.xpliciteplayers.com 

Sunday, August 6

Creative Writing Workshop with Dr. Joi Barrios, 

10:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. 

Pusod, Center for Arts, Culture and Ecology 

1808 Fifth Street 

Berkeley, CA 

Barrios is an acclaimed Filipina writer and Associate for Fiction at the Creative Writing Center at the University of the Philippines. 

Pre-registration is required by July 25. Pre-submission of written work that would be the subject of the workshop is also required. 

A registration fee of $15 would cover basic costs, which will be waived for participants with resulting poetry that tend to integrate arts, culture and ecology in the content. 

Please contact Pusod at ipat@bwf.org or call 883-1808 for more details. 

“The San Francisco Chronicle Tour de Peninsula 2000” 

8 a.m. 

A 33-mile bicycle tour which benefits the San Mateo County Parks and Recreation Foundation. The ride, open to all ages, is a scenic loop that includes the Sawyer Camp Trail in the San Francisco Watershed. It starts at 8 am at Sequoia High School in Redwood City. Early registration fee, by July 28: $25 adults, $15 children 16 years and under. Race day entry fee: $30 adults, $20 children 16 years and under. Stop by REI to pick up a registration brochure. For additional information about the ride please call (415) 759-2690.

Editor: 

Regarding the letter published on July 18, “Letting dogs run off-leash in Chavez park is a mistake.” 

Many people worked very hard to create the small off-leash area in Cesar Chavez Park. Dog owners, some of whom no longer use soccer fields, playgrounds, or even schools, do pay taxes; and I believe we are entitled to a place where we can give pleasure to ourselves and our usually-confined animal companions. 

The suggestion – threat, really – that those of us who follow the rules will be punished for those who do not is based on a very poor principle of government. 

In fact, my husband and I do caution those we see whose dogs are loose improperly. 

Beyond that, the city police who patrol down there on bicycles, or the animal control people who drive through now and then, could certainly issue tickets to offenders. 

As for wildlife, there's a lot of it around, both predators and prey. While the occasional loose dog may savage a rabbit, it's likely that the real enemies of ground-nesting birds and young rabbits, at least, are raccoons, possums, rats, those big white egrets, feral cats, and possibly even coyotes. 

Janet LaPierre 

Berkeley 

While some may be disillusioned with government, one wouldn’t guess it from the list of 13 hopefuls who took out election papers last week, the first week candidates could pick up the candidacy forms from the city clerk.  

All five incumbent city councilmembers up for re-election have taken out papers to run again – Vice Mayor Maudelle Shirek, District 3, Councilmember Margaret Breland, District 2, Councilmember Diane Woolley, District 5 and Councilmember Betty Olds, District 6. 

The most crowded race to date is District 2 in southwest Berkeley, where Breland will face challengers Carol Hughes-Willoughby, a minister and employee of an after-school program, Betty J. Hicks, a retired postmaster, church, youth and San Pablo Park area activist and District 2 resident Jon Crowder a substitute teacher. 

AC Transit Director Miriam Hawley has taken out papers to run for the central Berkeley District 5 seat. When the Daily Planet reached Hawley on her cell phone Sunday afternoon, she was standing  

on a corner collecting signatures for her run. Each candidate needs at least 20 signatures to run for office. Hawley said she is giving up her transit post to make the run. 

She’ll face incumbent Diane Woolley, sometimes known as a maverick, often voting with the liberal/progressive block on social issues and voting with the moderate faction on tax and fiscal issues. 

Incumbent Betty Olds took out election papers Thursday. She’ll face challenger Norine Smith, active in planning issues. No challenger has surfaced to face Shirek, a 16-year incumbent. 

Two school board seats are open and four people look like they are entering the race to date. All candidates run “at large,” that is, they do not run by district. 

They are incumbent School Board President Joaquin RIvera, Irma Parker, who is working on the Diversity Project, has volunteered in the schools for 15 years and is working to get the special schools tax passed, Sheri Morton, whom the Daily Planet could not reach and John Selawsky, active on numerous school committees and chair of the city’s Community Environmental Advisory Commission. 

No one has taken out papers to run for any of the four rent board seats that are open. 

In principal, candidates must return papers by Aug. 11. However, when an incumbent is not seeking office – for example School Board Member Pamela Doolan is not running again – the filing period is extended until Aug. 16. 

Elections are Nov. 7, with run-offs by mail scheduled for Dec. 5.

Every summer, Buddhist churches across California hold fundraisers. These events attract members of the church and members of other local Buddhist churches to celebrate their ancient culture. 

Saturday and Sunday, The Berkeley Higashi Honganji Church held its annual summer bazaar at its Oregon Street location. 

Hundreds of people turned out over the two afternoons to eat traditional Japanese food – as well as some American food – prepared by the members of the church. Games were set up for children to play and win prizes, and the Higashi Honganji Church also held a raffle. 

“The (Buddhist) philosophy is very good for children nowadays because it’s all about balance and wisdom and passion, which I don’t think kids get elsewhere,” Dorise Ouye, chairperson of the Ohtani Bazaar said. “You can’t get compassion playing a video game.” 

Ouye said that many Japanese-American churches lose members and take over. The purpose of the Ohtani Bazaar is to pass along the culture and traditions to younger generations, who will hopefully end up staying active in the church. 

“There’s not enough examples of things positive,” she said. “And so this is one way for kids to have that balance and have that value.” 

The bazaar is the church’s main fundraising event of the year. It attracts many of the 300 or so families that are members of the church as well as many people who are not involved in the church. Over the weekend, they sold about 100 dinners, which people ate either on the church’s patio or took home. 

The Higashi Honganji Church in Berkeley opened in 1926. Higashi Honganji is a division of Jodo Shinshu, which is a sect of Buddhism. Its headquarters are in Kyoto, Japan, but it has churches around the world, including about a half dozen in California. 

One of the church’s main goals is to teach the traditional Japanese cultures to young people who were born in the United States. Its minister, the bishop of Higashi Honganji in North America, teaches classes on Buddhist and Japanese traditions. The Ohtani Bazaar is also set up to attract the interest of younger members of the church. 

Dick Fujii, treasurer of the church, said that the annual bazaar dates back as long as he can remember, which is over 50 years. 

“It’s kind of a traditional thing,” Fujii said. “It brings the families together to work together and participate in the church. It also gives us a chance to teach some of the younger adults some of the culture; how to make sushi and some of the foods that we have traditionally every year.”

On Wednesday, East Bay youth and community members will take a stand against what they see as deteriorating conditions of schools and the lack of proactive measures to reduce youth violence. They will be participating in the East Bay leg of “Peace & Dignity Journeys 2000,” a Native American-human rights alliance and transcontinental prayer run.  

The event is being organized by Youth Together, a multi-racial violence prevention and social justice project operating in five high schools in Berkeley, Oakland and Richmond. Youth Together has sponsored unity events and led discussions on the topics of social injustice and violence since its inception in 1996. 

The Youth Together participants will meet up with Native American runners, who started running in early May from Arctic Village, Alaska. A second set of runners set out from Tierra del Fuego in South America, also in early May. The two groups of runners will meet up in October at the temples of the Sun and the Moon in Teotihuacan, near Mexico City. 

On Wednesday, the runners will gather at 6 a.m. at Point Reyes Station, run east through the county and across the San Rafael Bridge. At noon they will be welcomed in Richmond at the YMCA. 

They will then continue on to Martin Luther King Jr. Park in Berkeley, at the corner of Martin Luther King Way and Center Street where there will be a welcoming ceremony and speeches by Youth Together students and community leaders. 

From there, they will run to Castlemont High School in Oakland where there will be a welcoming ceremony with African, Aztec, Polynesian and Mien dancers and additional Youth Together student speakers. 

Funded initially by the U.S. Department of Education's hate crimes prevention grant, Youth Together is currently funded by the department as well as additional private foundation grants, including the Evelyn and Walter Haas Foundation. 

Jan Schultz taught her kids to ride bikes on the trails under the water towers at Shasta and Park Hills Road. 

Now those trails are gone and seven tall pine trees stand like doomed sentries guarding the hill that has been partially excavated to make room for the 7,000 to 10,000 square-foot Hills Fire Station. 

“The hill used to be covered with greenery,” Schultz said, moving her hand from one side to the other to encompass the entire landscape. 

The residents use this area as a little park, she said. They walk their dogs, feed the birds and the squirrels, and enjoy the semi-wilderness that faces the fountain and concrete sign that serves as the gateway to the Park Hills neighborhood.  

City voters approved funding for a new Hills Fire Station in 1992 as part of Measure G, which promised a multi-jurisdictional fire station in a region where there is the greatest danger for a firestorm resulting from an earthquake or other disaster. 

Since the passage of Measure G, Schultz and others have raised questions about the size and purpose of the proposed fire station, and the legality of the proposal. They are asking whether the station fits into the specifications of Measure G and they have threatened legal action against the city. 

Others say the new fire station is critical and argue that a judge will agree that Measure G funds can be used to pay for it. 

Councilmember Betty Olds, who represents the area, contends the “vast majority” support the new station. 

“This is the Fire Department’s preferred site,” she said. “They have to have a site where they can have a quick response to the threat of wildfire from Tilden Park.”  

Jack Washburn, a former fire safety commissioner, agrees with Olds. In a letter to the Daily Planet Washburn blasted the opponents of the station, calling them “a small well-organized group of people...many of whom are not even close neighbors of the proposed site.”  

Washburn says the site at Shasta and Park Hills roads is large enough for a “first-class facility,” which would be critical to fighting a hills fire. 

Residents opposing the new station wonder if it is necessary. They say they would rather keep using the current 1,600-foot Firestation 7, just three blocks away. They want to use Measure G funds to retrofit it. 

And Andrea Cukor argues that the new station will add nothing. 

“We’re not getting any extra support,” Cukor said, noting that the same three-person crew would be on duty at the new station. “The city isn’t being up front about this. It’s absurd to build this Taj Mahal of fire prevention for this,” said David Johnson. 

Councilmember Kriss Worthington explained that the idea outlined by Measure G, when it passed in 1992, was to retrofit the existing fire station and build a new multi-jurisdictional station to be shared by Berkeley and Oakland. The measure G funds would have been used to pay for the retrofitting and one-fourth of the new station; its bill would have been shared by both cities, the East Bay Municipal Utility Department and the East Bay Regional Parks District. 

However, the cities could not agree on a site, so Oakland built its own station in the Oakland Hills leaving Berkeley high and dry. 

As a result, the city developed a proposal to build the new station at Shasta and Park Hills roads and abandon the old station. Building the new station requires validation action – going before a judge – because the plan is not consistent with the language in Measure G. 

In June the City Council unanimously approved a validation action to get a judge’s permission to use measure G funds to build the Hills Station. 

If this process is contested, court proceedings may take up to a year or more, Worthington said. 

The neighbors say they would not mind the delay. 

“(The station) would change the neighborhood from a rural-appearing area to an industrial one,” Schultz said. 

Louise Larson, a neighbor of Schultz agrees. 

“It’s not that we oppose the fire station, we support responsible fire protection,” she said. “We oppose this building.”

Saturday, July 22

Berkeley Farmers’ Market 

10 a.m.-3 p.m. 

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

548-3333 

Sunday, July 23

“The Wind and the Willows” 

3 p.m. 

Pacific Film Archive 

2575 Bancroft Way @ Bowditch 

Recommended for ages 7+. Monty Python fans and kids of all ages will revel in this witty and imaginative live-action adaptation of Kenneth Grahame’s 1908 tale in which Rat, Badger and Mole team up to save their wealthy, reckless friend Toad from losing his estate. 

Tickets $4 

642-5249 

Sunday Brunch & Lecture Series 

10 a.m. 

Berkeley Richmond JCC 

1414 Walnut Street 

The Life and Music of Kurt Weill with conductor Urs Leonhardt Steiner. 

The son of a Jewish Cantor, Kurt Weill was famous in Weimar, Germany for his collaborations with Berthold Brecht (including Three Penny Opera). Weill escaped to the U.S. in 1933, where he reinvented himself for the Broadway theater. His music became freer and jazzier, influenced by Cole Porter and Leonard Bernstein. 

Maestro Steiner will share insights on the genius of this legendary composer, and how his move from Germany to the U.S. impacted his work. Recorded examples will be played to illustrate the lecture. 

Admission is $7 general, $5 for JCC members, students and seniors. Reservations are advised. 

848-0237 ext. 110. 

“A Wobbly High Mass and Church Social” 

7:30 p.m. 

La Pena Community Center 

3105 Shattuck Ave. 

Join the Church of Saint Emma, “Our Lady of Perpetual Dissent,” n an evening of word and song. Tonight’s sermon: “ Saints and Heroes,” with a special tribute to Judi Bari, “ Our Lady f the Redwoods.” Featuring the vocal quartet Folk This! with invited guest performers. “Hymn” books provided with admission. 

415-431-8485 

marcusd@igc.org 

Music of J.S. Bach  

7:30 p.m.  

Berkeley Art Center 

1275 Walnut St. 

Karen Bentley, violin, Marvin Sanders, flute, Elaine Kreston, cello will play several Bach pieces.  

Admission is $10, students and seniors $9.  

Live Oak Telephone 644-6893. 

Monday, July 24

“Pros and Cons of Measure B” with Marike Baan 

1:15 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst at MLK Jr. Way 

644-6107 

Affordable Housing Advocacy Project 

5:30 p.m. 

Harriet Tubman Terrace 

2870 Adeline St. 

Topic for discussion: Getting ready for the fall election and what will be on the ballot. 

1-800-773-2110 

Design Review Committee Meeting  

7:30 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave., Workshop B 

The agenda will include 801 Grayson Street, the Bayer corporation, South Properties, and 1608 Fourth Street. 

705-8118 

Tuesday, July 25

“The Candy Cottage” 

2:30 p.m. 

The Hall of Health 

2230 Shattuck Ave 

A comedy for children ages 3 to 12 and their parents. Learn about health and nutrition. “The Candy Cottage” is a short play written and performed by Hall of Health staff. The play provides information about eating healthily, the food pyramid, and what various vitamins and mineral do for your body. 

549-1564 

“Commitment Ceremonies” 

6-7:30 p.m. 

Judah L. Magnes Museum 

2911 Russell St. 

Rabbi Allen B. Bennett of Temple Israel in Alameda, and Muchal Friedlander, Blumenthal Curator of Judaica at the Judah L. Magnes Museum, will dis$5 donation suggested for non-members. 

549-6950

Growing up near San Pablo Park has always been special. Some people raised in the neighborhood decades ago, have never moved away. 

Bordered by Ward, Park, Russell and Mabel streets, the park has remained a home for neighbors to meet and children to play.  

San Pablo Park is also filled with history. Not only is it the oldest park in Berkeley, but the 50-year-old San Pablo Neighborhood Council is also the oldest neighborhood council in the city. 

The 12.95 acres of land in South Berkeley were purchased in 1907 by the city for $35,000. By 1918, San Pablo Park had two baseball diamonds, two tennis courts and a field house. According city records, it was known as one of the best recreation fields in the Bay Area at that time. 

Kermit Bayless, the current San Pablo Neighborhood Council president, is one of those who grew up in the neighborhood and never left. His mother, Corene Bayless, still lives in his childhood home, just across the park from where he lives today.  

“Back then, when they said it takes a village to raise a family, it was practice,” Bayless said. 

Today Bayless and Debbie Dillahunty, another neighbor involved in the council, sit around and talk about growing up in the San Pablo Park neighborhood. They remember playing games in the streets with other neighborhood children and going over to the park to borrow basketballs and tether balls. 

“To think about growing up in this area always brings a smile to my face,” Dillahunty said. 

“At the park they had so many activities. That’s another thing that we would like to get back to having. We always had a talent show to look forward to. It was just a place where you could go. They had cooking classes, you name it and it was over there for us to do.” 

Doris Branch Tabor moved into the neighborhood from Texas in 1943. The neighborhood has changed some in the last half century, she says. The main difference she has noticed is that she used to know everybody on the block, but there isn’t as much of a community feel any more. 

Tabor is one of many neighbors who have been involved in the neighborhood council for decades. Her husband was a founding member, as were Corene Bayless and Esther Bell, who are both still members, but Tabor didn’t start attending meetings until the 1970s. 

“We are a group of dedicated people who want the best for our neighborhood,” Tabor said. “We are few in number but we are in unison and we are in cohesion.” 

The council was formed in the 1950s by a group of people concerned about changes the city wanted to make at the park. The city was thinking about building a fire station and school on the grounds of San Pablo Park, and the residents wanted input on the direction in which their park was heading. 

“At that time, out in the center of the park was a little shack that was dilapidated, ready to fall down,” Kermit Bayless said. “The park needed a lot of work.” 

The early members of the council had the park totally renovated during the 1960s. New tennis courts were resurfaced and three full-length basketball courts were added. The renovation also replaced the old clubhouse in the center of the park, which by that time was over 30 years old. 

“There were a lot of stories about that old clubhouse,” Bayless joked. “We thought ghosts were in there. It had some history; spooky history.” 

The council, made up of residents who live between San Pablo Avenue and Sacramento Street and Dwight Way and Ashby Avenue, is constantly working to improve the park and bring back some of the community feel to the area that has been lost over the years. Monthly meetings usually attract 25 to 30 people from the neighborhood. 

To celebrate its 50th anniversary, the neighborhood council will hold an all-day festival in the park on Sept. 23. Bayless is arranging baseball, basketball and tennis tournaments, entertainment, food vendors and other neighborhood merchants to be at the event. 

Organizers hope that the association will grow as a result of the festival and that it will rebuild a sense of community that the San Pablo neighborhood has been lacking. 

The festival is being held, in part, for the children of the area, Dillahunty said. “We want them to take over the position that Kermit is handling now and to appreciate the park in the same manner. But they have to know the history so that they can appreciate the beauty of the park as well.” 

Organizers of the San Pablo Neighborhood Council’s 50th Anniversary Fair are looking for vendors and advertisers for the event. The public may contact Kermit Bayless at (510) 845-4951 for more information.

City Councilmember Kriss Worthington is proposing a compromise to build a new Hills Fire Station at Shasta and Park Hills roads without stepping on too many toes. 

In an informational report passed out at last week’s City Council meeting, Worthington outlines a settlement that he hopes will be palatable enough to get on the November ballot before the August 11 deadline passes. 

He suggests returning to the taxpayers the $2 million already approved in Measure G bonds, either through a city-issued check or as credit on next year’s tax bill, and asking the voters to approve a new bond of $2 million to build the new station.  

Worthington said that this is a much better solution than the city going through a validation suit to use the Measure G funds. 

“This is the taxpayers’ money,” he said “We have a moral and legal obligation to give it back to them if we are not doing what we are supposed to do with it.” 

He also hopes to please the neighbors of the proposed station by trimming it down a few thousand square feet. 

Residents of the Park Hills neighborhood think the 7,000-10,000 square feet proposed is just too colossal. So, he suggests working with the residents to find a compromise. 

“Perhaps 3,500 or 4,000 He said he hopes his compromise will be discussed at Tuesday’s council meeting along with Councilmember Betty Olds’ item on the agenda calling for the Fire Department to “answer some crucial questions.” 

Olds said she supports the Hills fire station, but does not subscribe to Worthington’s method. 

“Of course I renounce it,” she said of his plan. “Why would Berkeleyans in his district care about what happens in the hills.”  

Worthington said that the validation lawsuit the city is involved in could delay the Hills Fire Station’s construction for up to a year or more. And if the city loses the validation action, he said the city may have to have a special election or wait two years until the next regular election before the matter could be addressed again. 

If five Councilmembers request to have a special meeting regarding his ideas, they will be legally required to do so. But, he said, “compromises are hard to work out around here.”

At a meeting Thursday night to discuss the controversial permanent lighting plan for Memorial Stadium, the general consensus among the audience of about 80 Berkeley and neighboring residents seemed to be that panelists representing UC Berkeley just weren’t listening to them. 

Halfway through the meeting, Frederika Drotos, past president of the Panoramic Hill Association, which opposes the lights, asked the panel if this meeting weren’t a waste of her time.  

Drotos’ question came after panelist Jackie Bernier, a principal planner for auxiliary programs at Cal, said that the university would “review everything and then issue a categorical exemption for the lights” (which basically means that the university, with no other oversight body, will find that the permanent light towers pose no adverse environmental risks and approve them).  

“There is no other body that will review the proposed lighting study,” Drotos shot back at the panel. “You’re saying, ‘We are the body, and we will issue our report.’ being paid to tell us there is nothing wrong,” she snapped. 

Bernier tried unsuccessfully several times to interrupt Drotos and bring order back to the discussion. Drotos, with support from the audience, refused to yield the floor and simply talked louder and more forcefully than Bernier. At that point, Bernier admonished the audience to show the same respect “we expect our children to give.” 

At that remark, the audience let loose a large collective groan. Janice Thomas, president of the Panoramic Hill Association, walked out, commenting under her breath that she didn’t have to take this kind of treatment.  

Even City Councilmember Kriss Worthington, during his allotted three minutes, said, “Being treated as somebody’s children is so offensive to me. We have to think of the community and treat people with dignity and respect.”  

Bernier tied several times to explain her comment, but the audience bunkered deeper into its perception that the university would do what it wants despite residents’ research and concerns. 

“The bottom line,” said audience member Jim Sharpe, as if he were speaking for the university, “is that if you don’t like what we’re doing, then sue us.” 

The neighbors believe the university ought to write a formal Environmental Impact Report. 

Before the meeting began, Janice Thomas said that if an EIR were done and it suggested the lights could be installed without impacting the neighborhood, she would accept that decision. 

What angers her and most of the nearby residents, she said, is the way due process is being circumvented. “If we have to live with the impact, at least acknowledge it. But we want the process.” 

University says study is adequate 

Panelist Jennifer Lawrence, a principal planner with the university, argued that UC Berkeley’s study is adequate and an EIR is unnecessary. 

Monday is the last day the public can make formal comments on the study. Lawrence said that on Tuesday the university will file its “categorical exemption” exempting them from doing an EIR. 

Neighbors then have 35 days to file suit to try to force the university to do an EIR, she said. 

Panelist Bernier also contended that an EIR is unnecessary. The project was examined by a design review committee, which concluded that there would be no impact to the historic structure, and therefore no need for an EIR, she argued.  

When asked on what the design committee based its conclusions, Bernier said it was the university’s computer-generated simulations.  

A shout from the back rows asked if they were the inaccurate simulations or the revised ones. Bernier said it was both, referring to original, then revised simulations.  

Panelist Marsha Gail, a principle at Environmental Vision, the West Berkeley company that generated the simulations, assured the audience that the discrepancies between the light standard measurements listed in the initial study and the revised measurements “in no way affect the original conclusions,” which include the notion that a permanent lighting system poses no significant environmental impact to the surrounding area or to the stadium itself. 

Worthington, whose district does not include the stadium, said he’s concerned about people into whose homes the light rays will beam. “My biggest worry,” he said before the meeting, “is how many days of the year are the lights going to be on and after you spend this amount of money – $1 million – how many more times will you want them on?” 

Several residents spoke to his concern. They said that at first the university promised only to use the lights two or three times a year. Thursday night, however, panelist Bob Driscoll, director of athletic administration for the university, stated that the permanent lights could be used as many as six times per year. It was noted that university Director of Community Relations Irene Hegarty, who was not in attendance, said in June 1999 that the university could not provide a contract to limit the use of the stadium lights. One woman suggested there might be a conspiracy between FOX-TV (which is footing the $1 million light bill) and Cal athletics to use the stadium more than six times a year, and for events other than football, including rock concerts. Lawrence said that a year ago the commitment was for a broader scope of games and that “the university does listen and we are sensitive to the community.” To that, one attendee suggested residents get a real contract with the city that states the times the lights will be in use. 

A spokesperson for Mayor Shirley Dean read a statement that simply said, “Stop the project, cut your losses and move on.” A spokesperson for Oakland City Councilmember Jane Brunner, District One, read a letter requesting that the university perform a full EIR “before making the decision to install the lights.”  

According to Thomas, the City Planning Commission and the Landmarks Preservation Commission both object to the proposed lighting plan and requested an EIR.  

Armstrong is optimistic 

City Councilmember Polly Armstrong, whose district includes the stadium, was optimistic. “I felt the panel was listening to me when I reiterated the possibility of a design competition,” she said after the meeting.  

One design suggestion is for retractable lights that would fold over when not in use. 

Driscoll said the hope is that this lighting system would shed more light on the perimeter making it safer for people. Immediately, several voices cried in unison, “That’s what we don’t want, the light spilling into the surrounding areas.”  

After the meeting, Bernier said it was an “incredibly articulate audience” and she was glad that everyone addressed the issue. 

“What seems as a gift,” Robert Breuer said, “comes at a great cost.” He compared installing the 135-foot light standards for use less than six times a year to installing a giant buzz saw in one’s living room, just in case the carpenter needed to cut wood once or twice a year.  

Breuer said the neighborhood group has already raised $45,000 toward an eventual lawsuit against the university. 

In the words of Councilmember Worthington, “There’s no such thing as a free light.”  

Comments on the study can be addressed to Jennifer Lawrence, Principal Planner, Physical and Environmental Planning, 300 A & E building, Berkeley CA 94720-1382.

The Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists is taking a stand for the environment this week as it hosts the first ever Redwood Sequoia Congress. 

The event, which began Thursday morning, is attracting three days of speakers and performers, who will be educating others about what they can do to take care of the planet. The organizers say they want to get people involved in government, business and education to work together in this effort. 

People are coming from all over the state to participate, organizers say. 

“We expect it will broaden the number of people consciously thinking of these matters,” said Ann Fagan Ginger, an organizer of the event. 

Ginger hopes conference attendees will back the Declaration of Berkeley 2000, a document which Ginger played a major role in drafting. 

The declaration urges the federal government and United Nations to promote and fund sustainable development around the world, rather than destruction of land for instant profit. People attending the congress will sign the declaration, which will be mailed to government officials including President Bill Clinton, Vice President Al Gore, Gov. Gray Davis and Secretary General of the United Nations Kofi Annan. 

The congress kicked off in Civic Center Park Thursday morning, where a small group gathered to discuss the role education plays in conserving the environment.  

In a brief speech, Berkeley Unified School District Board vice president Terry Doran said he would like every Berkeley school to plant a garden. Doran said that it would teach students to respect the environment and value organic foods, two issues the congress is addressing. 

Doran also noted that Berkeley High School is developing an ecoliteracy institute that will offer a series of classes on the relationship between the environment and the economy. 

Following a song led by Berkeley resident Dave Welsh, the group walked along Martin Luther King Way and stopped on the sidewalk outside the KPFA studios, while drivers passing by honked their horns in support.  

Many of the marchers held signs supporting environmental causes. Three people controlled a giant puppet as the crowd moved to the Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists at Cedar Street and Bonita Avenue. 

“The central problem to the economic system is that the government is interested in profit, not human needs,” Welsh said. “People need to get together to oppose the degradation of the quality of life in our environment.” 

In the afternoon, several guest speakers discussed environmental issues. Michael McAvoy, an academic director at New College in Santa Rosa talked about programs the school offers. Local teachers also spoke about ways to incorporate environment into school curriculum. 

All the while, children in the BFUU courtyard made arts and crafts and listened to musicians and story tellers. 

The first day of the Redwood Sequoia Congress ended at night with author Gray Brechin speaking about urbanization of the environment. 

The event continues this morning at BFUU, located at 1924 Cedar Street. There will be panels held from 9 a.m. to noon and then again from 1-6 p.m. After a 6:30 p.m. dinner, activities will go until 10 p.m. On Saturday the congress begins at 9 a.m. and ends after an 8 p.m. dance. For a complete schedule of the Redwood Sequoia Congress, visit www.tolivenow.com. 

Friday, July 21

Route 24/Caldecott Tunnel Corridor Study 

9:30-11:30 a.m. 

Alameda Congrestion Management Agency Board Room 

1333 Broadway, Suit 220 

Oakland 

Items on the agenda include “Dry Run” presentation for proposed public workshop. 

“Does Winning by Intimidation Count?” with Betty Goren 

1 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst at MLK Jr. Way 

644-6107 

“Schubert Songs” with Baker Lake 

1:15 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst at MLK Jr. Way 

644-6107 

Saturday, July 22

Berkeley Farmers’ Market 

10 a.m.-3 p.m. 

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

548-3333 

Sunday, July 23

“The Wind and the Willows” 

3 p.m. 

Pacific Film Archive 

2575 Bancroft Way @ Bowditch 

Recommended for ages 7+. Monty Python fans and kids of all ages will revel in this witty and imaginative live-action adaptation of Kenneth Grahame’s 1908 tale in which Rat, Badger and Mole team up to save their wealthy, reckless friend Toad from losing his estate. 

Tickets $4 

642-5249 

Sunday Brunch & Lecture Series 

10 a.m. 

Berkeley Richmond JCC 

1414 Walnut Street 

The Life and Music of Kurt Weill with conductor Urs Leonhardt Steiner. In celebration of Weill’s 100th birthday, the Jewish Music Festival hosts a lecture with Urs Leonhardt Steiner. 

The son of a Jewish Cantor, Kurt Weill was famous in Weimar, Germany for his collaborations with Berthold Brecht (including Three Penny Opera). Weill escaped to the U.S. in 1933, where he reinvented himself for the Broadway theater. His music became freer and jazzier, influenced by Cole Porter and Leonard Bernstein. 

Maestro Steiner will share insights on the genius of this legendary composer, and how his move from Germany to the U.S. impacted his work. Recorded examples will be played to illustrate the lecture. 

Admission is $7 general, $5 for JCC members, students and seniors. Reservations are advised. 

848-0237 ext. 110. 

“A Wobbly High Mass and Church Social” 

7:30 p.m. 

La Pena Community Center 

3105 Shattuck Ave. 

Join the Church of Saint Emma, “Our Lady of Perpetual Dissent,” n an evening of word and song. Tonight’s sermon: “ Saints and Heroes,” with a special tribute to Judi Bari, “ Our Lady f the Redwoods.” Featuring the vocal quartet Folk This! with invited guest performers. “Hymn” books provided with admission. 

415-431-8485 

marcusd@igc.org 

Monday, July 24

“Pros and Cons of Measure B” with Marike Baan 

1:15 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst at MLK Jr. Way 

644-6107 

Affordable Housing Advocacy Project 

5:30 p.m. 

Harriet Tubman Terrace 

2870 Adeline St. 

Topic for discussion: Getting ready for the fall election and what will be on the ballot. 

1-800-773-2110 

Design Review Committee Meeting  

7:30 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave., Workshop B 

The agenda will include 801 Grayson Street, the Bayer corporation, South Properties, and 1608 Fourth Street. 

705-8118 

Tuesday, July 25

“The Candy Cottage” 

2:30 p.m. 

The Hall of Health 

2230 Shattuck Ave 

A comedy for children ages 3 to 12 and their parents. Learn about health and nutrition. “The Candy Cottage” is a short play written and performed by Hall of Health staff. The play provides information about eating healthily, the food pyramid, and what various vitamins and mineral do for your body. 

549-1564 

“Commitment Ceremonies” 

6-7:30 p.m. 

Judah L. Magnes Museum 

2911 Russell St. 

Rabbi Allen B. Bennett of Temple Israel in Alameda, and Muchal Friedlander, Blumenthal Curator of Judaica at the Judah L. Magnes Museum, will discuss “Commitment Ceremonies.” Rabbi Bennet will pose the question of-and whether-new concepts of commitment can be integrated with more traditional Jewish and general perspectives on marriage. 

$5 donation suggested for non-members. 

Reservations are appreciated, but not required. 

549-6950 

Chinese Macrame: Ornaments 

10 a.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst at MLK Jr. Way 

644-6107 

Violin and Piano Classical Musical Concert with Cooper and Yand 

1:15 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst at MLK Jr. Way 

644-6107 

Community Dance Party 

7:45-9:45 p.m. 

Live Oak Part Social Hall 

1301 Shattuck Ave. 

Dance instruction included with admission. 

Teens $2, Non-members $4 

Wednesday, July 26

Baby Bounce and Toddler Tales 

7 p.m. 

West Branch Berkeley Public Library, 1125 University Ave. 

This storytime program is designed for families with children up to 3 years old. The free, participatory program features a half hour of multicultural songs, rhymes, lap jogs and stories to give very young children a lively introduction to the magic of books. Parents also will enjoy the new stories, rediscover old favorites and learn new songs and games to share. 

644-6870

Dogs can be dangerous 

I read the article “Letting dogs run off-leash in Chavez park is a mistake” (Tuesday, July 18th, 2000 Page 4) and appreciated it so much. I think it is a very realistic article. 

I happen to be among those who are frightened of dogs and get scared easily by their darting and sudden movements. Being a senior, I have absolutely no courage to take a walk in such an off-leash dog park as Cesar Chavez Park. I don’t want to run the risk of having my bones broken. 

Thank you, Carol, for speaking for people like us, and thank you for speaking for all those mutilated creatures such as rabbits and birds, which naturally constitute an important part of a beautiful park. 

Jane Zhu

THEATER 

ACTORS ENSEMBLE OF BERKELEY 

“Murder At The Vicarage” by Agatha Christie, through Aug. 12. Performance of the classic whodunnit. $10. Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m.; Aug. 10, 8 p.m. Live Oak Theatre, 1301 Shattuck Ave. 

528-5620. 

CALIFORNIA  

SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL 

“Hamlet” by William Shakespeare, July 1 through July 22. Shakespeare probes the shadowy corners of the human psyche in this dark, compelling tragedy of vengeance, madness and murder most foul. 

Cost is $21 to $38 general; $19 to $38 seniors; $10 to $38 children. Wednesday and Thursday, 7 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m.; Sunday, 4 p.m.; July 22, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Bruns Memorial Amphitheatre, Shakespeare Festival Way/Gateway Exit on state Highway 24.  

548-9666 or www.calshakes.org 

MUSIC VENUES 

YOSHI’S 

“The 3rd Annual East Bay Blues Revue Benefit,” July 24, 7:30 p.m. Featuring Delta Wires, Brenda Boykin, Felonious, Smith Acoustic Blues Combo, Archie Lee Hooker, Rene Solis and The Persuaders. $15.  

(510) 317-5000 ext. 5049. 

Sonny Fortune and Frank Morgan, July 25 through July 30. $18 to $22 general; Sunday matinee: $5 children; $10 adult with one child; $18 general.  

Unless otherwise noted, music at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.; Sunday 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.  

510 Embarcadero West, Oakland. 238-9200 or 762-BASS. 

924 GILMAN ST. 

924 Gilman Street is an all-ages, member-run no alcohol, drugs, and violence club located at the corner of 8th street and Gilman Street in Berkeley. Most shows are $5. Memberships for the year are $2. Shows start at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted. For the latest show information call 525-9926. 

July 21: Dory Tourette And The Skirtheads, Blood Brothers, Divit, Panty Rade, Erase Erata.  

July 22: American Steel, Enemies, Thumbs, I-Farm, Pitch Black.  

July 28: Plan 9, Loose Change, Debris, Weakerthans, Big Link.  

July 29: Plan 9, Loose Change, Weaker Than, Debris, Big Link.  

July 30: Dillinger Escape Plan, Candira, Isis, Cadillac Blindside (5 p.m.).  

August 4: Hellchild, Benumb, Yellow Machine Gun, Spaceboy, Vulgar Pigeons.  

August 5: Causey Way, Black Man - White Man - Dead Man, Boy Pussy USA, Monday Mornings.  

August 11: Hellbillys, Riffs, Menstrual Tramps, Fleshies, Shut Up Donny.  

August 12: Excruciating Terror, Plutocracy, Chupalabre, Creation Is Crucifiction, State Of The Union. 

525-9926 

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL  

CHURCH 

“Rarities and Suprises” 

Join George Cleve, Music Director and Conductor, for a night the “Midsummer Mozart Festival,” on Friday, August 4. The concert will include “Three Adagios and Fugurd after J.S. Bach,” K. 404, “Six Variations on G minor on ‘Helas, j’ai perdu mon amant,’” K. 360, highlights from the “Abduction from the Seragio,” and “Divertimento” in D Major for 2 Horns and Strings K. 334. 

First Congregational Church, 2345 Channing Way, at Dana Street.  

For tickets call City Box Office at 392-4400. 

CLUB MUSE 

Marie Schumacher and the Invisible Band 

Friday, July 21 from 9:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. is with the band. Thursday, August 3 from 8 p.m.-11 p.m. is with the band. 

856 San Pablo Ave., Albany. 

528-2872.  

OPERA 

THE BERKELEY OPERA 

“Beatrice and Benedick” by Hector Berlioz, through July 23. A joyous evening of wit, deception and romance based on William Shakespeare’s comedy “Much Ado About Nothing.” Jonathan Khuner conducting. Sung in English. 

$16 to $30 general; $24 senio rs; $15 youths age 17 and under. Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m. Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Ave., Berkeley.  

(925) 798-1300 or www.juliamorgan.org 

MUSEUMS 

BERKELEY HISTORICAL SOCIETY 

"Berkeley's Ethnic Heritage." Through March 2001. 

The exhibit examines the rich cultural diversity of our city and the contributions of individuals and minority groups to our history and development. The exhibit look at the original native tribelets in the area and the immigrants who settled in Ocean View and displaced the Spanish/Mexican landowners. It also examines the influence of theUniversity of California, the San Francisco earthquake, and World War II on the population and culture of Berkeley, and subsequent efforts to overcome discrimination. Curated by Linda Rosen and the Berkeley Historical Society Exhibit Committee. Thursday through Saturday, 1 to 4 p.m. Wheelchair accessible. Admission free. 

Berkeley Historical Society is located in the Veterans Memorial Building, 1931 Center Street, Berkeley. 

848-0181 

UC BERKELEY ART  

MUSEUM 

“Doug Aitken/MATRIX 185: Into the Sun,” through Sept. 3. An exhibit of works primarily in video and film, using the interplay of art and media to evoke deserted landscapes.  

“Autour de Rodin: Auguste Rodin and His Contemporaries,” through August. An exhibit of 11 bronze maquettes on loan from the Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Foundation in Los Angeles. The bronzes range in style from the artist's classically inspired “Torso of a Woman” to the anguish of “The Martyr.” Some of the maquettes were cast during Rodin’s lifetime, others have been cast fairly recently under the aegis of the Musee Rodin which alone is authorized to cast his sculptures posthumously. 

“Images and Ideas: The Collection in Focus,” open-ended. The museum periodically displays some of its permanent collection in a context meant to highlight some aspect of the objects. The three areas of focus for this exhibit are Renaissance art, 19th and 20th-century American art and paintings from 1940 to the present. 

The Asian Galleries  

“Art of the Sung: Court and Monastery,” open-ended. A display of early Chinese works from the permanent collection.  

“Chinese Ceramics and Bronzes: The First 3,000 Years,” open-ended. 

“Works on Extended Loan from Warren King,” open-ended. 

“Three Towers of Han,” open-ended. 

Special Event  

Chaksampa, July 23, 3 p.m. A music performance by this Tibetan ensemble in conjunction with the “Mandala: The Architecture of Enlightenment” exhibit. In Gallery B. 

$6 general; $4 seniors and students ages 12 to 18; free children age 12 and under; free Thursday, 11 a.m. to noon and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.  

2626 Bancroft Way, Berkeley. 642-0808. 

HALL OF HEALTH  

A hands-on community health education museum and science center sponsored by Children's Hospital Oakland and Alta Bates Medical Center. 

“This is Your Heart!” ongoing. An in teractive exhibit on heart health. 

“Good Nutrition,” ongoing. This exhibit includes models for making balanced meals and an exercycle for calculating how calories are burned. 

“Draw Your Own Insides,” ongoing. Human-shaped chalkboards and models with removable organs allow visitors to explore the inside of their bodies. 

“Your Cellular Self and Cancer Prevention,” ongoing. An exhibit on understanding how cells become cancerous and how to detect and prevent cancer. 

Free. For children ages 3 to 12 and their parents. 

2230 Shattuck Ave. Berkeley 

549-1564. 

PHOEBE HEARST MUSEUM 

“Modern Treasures from Ancient Iran,” through Oct. 29. This exhibit explores nomadic and town life in ancient and modern Iran as illustrated in bronze and pottery vessels, and textiles. 

“Approaching a Century of Anthropology,” a sampling of the vast collections of the museum, its mission, history, and current research, with selections from ancient Egypt, ancient Peru, California Indians, Asia (India), and Africa. 

“Ishi and the Invention of Yahi Culture,” Ishi, the last Yahi Indian of California, spent the final years of his life, 1911 to 1916, living at the museum, working with anthropologists to record his culture, demonstrating technological skills, and retelling Yahi myths, tales, and songs. 

Wednesday through Sunday 10 am-4:30 p.m.; Thursday until 9 p.m. 

Kroeber Hall, UC Berkeley 

643-7648

LAWRENCE HALL OF  

SCIENCE 

“Experiment Gallery,” through Sept. 10. Step inside a giant laboratory and experiment with concepts surrounding sound, light, mechanics, electricity, and weather. 

“Math Rules!” ongoing exhibit. A math exhibit of hands-on problem-solving stations, each with a different mathematical challenge. Make mathematical ice-cream cones, use blocks to build three dimensional structures, make dodecagon pies from a variety of mathematical shapes and stretch mathematical thinking. 

“Within the Human Brain,” ongoing installation. Visitors test their cranial nerves, play skeeball, master mazes, match musical tones and construct stories inside a simulated “rat cage” of learning experiments. 

$6 general; $4 seniors, students and children ages 7 to 18; $2 children ages 3 to 6; free children under age 3. Daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.  

Centennial Drive, University of California, Berkeley.  

642-5132 

HOLT PLANETARIUM 

Programs are recommended for age 8 and up; children under age 6 will not be admitted. 

“Target Earth,” July 29 through Aug. 25. Make your own estimate of how often Earth has been hit by comets or asteroids. Find out how sciences such as astronomy, chemistry, paleontology and geology are all needed to shed light on the mystery of the dinosaur extinction. Daily, 2:15 p.m. 

$2 plus museum admission of $6 general; $4 students, seniors, disabled and youths aged 7 to 18; children under the age of 6 are not admitted. Daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.  

Lawrence Hall of Science, University of California, Centennial Drive, Berkeley. 

642-5132 

UC BERKELEY MUSEUM OF  

PALEONTOLOGY 

“Tyrannosaurus Rex,” ongoing. A 20-foot tall, 40-foot long replica of the fearsome dinosaur. The replica is made from casts of bones of the most complete T. Rex skeleton yet excavated. When unearthed in Montana, the bones were all lying in place with only a small piece of the tailbone missing. 

“Pteranodon,” ongoing. A suspended skeleton of a flying reptile with a wingspan of 22 to 23 feet. The Pteranodon lived at the same time as the dinosaurs. 

“California Fossils Exhibit,” ongoing. An exhibit of some of the fossils which have been excavated in California. 

Free. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.  

Lobby, Valley Life Sciences Building, University of California, Berkeley. 

642-1821. 

HABITOT CHILDREN’S  

MUSEUM 

A museum especially for children age 7 and younger. Highlights include “WaterWorks,” an area with some unusual water toys, an Infant Tree for babies, a garden especially for toddlers, a child-scale grocery store and cafe, and a costume shop and stage for junior thespians. The museum also features a toy lending library. 

Exhibit: “Back to the Farm,” open-ended. This interactive exhibit gives children the chance to wiggle through tunnels like an earthworm, look into a mirrored fish pond, don farm animal costumes, ride on a John Deere tractor and much more.  

Admission is $4 for adults; $6 child age 7 and under; $3 for each additional child.  

Hours: Monday and Wednesday, 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Tuesday and Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursday, 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Kittredge Street and Shattuck Avenue. 

647-1111 

JUDAH L. MAGNES  

MUSEUM 

“Telling Time: To Everything There Is A Season,” through May 2002.  

An exhibit structured around the seasons of the year and the seasons of life with objects ranging from the sacred and the secular, to the provocative and the whimsical.  

Free. Sunday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

2911 Russell St., Berkeley 

549-6950. 

To publicize an upcoming event, please submit information to the Daily Planet via fax (841-5695), e-mail (calendar@berkeleydailyplanet.com) or traditional mail (2076 University Avenue, 94704). Calendar items should be submitted at least one week before the opening of a new exhibit or performance. Please include a daytime telephone number in case we need to clarify any information.

Berkeleyans who enjoy the annual beer-fest at Civic Center Park may have to hang up their steins for good if an amendment to ban the sale of alcohol in city parks gets adopted in September. 

Roused by neighborhood complaints and security problems, the City Council went ahead and adopted an ordinance Tuesday night to help prevent disturbances from large private parties and events in city parks, sans language prohibiting alcohol sale – for now.  

A Parks and Recreation Commission recommendation to amend the ordinance to prohibit the sale of alcohol at any event in a city park was pulled from the consent calendar for closer review, and sent back to staff to come up with a more comprehensive policy.  

That policy would ban alcohol under any circumstance in city parks, and is supported by Councilmember Dona Spring. 

Under the ordinance, Spring said organizers may obtain a permit to hold events where alcohol can be sold only if they have a license with the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control and provided adequate security. 

“Drinking alcohol in public parks is illegal,” she said. “Why should we let someone get a permit (to sell alcohol). This is not consistent, we have to apply the law equally.” 

Spring said the staff will report back to the council sometime in September when she hopes to make the new amendment a regulation. 

The Council hopes the ordinance will keep in check the number of problems at the city’s parks, including several large parties and “raves” at Cordornices and Cesar Chavez Parks that resulted in violence, trash and noise over the past few years. 

Assistant City Attorney Zach Cowan said that many of the problems resulted from easy-to-get permits. 

He said that the big parties and raves were required to have permits, though some occurred without permits, but it was a much more “general” permit. 

“This gives us a few more tools to use,” he said.  

Under the new ordinance, park events are defined as “any assembly of 50 or more adults or teenagers within a 500-foot radius, except in Cesar Chavez Park, Aquatic Park and Civic Center Park where an event must have at least 100 or more adults or teenagers within a 500-foot radius before it is regulated.” This contrasts with the existing ordinance, which sets no lower limit on the size of regulated events. 

And problematic events are now defined as ones that “require the assignment of six patrol officers between 11 a.m. and 2 a.m., or three patrol officers at any other time to quell.” It also authorizes the city manager to impose an administrative penalty of up to $10,000 on the sponsors of such events. 

Another new twist is that the ordinance “prohibits the issuance of a park event permit to any person who has been involved in a problematic event within 12 months.” 

Spring said she thinks the “no alcohol” amendment will help significantly. Besides, it “sets a bad example for our young people,” she said. 

“There is a real serious problem at UC and other campuses across the country (from) binge-drinking,” she said. “This isn’t helping.”  

With hopes of expanding its education program, the Berkeley Repertory Theartre revealed plans, Thursday, for the Nevo Educational Center. The center will be housed in the historic Golden Sheaf Bakery warehouse. Remodeling will begin in September, with a completion date set for the summer of 2001.  

The warehouse, located at 2071 Addison Street, is on the east side of the existing Berkeley Repertory’s theater and has been owned by the Berkeley Rep since 1993. Built in 1905, it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. The new plans for the building include bringing it up to current seismic, life-safety and building codes, as well as increasing handicap access and creating a historic restoration on the South Elevation of the building. 

The theatre’s Hilde Mosse Educational Program includes a School Touring Program, which, this year performed, “Rhubarb Jam,” 56 times in 44 different Northern California locations. Another facet of the Educational Program has been a series of Poetry Slams in cooperation with Berkeley High School and its students. One of the major goals the programs is to create an atmosphere in which people can learn from each other. 

“We have had three poetry slams which we offered through Berkeley High,” Tony Taccone, Artistic Director at Berkeley Rep, said. “I felt so privileged and blessed to be around (the students.) We hope to create an environment in which we can learn from the students,” as well as the students learning from the instructors. 

As a part of the plan Berkeley Rep sold the warehouse to Developer Avi Nevo, who remodeled the Francis Shattuck building at the corner of Addison Street and Shattuck Avenue. Nevo, with architect James Novosel of Bay Architects, will pay for the restoration and construction. After the renovation is completed Nevo will lease the Nevo Educational Center, named for himself, back to Berkeley Rep for $1 per year. The lease agreement is for eight years. The renovation is estimated to cost $1 million dollars. After the eight year period has expired, Berkeley Rep will have the option to buy back the Nevo Educational Center at market rate or consider a new lease agreement. 

Nevo’s motivation for helping Berkeley Rep was, “just giving back to the immediate community.” His gift to the theater company was much appreciated by all persons involved. Nevo is a long time resident of Berkeley. The developer, who owns a number of downtown Berkeley sites, came to the United States in 1976 from Israel. He attended UC Berkeley, and has remained in Berkeley ever since. 

Berkeley Rep had had conversations with the Berkeley Architectural Heritage Association and other historic organizations about what to do with the building but never had the resources to act. 

“(Nevo’s gift) feels like a blessing,” Susan Medak, Managing Director of Berkeley Rep said. “With Avi and Dalia’s gift we have been able to expand art related activities in Berkeley. This will enable us to fast foreword our educational program by 5 years.” 

The new building will have staff offices on the second level and two high ceiling classrooms. The lower level will have one class room. There will also be a resource center for students and staff. As a part the agreement Nevo will retain a small portion of the second floor for his investment business. In addition to housing the Nevo Educational Center the plans for the warehouse include the entrance of the new Aurura theater at the eastern most side of the building.

The Downtown Berkeley Association let loose a little Wednesday night and held a party to show appreciation and honor the achievements of three of their leaders at Jupiter’s Outdoor Patio. 

Dann Logan, Larry Bush and Rauly Butler were toasted for their contributions to the DBA.  

Logan is retiring as the DBA’s Vice President of the Board of Directors and Chair of the Design Committee. He is a former principal of the Elbasani and Logan Architectural Firm. 

Larry Bush, a past DBA President, was honored for his election as the President of the Berkeley Rotary Club. Bush continues to serve on the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee of the DBA. 

Rauly Butler, the current DBA President was also praised for his continued involvement with the city and his recent promotion to head of Retail Banking at the Mechanic’s Bank Hilltop Mall main branch.

Why would 65 teenagers spend a week waking up at 7 a.m. and spending six to eight hours participating in drills and workouts in a sport for which most colleges don’t give scholarships and which doesn’t have a professional league in the United States? 

Because it’s fun. 

The summer rugby camp at UC Berkeley is the only one of its kind in the U.S., and kids come from all over to be coached by one of the best staffs in the country. 

“We’ve got some kids from Minnesota, some kids from Colorado, even one all the way from Germany,” said Jack Clark, head coach of the university’s rugby team and former coach of the U.S. Eagles, the national team. “They know this is a good opportunity to improve their rugby skills and mental game. But the most important thing for both them and us is to have fun.” 

“Hey, it beats sitting around the house playing video games all day,” said coach Ray Lehner. 

Clark’s staff at the camp reads like a who’s who of American rugby: Tom Billups is an assistant coach for the U.S. Eagles, played professionally in England and Wales and made 44 international appearances for the Eagles; Dan Lyle is the captain of the national team and a star player in England, named to the World IV by the London Times; and Lehner was a three-time All-American at Cal and played for the Eagles 33 times. In addition, several current Cal players are on the staff, including several All-Americans and four who actually attended the camp while in high school. 

“It’s a tremendous opportunity for the campers to be able to sit down with a player of Dan Lyle’s caliber and talk about playing the game,” Clark said. 

Lehner said the campers “are like sponges. They’re always asking about the game, or what it’s like to play overseas, or if I’ve played against this guy or that guy.” 

Lehner, who coaches grade school and high school teams in England, said the biggest thing for players to learn is learning the little things. 

“American kids are unsurpassed when it comes to athleticism,” he said. “They tend to pick up the skills fairly quickly. What takes years to learn is the field vision.” 

“It’s really cool that we get such good coaches,” said camper Justin Neville. “We get to talk to and learn from actual U.S. Eagles.” 

Neville, a junior at Piedmont High School, is at the camp for the second year, and he said the camp is both fun and valuable. 

“It’s a fun camp, and you learn a lot of techniques,” he said. “And you also get to see what other players are doing to prepare for the next season.” 

The campers start every day at 7 a.m., eating breakfast before an 8:30 meeting and 9:45 a.m. practice session on Witter Field on campus. After a lunch break, there is either a seminar on academics or drug awareness, or a strength training session in the varsity weight room. At 2:30 p.m. it’s back to the field for more practice, followed by a strength seminar and dinner. The day’s training wraps up with a controlled scrimmage, called “Golden Bear Rules,” during which the players apply the skills they have learned that day. The scrimmage is videotaped, and the players and coaches analyze the tape before lights out at 10:30 p.m. 

“They’ll be knackered by the end of the day, I guarantee it,” Clark said. 

But while rugby is considered a violent sport, with full speed tackles by players wearing little or no padding, there are no full contact elements to the camp. 

“We don’t want things to get out of control, where someone could get hurt,” said assistant coach and camp director Jerry Figone. 

Clark said the techniques taught at the camp are not only meant to increase skill, but to prevent injuries. 

“We want to impress on them that they have to make a commitment to play the game hard, but safely,” he said. “The game is only good when it’s not out of control.” 

In rugby, if everyone involved isn’t aware and using good technique, severe injuries can occur. And at a camp where players are at different levels of skill and experience, it is best for the coaches to control everything. 

“We’ve even got a couple of kids who have never played before,” Clark said. “You can’t just throw together a game in a week. There are big guys and little guys, and we don’t want anyone to get hurt.” 

Lehner said that despite the disparity in skill level, the campers all get along and help each other. 

“By the end of the week, the kids who have some more skill will take the beginners and show them things, really try and help them get better,” he said. 

Rugby is growing more popular in America, and Clark thinks there are several reasons why. 

“Part of it is that it’s something new, something Dad didn’t do when he was a kid. So kids get to go home and give a lesson instead of getting lectured,” he said. “Also, high schools have really increased the scope of athletics beyond the traditional American sports. Rugby is becoming the second or third sport for a lot of the best athletes these days.” 

There are about 25 youth rugby clubs in Northern California alone. Clark said the clubs in Sacramento, Piedmont and Orinda are among the best and send campers nearly every year. 

The rugby camp is among the fastest growing on campus, and Clark expects more than 100 campers next summer.  

Cal has undoubtedly been the best college rugby team in the U.S. over the past two decades, having won 13 National Collegiate Championships in the 17 years Clark has been the head coach, compiling a record of 271-54-4 over that span. 

Thursday, July 20

“Wilderness 911” 

7 p.m. 

REI 

1338 San Pablo Ave 

Learn how to better manage medical problems in the backcountry from Eric A. Weiss, M.D., Associate Director of Trauma and Emergency Medicine at Stanford University Medical Center and medical editor for BACKPACKER magazine.  

527-7377 

“La Ciudad” 

7 p.m. 

Revolution Books 

2425 Channing Way 

“La Ciudad,” filmed in black and white, presents four stories about people from Latin America who have come to work and survive in New York City. A garment worker in a sweatshop, a homeless puppeteer and his daughter, a young man newly arrived from Puebla, Mexico who crashed a quincenera (sweet fifteen) party, and a group of day laborers hired to clean huge stacks of bricks for pennies. The actors in this film are immigrant workers who had a special stake in bringing these stories to light. 

848-1169 

Free/opinional donations go to Revolution Books Video Library 

Movie: “Civil Action” 

1 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst at MLK Jr. Way 

644-6107 

“Meeting Life Changes” with John Hammerman 

10 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst at MLK Jr. Way 

644-6107 

Memorial Stadium Permanent Lighting Project 

7-9 p.m. 

Lower Conference Room, Unit One Residence Hall 

2650 Durant Ave.  

This is a community meeting to present supplemental documents to the initial study that describes the project and identifies its potential environmental effects. 

For more information: 642-7720. 

Elderly Disabled Advisory Committee 

10 a.m.-noon 

Joseph P. Bort MetroCenter 

101 8th Street, First Floor 

Oakland 

The agenda will include information on Ed Roberts Campus, transportation blueprint for the 21st century, and a follow-up from the Mobility Matter Conference. 

464-7700 

Allergy-Free Gardening 

7 p.m. 

Slide presentation & book signing. The publication of this book has spurred multinational attention. Horticulturist Thomas Ogren comes to us from San Luis Obispo to educate us on the disastrous health problems created by poor plant choice. His extensively researched, plant-by-plant reference serves as the perfect resource for making wise 

decision making. 

Builders Booksource 

1817 Fourth Street 

(510) 845-6874 

www.buildersbooksite.com 

Thursday, July 20 

“Wilderness 911” 

7 p.m. 

REI 

1338 San Pablo Ave 

Learn how to better manage medical problems in the backcountry from Eric A. Weiss, M.D., Associate Director of Trauma and Emergency Medicine at Stanford University Medical Center and medical editor for BACKPACKER magazine.  

527-7377 

“La Ciudad” 

7 p.m. 

Revolution Books 

2425 Channing Way 

“La Ciudad,” filmed in black and white, presents four stories about people from Latin America who have come to work and survive in New York City. A garment worker in a sweatshop, a homeless puppeteer and his daughter, a young man newly arrived from Puebla, Mexico who crashed a quincenera (sweet fifteen) party, and a group of day laborers hired to clean huge stacks of bricks for pennies. The actors in this film are immigrant workers who had a special stake in bringing these stories to light. 

848-1169 

Free/opinional donations go to Revolution Books Video Library 

Movie: “Civil Action” 

1 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst at MLK Jr. Way 

644-6107 

“Meeting Life Changes” with John Hammerman 

10 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst at MLK Jr. Way 

644-6107 

Memorial Stadium Permanent Lighting Project 

7-9 p.m. 

Lower Conference Room, Unit One Residence Hall 

2650 Durant Ave.  

This is a community meeting to present supplemental documents to the initial study that describes the project and identifies its potential environmental effects. 

For more information: 642-7720. 

Elderly Disabled Advisory Committee 

10 a.m.-noon 

Joseph P. Bort MetroCenter 

101 8th Street, First Floor 

Oakland 

The agenda will include information on Ed Roberts Campus, transportation blueprint for the 21st century, and a follow-up from the Mobility Matter Conference. 

464-7700 

Allergy-Free Gardening 

7 p.m. 

Slide presentation & book signing. The publication of this book has spurred multinational attention. Horticulturist Thomas Ogren comes to us from San Luis Obispo to educate us on the disastrous health problems created by poor plant choice. His extensively researched, plant-by-plant reference serves as the perfect resource for making wise 

decision making. 

Builders Booksource 

1817 Fourth Street 

(510) 845-6874 

www.buildersbooksite.com 

Friday, July 21 

Route 24/Caldecott Tunnel Corridor Study 

9:30-11:30 a.m. 

Alameda Congrestion Management Agency Board Room 

1333 Broadway, Suit 220 

Oakland 

Items on the agenda include “Dry Run” presentation for proposed public workshop. 

“Does Winning by Intimidation Count?” with Betty Goren 

1 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst at MLK Jr. Way 

644-6107 

“Schubert Songs” with Baker Lake 

1:15 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst at MLK Jr. Way 

-644-6107 

Sunday, July 23 

“The Wind and the Willows” 

3 p.m. 

Pacific Film Archive 

2575 Bancroft Way @ Bowditch 

Recommended for ages 7+. Monty Python fans and kids of all ages will revel in this witty and imaginative live-action adaptation of Kenneth Grahame’s 1908 tale in which Rat, Badger and Mole team up to save their wealthy, reckless friend Toad from losing his estate. 

Tickets $4 

642-5249 

Sunday Brunch & Lecture Series 

10 a.m. 

Berkeley Richmond JCC 

1414 Walnut Street 

The Life and Music of Kurt Weill with conductor Urs Leonhardt Steiner. In celebration of Weill’s 100th birthday, the Jewish Music Festival hosts a lecture with Urs Leonhardt Steiner. 

The son of a Jewish Cantor, Kurt Weill was famous in Weimar, Germany for his collaborations with Berthold Brecht (including Three Penny Opera). Weill escaped to the U.S. in 1933, where he reinvented himself for the Broadway theater. His music became freer and jazzier, influenced by Cole Porter and Leonard Bernstein. 

Maestro Steiner will share insights on the genius of this legendary composer, and how his move from Germany to the U.S. impacted his work. Recorded examples will be played to illustrate the lecture. 

Admission is $7 general, $5 for JCC members, students and seniors. Reservations are advised. 

848-0237 ext. 110. 

“A Wobbly High Mass and Church Social” 

7:30 p.m. 

La Pena Community Center 

3105 Shattuck Ave. 

Join the Church of Saint Emma, “Our Lady of Perpetual Dissent,” n an evening of word and song. Tonight’s sermon: “ Saints and Heroes,” with a special tribute to Judi Bari, “ Our Lady f the Redwoods.” Featuring the vocal quartet Folk This! with invited guest performers. “Hymn” books provided with admission. 

415-431-8485 

marcusd@igc.org 

Monday, July 24 

“Pros and Cons of Measure B” with Marike Baan 

1:15 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst at MLK Jr. Way 

510-644-6107 

Affordable Housing Advocacy Project 

5:30 p.m. 

Harriet Tubman Terrace 

2870 Adeline St. 

Topic for discussion: Getting ready for the fall election and what will be on the ballot. 

1-800-773-2110 

Design Review Committee Meeting  

7:30 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave., Workshop B 

The agenda will include 801 Grayson Street, the Bayer corporation, South Properties, and 1608 Fourth Street. 

705-8118 

Tuesday, July 25  

“The Candy Cottage” 

2:30 p.m. 

The Hall of Health 

2230 Shattuck Ave 

A comedy for children ages 3 to 12 and their parents. Learn about health and nutrition. “The Candy Cottage” is a short play written and performed by Hall of Health staff. The play provides information about eating healthily, the food pyramid, and what various vitamins and mineral do for your body. 

549-1564 

“Commitment Ceremonies” 

6-7:30 p.m. 

Judah L. Magnes Museum 

2911 Russell St. 

Rabbi Allen B. Bennett of Temple Israel in Alameda, and Muchal Friedlander, Blumenthal Curator of Judaica at the Judah L. Magnes Museum, will discuss “Commitment Ceremonies.” Rabbi Bennet will pose the question of-and whether-new concepts of commitment can be integrated with more traditional Jewish and general perspectives on marriage. 

$5 donation suggested for non-members. 

Reservations are appreciated, but not required. 

549-6950 

Chinese Macrame: Ornaments 

10 a.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst at MLK Jr. Way 

644-6107 

Violin and Piano Classical Musical Concert with Cooper and Yand 

1:15 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst at MLK Jr. Way 

644-6107 

Community Dance Party 

7:45-9:45 p.m. 

Live Oak Part Social Hall 

1301 Shattuck Ave. 

Dance instruction included with admission. 

Teens $2, Non-members $4 

Wednesday, July 26 

“Peace and Dignity Run 2000” 

6 a.m. 

Point Reyes Station 

834-9455 ext. 231 

2939 Ellis Street 

1-800-773-2110  

Friday, July 21

Route 24/Caldecott Tunnel Corridor Study 

9:30-11:30 a.m. 

Alameda Congrestion Management Agency Board Room 

1333 Broadway, Suit 220 

Oakland 

Items on the agenda include “Dry Run” presentation for proposed public workshop. 

“Does Winning by Intimidation Count?” with Betty Goren 

1 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst at MLK Jr. Way 

644-6107 

“Schubert Songs” with Baker Lake 

1:15 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst at MLK Jr. Way 

-644-6107 

Sunday, July 23

“The Wind and the Willows” 

3 p.m. 

Pacific Film Archive 

2575 Bancroft Way @ Bowditch 

Recommended for ages 7+. Monty Python fans and kids of all ages will revel in this witty and imaginative live-action adaptation of Kenneth Grahame’s 1908 tale in which Rat, Badger and Mole team up to save their wealthy, reckless friend Toad from losing his estate. 

Tickets $4 

642-5249 

Sunday Brunch & Lecture Series 

10 a.m. 

Berkeley Richmond JCC 

1414 Walnut Street 

The Life and Music of Kurt Weill with conductor Urs Leonhardt Steiner. In celebration of Weill’s 100th birthday, the Jewish Music Festival hosts a lecture with Urs Leonhardt Steiner. 

The son of a Jewish Cantor, Kurt Weill was famous in Weimar, Germany for his collaborations with Berthold Brecht (including Three Penny Opera). Weill escaped to the U.S. in 1933, where he reinvented himself for the Broadway theater. His music became freer and jazzier, influenced by Cole Porter and Leonard Bernstein. 

Maestro Steiner will share insights on the genius of this legendary composer, and how his move from Germany to the U.S. impacted his work. Recorded examples will be played to illustrate the lecture. 

Admission is $7 general, $5 for JCC members, students and seniors. Reservations are advised. 

848-0237 ext. 110. 

“A Wobbly High Mass and Church Social” 

7:30 p.m. 

La Pena Community Center 

3105 Shattuck Ave. 

Join the Church of Saint Emma, “Our Lady of Perpetual Dissent,” n an evening of word and song. Tonight’s sermon: “ Saints and Heroes,” with a special tribute to Judi Bari, “ Our Lady f the Redwoods.” Featuring the vocal quartet Folk This! with invited guest performers. “Hymn” books provided with admission. 

415-431-8485 

marcusd@igc.org 

Monday, July 24 

“Pros and Cons of Measure B” with Marike Baan 

1:15 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst at MLK Jr. Way 

510-644-6107 

Affordable Housing Advocacy Project 

5:30 p.m. 

Harriet Tubman Terrace 

2870 Adeline St. 

Topic for discussion: Getting ready for the fall election and what will be on the ballot. 

1-800-773-2110 

Design Review Committee Meeting  

7:30 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave., Workshop B 

The agenda will include 801 Grayson Street, the Bayer corporation, South Properties, and 1608 Fourth Street. 

705-8118 

Tuesday, July 25

“The Candy Cottage” 

2:30 p.m. 

The Hall of Health 

2230 Shattuck Ave 

A comedy for children ages 3 to 12 and their parents. Learn about health and nutrition. “The Candy Cottage” is a short play written and performed by Hall of Health staff. The play provides information about eating healthily, the food pyramid, and what various vitamins and mineral do for your body. 

549-1564 

“Commitment Ceremonies” 

6-7:30 p.m. 

Judah L. Magnes Museum 

2911 Russell St. 

Rabbi Allen B. Bennett of Temple Israel in Alameda, and Muchal Friedlander, Blumenthal Curator of Judaica at the Judah L. Magnes Museum, will discuss “Commitment Ceremonies.” Rabbi Bennet will pose the question of-and whether-new concepts of commitment can be integrated with more traditional Jewish and general perspectives on marriage. 

$5 donation suggested for non-members. 

Reservations are appreciated, but not required. 

549-6950 

Chinese Macrame: Ornaments 

10 a.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst at MLK Jr. Way 

644-6107 

Violin and Piano Classical Musical Concert with Cooper and Yand 

1:15 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst at MLK Jr. Way 

644-6107 

Community Dance Party 

7:45-9:45 p.m. 

Live Oak Part Social Hall 

1301 Shattuck Ave. 

Dance instruction included with admission. 

Teens $2, Non-members $4 

Wednesday, July 26

“Peace and Dignity Run 2000” 

6 a.m. 

Point Reyes Station 

834-9455 ext. 231 

2939 Ellis Street 

1-800-773-2110

Faced with a full house holding signs reading “Shellmound: Yes” and “Respect the Dead,” city staff flip-flopped Tuesday evening and backed down on its February decision to appeal the West Berkeley Shellmound designation as a landmark. 

At a public hearing on the designation, during the City Council meeting at Old City Hall, both preservationists and property owners of sites impacted by the city’s 5,700-year-old shellmound, said they want to preserve the remains of what is said to be the oldest and largest of the 425 Native American mounds that once existed in the Bay Area. 

The question is how to do it. 

In addition to reversing itself on its own appeal, city staff also recommended that two other appeals against the landmarking be withdrawn, thereby upholding the Landmarks Preservation Commission’s decision to designate the shellmound as a landmark. 

The appeals were filed by the City Manager’s Office and two property owners – the 620 Hearst Group and Charlene DeVecchi – after the shellmound was designated a landmark in February. 

Instead of following through with the appeals process, Acting City Planning Director Wendy Cosin said that, in fact, what needs to happen is a change to the city’s zoning.  

As it stands, if the site were landmarked, any project on the site, regardless of its size, would require a public hearing before the Landmarks Commission. Cosin suggested that there has to be a way to separate small projects, such as a change of use or small additions, from big projects on the shellmound site. 

“We are trying to find the best way to support the shellmound,” she said. “We are concerned how the designation would affect the city and its business.” 

At the staff’s suggestion, the council voted to continue the public hearing on the appeals until its Sept. 19 meeting. The staff will be working with the LPC until then to “write clear regulations that are easy to implement,” Cosin said. 

The entire issue, however, may be moot because of a legal question raised by Attorney Chris Carrigan, who represents the 620 Hearst Group. The group is one of the appellants the property at 620 Hearst Ave. that has been designated as part of the site. 

Carrigan contends that the designation does not contain any language that defines the subsurface area as a landmark, and that the LPC’s authority is limited to structures. Therefore, any of the contents found under the area is not subject to LPC review. 

He did say that the group would not contest the designation if the city changed the zoning.  

“We believe that this is a historic resource that deserves protection,” he said. “We just want the city to go about doing so in the proper way.”  

Councilmember Kriss Worthington said that Carrigan’s legal point could make the ordinance obsolete. To change the language in the ordinance would require an entirely new process at a future date, he said. 

“You can’t change the rules in the middle of a hearing,” he said.  

During the meeting, Worthington leaned a sign of his own against his water pitcher reading “Designate the West Berkeley Shellmound,” until Mayor Shirley Dean demanded he take it down, arguing that councilmembers needed to remain neutral until it was time to make a decision on the appeal. 

Carrigan went on to say that after extensive studies from the original 1910 inventory to the present, archaeological sketch maps have said that 620 Hearst is not part of the shellmound. 

Proponents of the designation say that the area at 620 Hearst Ave. is sensitive because artifacts have been found scattered nearby. 

The area designated is a three block site bounded by University Avenue, Hearst Avenue, I-880 and 4th Street and includes 620 Hearst Ave. 

But an archaeological sketch map made by Christopher Dore of Archaeological Mapping Specialists clearly shows that 620 Hearst is not within the shellmound region.  

However, Stephanie Manning, who applied for the shellmound’s landmarks designation, warns that the maps “won’t (show) exactly where the edges are,” she said.  

Ken Lightfoot, Professor of Archaeology at UC Berkeley agrees. 

“We really don’t know the boundary of the site,” he said. “Often times there are clusters of mounds with buried components.” 

Lightfoot, Manning and others warn that any development plans in the block west of Second Street, bounded by Hearst Avenue and University Avenue – including the location of 620 Hearst – should take into consideration the possibility of shellmound remnants because the Western boundary of the shellmound remains in question since the original shoreline has been severely altered. Since the ice age, the Bay waters have been rising at a rate of 1.5 millimeter per year for the last 6,000 years, which has compromised the boundary, they say. 

Some 30 speakers attended the public hearing and all spoke in favor of making the shellmound a landmark. Nearly all of the audience was holding signs, some of which were printed out and circulated before the hearing, and some were simply made of pizza boxes and poster-board. 

But the message was clear. 

“You can’t just dig up peoples bones and dispose of them like trash just so you can build another Starbucks,” one speaker said. 

“This is the place where the first children in Berkeley were born,” Manning said. “We know so little about these people. We have a once in a lifetime chance to study them.”

If UC Berkeley Chancellor Robert Berdahl was hoping to enjoy a quiet lunch break Wednesday, he was in for a disappointment. 

Over 50 UC clerical employees gathered and demonstrated outside his California Hall office at noon, demanding that their wages be increased to meet the rising cost of living of the past two years. They say they will continue the demonstrations every Wednesday until Berdahl agrees to meet with them. 

The employees, carrying pots, spoons, aluminum cans and other noisemakers, circled the hall twice, chanting and making as much noise as they could. They then marched through Sproul Plaza before returning to the chancellor’s building. 

“I think it’s shameful, I think UC should be embarrassed,” said Chloe Osmer, a program coordinator for the Center for Labor Research and Education. “Here is one of the most prestigious universities in the world and the clerical workers have to come out on their lunchtime to demand a cost of living increase that brings them just up to what they have lost.” 

Marie Felde, UC director of media relations, said that negotiations are going on between UC and clerical staff workers at all nine campuses and will continue in the upcoming weeks. All clerical employees in the UC system work under the same contract, she said. 

“People of the university are generally all sympathetic and want as quick and good a resolution to this conflict as those protesting,” Felde said. 

However, the clerical workers complain that their salaries on average are 21 percent lower than the market level, while top UC administrators have received 24 percent wage increases over the last two years. 

These administrators make over $200,000 annually, said administrative assistant Jane Fehlberg, who has been on a hunger strike for five weeks in protest. She said Berdahl makes $24,542 a month and was given a $40,000 raise last year. 

“They had absolutely no problem coming up with 24 percent increases for the highest paid (administrators),” Fehlberg said. “When it comes to paying the people who really need it, who are working an extra job or two, or like me spending their savings paying their rent because we live in one of the most expensive areas in the country . . . they turn their backs on us.” 

Elinor Levine, president of the Coalition of University Employees, said that entry level salaries for clerical workers are around $20,000. When top level administrators received raises over the last two years, their wage increases were equal to the annual salaries of many UC clerical workers, which mostly range from $20,000 to $30,000 annually. 

CUE, which represents 18,000 clerical employees at the nine UC campuses, is asking for an 11 percent increase in wages over two years for clerical employees. Negotiations began in August 1998.  

The university is currently offering only a two percent cost of living increase for last year and four percent for this year, which Levine called “an insult to the working people at the University of California.” 

The demonstrations started last month when hunger strikers began meeting outside the chancellor’s office on Wednesday afternoons to drink juice. The “juice-ins” have evolved into demonstrations, which are attracting more participants every week. 

Many of the demonstrators wear blue T-shirts that read “Fridays I work for free. Why?” which make a statement about their salaries being 21 percent lower than the market level salary. One demonstrator explained that if a five-day work week is broken up into percentages, each day represents 20 percent. That means that UC clerical employees are losing a whole day’s salary each week. 

Levine said that UC has a $1.9 million carryover of unrestricted funds from last year, which could be used for wage increases for clerical staff. However, it is a matter of the university making that commitment, she said. 

“A majority of the clerical employees are women, many of us are people of color and the university needs to do what’s right and make a commitment to improve the clericals, who are among the lowest paid employees of the university,” Levine said.

The Berkeley Chamber of Commerce turns 100 Friday and will celebrate the anniversary at Oakland’s Claremont Resort and Spa, at 41 Tunnel Road. 

Dennis Kuby will be masters of ceremonies at the event, which begins at 6 p.m. and costs $100 per person.  

Kuby says the chamber, whose earliest members dealt in fertilizer and dry ice, has gone through some rough times over its first 100 years, particularly when the City Council was dominated by those with “Marxist leanings.” 

Although the chamber was once entirely “Anglo Saxon” and male dominated, it now is comprised of a healthy mix of men, women and people of various ethnicities, he said. 

Pete Escovedo’s band tops the bill for the evening.  

Tickets are available until 5 p.m. today. Call 510-549-7003.

The black netting that shrouded the new Kaplan Educational Testing Center at 150 Shattuck Square, was removed last week, revealing the freshly remodeled central-Berkeley building. 

The remodel was not without controversy. 

Construction at the former home of the American Saving Bank was delayed in the planning phase by an appeal from the Berkeley Architectural Heritage Association to the City Council. BAHA did not believe that the new building plans were in compliance with the Downtown Berkeley Plan, and the City Council agreed and upheld the appeal.  

The Downtown Berkeley Plan, which sets forth guidelines for new buildings in the downtown area, was created to “provide continuity between the old and the new in the built environment” and to “retain the scale and the unique character of the downtown.”  

Through negotiations among the building’s architects, Kava Messish Architects, Kaplan Educational Services and BAHA, certain features, such as the east, south and west elevations, were changed to conform with the Downtown Berkeley Plan and the wishes of BAHA. The project was an overall success, according to BAHA. “The outcome has been positive for the city, BAHA and the citizens, and that is what is important,” said Leslie Emmington, spokesperson for BAHA.

Wednesday, July 19

“Women Who Run With Words” 

7:30 p.m. 

Diesil Bookstore 

5433 College Ave, Oakland 

A writing workshop created by local poet Ruth Wynkoop, will present a group reading of poetry and short prose.  

848-1069 

Townhall Meeting on the Public Housing Plan 

6-8 p.m. 

West Berkeley Senior Center 

1900 6th Street 

1-800-773-2110 

Poetry Workshop 

8 p.m. 

Berkeley Arts Center 

All levels welcomed to this shape changing, free workshop lead by Rop Lipton. The individual voice and critical response will be the on-going focus. Classes continue every week at the same time. 

665-1662 

Ballroom Dance 

10 a.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst at MLK Jr. Way 

Come for a practice session of ballroom dance. 

644-6107 

Chinese Calligraphy with Mrs. Jou 

1 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst at MLK Jr. Way 

644-6107 

Community Action Team 

7 p.m. 

Black Repertary Group Theatre 

3201 Adeline St. 

The team will consider actions to take to address the healthcare crisis in southwest Berkeley. 

652-2120 

Citizens Humane Commission 

7 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst Ave. 

Items for discussion are how relationships can be improved between the Shelter and Rescue groups. 

Thursday, July 20

“Wilderness 911” 

7 p.m. 

REI 

1338 San Pablo Ave 

Learn how to better manage medical problems in the backcountry from Eric A. Weiss, M.D., Associate Director of Trauma and Emergency Medicine at Stanford University Medical Center and medical editor for Backpacker magazine.  

527-7377 

“La Ciudad” 

7 p.m. 

Revolution Books 

2425 Channing Way 

“La Ciudad,” filmed in black and white, presents four stories about people from Latin America who have come to work and survive in New York City. A garment worker in a sweatshop, a homeless puppeteer and his daughter, a young man newly arrived from Puebla, Mexico who crashed a quincenera (sweet fifteen) party, and a group of day laborers hired to clean huge stacks of bricks for pennies. The actors in this film are immigrant workers who had a special stake in bringing these stories to light. 

848-1169 

Free/opinional donations go to Revolution Books Video Library 

“Meeting Life Changes” with John Hammerman 

10 p.m. 

Movie: “Civil Action” 

1 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst at MLK Jr. Way 

644-6107 

Memorial Stadium Permanent Lighting Project 

7-9 p.m. 

Lower Conference Room, Unit One Residence Hall 

2650 Durant Ave.  

This is a community meeting to present supplemental documents to the initial study that describes the project and identifies its potential environmental effects. 

For more information: 642-7720. 

Elderly Disabled Advisory Committee 

10 a.m.-noon 

Joseph P. Bort MetroCenter 

101 8th Street, First Floor 

Oakland 

The agenda will include information on Ed Roberts Campus, transportation blueprint for the 21st Century, and a follow-up from the Mobility Matter Conference. 

464-7700 

Allergy-Free Gardening 

7 p.m. 

Slide presentation & book signing. The publication of this book has spurred multinational attention. Horticulturist Thomas Ogren comes to us from San Luis Obispo to educate us on the disastrous health problems created by poor plant choice. His extensively researched, plant-by-plant reference serves as the perfect resource for wise decision making. 

Builders Booksource 

1817 Fourth Street 

(510) 845-6874 

www.buildersbooksite.com 

Friday, July 21

Route 24/Caldecott Tunnel Corridor Study 

9:30-11:30 a.m. 

Alameda Congrestion Management Agency Board Room 

1333 Broadway, Suit 220 

Oakland 

Items on the agenda include “Dry Run” presentation for proposed public workshop. 

“Does Winning by Intimidation Count?” with Betty Goren 

1 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst at MLK Jr. Way 

644-6107 

“Schubert Songs” with Baker Lake 

1:15 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst at MLK Jr. Way 

-644-6107 

Sunday, July 23

“The Wind and the Willows” 

3 p.m. 

Pacific Film Archive 

2575 Bancroft Way @ Bowditch 

Recommended for ages 7+. Monty Python fans and kids of all ages will revel in this witty and imaginative live-action adaptation of Kenneth Grahame’s 1908 tale in which Rat, Badger and Mole team up to save their wealthy, reckless friend Toad from losing his estate. 

Tickets $4 

642-5249 

Sunday Brunch & Lecture Series 

10 a.m. 

Berkeley Richmond JCC 

1414 Walnut Street 

In celebration of Kurt Weill’s 100th birthday, the Jewish Music Festival hosts a lecture with Urs Leonhardt Steiner,  

The son of a Jewish Cantor, Kurt Weill was famous in Weimar, Germany for his collaborations with Berthold Brecht (including Three Penny Opera). Weill escaped to the U.S. in 1933, where he reinvented himself for the Broadway theater. His music became freer and jazzier, influenced by Cole Porter and Leonard Bernstein. 

Maestro Steiner will share insights on the genius of this legendary composer, and how his move from Germany to the U.S. impacted his work. Recorded examples will be played to illustrate the lecture. 

Admission is $7 general, $5 for JCC members, students and seniors. Reservations are advised. 

848-0237 ext. 110. 

Monday, July 24

“Pros and Cons of Measure B” with Marike Baan 

1:15 p.m. 

North Berkeley Senior Center 

1901 Hearst at MLK Jr. Way 

510-644-6107

Dear Mr. President, 

I am sad to see you waffling on your promise to veto the Republican estate tax bill, which will endow most of its benefit on the very, very rich. I am sad, but not surprised. 

My surprise comes from the Vice President's silence. Mr. Gore, this issue could distinguish you from Gov. Bush as a fighter for the economic interests of middle-class and less-fortunate Americans. The estate tax is the principle means to prevent the establishment of a permanent ruling class, comprised of people with a disproportionate amount of wealth compared to everyone else. 

Why are you as quiet as a little mouse, Mr. Gore? Are you looking for some other issue to attract tepid Republicans and radical Green Party voters? 

Good luck in finding one. 

Bruce Joffe 

Oakland

THEATER 

ACTORS ENSEMBLE OF BERKELEY 

“Murder At The Vicarage” by Agatha Christie, through Aug. 12. Performance of the classic whodunnit. $10. Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m.; Aug. 10, 8 p.m. Live Oak Theatre, 1301 Shattuck Ave. 

528-5620. 

CALIFORNIA SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL 

“Hamlet” by William Shakespeare, July 1 through July 22. Shakespeare probes the shadowy corners of the human psyche in this dark, compelling tragedy of vengeance, madness and murder most foul. 

Cost is $21 to $38 general; $19 to $38 seniors; $10 to $38 children. Wednesday and Thursday, 7 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m.; Sunday, 4 p.m.; July 22, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Bruns Memorial Amphitheatre, Shakespeare Festival Way/Gateway Exit on state Highway 24. (510) 548-9666 or www.calshakes.org 

MUSIC VENUES 

924 GILMAN ST. 

924 Gilman Street is an all-ages, member-run no alcohol, drugs, and violence club located at the corner of 8th street and Gilman Street in Berkeley. Most shows are $5. Memberships for the year are $2. Shows start at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted. For the latest show information call 525-9926. 

July 21 Dory Tourette And The Skirtheads, Blood Brothers, Divit, Panty Rade, Erase Erata.  

July 22 American Steel, Enemies, Thumbs, I-Farm, Pitch Black.  

July 28 Plan 9, Loose Change, Debris, Weakerthans, Big Link.  

July 29 Plan 9, Loose Change, Weaker Than, Debris, Big Link.  

July 30 Dillinger Escape Plan, Candira, Isis, Cadillac Blindside (5 p.m.).  

August 4 Hellchild, Benumb, Yellow Machine Gun, Spaceboy, Vulgar Pigeons. August 5 Causey Way, Black Man - White Man - Dead Man, Boy Pussy USA, Monday Mornings.  

August 11 Hellbillys, Riffs, Menstrual Tramps, Fleshies, Shut Up Donny.  

August 12 Excruciating Terror, Plutocracy, Chupalabre, Creation Is Crucifiction, State Of The Union. 

(510) 525-9926. 

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH 

“Rarities and Suprises” 

Join George Cleve, Music Director and Conductor, for a night the “Midsummer Mozart Festival,” on Friday, August 4. The concert will include “Three Adagios and Fugurd after J.S. Bach,” K. 404, “Six Variations on G minor on ‘Helas, j’ai perdu mon amant,’” K. 360, highlights from the “Abduction from the Seragio,” and “Divertimento” in D Major for 2 Horns and Strings K. 334. 

First Congregational Church, 2345 Channing Way, at Dana. For ticket call City Box Office at 510-392-4400. 

THE STARRY PLOUGH PUB 

For age 21 and over. Music on Wednesday at 8 p.m.; Thursday at 9:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday at 9:45 p.m. unless otherwise noted. 3101 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley. (510) 841-2082. 

LAST DAY SALOON 

Willis, a Seattle band, will play at the Last Day Saloon on August 2. The quintet will bring its Indie folk-pop sound to Berkeley in support of their will EP, “Bourgeois Blues.” “Bourgeois Blues” represents the natural progression of music that Willis has been creating and performing since their formation in 1996. The band also incorporates an electric range of instruments into their sets, ranging from the pedal steel, to accordion and conga drums.  

(510) 483-2926. 

CLUB MUSE 

Marie Schumacher and the Invisible Band 

Thursday, July 20 from 8 p.m.-10 p.m. is a solo show. Friday, July 21 from 9:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. is with the band. Thursday, August 3 frin 8 p.m.-11 p.m. is with the band. 

856 San Pablo Ave., Albany. 

(510) 528-2872.  

OPERA 

THE BERKELEY OPERA 

“Beatrice and Benedick” by Hector Berlioz, through July 23. A joyous evening of wit, deception and romance based on William Shakespeare’s comedy “Much Ado About Nothing.” Jonathan Khuner conducting. Sung in English. 

$16 to $30 general; $24 senio rs; $15 youths age 17 and under. Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m. Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Ave., Berkeley. (925) 798-1300 or www.juliamorgan.org 

MUSEUMS 

BERKELEY HISTORICAL SOCIETY 

"Berkeley's Ethnic Heritage." Through March 2001. 

The exhibit examines the rich cultural diversity of our city and the contributions of individuals and minority groups to our history and development. The exhibit look at the original native tribelets in the area and the immigrants who settled in Ocean View and displaced the Spanish/Mexican landowners. It also examines the influence of theUniversity of California, the San Francisco earthquake, and World War II on the population and culture of Berkeley, and subsequent efforts to overcome discrimination. Curated by Linda Rosen and the Berkeley Historical Society Exhibit Committee. Thursday through Saturday, 1 to 4 p.m. Wheelchair accessible. Admission free. 

Berkeley Historical Society located in the Veterans Memorial Building, 1931 Center Street, Berkeley. 510-848-0181 

www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/histsoc 

UC BERKELEY ART MUSEUM 

“Doug Aitken/MATRIX 185: Into the Sun,” through Sept. 3. An exhibit of works primarily in video and film, using the interplay of art and media to evoke deserted landscapes.  

“Rodin and His Contemporaries,” through August. An exhibit of 11 bronze maquettes on loan from the Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Foundation in Los Angeles. The bronzes range in style from the artist's classically inspired “Torso of a Woman” to the anguish of “The Martyr.” Some of the maquettes were cast during Rodin’s lifetime, others have been cast fairly recently under the aegis of the Musee Rodin which alone is authorized to cast his sculptures posthumously. 

$6 general; $4 seniors and students ages 12 to 18; free children age 12 and under; free Thursday, 11 a.m. to noon and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. 2626 Bancroft Way, Berkeley. 642-0808. 

HALL OF HEALTH  

2230 Shattuck Ave. (lower level), Berkeley 

A hands-on community health education museum and science center sponsored by Children's Hospital Oakland and Alta Bates Medical Center. 

“This is Your Heart!” ongoing. An in teractive exhibit on heart health. 

“Good Nutrition,” ongoing. This exhibit includes models for making balanced meals and an exercycle for calculating how calories are burned. 

“Draw Your Own Insides,” ongoing. Human-shaped chalkboards and models with removable organs allow visitors to explore the inside of their bodies. 

“Your Cellular Self and Cancer Prevention,” ongoing. An exhibit on understanding how cells become cancerous and how to detect and prevent cancer. 

Free. For children ages 3 to 12 and their parents. 

549-1564 

LAWRENCE HALL OF SCIENCE 

“Experiment Gallery,” through Sept. 10. Step inside a giant laboratory and experiment with concepts surrounding sound, light, mechanics, electricity, and weather. 

“Math Rules!” ongoing exhibit. A math exhibit of hands-on problem-solving stations, each with a different mathematical challenge. Make mathematical ice-cream cones, use blocks to build three dimensional structures, make dodecagon pies from a variety of mathematical shapes and stretch mathematical thinking. 

“Within the Human Brain,” ongoing installation. Visitors test their cranial nerves, play skeeball, master mazes, match musical tones and construct stories inside a simulated “rat cage” of learning experiments. 

$6 general; $4 seniors, students and children ages 7 to 18; $2 children ages 3 to 6; free children under age 3. Daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Centennial Drive, University of California, Berkeley. (510) 642-5132 or www.lhs.berkeley.edu 

PHOEBE HEARST MUSEUM 

Kroeber Hall, UC Berkeley 

“Modern Treasures from Ancient Iran,” through Oct. 29. This exhibit explores nomadic and town life in ancient and modern Iran as illustrated in bronze and pottery vessels, and textiles. 

“Phoebe Hearst Museum-Approaching a Century of Anthropology,” a sampling of the vast collections of the museum, its mission, history, and current research, with selections from ancient Egypt, ancient Peru, California Indians, Asia (India), and Africa. 

“Ishi and the Invention of Yahi Culture,” Ishi, the last Yahi Indian of California, spent the final years of his life, 1911 to 1916, living at the museum, working with anthropologists to record his culture, demonstrating technological skills, and retelling Yahi myths, tales, and songs. 

Wednesday through Sunday 10 am -4:30 pm; Thursday until 9 pm (Sept-May) 

(510) 643-7648 

HABITOT CHILDREN’S MUSEUM 

Kittredge Street and Shattuck Avenue 

A museum especially for children age 7 and younger. Highlights include “WaterWorks,” an area with some unusual water toys, an Infant Tree for babies, a garden especially for toddlers, a child-scale grocery store and cafe, and a costume shop and stage for junior thespians. The museum also features a toy lending library. 

Exhibit: “Back to the Farm,” open-ended. This interactive exhibit gives children the chance to wiggle through tunnels like an earthworm, look into a mirrored fish pond, don farm animal costumes, ride on a John Deere tractor and much more.  

Admission is $4 for adults; $6 child age 7 and under; $3 for each additional child.  

Hours: Monday and Wednesday, 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Tuesday and Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursday, 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

(510) 647-1111 

JUDAH L. MAGNES MUSEUM 

2911 Russell St., Berkeley 

“Telling Time: To Everything There Is A Season,” through May 2002.  

An exhibit structured around the seasons of the year and the seasons of life with objects ranging from the sacred and the secular, to the provocative and the whimsical. Highlights include treasures from Jewish ceremonial and folk art, rare books and manuscripts, contemporary and traditional fine art, video, photography and cultural kitsch. Through Nov. 4: “Spring and Summer.” 

Free. Sunday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

(510) 549-6950. 

GALLERIES  

KALA INSTITUTE 

“Markings/Imprints,” through July 28. The 2000 Kala Art Institute Fellowship Awards Exhibitions, Part I, featuring works by Susan Belau, Liliana Lobo Ferreira, and Jamie Morgan. 

Free. Tuesday through Friday, noon to 5 p.m. Workshop Media Center Gallery, 1060 Heinz Ave., Berkeley. (510) 549-2977. 

TRAYWICK GALLERY 

Rachel Davis, Samantha Fisher, Benicia Gantner, Cherith Rose, through July 22. An exhibit of new work by the four artists. 

Free. Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. 1316 10th St., Berkeley. (510) 527-1214. 

ADDISON STREET WINDOWS GALLERY 

“Yangtze River: in the Dragon’s Teeth” 

Carol Brighton's poured paper paintings of the Yangtze River gorges, through July 31. Six-foot paper pieces in the long format of a Chinese scroll. This artwork is done in support of the International Rivers Network campaign to save the Yangtze River. The full impact of these beautiful compositions can even be viewed from across the street. 

Addison Street Windows Gallery, 2018 Addison St., Berkeley 

POETRY 

LA PEÑA CULTURAL CENTER 

3105 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley. 

The multimedia show “Destruction or Love” will take place this Thursday, July 20 at 8 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. 

This show is based on the poetry of the Spanish poet Vicente Aleixandre. 

A poet is looking for reason to keep living, he spends the night alone remembering key moments of his life. 

He takes a trip to inside himself and his feelings, and reflects on life, death, and human nature. 

“Destruction or Love” comes out of a series of poetry readings by Vicante Aleixandre and brings together sensorial experiences in a creative way, with a group of actors and dancers who produced the video, music and choreography. 

(510) 849-2568 or www.lapena.org 

CODY’S BOOKS POETRY FLASH 

The Haiku Anthology Contributors Reading 

Garry Gay, Jerry Kilbride, Vincent Tripi, Micheal DylanWelch 

Edited and with a foreword by the former Haiku Society of America president Cor van den Heuvel, The Haiku Anthology collects 850 of the best English language Haiku and related works. A selection of Bay Area contributors will read at this event. "Haiku is basically about living with intense awareness, about having an openness to the existence around us-kind of openness that involves seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, and touching."--Cor van den Heuvel August 2, Wednesday, 7:30 p.m. 

Donation is $2.00 

Joseph Di Prisco And Dean Young 

Joseph Di Prisco's newest book, Poems in Which, won the 2000 Dorothy Brunsman Poetry Prize. An essayist and reviewer, he is also the co-author of a recent book about adolescence and growing up, Field Guide to the American Teenager. His novel, Confessions of Brother Eli, is forthcoming in the fall. Dean Young has published three books of poems, most recently First Course in Turbulence. "Dean Young's exhilarating, complex, and wide-ranging poems give one the impression of conversations with an angel in which the poet has to be super-alert at every second, for every second counts and the angel knows everything. To listen to these conversations is to experience a colloquial, witty, emotional, and urgent discourse not to be found anywhere else."--Kenneth Koch. August 9, Wednesday, 7:30 p.m. Donation is $2.00 

Leonard J. Cirino and Marc Elihu Hofstadter 

Leonard J. Cirino, editor and publisher of Pygmy Forest Press, is the author of twenty-one poetry collections, including The Terrible Wilderness of Self, 96 Sonnets Facing Conviction, and American Minotaur & Other Work, Poems 1998. His newest collection is The Sane Man Speaks & Other Poems. Marc Elihu Hofstadter is the author of House of Peace. He has published his poems and critical articles in many literary journals, including Exquisite Corpse and Talisman, and works as the Librarian of the San Francisco Municipal Railway. August 16, Wednesday, 7:30 p.m. Donation is $2.00 

Jamal Ali and Russell Gonzaga 

Jamal Ali writes in a broad spectrum of genres from journalism and history to poetry and plays. He's been performing and reading across the U.S. since 1985. His published works include Jazz is a Sacrament of Substance. Russell Gonzaga is a celebrated performance and slam poet based in the Bay Area. August 23, Wednesday, 7:30 p.m. Donation is $2.00 

Joe Todaro 

Joe Todaro is the author of Notes From a Burning Theater, a poetry chapbook. He co-produced, withCelia White, the 1998 Urban Epiphany poetry reading in Buffalo, New York, the largest such event in that city's history. Celia White is a poet, fiction writer, and librarian. Her poetry chapbooks are Cusp, Mouth, Stick, and Lit; her poems have appeared in Exquisite Corpse and upstream. The event room at Cody's is wheelchair accessible. Please ask for help or directions at the Information Desk. ASL interpreters for the deaf and hearing impaired can be provided with reasonable advance notice. August 30, Wednesday, 7:30 p.m. Donation is $2.00 

Janice M. Gale and Noel Peattie 

Berkeley poet Janice M. Gale's new book is House of Leaves. A former dancer, cook, editor, community organizer and teacher, she has been an activist for social justice for more than fifty years. Noel Peattie published Sipapu, a review journal for librarians and others interested in dissent literature, including poetry, and the small press, between 1970-1996. His poetry books include In the Dome of Saint Laurence Meteor and Western Skyline. August 13, Sunday, 7:30 p.m. Donation is $2.00 

Parking is available at the Durant/Channing Garage; Cody's will validate one hour of parking with purchase. 

Cody's Books: (510) 845-7852 • Poetry Flash: (510) 525-5476 

To publicize an upcoming event, please submit information to the Daily Planet via fax (841-5695), e-mail (calendar@berkeleydailyplanet.com) or traditional mail (2076 University Avenue, 94704). Calendar items should be submitted at least one week before the opening of a new exhibit or performance. Please include a daytime telephone number in case we need to clarify any information. 

tion in Los Angeles. The bronzes range in style from the artist's classically inspired “Torso of a Woman” to the anguish of “The Martyr.” Some of the maquettes were cast during Rodin’s lifetime, others have been cast fairly recently under the aegis of the Musee Rodin which alone is authorized to cast his sculptures posthumously. 

$6 general; $4 seniors and students ages 12 to 18; free children age 12 and under; free Thursday, 11 a.m. to noon and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. 2626 Bancroft Way, Berkeley. 642-0808. 

HALL OF HEALTH  

2230 Shattuck Ave. (lower level), Berkeley 

A hands-on community health education museum and science center sponsored by Children's Hospital Oakland and Alta Bates Medical Center. 

“This is Your Heart!” ongoing. An in teractive exhibit on heart health. 

“Good Nutrition,” ongoing. This exhibit includes models for making balanced meals and an exercycle for calculating how calories are burned. 

“Draw Your Own Insides,” ongoing. Human-shaped chalkboards and models with removable organs allow visitors to explore the inside of their bodies. 

“Your Cellular Self and Cancer Prevention,” ongoing. An exhibit on understanding how cells become cancerous and how to detect and prevent cancer. 

Free. For children ages 3 to 12 and their parents. 

549-1564 

LAWRENCE HALL OF  

SCIENCE 

“Experiment Gallery,” through Sept. 10. Step inside a giant laboratory and experiment with concepts surrounding sound, light, mechanics, electricity, and weather. 

“Math Rules!” ongoing exhibit. A math exhibit of hands-on problem-solving stations, each with a different mathematical challenge. Make mathematical ice-cream cones, use blocks to build three dimensional structures, make dodecagon pies from a variety of mathematical shapes and stretch mathematical thinking. 

“Within the Human Brain,” ongoing installation. Visitors test their cranial nerves, play skeeball, master mazes, match musical tones and construct stories inside a simulated “rat cage” of learning experiments. 

$6 general; $4 seniors, students and children ages 7 to 18; $2 children ages 3 to 6; free children under age 3. Daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Centennial Drive, University of California, Berkeley. (510) 642-5132 or www.lhs.berkeley.edu 

PHOEBE HEARST MUSEUM 

Kroeber Hall, UC Berkeley 

“Modern Treasures from Ancient Iran,” through Oct. 29. This exhibit explores nomadic and town life in ancient and modern Iran as illustrated in bronze and pottery vessels, and textiles. 

“Phoebe Hearst Museum-Approaching a Century of Anthropology,” a sampling of the vast collections of the museum, its mission, history, and current research, with selections from ancient Egypt, ancient Peru, California Indians, Asia (India), and Africa. 

“Ishi and the Invention of Yahi Culture,” Ishi, the last Yahi Indian of California, spent the final years of his life, 1911 to 1916, living at the museum, working with anthropologists to record his culture, demonstrating technological skills, and retelling Yahi myths, tales, and songs. 

Wednesday through Sunday 10 am -4:30 pm; Thursday until 9 pm (Sept-May) 

(510) 643-7648 

HABITOT CHILDREN’S MUSEUM 

Kittredge Street and Shattuck Avenue 

A museum especially for children age 7 and younger. Highlights include “WaterWorks,” an area with some unusual water toys, an Infant Tree for babies, a garden especially for toddlers, a child-scale grocery store and cafe, and a costume shop and stage for junior thespians. The museum also features a toy lending library. 

Exhibit: “Back to the Farm,” open-ended. This interactive exhibit gives children the chance to wiggle through tunnels like an earthworm, look into a mirrored fish pond, don farm animal costumes, ride on a John Deere tractor and much more.  

Admission is $4 for adults; $6 child age 7 and under; $3 for each additional child.  

Hours: Monday and Wednesday, 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Tuesday and Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursday, 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

(510) 647-1111 

JUDAH L. MAGNES MUSEUM 

2911 Russell St., Berkeley 

“Telling Time: To Everything There Is A Season,” through May 2002.  

An exhibit structured around the seasons of the year and the seasons of life with objects ranging from the sacred and the secular, to the provocative and the whimsical. Highlights include treasures from Jewish ceremonial and folk art, rare books and manuscripts, contemporary and traditional fine art, video, photography and cultural kitsch. Through Nov. 4: “Spring and Summer.” 

Free. Sunday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

(510) 549-6950. 

GALLERIES  

KALA INSTITUTE 

“Markings/Imprints,” through July 28. The 2000 Kala Art Institute Fellowship Awards Exhibitions, Part I, featuring works by Susan Belau, Liliana Lobo Ferreira, and Jamie Morgan. 

Free. Tuesday through Friday, noon to 5 p.m. Workshop Media Center Gallery, 1060 Heinz Ave., Berkeley. (510) 549-2977. 

TRAYWICK GALLERY 

Rachel Davis, Samantha Fisher, Benicia Gantner, Cherith Rose, through July 22. An exhibit of new work by the four artists. 

Free. Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. 1316 10th St., Berkeley. (510) 527-1214. 

ADDISON STREET  

WINDOWS GALLERY 

“Yangtze River: in the Dragon’s Teeth” 

Carol Brighton's poured paper paintings of the Yangtze River gorges, through July 31. Six-foot paper pieces in the long format of a Chinese scroll. This artwork is done in support of the International Rivers Network campaign to save the Yangtze River. The full impact of these beautiful compositions can even be viewed from across the street. 

Addison Street Windows Gallery, 2018 Addison St., Berkeley 

POETRY 

LA PEÑA CULTURAL  

CENTER 

3105 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley. 

The multimedia show “Destruction or Love” will take place this Thursday, July 20 at 8 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. 

This show is based on the poetry of Vicente Aleixandre. 

A poet is looking for reason to keep living, he spends the night alone remembering key moments of his life. 

He takes a trip to inside himself and his feelings, and reflects on life, death, and human nature. 

“Destruction or Love” comes out of a series of poetry readings by Vicante Aleixandre and brings together sensorial experiences in a creative way, with a group of actors and dancers who produced the video, music and choreography. 

Call (510) 849-2568 or visit www.lapena.org 

CODY’S BOOKS POETRY FLASH 

2454 Telegraph Ave. 

Upcoming poetry readings at Cody’s: 

The Haiku Anthology Contributors Reading 

Garry Gay, Jerry Kilbride, Vincent Tripi, Micheal DylanWelch 

Edited and with a foreword by the former Haiku Society of America president Cor van den Heuvel, The Haiku Anthology collects 850 of the best English language Haiku and related works. A selection of Bay Area contributors will read at this event. "Haiku is basically about living with intense awareness, about having an openness to the existence around us-kind of openness that involves seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, and touching."-- Cor van den Heuvel August 2, Wednesday, 7:30 p.m. 

Donation is $2.00 

Joseph Di Prisco And Dean Young 

Joseph Di Prisco's newest book, Poems in Which, won the 2000 Dorothy Brunsman Poetry Prize. An essayist and reviewer, he is also the co-author of a recent book about adolescence and growing up, Field Guide to the American Teenager. His novel, Confessions of Brother Eli, is forthcoming in the fall. Dean Young has published three books of poems, most recently First Course in Turbulence. "Dean Young's exhilarating, complex, and wide-ranging poems give one the impression of conversations with an angel in which the poet has to be super-alert at every second, for every second counts and the angel knows everything. To listen to these conversations is to experience a colloquial, witty, emotional, and urgent discourse not to be found anywhere else."--Kenneth Koch. August 9, Wednesday, 7:30 p.m.  

Donation is $2.00 

Cody's Books: (510) 845-7852 

Poetry Flash: (510) 525-5476

In a closed-door meeting, a unanimous City Council voted Tuesday to appoint Deputy City Manager Weldon Rucker as interim city manager. He will take the place of outgoing City Manager James Keene, who leaves for Tucson, Ariz., in August. 

“It’s quite an honor. It’s quite demanding. It’s quite a challenge,” Rucker told the council, after the appointment was re-enacted in open session. 

Rucker will receive the same salary as Keene, based on $154,000 annually. He will continue, however, to receive the same benefits he has garnered as Deputy City Manager. That probably means that he will not get the manager’s $700 monthly car allowance, although the Daily Planet could not immediately confirm this. 

The public missed out on the closed-door discussion relative to the interaction between the interim city manager and the council. In public session, Rucker announced that he was looking forward to an “improved working relationship” with the council and “improved council meetings.” 

Berkeley’s bi-annual local election season opened Monday with six candidates throwing their birkenstocks into the proverbial ring, taking out papers to run for various offices. They have until Aug. 11 to return the papers and become official candidates. 

Two incumbents got in the queue early – Councilmember Diane Woolley, whose District 5 takes in north central Berkeley and Councilmember Margaret Breland, whose District 2 is in southwest Berkeley. Woolley has been on the council since 1994 and Breland got on board in 1996. The Councilmembers’ terms were changed from two-year to four-year terms in 1996. 

No one had taken out papers to run against Woolley, as of mid afternoon Tuesday, but Breland will face at least one challenger, Carol Hughes-Willoughby, a minister who works in an afterschool program. Hughes-Willoughby took out papers to run Monday. 

A third challenger, San Pablo Park Neighborhood Association activist Betty Hicks has promised to jump into the District 2 fray as well, but she hadn’t taken out papers when the Daily Planet checked in with the Berkeley City Clerk on Tuesday. 

Councilmember Betty Olds, first elected in 1992 in North Berkeley hill’s District 6 said she plans to run, but hasn’t taken out papers. She’ll face Norine Smith, a neighborhood activist, who is particularly concerned with planning issues. Smith took out papers Monday. 

South Berkeley Councilmember Maudelle Shirek, District 3, also plans to run. The 16-year incumbent, who has yet to take out election papers, faces no challenger to date. 

Incumbent School Board President Joaquin Rivera has taken out papers to run again. Schools and environmental activist John Selawsky also recently picked up his official papers to run for school board. 

Berkeley’s medical marijuana users and sympathizers are chagrined about the amount of pot they would be allowed to possess under an ordinance that recently left the city attorney’s desk. 

These medical marijuana advocates hope the City Council will revise the proposal in September, after the Health Commission takes a look at it and makes recommendations to the City Council. 

City Councilmember Linda Maio told the Daily Planet that individuals have voiced their displeasure about the limits in the proposal -- allowing medical marijuana users and their primary caregivers to possess up to a pound of dry marijuana and cultivate up to five plants.  

People are saying that the amount is inadequate relative to what patients need, according to Maio. Consequently she said she hopes the Health Commission will revise the quantity recommended in the ordinance after comparing the proposal to the Oakland ordinance. 

Last week the City Council unanimously passed a recommendation to forward copies of the Oakland ordinance and the proposed Berkeley ordinance to the Health Commission for review. The recommendation included a suggestion that a member of the Oakland Police Department be asked to attend the council meeting in September to discuss that department’s experience with the Oakland ordinance. 

The Oakland ordinance allows patients to possess up to one and a half pounds of dry marijuana, or up to six pounds if patients can prove that they grew it themselves. And it allows patients and primary caregivers to possess up to 96 plants grown indoors, among which only 48 can be producing plants. Sixty plants can be grown outdoors, with half of those being producing plants. 

The amounts are different because outdoor plants yield more buds, the ordinance says. 

“The Oakland ordinance has been in effect for two years and has been working really well,” Maio said. 

“Personally, I think the Oakland ordinance is a good one because it is based on government clinical trials,” said Berkeley resident Gretchen Lumke. 

Lumke added that she is not affiliated with a marijuana lobby nor is she a user of marijuana medically or recreationally. 

She pointed out that the Oakland ordinance is based on Food and Drug Administration trials that verified the quantity patients would need based on each consuming one-third of an ounce (roughly ten joints) per day. 

The amount of marijuana allowed in Berkeley’s ordinance, according to an “expert at the Drug Enforcement Agency,” is based upon several pertinent facts about cultivation. 

City Attorney Manuela Albuquerque said the city has been enforcing Proposition 215, the Compassionate Use Act, since it passed in November of 1996, though there is no “real threshold” in the act, she said. 

Police Chief Dash Butler issued a Departmental Order on January 18 that defined the quantity a medical marijuana user could posses at one pound of dried cannabis plus five plants after they received the analysis from the DEA.  

The report that accompanies the Berkeley ordinance, however, says that the FDA study used by Oakland is vague and that smoking one-third of an ounce per day far exceeds medicinal use. And it states the Oakland ordinance failed to consider that Northern California marijuana is on average 10-times more potent than what was used in the study. 

It says that the marijuana used in the study was of such poor quality that it was nicknamed “Mississippi ditchweed,” and had a 2-3 percent THC content. THC is the chemical in marijuana which causes medical benefits such as relief from pain. The amount of THC in the cannabis used in the study pales in comparison to the 40-50 percent THC content contained in pot grown in Northern California, the Berkeley report said. 

Lumke said that after reading the Oakland ordinance she was initially concerned about youths and non-medical users breaking into yards and homes with so many plants being grown.  

But after a call to the Oakland Police Department she said her concerns were dissolved after they informed her that they had not experienced an increase in break-ins. 

Also, she said the only enforcement problems are in the interpretation of the Oakland law. She noted that there is a clause in the ordinance that says a supervising officer should be present at the scene where a Proposition 215 defense is asserted before any enforcement action is taken. This is a procedure that the Berkeley police also employ. 

The Berkeley analysis says that quantities greater than one pound plus five plants would likely result in thefts, conflicts and a diversion for illegal drug use and dealing. 

It says that if the amount of plants were increased to, say, 10 plants, it would result in an outdoor marijuana garden worth up to $45,000. And that such an expensive crop would be a target for theft, perhaps by force, and diverted for non-medical purposes and sold illegally. 

Those who prefer the Oakland ordinance say it would be wrong to deny patient needs if they happen to require more. 

Lumke pointed to the fact that a recent San Francisco study on the effects of marijuana on AIDS patients found that it improves the well-being of the patient and does not interfere with the body’s ability to break down the protease-inhibitors used in treating HIV-infected patients. 

“This provides even more of a foundation to de-criminalize marijuana for the people who use it medically,” she said. 

Berkeley police did not return calls for comment.

AC Transit plans major Line 51 detour  

AC Transit will detour Line 51-Berkeley-Oakland-Alameda service in Berkeley from Thursday, July 20, through the end of August to bypass the major construction project scheduled to close College Avenue between Alcatraz Avenue and Dwight Way. 

During the street closure, Berkeley-bound Line 51 and 51M buses will divert from the regular route in North Oakland to travel via Claremont Avenue to Ashby Avenue, to Telegraph Avenue, to Dwight Way, to College Avenue and regular route.  

En route from Berkeley to Oakland, Line 51 and 51A buses will detour from Durant Avenue south of the UC campus via Dana Street to Dwight Way, to Telegraph Avenue, to Ashby Avenue, to Claremont Avenue to College Avenue (in North Oakland) and regular route.  

This full-time detour will remain in effect until the street construction is completed, which is presently projected for about August 30, 2000. 

Abandoned baby 

Alameda police are looking for the mother of 3-day-old baby girl who was found yesterday at the South Shore Center mall. 

The baby, suffering from hypothermia, was found at about 10 p.m. in a brown paper shopping bag in front of 2210 South Shore Center Alameda. 

Police say the infant was naked, wrapped in a green bath towel. She is 17 and three-quarters inches long, weighs 5 pounds 9 ounces, has dark hair and eyes and was found to have A positive blood. 

The infant, assigned the name “Tennis Four” for identification purposes, was examined at Childrens Hospital Oakland and was determined to have been bathed and fed since birth. The girl is now in good condition at the hospital. 

Police say it is possible the infant was born in a local hospital. 

Anyone with information about the identity of the parents are asked to call police at (510) 748-4508 ext. 3350 or ext. 3315.