JULY 2006
Joe Slusky's "Helios" Chariot of the
Sun at 7th and Grayson
just
across from 900
Declaration of Independence
"WHEN in the Course
of human Events, it becomes necessary for one People to dissolve
the Political Bands which have connected them with another, and
to assume among the Powers of the Earth, the separate and equal
Station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle
them, a decent Respect to the Opinions of Mankind requires that
they should declare the causes which impel them to the Separation.
WE hold these Truths to be
self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed
by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these
are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness -- That to secure
these Rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their
just Powers from the Consent of the Governed, that whenever any
Form of Government becomes destructive of these Ends, it is the
Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute
new Government, laying its Foundation on such Principles, and
organizing its Powers in such Form, as to them shall seem most
likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed,
will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed
for light and transient Causes; and accordingly all Experience
hath shewn, that Mankind are more disposed to suffer, while Evils
are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the Forms
to which they are accustomed. But when a long Train of Abuses
and Usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object, evinces
a Design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their
Right, it is their Duty, to throw off such Government, and to
provide new Guards for their future Security. Such has been the
patient Sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the Necessity
which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government.
The History of the present King of Great- Britain is a History
of repeated Injuries and Usurpations, all having in direct Object
the Establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To
prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid World."
The Bill of Rights
Amendment I Congress shall
make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting
the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech,
or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble,
and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Amendment II A well regulated
Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the
right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
Amendment III No Soldier
shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the
consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be
prescribed by law.
Amendment IV The right of
the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and
effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not
be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause,
supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing
the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
Amendment V No person shall
be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime,
unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except
in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia,
when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall
any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in
jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal
case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life,
liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private
property be taken for public use, without just compensation.
Amendment VI In all criminal
prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and
public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein
the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have
been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the
nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the
witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining
witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel
for his defence.
Amendment VII In suits at
common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty
dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no
fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise reexamined in any Court
of the United States, than according to the rules of the common
law.
Amendment VIII Excessive
bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel
and unusual punishments inflicted.
Amendment IX The enumeration
in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed
to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
Amendment X The powers not
delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited
by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively,
or to the people.
Bleep,
Bleep,
Time
for John Coltrane Park
in
Potter Creek
7/29/06
"Artificial lake offers real fun for all
ages"
reports the West County Times. "Lake Anza, just one
of many family attractions at Tilden Regional Park in the Berkeley
hills, is the modern equivalent of the old swimming hole. While
temperatures cooled off late in the week after a torrid start,
the lake was still the perfect place to seek refuge."
"Chinese School shuts new site under threat
of fines"
reports Alan Lopez of the Times. "A consultant to
the Berkeley Chinese School said the school shut down its new
site after being warned that it needed to submit an application
for a license or be fined $200 a day.""
"It's rising and healthy: Three decades
ago, a bunch of college students reported on and worried about
the fate of Mono Lake. This month, they celebrated its recovery"
reports Jane Kay of the
San Francisco Chronicle.
7/28/06
"Movement Grows to Draft Shirley Dean For
Mayor Run" reports
Judith Scherr in today's Planet. "Former Mayor Shirley
Dean didn't ask anyone to take out election papers in her name.
But ever since community activist Merrilee Mitchell did it for
Dean without consulting her, Dean said her phone has been ringing
off the hook with people offering to go out and gather signatures."
On 7/18 I
posted "Shirley Dean entering the Mayor's race? It's been
said."
"Council
Addressed Developer Fees" reports the Planet's Judith
Scherr. "The Berkeley City Council debated a proposal to
initiate transportation service fees Tuesday evening . . . The
council made no decision but voted unanimously to continue the
discussion with a workshop Oct. 10.
"New
Landmarks Law Pulled. . ." writes Richard Brenneman of the
Planet. "'We'll drop it this evening and see what
happens with the initiative,' said Mayor Tom Bates, the driving
force behind the tabled measure along with Councilmember Laurie
Capitelli."
The initiative
process is said to have been developed to break the hold of the
railroads on California.
Our City
of Berkeley Planning Department update is here
7/27/06
The 21st Berkeley Kite Festival is being held this
weekend at the Marina.
"Berkeley council passes on Cal election
ruling"
reports Martin Snapp of the West County Times. "The
Berkeley City Council, which has a long history of speaking out
on issues far beyond the city limits, declined to get involved
in one closer to home -- the student body elections at Cal."
Zelda Bronstein
will be featured guest at a private garden party on August 6th
in Potter Creek.
A regular
reader from Mexico emails
I'm in Culiacán
right now; I came to visit my family, well, my mother's side
of the family. It's a small city in the northwest side of the
country, right
in front the south side of the Baja Peninsula. It's like the hottest
city
ever. It's something you can't imagine, 45ºC is a normal
temperature for a
summer day. And right now we're having a hurricane, well, not
that
close because we are 60km away from the beach, but we still have
tropical
rains every afternoon. It's grey and cloudy out there, like we
were in a
normal north winter day. But of course, if you open the door,
expecting a
nice cold day, well . . . you are deceived, it's over 40ºC,
with like a 100%
of humidity, it's so hard to breath !
7/26/06
Quite a lunch
crowd at 900 GRAYSON yesterday, spilling out the
door and out to the corner, they were. A lot of Potter Creekers,
too: Gene and friend, a group from Fantasy, Adams, Chittenden
and friend, Kava, Regan and friend and many, many other familiar
faces.
Last Saturday
afternoon, in broad daylight, a truck was broken into in V&W's
parking lot.
This morning
NEXUS received an eviction notice from the Humane Society--it
is effective 6:01 AM August 2nd.
NEXUS' suit
against the Humane Society is scheduled for trial August 18.
"Scientists split on heat wave cause. Some
think culprit is global warming, but jury is still out" reports Keay Davidson, of the
San Francisco Chronicle.
7/25/06
Laura Billings,
Project Manager
2747 San Pablo Ave emails
Ron
Thanks for
posting the Busted! entry in your newsletter. We
were very frustrated by the public mislabeling of our building
as a Mel's Drive-In, and her call to action to landmark the building.Wewere
very glad she publicly admitted the mistake, although it's clear
that she still intends to intervene based her opinion on the merits
of the roadside architecture. We' ll see how it goes.
"Bay
to Barkers is a family affair" reports Chris Readway in the
West County Times. "Canines and families had their
day in the sun at the Berkeley Marina on Sunday at Bay to Barkers,
the annual benefit for the Berkeley-East Bay Humane Society. The
event, the society's major fund-raiser of the year, brings dogs
to Cesar Chavez Park for a fun-run and walk, as well as a Doggy
Olympiad, Doggy Talent Show and a parade of dogs that are alumni
of the humane society shelter. A Pet Expo area featured information
booths for animal rescue groups, pet products and community groups.
Proceeds from the event help fund food and medical care for animals
at the society's shelter, located at 2700 Ninth St. in Berkeley."
"Blackouts don't scare cities with power
firms.
Alameda, Santa Clara and Palo Alto are among 50 communities in
state who have own companies that purchase power" reports
S.L. Wykes of the Mercury News. "With state officials
pleading with California's residents and businesses to go easy
on energy use and take some of the heat off power supplies, three
Bay Area cities are calm and secure in the crisis."
I guess Berkeley
never had time to establish its own power company. Busy as we
were over the years with more important things like declaring
the city a Nuclear Free Zone, voting to impeach Presidents, etc.
Yet, I do seem to remember that we were involved with power suppy
in The Day. But that was mostly confined to blowing up PG&
E towers.
Learned
a lot with ole friend WD through the years
WD emails
Based on
the 1998 landmark exhibition at the Guggenheim Museum, New York,
The Art of the Motorcycle at the Orlando Museum of Art
(OMA) explores the motorcycle as both cultural icon and design
achievement and offers a thought-provoking challenge to conventional
assumptions about art and popular culture in the modern age. Check
it out!
7/24/06
The patio
furniture was stolen from 900
GRAYSON over the
weekend. Security measures are being taken now to protect the
patio.
Our Sarah
illustrates books that her sister Kate writes.
She emails
Our new book
is reviewed in PEOPLE magazine this week--complete with
book jacket. It is called "Regarding the Bathrooms"
and is due out Aug 1st. . . . The book is for the 9-12 year old
set.
Check
out
"Regarding the Bathrooms: A Privy to the Past."
Their
current book is
Check it out
Cody's has--will-have--these
books. And maybe you can find a used copy of "Why Do You
Cry?" at Moe's.
Think Lebanon
is just a TV event? A west-Berkeley friend's Mom and Dad just
got out via Syria. They're home safe now.
I'm told
that last week NEXUS lost the suit with the Humane Society--the
jury ruling that the Society could evict NEXUS. Is the legal battle
over?
Escrow has
closed on the welding yard--the price paid by Acme Bread was just
under 1.4 million dollars.
7/23/06
Quite a mix
at 900 GRAYSON yesterday when Kimar and I
arrived at 2:00--Rick was there, as well as Carol, Linda Miao
and friend, and John and Suzanne--and I think saw Cameron and
Claudia on there way there earlier in the morning.
Da Boz reports
Voters to
Decide on Taking Aggressive Steps to Curb Greenhouse Gasses
At my request, the Berkeley City Council placed a measure on the
November ballot that asks voters to set an 80% greenhouse gas
reduction target and direct the mayor to work with the community
to develop a plan to meet that goal. The science is absolutely
crystal clear on this issue. We have about a decade to begin making
major reductions in greenhouse gas emissions or we face the prospect
of a climate catastrophe.
City Council and Landmarks Commission Approve Landmarks Revisions.
Earlier this month the Berkeley City Council voted 6-2 (with one
abstention) to revise the Landmarks Preservation Ordinance. The
new ordinance, which was also approved by the Landmarks Commission
by a 7-2 vote, will help bring the City into general compliance
with state law by requiring that decisions regarding landmarks
be made in a timely matter as well as require that all new landmarks
meet standards for integrity. It will also better protect historic
properties by requiring proposed developments go to the Landmarks
Commission for review at the beginning of any development process.
It has been a challenging six year process to get here, but I
am confident that the new ordinance will not only work well, but
will also be broadly accepted as fair and equitable.
2nd Annual "Berkeley Reads Together" Gets Started
On July 18th I joined the Berkeley Public Library Berkeley Reads
coordinator, Linda Sakamoto-Jahnke, to launch Berkeley Reads Together:
California Stories with the distribution of free books to South
and West Berkeley residents. This year we are reading two books,
Funny in Farsi by Firoozeh Dumas and The Circuit by Francisco
Jimenez. Both books are wonderful pieces of literature and are
creative looks at the issue of immigration. I look forward to
the many great discussions it will start. Free copies were distributed
at City of Berkeley Senior Centers and all Berkeley Public Library
branches thanks to the generosity of the Friends of the Library.
(Some locations may still have copies available.) Families with
children participating in Project BUILD (Berkeley United in Literacy
Development) will also receive free copies.
Piedmont Avenue To Get a Major Renovation
Detour alert - The City will begin a major renovation of Piedmont
Avenue on July 22nd. The work is being funded through the city
budget and with a federal grant. They hope to finish the work
by mid-August.
"Berkeley considers developer transit fee" reports the West County
Times. "Officials split on whether to tax builders for
projects that create more traffic. Berkeley transit advocates
want big developers to pay for the costs of increased traffic
their projects create. The concept of a transportation services
fee has split Berkeley city government, with the Transportation
Commission backing it and the Planning Commission against it."
Sources estimate
the proposed transit fee could cost the Potter Creek Berkeley
Bowl project between one and two million dollars. One source questions
its legality.
Rumors persist
of a wealthy Richmond developer aggressively courting the Berkeley
Bowl Yasuda's.
"Oakland woos gourmet food industry. Growing
businesses replace industrial chains, finding spacious, affordable
sites to make goods" writes Marton Dunai of the West County Times.
"Karen Robert Jackson always wanted to get into the food
business. A successful filmmaker at Pixar with such hits as "Toy
Story 2" under her belt, Jackson decided to realize her dream
two years ago and teamed up with her husband to buy Crunchy Foods,
the San Francisco-based makers of Suzy's Biscotti and other fine
bakery products. . . . Crunchy Foods relocated to Oakland last
year, joining a recent throng of small- to medium-sized food businesses.
Driven by a lack of affordable, suitable or available space in
San Francisco or Emeryville, many food companies have moved to
Oakland."
"East Bay job market leader of the pack" Private sector fuels expansion
as area accounts for 10 percent of new jobs statewide reports
George Avalos in the Times. "The East Bay job market
showed no signs of a slowdown in June, as it accounted for a huge
chunk of the jobs created in the Bay Area and California during
the past 12 months."
And Avalos
also reports "Auto
insurers sue to block reform. Three insurance groups filed a lawsuit
Thursday to block proposals that would require the industry to
use driving records as the primary way to set automobile insurance
rates in California."
And finally "Home
sales skid in East Bay."
7/21/06
BUSTED!
On7/9/06
I posted this link
"East Bay Then and Now: Mel's Drive-In
Saw Birth of Civil Rights Movement" writes Daniella Thompson in
the Berkeley Daily Planet.
In today's
Planet Ms Thompson writes "I thank David Mayeri and Laura
Billings for their correction regarding the original use of the
interesting building at 2747 San Pablo Ave. . . . , my error had
its origin in the City of Berkeley's West Berkeley Plan. . . .
Even though the building was never a Mel's Drive-in, it is a very
good example of mid-century road-side architecture . . . "
BUSTED!
Bob Kubik reports
Carol and I were walking
around the neighborhood
about an hour ago when we saw two young prostitutes
soliciting along San Pablo Ave. We called the police
and officer Salas responded immediately. He called me
as soon as he found them and asked if I would identify
them and do a citizen's arrest form. Carol and I
walked up, identified them and I described what we had
seen and I signed the form.
The girls, (very young), had no identification;
and had condoms on them. They were handcuffed and
taken to jail.
Officer Salas asked me to follow up with the
District Attorney, because they don't bring charges on
these cases, much to the frustration of the police. I
will do so.
Summer and good weather are here and we are
seeing more prostitutes so please call 981-5900 when
you see them. No fair complaining about them if you
don't do something about it.
Cedric, from San Francisco
Magazine, is doing a photo-shoot at 900 GRAYSON today.
The story should appear in a September issue.
The Chronicle's John King writes of our Kava in "Kava Massih Architects took a dowdy cafe at
University Avenue and Grant Street, stripped off the garish 1970s
veneer, and turned it into a sophisticated-looking and thoroughly
contemporary burger bistro." Read all of it
here.
7/20/06
Cameron Woo emails
I've heard from a friend
who works for Peets in the promotions dept that
there is a coffee and chocolate sampling at Scharffen Berger's
(at the cafe)
this Thurs evening from 7 to 8:30. The neighbors are welcome.
A twenty-something woman
who for awhile worked and lived just off Telegaph Avenue offers
"You can't have our liberal laws with lax enforcement and
expect Telegraph to florish." Living just a few blocks off
The Ave she observes "Homeless kids used to sleep in our
backyard."
"Neighbors sue steel company" writes Martin Snapp of the West County Times.
"The long-running battle between Pacific Steel Casting Co.
and its neighbors in West Berkeley ratcheted up another notch
this month when a neighborhood group accused the foundry in a
lawsuit of violating the federal Clean Air Act."
"Longtime Berkeley pianist, composer and
teacher Julian White died June 23 at his home in Kensington. He
was 75" reports
Martin Snapp in the West County Times.
"Berkeley council modifies condo development
rules" reports Martin
Snapp of the West County Times."The Berkeley City
Council amended the city's Inclusionary Ordinance on Tuesday night,
allowing condominium developers to pay a fee to the city's Housing
Trust Fund in lieu of providing low-income units."
"Lack of impact report trounces shoreline
plan" writes Alan
Lopez of the West County Times. "Southern California-based
firm likely to pursue other local projects, possibly in Berkeley
or Richmond. High-profile Southern California developer Rick Caruso
is quitting his effort to build an open-air shopping mall and
housing project along the Albany shoreline, a representative confirmed
Tuesday."
"Yahoo's stock falls 22 percent. More than
$10 billion in shareholder wealth vanishes in firm's biggest one-day
decline; analysts cite Google's revenue lead" reports AP's Michael Liedtke.
7/19/06
"Let Them Have Dinner"
writes John Birdsall in the East Bay Express. "A gutsy
addition to West Berkeley, 900
Grayson is stymied only by zoning
issues.Combine a talented chef with kickass style, a couple of
guys who honed their service chops as fancy cater waiters, and
a bright, appealing space and what do you get? In West Berkeley,
apparently, only half a restaurant. The three-month-old 900 Grayson
is serving up some of the most delicious, quirky, and confident
cooking spooned onto Berkeley plates since Olivia opened last
year. Just don't expect to taste any of it past mid-afternoon."
Read the whole review here.
Penelope Huston emails her
schedule
July 21nd Friday
The Avengers play Cafe du Nord , 2170 Market St. @ Sanchez, San
Francisco
w/ Mon Cousin Belge and Jonny Lives.
21+ over, $12
show at 9:00 we play at 11:00
July 22nd Sat
Avengers X-Fest
Devil in the Woods stage at 12th & J Streets
in downtown Modesto!
21+ over $20 .
w/Pedro the Lion's David B.
Numbers, Micah P. Hinson
Rademacher, Vanilla Ice(!) & more
show at 6:PM we play at 8:00 exactly!
Aug 5th Sat
Penelope plays a set with Pat at the
Uptown Nightclub Oakland
A memorial for Victor Ratto with Translator,
The Uptones, Cole Panther and Jayne Doe.
more info to come...
Aug 13th Sunday! 10 PM
Avengers headline the Death and Glory Festival
@ Plainfield Station, Sacramento CA
All Ages
big outdoor party with loads of punk bands
noon until midnight Sat and Sun, we play at 10
7/18/06
900 GRAYSON will be reviewed in tomorrow's
East Bay Express.
A world-class
Cajun music workshop in west-Berkeley? On September 2nd from 1:00PM
until 5:00PM Ray Abshire, accordian, Courtney Granger, fiddle,
and Andre Michot, guitar will hold a workshop here in west-Berkeley.
From more information email
Don
Yost, the host.
Shirley Dean
entering the Mayor's race? It's been said.
"Telegraph Peet's Wins Approval at ZAB" reports Suzanne La Barre of
our Planet. "Three days after one Berkeley institution closed
its doors on Telegraph Avenue another won overwhelming approval
to open."
"'Love, Janis' beautifully captures singer
and her times"
writes Pat Craig in his West County Times' review.
Does Dov
Charney have his thumb on the pulse of Young Metropolitan Adult
Generation--the next generation of adults? He thinks so. He has
also built a world-wide 50 store retail clothing business, does
250 mill a year, has all his clothes made in the USA at a living
wage, is cyber-savvy, has a social conscience, and has been sued
for workplace harassment. Check
him out.
7/16/06
"Kniess likes everything
about this place [900 GRAYSON], spearheaded by Sophina Uong, a
Cambodian-born woman who talked her way from a server's job into
a position in the Larkspur Left Bank kitchen. He likes what Uong
and partners -- husband Joshua Pearl and front-of-house managers
Chris and Anthony Saulnier -- have done with the "40-year-old
greasy spoon" they took over and redid with bright colors,
contemporary art and simple wood furniture." Read more about
900 GRAYSON in the Chronicle's "Cook's Night Out" feature
here.
Look for a full review of
900 GRAYSON in the East Bay Express.
When you're at 900 GRAYSON
have a Drake's beer. It's a flavorful and floral pale ale. And
is tasty enough to just enjoy by itself--a great example of beer
as food.
Raw organic sauerkraut? Producer,
Alex Hozven writes "When enjoyed on a regular basis . . .
naturally fermented sauerkraut will energize the digestive system
to increase nutrient absorption and eliminate toxins." Check
out Ms Hozven's booth at the Saturday Berkeley Farmer's Market.
And, she's making this healthful food in west-Berkeley at 800
Bancroft, Suite 105. Ms Hozven produces eight varieties from Original
Cabbage to Tonic Kraut.
The city has broken ground
on the corner of 8th and Grayson in preperation for the planting
of three tees.
"Green buildings growing popular" reports James Temple in the West County
Times. "Communities and developers are increasingly finding
ways to construct affordable and sustainable housing projects
not in spite of but because of green building practices . . .
"
1987
Honda 700 Interceptor
This motorcycle
is from my private collection and was purchased by me from the
original owner in September 1994-the motorcycle is in excellent
original condition and now has 20,404 careful miles. It has been
take out of storage, inspected, topped up and is now for sale.
Email ronpenndorf@earthlink.net
for details and price.
Warehouse filling with irritant--time
to go.
7/13/06
Think the only really big
changes are happenin' in Potter Creek? WD emails this story from
the New York Times "Chinese
Company Intends to Build MG's in Oklahoma."
DW-TV reports that German
auto workers at VW put in a full-time 28 hour work-week.
"Berkeley OKs landmarks law -- for now" reports Martin Snapp of the West County
Times. "The Berkeley City Council voted Tuesday night
to approve Mayor Tom Bates' revisions to the 32-year-old Landmarks
Preservation Ordinance. The mayor's plan now becomes law -- at
least until November, when it could be trumped by a rival plan
on the ballot."
"Clerks 2" will
open in movie-theaters on July 21st.
You know that Warren Buffett
plays the uke? Charlie Rose had a clip of Buffett doing "Anybody
Seen My Gal?"
The times they are a changin'.
Capitalist, Buffett donates
billions for "good works," Leftists, Ben & Jerry
launch an new "activist flavor."
"Two
big scoops of social activism--Ben and Jerry, founders of the
ice cream company with the same moniker, emerge to help launch
new flavor, old philosophy" reports Ross Sneyd of AP
in the West County Times.
"Good Ole Boy"
Don of Don's Tire Service
replied "I'm sort of what you call an icon" when I asked
what the secret of his success was--he's been in business at 820
Gilman for as long as I can remember. In fact, the last four sets
of my truck tires I bought from Don. "People come to see
me. If I'm not here, they think the place has been sold"
he added. Don was giving tire-advice to some "Berkeley Ole
Fart" in a vintage Volvo with bicycle-rack as I left.
7/11/06
Residents within a block-or-so
of the 2700 San Pablo construction can not only hear but can feel
the site's pile driver--it actually shakes some of their buildings.
The city is rebuilding the
sewer across from Juan's on the corner of 9th and Carleton.
Bob and Carol rushed off
to their jitter-bug class Sunday after an afternoon of gathering
signatures.
"Group Takes Pacific Steel To Court Over
Emissions" reports
Suzanne La Barre of the Daily Planet. "Pacific Steel
Casting, the subject of noxious odor complaints in West Berkeley
for more than two decades, is headed to court."
And "Peet's
Makes Pitch to Open on Telegraph" writes La Barre."A
proposal to perk up Telegraph Avenue with a new Peet's Coffee
and Tea is in the works. But developers must first convince Zoning
Adjustments Board members to approve the project-though planning
staff has recommended they reject it-on Thursday."
"Cody's Books a page in history" writes Kristin Bender of the Oakland Tribune.
But Moe's is still making
history, so go there more often.
"Worker burnout hurts [Berkeley] city clerk's
office staff. Cuts in budget reduce ranks and increase workload
for those who have stayed" reports
Martin Snapp of the West County Times.
"Berkeley man raising stink about city's
advice on handling nuisance skunk" writes Chip Johnson in the Chronicle.
"Berkeley residents are known for exercising their rights
with vigor. But those who exercise their rights under a state
law that allows the killing of nongame birds and animals wandering
onto private property could land in hot water."
DW -TV reports beer consumption
in Germany was up 10-15% during the World Cup four weeks.
Piaggio, the maker of Vespa,
went public last Tuesday, encouraged by increased sale of their
scooter.
7/9/0
Carol's kids are here for
a mini-Wedding Anniversary . . . and her Daughter-in-law looks
just like her--CEEEUTE.
Friday evening, a private
dinner for five was held at Gene's Berkeley Mills. Prepared and
served by the 900
GRAYSON guys and girl, the featured
guest was the Counsel-General of Germany.
Sunday July,16, Todd, Chef
of Berkeley's Liaison Bistro, will be interviewed in the Chronicle
Date Book "Chef's Night Out" feature. AND, he will be
interviewed at a favorite restaurant, 900 GRAYSON.
It should appear in next Sunday's San Francisco Chronicle in the
Date Book.
Rents for
the film-makers at the old Fantasy Records building are said to
have tripled.
"East Bay Then and Now: Mel's Drive-In
Saw Birth of Civil Rights Movement" writes Daniella Thompson in the Berkeley
Daily Planet.
7/8/06
Kimar reports "Bertolli's
'Fra' Mani Handcrafted Salumi' doesn't sell retail from their
8th and Gilman plant, . . . yet. But, go to their
website and you can now order, and even pre-order, stuff.
And soon, their products will be available at Andronico's and
Whole Foods." (I wonder what-the-hell Henry, the old sauage
maker who took me under his wing at Linz, would think of designer
sausage? Generally, Henry didn't say much.)
"Estancia beef recently
showed up in the meat case at the busy Berkeley Bowl Marketplace
. . . . [And] Berkeley's Cafe Rouge
sold it . . . but ran out and plans to offer it occasionally.
Pricing is about the same as, or lower than, American grass-fed
beef like Western Grasslands, and premium grain-fattened Niman
Ranch beef. " writes Carol Ness of the Chronicle.
Read the full story here.
"Landmark office supply store to close
Radston's president says lack of shoppers in downtown area and
rising rent prompted change"
writes Martin Snapp of the West County Times."
"Landmarks initiative headed for the ballot.
Measure would keep procedures as is; plan will confront mayor's
measure" reports
Snapp.
And Snapp reports
"High cost of job burnout: another Berkeley city clerk.
Long hours too much for Cox, who will take the same position for
Napa. Apparently, putting in 60-hour workweeks wasn't to Sara
Cox's liking. Cox resigned as Berkeley City Clerk last week, citing
the constant deadline pressure of putting out weekly agenda packets
for the City Council that often run to 500 pages or more. Her
resignation came one year and four months after she succeeded
Sherry Kelly, who also quit because of job burnout."
"Furnace was cause of fatal Berkeley fire.
Items stacked on top of heater led to blaze that killed woman" reports the Oakland Tribune. "A
fire that killed a 98-year-old Berkeley woman Thursday morning
was caused by materials left on top of a gas floor furnace, fire
officials said Friday."
"World cup a hit with U.S. fans" reports Meredith May,of the San Francisco
Chronicle. "Soccer mania might not be shutting down factories
in the United States like it is in Europe and South America. But
more Americans than ever are tuning in to the World Cup, arguably
the most-watched event on the planet.Twice as many Americans are
expected to watch the final match Sunday, between France and Italy,
as did four years ago. Worldwide, as many as a billion people
are predicted to watch the game."
And then writes, "Where
to watch the World Cup? That depends. Do you like brioche,
cannelloni -- or Burning Man? In San Francisco, there's more than
one way to watch the World Cup soccer showdown between Italy and
France."
"Berkeley synagogue taps ancient custom
to relax rules of Sabbath" reports
Matthai Chakko Kuruvila of The Chronicle.
Impeach President Bush? Not
my favorite cancer, but still . . . Mmmm, I didn't think our city
council could do that.
7/6/06
Morgan and Ben shot some
hoops at the playground over the 4th.
Singing along energetically
right in front of the warehouse, birds seem to prefer Miles to
Cannonball--really.
" Pyramid makes a change at the top. Brewing
company, which has locations in Berkeley and Walnut Creek, chooses
a new CEO from its board"
writes Blanca Torres in the West County Times. "Pyramid
Breweries Inc. announced Monday that its president and chief executive,
John Lennon, resigned and was replaced by Scott Barnum, a longtime
member of the company's board of directors."
"New and Collected Poems, 1964-2006,"
by Ishmael Reed reviewed
by Joel Bouwer of the New York Times. "A Cowboy in
the Boat of Ra."
"A showdown of manly
burger joints" writes Nicholar Boer in the West County
Times.
"What's your favorite manly, single-store, independent East
Bay Burger Joint? Inspired by the holiday, I launched an expedition
to find the great American meal: cheeseburger, fries and a shake."
"Science of sausages is chef's specialty.
Bertolli starts with freshest ingredients and adds dash of tradition
to make handcrafted meats at his Berkeley factory" writes AP's Michelle Locke in the West County
Times. "Hanging from racks like infant stalactites, Paul
Bertolli's gourmet Italian sausages gently ripen inside a nondescript
building on Berkeley's industrial West Side."
Science, schmience--let's
make it perfectly clear. I worked at Linz Sausage in Milwaukee
one summer during college--the plant filled with old Germans for
whom sausage-making was a craft. I started work by stuffing brats
the old fashioned way--boringly and by hand. But the Summer's
most unforgettable moment was picking up blood for the blood-sausage
from the slaughter-house right after the morning kill--the floor
still awash in warm blood. (I think WD was working night-shift
at the old Nash Motors plant at the time.)
"Homeowners Should Have Right to Rebuild" comments Shirley Dean in Our Planet.
"The Planning Commission and City Council will soon be considering
recommendations regarding revisions to the Creeks Ordinance. I
am writing about what I believe is a core issue, the right to
rebuild, affecting everyone in our city, but especially residents
of properties with open creeks.
"Consumers feel pinch of higher rates,
prices. More people in debt as rising cost of necessities, such
as gas, eats up most of their paycheck" reports the AP's Eileen Alt Powell in the West
County Times.
Check out "Russia Today"
on Channel 32. A news and special reports hour, it's not your
Mum's Ole Sov. A strong consumer capitalism thread runs thru it.
"Irving Green, 90, a Founder of Record
Label, is Dead. Irving Green, a co-founder of Mercury Records,
who helped break the industry's color barrier by promoting artists
like Sarah Vaughan, Dinah Washington and the Platters, died on
Saturday. He was 90." Reports
the AP in The New York Times. The Lipofsky's and the Green's
kids sort of grew up together around Chicago.
7/4/06
"Stores selling German fare find sales
on an upswing, and it's all thanks to the World Cup" writes Marton Dunai of the West County Times.
"The day their adopted country celebrates its independence,
the 30,000 or so Bay Area German-Americans will have to prioritize.
Germany plays Italy in a critical World Cup match, and to top
it off the game takes place in their former homeland. It is impossible
to overestimate the importance of that semifinal game. The winner
gets to play for the FIFA World Cup, the top prize in soccer --
and in most of the world outside the United States, the top prize,
period. In the past month, Bay Area Germans, as much as anyone,
have spent their early mornings glued to the TV screen, watching
the 64 games of the world championship. For many, this meant getting
to work late, taking conspicuously long lunch breaks or calling
in sick. For some Germans, however, the World Cup has been a business
opportunity. Bruno Frisch, owner of El Cerrito deli The Junket,
is one of those. His specially imported German beers, meats, cheeses,
breads and other German products have sold strongly in the run-up
to the games Germany played and, so far, won." Check out
The Junket after you go to Trader Joes or after the Farmer's Market.
Kimar and I have regularly--I get my liverwurst there.
7/3/06
Yesterday afternoon Pete
and Geralyn held a shindig. It started at 3:00 and by 5:00 o'clock
their yard was filled with guests, at times overflowing into their
kitchen and into Pete's shop. A varied crowd, there were people
of all ages, sizes and colors--ahh, the US of A. Geralyn, with
ease and grace, provided a feast of unbelievable variety and Pete
and his ukulele friends serenaded all. During dinner Wacko and
I found ourselves pleasantly surrounded by the Serna family, Mom
and Dad here from Spain for a while to help with David and Diana's
one-month old Isabella. In a mix of English and Spanish, with
translations by David, we got to know a little about these wonderful
people. And great fun was had by all!
Like ukes? Jerry Landis emails
this Youtube link. Jake
Shimabukuro plays "While My Guitar Gently Weeps".
Ooops, . . . good conversations
with guests, John and Suzanne, too.
Ms.S emails
Plans are proceeding--working
on the shop. You'll be happy to know I'll put the compressor and
dust collector in a sound proof room.
Some real good-lookin' Berkeley
Firefighters had lunch last week at 900.
"Berkeley Council blasts UC proposal for
campus projects. Environmental analysis called inadequate; mayor
promises to fight 'with whatever means available.'" reports Martin Snapp of the West County
Times.
"Green? It's a bit of a gray area" reports Robin Martin in the San Francisco
Chronicle. "Green, the symbolic color of the new millennium,
is hot. But how do you know when green is really green? From clothing
to cars to homes, the 'green' designation is used to indicate
a product or practice intended to benefit the environment. But
according to building industry watchdogs, not everything that
glitters is really green."
"Environmental initiatives gain momentum.
Greenhouse-gas caps and alternative-energy promotions top agenda"
writes Judy Lin of the
Sacramento Bee. "Whatever the cause, California environmentalists
and Democratic lawmakers have embarked on an ambitious campaign
to catapult the state ahead of the nation on a number of green
initiatives."
"Berkeley center offers scholarly access
and oral accounts of Jewish community" reports Martin Snapp of the West County
Times.
Maybe a pizza-joint an beer-garden on the corner? Life is good!
7/1/06
Bob Kubik
reports
Tuesday night,
I attended a meeting called by the developers of 2720
San Pablo, (ex-YAS automotive site).
Attendance was sparse and I was, I believe, the only
Potter Creek resident there. The owner and architect
for the "Clay People" site were also there scoping
things out.
The developers had a scale model and plans for an 18
residence and two or three commercial condo
development.
The height is slightly less than 2700 San Pablo
will be, density considering the size of the lot, is
about the same.
They seemed to be listening for constructive
comments in order to avoid neighborhood resistance,
but they want the 18 units.
I think it is a better-looking design than 2700
San Pablo. Although they are going after city
approval it may not be built any time soon if the
market for condos takes a dive - which I think is
happening.
Patrick Kennedy
emails
Mr. Penndorf:
I enjoy your
blog very much and owe a particular debt to you for your tip
about 900 Grayson. I have, however, one question: Why do you put
your most
recent listings at the end, rather than the beginning?
Most blogs
that I have have seen seem to do it the other way around. I
wondered whether you had a deliberate reason, or whether this
is merely the
way you have always done it.
Best regards,
Patrick Kennedy
Acme Bread's
Steve Sullivan emails about the welder's yard and his plans
Ron--
I've enjoyed
your site since Rick A. directed me to it a few months ago. .
. .
It looks
like everything is on track for us to take over possession on
July 15. Of course we do not know what the future may hold but
we know that we didn't buy the property with plans to sell it.
We actually were not intending to buy the yard at all. We were
happy developing plans to incorporate the building. One element
of those plans was a solar array to be installed on the west facing
plane of the (eventual new) roof. When we talked to Regan about
what a developer would likely do on the adjacent site, he figured
that three storey condos from property line to property line would
be likely. At the allowable 35-foot height, this would have overshadowed
our solar array. Already ugly, the array would have then become
useless as well! So we decided to buy the lot. Of course, now
we may not be able to afford the solar array until further down
the road.
In any event,
the only actual ideas that we have entertained for developing
the lot involve using about 30% of it for a 30'-wide building
that would run from the welding shop to 8th street along the southern
edge of the property. Mostly production space if people still
want bread or if we decide to expand pastry production, but with
a retail shop at the 8th street tip. But that would only happen
once we had seen for a couple of years how much empty space we
had good use for.
Once I had
(roughly) sketched that arrangement, though, my pencil kept going.
I lost control of it as it drew a little box to represent a big
brick pizza oven sticking out from the side of the simple rectangle
that comprised the retail shop. I stared helpless as it traced
a half-dozen or so smaller rectangles that I recognized as picnic
benches. The horror continued as the pencil superimposed over
the tables an array of wavy lines indicating a wire trellis with
greenery and strands of twinkling lights attached. Ragged circles
appeared to indicate trees encircling the tables and screening
them from the trucks and equipment ranged across the remaining
yard space. Aghast, I realized that I had in front of me the schematic
layout for a pizzeria and beer garden that would encourage actual
interaction between Acme Bread and neighborhood residents.
Could we
see a pizzeria back at (or near) the corner of 9th and Pardee?
Would anyone but me even want that? I guess we can't say for sure.
It depends to a large extent on what happens over the next few
years and how complicated the City would make it. But our thinking
right now is much more pizza-centric than condo-centric. For what
it's worth.
But I wouldn't
care to speculate about the greedy spawn 30 years hence.
Best,
Steve S.
Acme Bread
Da Boz emails his June report--here's
some of it
After cutting more than $20
million from the budget over the past four years, the City Council
passed a balanced budget without any further reductions in city
services or personnel. In addition, the City Council passed a
package of revisions that will fully fund the Telegraph Avenue
revitalization effort and restore full staffing to all fire stations
during the high fire season.
The City Council gave approval
to plans for a second Berkeley Bowl location in West Berkeley.
The City Council voted to
move forward with changes to our Creeks Ordinance per the recommendations
of the City's Creeks Task Force. The changes will both ease the
burden on homeowners and improve protections for our creeks.
YEAH!, the only shelter in
Berkeley for transition-age youth (18-25) living on the streets
of Berkeley, is hoping to find community mentors for every youth
who would like one. Mentors should be adults who have an interest
in this age group and are willing to spend approximately 2 hours
a week meeting with one young person -- having coffee, going to
the movies, finding things to do around Berkeley of mutual interest,
providing rides to appointments and the like.
Cesar Chavez Event at July
15th Berkeley Farmers Market
The Cesar Chavez "Fast for Life" Celebration includes
performers, speakers, and information. The farmers market will
also have its usual array of wonderful farm-fresh produce and
other goodies.
931 Ashby
has been bought by Tech Soft--TSA Real Estate. Tech Soft will
occupy most of the building.
New folks
have seriously moved into the 2700 8th complex.
Sculptor,
Joe Slusky
has a couple of whimsical prints at 900 GRAYSON
and employee, Sophie Gross has hung two of her beautiful works--a
mono-type and a color etching. Check them out! Slusky did the
sculpture "Helios" Chariot of the Sun that Bayer commissioned
and installed across from 900.
Joe eats at 900, too.
And those
beautiful art-glass plates displayed there are the work of Active
Space craftsman, James Nevitt. He's at 2703 7th Street, #152.
His phone is (510)-665-7766
Our secret
movie studio has quite a history--they've been in involved in
the production of Robocop, Starship Troopers, The Stepford Wives,
and The Santa Clause.
Chip Johnson of the San
Fancisco Chronicle writes "Many
towns have one, the hole-in-the-wall cafe that is tight on space
but generous on conversation, and the eggs are pretty good, too.
In the Bay Area, where every square foot of land is worth gold,
many of the 1950s-style breakfast-and-lunch counters have given
way to fern bars or modern 'vintage' restaurants such as Bette's
Oceanview Diner on Berkeley's tony Fourth Street. But a few of
the old-fashioned places remain -- and Jodie's Restaurant in Albany,
a six-stool breakfast joint on Masonic Avenue just off Solano
Avenue and under the roar of the elevated BART tracks, is one
of them. You've probably never seen it or heard of it even though
it's been there for 17 years. The regulars, who loosely refer
to themselves as the 'Breakfast Club, like it that way."
Harvey-the
-mailman hipped me to this place a couple of years ago, seems
he has breakfast there now and then.
"3 arrested in Berkeley pot farm case" reports the Oakland Tribune."Three
arrests were made earlier this week in connection with a garden
of 215 marijuana plants found along a fire trail on University
of California, Berkeley property in the hills above campus, university
police said Friday."
Mayoral candidate
Zelda Bronstein offers her commentary in "A
Pro-Business, Pro-Berkeley Agenda" as well
her agenda for Berkeley--her column is divided about 50/50. And,
though not remotely commentary, she also lists her website "Zelda
Bronstein for Mayor."
Carol Whitman emails
Two years ago our neighborhood
was in danger of being overrun by pimps and
prostitutes if Measure Q passed. Our councilwoman, Margaret Breland
was
ill, and not able to work on our behalf. She asked her colleague
Linda Maio
to step in and help defeat this ill-thought out measure.
Linda worked tirelessly,
providing guidance on campaign logistics, and
contacts (such as the man who did the signs for free), so that
Measure Q was
defeated. She really came through for the Potter Creek neighborhood.
Now it's our turn to do a
little something to help her. Every valid
signature of a registered Berkeley voter on the Petition in Lieu
of Filing
Fee document saves Linda $1 toward the $150 filing fee. I've offered
to
walk the petition around the neighborhood to collect signatures.
You do not
have to be in her district to sign and save her some money. I'll
be coming
around in the next few days and hope you'll be willing to sign
the
petition.
Linda was really instrumental
in keeping our neighborhood from being
inundated with prostitution.
thanks,
Carol
BUILDINGS
OF POTTER CREEK
return
ronpenndorf@earthlink.net
The
original owner of all scanned material retains copyright. The
material is used only to illustrate.