5/9/08
more steel's up
at our Berkeley Bowl
Eva Brook, a new reader emails
I was thrilled when I saw
your Berkeley Bowl updates online - we are eagerly awaiting its
opening, and I often drive up Heinz St. on my way home from work
to see the progress. Even better, now I can get your photos.
Eva
Wednesday evening San Pablo
Park
crime-watch meeting
Over 50 people attended last
night's meeting, including a healthy representation by Berkeley
PD--I counted five officers at one time plus Lt Hamilton of Oakland.
Councilman Darryl Moore hosted the gathering. The meeting was
also covered by press, including Richard Brenneman of our Planet--the
old-f@#t in the hat.
Ten or so Potter Creeker's attended, including Bob and Carol Bowman,
Gene Agress, Ruth and Marvin, Tak, Kubik and me. And there
was a very-good representation by the folks of the San Pablo Park
neighborhood.
What particularly sticks with me from the meeting is what the
police and officials would like us to do to help. Our Gene Agress
asked simply "What can we do?"
we can
form watch groups
get to know our neighbors, barbecue time is here
aggressively report crime, if something feels wrong it often is
and from the Assistant DA, write judges encouraging realistic,
responsible sentencing.
After the San Pablo Park meeting Wednesday evening, I emailed
those on my list that at the meeting Officer Andrew Frankel reported
Oakland PD has a person of interest in custody in relation to
the take-over robberies on San Pablo Avenue, including our Good
Vibrations and Famous Foam.
Today, Doug Oakley of our
Times reports "A man who may be responsible for five
takeover-style robberies of businesses in Berkeley and three in
Oakland was arrested this week, Berkeley police said.
'As of two days ago, there's
a person of interest in custody who was arrested by the Oakland
police," Berkeley police Officer Andrew Frankel told Berkeley
residents during a community crime meeting at San Pablo Park on
Wednesday.
The man, who is described
by police as black and in his late teens to late twenties, wears
a mask during the robberies and uses a handgun with a long barrel,
Berkeley police said. In several instances, the man has robbed
customers who were in a business at the time of the robbery.
The crime spree started April
15 with a robbery at Famous Foam Factory at San Pablo Avenue and
Channing Way in Berkeley and was followed the next day by a robbery
at Eco Home Improvement a few blocks away on San Pablo.
Two days later, he robbed
the Good Vibrations store at San Pablo and Dwight Way.
Since then, police believe
he is responsible for two other Berkeley takeover robberies, one
at New Economy Laundry on Sacramento Street and the other at a
Subway sandwich store on University Avenue near San Pablo.
He also may have robbed a
bicycle shop and two adult bookstores in Oakland, Berkeley police
said.
Frankel said the case has taken up plenty of manpower because
in each instance there have been several victimswho had to be
interviewed.
During the Good Vibrations
robbery, at least 30 patrons were in the store attending a seminar,
Frankel said. Police believe the man is acting independently of
a group who robbed eight restaurants and their customers in Oakland,
Berkeley, Emeryville and San Leandro late last month.
Oakland police Lt. Freddie
Hamilton, who also was at the community crime meeting, declined
to provide further details beyond what Berkeley police announced
about the arrest."
Today Tak emails
Ron,
A Times news article reports
what was revealed to us at the Wednesday
night meeting at San Pablo Park in case you hadn't seen it yet.
I'm really happy to hear
that this robber got caught. We were afraid
that this particular string of crimes in our area was going to
end
badly with someone, the criminal, robbery victims or bystanders,
getting seriously injured or killed. And though this article doesn't
say so, it appears that the suspect is from Oakland where he was
arrested.
I'm concerned though that
this reinforces a tendency amongst some
leaders in Berkeley to attribute most of our crime problems to
"outsiders." It is factually true that much of the crime
here is
committed by people from Oakland or Richmond. I've seen it myself
in
my own little area just north of Dwight Way where over the years
some
of the drug dealers who've been picked up here were from as far
away
as Vallejo. But much of the crime is attributable to Berkeley
residents. My observation is that most of the current drug dealing
in
West Berkeley is being conducted by local youngsters. It is easier
for
those of us in Berkeley to place our focus on other cities because
it
avoids very difficult questions about our own city.
This most recent set of meetings
about the current crime wave isn't
the only occasion where I've noticed this. I recall a few years
ago in
a meeting organized to oppose the half-assed prostitution
"decriminalization" initiative, Mayor Bates talked about
prostitution
along San Pablo Avenue as if the both the prostitutes and the
johns
were all from outside the city. I knew this wasn't true because
I
recognized some of the women on the street as being residents
of West
Berkeley. And I'm sure that many of the johns were also locals.
During the last local elections
for school board, there was a
candidate running on a platform to limit students from outside
Berkeley from transferring into the Berkeley schools. The suggestion
was that these students aggravated the achievement gap and increased
the rowdiness and criminality around the schools. But of course
much
of the gap and rowdiness is attributable to students from within
Berkeley.
I don't have any great answers
on what to do in Berkeley to fix our
problems. Our problems like those of other cities are embedded
in
American history and mired in our current economic, social and
political realities. And here especially in Berkeley, any direct
discussion of the problems would likely soon become truly bogged
down
in the minefields of hyper ideological and dogmatic debate.
But I do ask that while we
understand that some of our local crime is
caused by non-Berkeley people, that much of it is home grown.
We in
Berkeley can't effect much change in other cities, and it isn't
clear
at all what can be done within Berkeley. But lets not let ourselves
off the hook and place a disproportionate amount of focus on people
from other cities.
Tak Nakamoto
"Mystery, Anger Cloud Story Of Friday Night
Shooting" writes
our Planet's Richard Brenneman.
"Anger over the brazen
Friday night shooting in a troubled Berkeley neighborhood has
renewed calls for a greater police presence and pitted neighbor
against neighbor.
While the news media focused
on murder and a hostage standoff in the affluent Berkeley Hills,
some folks who live near the intersection of Sacramento and Oregon
streets wonder why they can't get more attention from City Hall
and police headquarters.
A dispute that erupted on
the street about 9:45 p.m. Friday ended up at Bob's Liquors, where
a 16-year-old was shot three times, said one neighbor who declined
to be identified by name."
And Jaxon Van Derbeken of
the Chronicle also reports
"Berkeley police were
searching Wednesday for two men who they say shot a 16-year-old
boy during a
South Berkeley liquor store confrontation over the weekend.
The incident began at 9:39
p.m. Saturday, when one of the two men now being sought confronted
a man outside the store at Sacramento and Oregon streets, police
said in a statement.
That man fled inside, followed
by the two suspects. The man's 16-year- old brother dashed to
his aid and got into a struggle with the two suspects.
The younger brother was shot
repeatedly during the struggle and seriously wounded.
One of the gunmen is described
as African American in his mid- to late-20s, about 6 feet tall,
with a slim build, and short cropped hair. He was wearing a black
jacket, white shirt, blue jeans and white tennis shoes with bluish
stripes.
The second suspect, also
African American, is described as being in his mid to late 20s.
He had a chubby face, medium build and is about 5-foot-8. He wore
a black baseball cap, dark blue jacket, blue jeans and black shoes
with white trim on the bottom.
Police released still photos
taken from the store cameras during the incident and are asking
for the public's help in identifying the men. Anyone with information
is urged to call the Homicide Detail at (510) 981-5741 or (510)
981-5900."
Pictures of our Thursday evening crime meeting are here
&
ACTIVSPACE crime-watch-meeting
photos are here
Marsha Wacko recommends watching
"Surf's
Up" to feel good!
"More shoppers seeking shelter from economy
in discounters"
reports Anne D'Innocenzio in our Times.
"Caught in the maelstrom
of higher gas and food prices, Americans-even more affluent ones-are
seeking shelter in wholesale clubs and discount apparel chains.
Low-price operators Costco
Wholesale Corp., Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and TJX Cos. reported better-than-expected
sales on Thursday, while traditional apparel chains J.C. Penney
Co. and Limited Brands Inc. struggled.
'The smart shopper is in
full bloom,' said Craig R. Johnson, president of consultancy Customer
Growth Partners. 'They're looking to stretch their household budgets,
and if you can get decent quality
merchandise, why pay full price?'
'Smart shopping" is
sweeping through all wage classes, analysts say, and it could
spell trouble for retailers' profits and for the economy, too."
5/10/09
Our 12th Annual Jazz on Fourth
Street is Sunday May 18th--more here.
"The
City Council took the following actions on Tuesday, May 6"
reports Judith Scherr in the Planet.
"The City Council approved
5-2 a resolution to rescind an April 2006 resolution, defining
"cultural" activities at the Gaia Building on Allston
Way. Councilmembers Darryl Moore, Max Anderson, Kriss Worthington,
Dona Spring and Mayor Tom Bates voted to approve the resolution
(after several failed votes). Councilmembers Gordon Wozniak and
Betty Olds abstained. Councilmember Linda Maio recused herself
and Councilmember Laurie Capitelli was absent."
"A
second suspect has been charged in connection with a series of
takeover-style restaurant robberies in Oakland, authorities said
Friday" writeHenry K. Lee and John Coté of the
Chronicle.
Laron Williams, 18, who was
already in custody for an auto-theft case, was charged with robbing
the Red Boy Pizza at 1500 Leimert Blvd. on March 31 and robbing
the Round Table Pizza at 398 Grand Ave. on April 6, said Tom Rogers,
an Alameda County assistant district attorney.
Williams is expected to be arraigned Tuesday on seven counts of
robbery, one count of attempted robbery and two counts of false
imprisonment for allegedly preventing two people from leaving
the Red Boy restaurant."
Bob Kubik reports that "the
hookers are back on San Pablo Avenue"
Last night around 9PM, I
ran off vandals at the warehouse before they did any real damage
Soon on Scrambled Eggs, how
New York City's Transit Authority reduced crime on their subway
system
"The Broken Window Theory"
5/12/08
"Magic of radio returns live for one night"
writes Pat Craig
of our Times.
"A long time ago, when
the Lone Ranger and Superman came to life in your mind and visited
weekly from somewhere beyond the Atwater Kent glowing invitingly
from the corner, radio was a big deal.
No, it was THE big deal.
There was no Wii. There was
no TiVo, and even if there had been, there wasn't yet anything
to TiVo.
Radio brought big-time entertainment into the living room, with
a quality and variety that eclipsed the best of charades, Ma's
piano playing and a taffy pull with Sis and Dad.
And the way it was created
for the living room was almost as much a mystery as the invisible
waves that transported it there. Tuesday in San Francisco, members
of the Bay Area Broadcast Legends, a group of mostly retired Bay
Area broadcasters, will demonstrate the magic with a reenactment
of 'The Tell-Tale Bullet,' an original 'Lone Ranger' script, performed
live, with authentic sound effects.
The group will gather for
'Golden Memories of Radio,' sponsored by the San Francisco Museum
& Historical Society in the Jewish Community Center of San
Francisco, for the show, which will include broadcast veterans,
such as Dave Parker, of the first "Lone Ranger" cast."
Broadcast Legends' "Golden Memories of Radio"
Jewish Community Center of San Francisco, 3200 California St.,
San Francisco
7 p.m. reception, 7:30 p.m. program May 13
Free to members, $5 to nonmembers at the door
"Turmoil in financial markets has eased
somewhat, but the situation is still 'far from normal,' Federal
Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said Tuesday" writes the AP's Jeannine Aversa.
"The central bank has taken a number of unconventional steps
- especially since March, when the credit crisis intensified -
to help squeezed banks and big investment firms overcome problems
and try to get credit flowing more freely again.
Those efforts appear to be
paying off and 'have contributed to some improvement in financing
markets,' the Fed chief said in prepared remarks delivered via
satellite to a financial markets conference sponsored by the Federal
Reserve Bank of Atlanta in Sea Island, Georgia."
"Who's the superpower now?" asks Michael T. Klare.
"As oil prices drain
the U.S. of military power and influence, Russia is rising as
a world force again.
Nineteen years ago, the fall of the Berlin Wall effectively eliminated
the Soviet Union as the world's other superpower. Yes, the USSR
as a political entity stumbled on for another two years, but it
was clearly an ex-superpower from the moment it lost control over
its satellites in Eastern Europe.
Less than a month ago, the
United States similarly lost its claim to superpower status when
a barrel of crude oil roared past $110 on the international market,
gasoline prices crossed the $3.50 threshold at American pumps,
and diesel fuel topped $4. As was true of the USSR following the
dismantling of the Berlin Wall, the USA will no doubt continue
to stumble on like the superpower it once was; but as the nation's
economy continues to be eviscerated to pay for its daily oil fix,
it, too, will be seen by increasing numbers of savvy observers
as an ex-superpower in the making."
5/14/08
"Water rationing imposed on East Bay"
writes the Times'
Mike Taugher.
"Water deliveries to
1.3 million East Bay residents will be rationed for the first
time since the early 1990s after the East Bay Municipal Utility
District board of directors on Tuesday declared an emergency water
shortage and prohibited a list a potentially wasteful water practices.
The crackdown is designed
to reduce water use by 15 percent and was made necessary by two
consecutive dry years and severely depleted reservoirs in the
central Sierra.
Effective immediately, EBMUD
customers are prohibited from hosing off sidewalks, washing cars
without using shutoff nozzles, irrigating on consecutive days
and a host of other items."
Regan found a"new"
kitten in his yard this morning. A home has been found for the
kitten, thnaks to the Scrambled Eggs lost kitten service.
Went to Ruth and Marvin's
open house Sunday.The food was specially delicious, prepared sushi
that was fresh and fresh fruits, fragrant with perfume. I asked
Ruth where they came from and she emailed
Ron,
Thanks for coming to our
open house.
Musashi Restaurant
2126 Dwight Way (between Shattuck & Oxford)
(510) 843-2017
It's a small restaurant with
tables for lunch & dinner.
Ruth
Cracker Jack Chronicle
East Bay reporter, Carolyn Jones was on Channel 9's "This
Week in Northern California" last Friday. She reported on
Vallejo;s pending bankrupcy. Here presentation was fact-filled,
focused and informative. And let's face it, . . . she's a babe.
The Goldin bros are going
to New York and Chicago over the next few weeks. They're visiting
a New York furnishings' show next week and in June, showing their
designs at NEOCON in Chicago. I've seen part of their display--impressive.
Their mom, by the way, looks
just like Dianne Keaton--no, not a little-like, just-like. Another
babe!
"Craigslist founder urges activism in UC
Berkeley commencement speech"
reports Matt Krupnick.
"In a rambling and mostly
off-the-cuff speech under a hot afternoon sun, Newmark said he
no longer has the energy to save the world but has been encouraged
by the drive of the younger generation. Playing to the University
of Califoirnia, Berkeley's liberal reputation, Craigslist founder
Craig Newmark told graduating seniors Tuesday that they will be
responsible for 'rebuilding' the country after President Bush's
term ends."
"Locavores get vocal" writes the Times' Barbara Kobsar.
"A new word has quietly slipped into the food system to nudge
along the buying local movement. Locavores, coined by four San
Francisco women in 2005, was the 2007 word of the year for the
Oxford American Dictionary, and brings the concepts of eating
and ecology to another level.
A locavore tries to only
eat food grown or produced locally. What "local" means
is up for interpretation, but a 100 mile radius around where you
live has become the standard. With dozens of seasonal farmers
markets opening in May, this is a good time to find and buy local
produce."
"Firms ride Bike to Work popularity"
writes Janis Mara in
our Times.
"Every morning, Crescent
Diamond hops on her silver three-speed Trek bicycle and pedals
212 miles to work at Berkeley-based solar energy company Sun Light
& Power. On Thursday, tens of thousands of Bay Area workers
are expected to do the same for Bay Area Bike to Work Day."
"Energizer stations fuel Bike to Work Day" reports Kelli Phillips in the Times.
"Bike to Work Day lasts
just 24 hours, but preparing for the cycling awareness event can
take weeks.
'We're getting so close now,'
said Marci McGuire, Bishop Ranch Business Park program manager.
'We're going all out. We'll be working on it (Friday) and every
single day from now until probably about 10 o'clock the night
before.'
By Thursday's Bike to Work Day event, McGuire and her staff will
have stuffed 600 backpacks with snack bars, cycling literature
and other goods for the San Ramon business park's energizer station.
The refueling site is one of 190 across the Bay Area and its the
largest in Contra Costa County.
'Marci really does a good
job,' said East Bay Bicycle Coalition Chairman Dave Campbell.
'Last year, she had 400 to 500 cyclists come through.'
"Public transit adjusts to surge in ridership" report Erik N. Nelson and Denis Cuff in our
Times.
"Traffic congestion
and air pollution have long spurred transportation officials and
environmental advocates to urge, cajole and beg commuters to switch
to public transit. Still, the vast majority of Bay Area commuters
wouldn't budge from behind the wheel.
As gasoline prices climb
past $4 a gallon, however, commuters are moving to public transportation
in huge numbers, breaking records on BART, commuter trains and
transbay bus routes."
"Calif. ballot measures address property-right
concerns" reports
Samantha young of the AP.
"Barbara Gonzel has
lived in a two-bedroom duplex in northwest Los Angeles for 13
years, protected from the region's soaring housing costs by the
city's rent-control ordinance.
That could change, and Gonzel
could find herself paying hundreds of dollars more in monthly
rent, if voters approve one of two property rights initiatives
on the June 3 primary election ballot.
One of the measures, Proposition
98, is supported by landlords and business owners and contains
a provision that would phase out local rent-control ordinances
for apartments, duplexes and mobile home parks.
It also would eliminate tenant-protection
rules that could make it easier for landlords to evict renters.
The ballot measure is opposed by renters groups, mobile home residents,
senior advocates and some of the state's leading politicians."
"EBay
may require PayPal use" reports the AP's Amanda
Fehd.
"EBay Inc. is exploring
whether to require customers to use its online payment service
PayPal, a move that has angered users and prompted antitrust scrutiny
in Australia, where a PayPal-only rule takes effect next month.
It's unclear whether eBay
will institute a similar policy in the United States and other
countries. However, the online auction company often tries big
changes in smaller markets before expanding them worldwide, and
says it is open to that in this case."
"A
man was killed Tuesday and a second was injured in a shooting
just south of the UC Berkeley campus, the second slaying near
the university in less than two weeks, police said" writes
Henry K. Lee of the Chronicle.
The victim, identified by
relatives as Maceo Smith, 33, of Berkeley was found in a parking
lot at 2542 Durant Ave., a block from the campus at about 3:50
p.m., Berkeley police Sgt. Mary Kusmiss said. Smith was shot just
up the street and staggered to the lot before collapsing, police
said.
A second man whose name wasn't
released was shot and injured and took himself to Highland Hospital
in Oakland, Kusmiss said.
No arrests have been made
in the slaying, Berkeley's fifth homicide this year. "
"Files released on UFO sightings" reports BBC NEWS.
"Secret files on UFO
sightings have been made available for the first time by the Ministry
of Defence.
The documents, which can be downloaded from the National Archives
website, cover the period from 1978 to 1987.
They include accounts of strange lights in the sky and unexplained
objects being spotted by the public, armed forces and police officers."
5/15/08
"Thursday Declared First Spare the Air
Day" reports the
Chronicle's Michael Cabanatuan.
[Today] will be the Bay Area's
first Spare the Air Day of the 2008 smog season, air quality officials
said this afternoon. And while they're encouraging people to ride
public transit, they're not offering free rides.
Coincidentally, tomorrow
is also the Bay Area's annual Bike to Work Day. And transit officials
are hoping drivers will ride their bikes to transit services,
particularly BART and ferries.
Forecasters for the weather
district called the Spare the Air Day because of anticipated hot
weather and a lack of wind - perfect conditions for brewing smog.
During Spare the Air Days, Bay Area residents are asked to take
transit, minimize driving, turn up the thermostat on their air
conditioners and avoid using aerosol sprays or gas-powered lawn
mowers.
"Richmond launches anti-graffiti campaign" writes Katherine Tam of our Times.
"Richmond is recruiting
volunteers in the battle against graffiti, and arming them with
cleaning supplies to scrub public property clean as soon as they
see it's marked up.
The first team was trained
Saturday, and the call has gone out citywide for more people willing
to roll up their sleeves."
"33 Revolutions cafe is in the vinyl groove" is a review by Jessica Yadegaran
"You'd be lost without
that Shuffle, but boy, do you miss the feeling of your nail nicking
vinyl.
At one point, the East Bay
was home to a wealth of record stores brimming with classic and
rare finds. But, much like video killing the radio star, our laptops
and the CDs have buried LPs. Oakland's Saturn Records is gone,
and so is dba Brown. Grooveyard Records and Mod Lang can sustain
only so many music lovers, right?
Don't be such a whiner. Records
will outlive CDs, whose sales have been down 20 percent for the
past two years.
It's with this attitude that
I barreled down San Pablo Boulevard during the weekend, with my
boyfriend Joel, to check out El Cerrito's latest spot, 33 Revolutions
Record Shop & Cafe. The brainchild of the former tea buyer
for Whole Foods and his vinyl-collecting business partner, I was
expecting a small funky space decorated with kettles and vintage
posters, where shelves of rare leaves would promise me perma-antioxidant
bliss and Billie Holiday would help by cooing in the background."
5/16/08,
A PG&E transformer burnt-out
on service in front of Tippett just before Noon today.
lineman working on pole
there are a couple more photos
here
"Drewrey's carried load for Cal" writes the Times' Jonathan Okanes.
"Cal's Marissa Drewrey
led the Bears to a 9-0 stomping of Pacific Wednesday in Berkeley.
With two pitchers returning
with starting experience and another joining the staff as a heralded
freshman, Cal's softball team was hoping it would have a deep
corps of hurlers this season. Instead, the Bears have had to lean
heavily on one arm to carry most of the load.
The Bears open the NCAA Tournament
today in a double-elimination regional at Fresno State, and sophomore
Marissa Drewrey, like always, will be on the mound. Drewrey has
started 42 games for Cal this season, third-most at the school
in a single season."
"Bates Privatizes State of the City Address" reports Judith Scherr of our Planet.
"Breaking with tradition,
Mayor Tom Bates made his 'state-of-the-city' address Tuesday night,
not at a public gathering in City Council Chambers, but at a semi-private
event held in a privately owned West Berkeley auditorium.
Why no City Hall event?
"Bates reminded the
gathering-invitees who had received personal e-mails from staff-that
last year just as he began his state-of-the-city address, the
sound system in the Council Chambers died. He ended up giving
the speech with a makeshift microphone.
This year the mayor said
he took no chances. He went to the private sector-directly to
the folks who know sound best in Berkeley: the event was held
at Meyer Sound on Tenth Street near Heinz Street.
The Daily Planet was not
notified of the event-an invitee informed a reporter. Even though
the reporter's name did not figure on the guest list, the reporter
was permitted to attend by mayoral staff.
The hour-long-or so-speech
meandered from visions of a downtown thick with luxury condos,
four-star hotels, first-class theater and gourmet eateries to
the greening of the city, with networks of shuttle buses,
green-built high-rises and lush sports fields the East Bay Regional
Parks District has christened Tom Bates Fields."
"Four Oakland men are
in custody after they allegedly stole $6,000 in a takeover robbery
of a Berkeley credit union and led police on a chase, authorities
said" writes Henry K. Lee of the Chronicle.
"The robbers, who wore
surgical-type masks, walked into the Cooperative Center Federal
Credit Union at 2001 Ashby Ave. about noon Tuesday and ordered
employees and customers to the ground, police Sgt. Mary Kusmiss
said.
Two of the men were armed
with guns, Kusmiss said.
During the robbery, a credit union employee was hit in the back
of her head, police said. She was not seriously injured.
The men fled, but another
employee was able to write down the license plate number of their
Chrysler, authorities said.
Oakland police spotted the
car on Edwards Avenue in East Oakland and chased it until it crashed
into a parked car near 66th Avenue and MacArthur Boulevard.
Arrested were Christopher
Roberson, 22; Calvin Sloan, 20; Tellas Jett, 28; and Eugene Moses,
29. They were booked on suspicion of possession of a firearm,
obstructing a peace officer, conspiracy, robbery and evading police.
Roberson, Jett and Moses
are being held without bail because they are parolees. Sloan is
being held in lieu of $183,200."
"Arrest made in slaying near UC Berkeley" reports Kristin Bender of the Oakland
Tribune.
"Police have arrested
and charged a man in connection with Tuesday's killing of Maceo
Anthony Smith, a father of three, near the University of California,
Berkeley, campus.
Nathaniel Curtis Freeman,
19, of Berkeley, turned himself in to Berkeley police Wednesday
afternoon after police searched his parents' Berkeley home and
found a message on the telephone answering machine from Freeman,
alluding to his involvement in the crime, sources close to the
case said Thursday.Freeman was with an attorney when he surrendered
but refused to be interviewed by police, said police spokeswoman
Sgt. Mary Kusmiss.
He has been charged with
one count of homicide and one count of assault with a deadly weapon,
police said. He remains in the Berkeley City Jail on a no-bail
hold and is due in court for an arraignment today."
"US inflation eases but food soars" reports BBC NEWS.
"US food prices jumped at the fastest pace for 18 years in
April, but consumer price inflation still eased.
Consumer prices rose 0.2%
in the month, down from March's figure of 0.3%, even though food
costs jumped by 0.9%, according to Labor Department figures.
Rising food prices were offset
by falling prices in categories such as household furnishings
and transport."
Russia's St Petersburg Times has a feature, Vox Populi.
In the current issue, Russians speak about the increase in their
food cost.
Vladimir Ignatenko, 55, electrician:
I noticed how the prices for food went up. About eight months
ago, I used to spend only 200 rubles [$8.10] when I stopped by
a grocery store to buy the most essential food, and now I have
to spend 500 rubles [$20] on the same items. That is - I pay more
than twice as much for food now. It's a nightmare.
However, since my wife and I are getting older we have decided
to keep eating what we are used to in order to stay healthy and
'keep the doctor away.' What we noticed, though, is that now we
can't save anything anymore. We used to save something for our
grandson but we can't do it now. The prices are terrible.
Yelena Timofeyeva, 43, box
office administrator:
We have begun to buy less food. For instance, we hardly ever buy
cottage cheese or cheese. We buy less meat.
This year we also couldn't have a vacation by the sea. We just
couldn't save enough money for it. Prices for tickets also go
up but salaries don't. So, we'll just go to our grandmother in
the country. People have been put in a survival situation.
Oleg Vilkov, 21, student:
In my case I buy all the same food that I used to. Of course,
I noticed that milk, bread and eggs have become more expensive
but it didn't affect me.
Svetlana Ovod, 42, teacher:
The food price rises have affected me. Now I have to buy less
meat, fish, dairy products and white bread. Actually I now buy
only milk, and only rarely cheese. Half a year ago I used to buy
cheese often. I like cheese, and I used to have it for breakfast
every day but now I have it very rarely.
Of course, I need to economize on other things now. Basically,
I now spend most of my money on my child's needs and I forget
about my own needs.
What can be done in this situation? I think you simply have to
find a better-paid job.
Anatoly Plotnikov, 57, electrical
mechanic:
We noticed that prices have gone up but it hasn't affected us,
and we continue to buy the same set of products. We need to eat
anyway. And it hasn't affected other parts of life.
Nina Yegorova, 70, pensioner:
I'm OK in this situation because I live with the family of my
son and they help me out. However, my elderly neighbor, who lives
alone, really struggles to make ends meet. She eats very little
fruit, vegetables and almost no meat. She basically eats only
bread, milk and cottage cheese.
Marina Andreyeva, 50, economist:
It's now sad to go to a grocery store. I drink less milk now,
buy cheaper cheese, cheaper yogurts. Fruit is expensive, too,
but I keep buying it because I've got children. Maybe the new
president can improve the situation?
You know, people at work often discuss food prices now. I don't
remember much talk about it before, but now it's a constant topic."
5/18/08
This week, Lipofsky had a
talk with John Norheim about the future plans of Wareham for the
block they just purchased--9th to10th and Pardee to Carleton.
Marvin said, though Norheim doesn't know just what's planned,
he's sure it will be first-class. Marvin, it seems, isn't so much
concerned about first-class as he is about size.
Yesterday morning, Wendy
Tokuda did a few minutes on CHANNEL 5 Morning News about her Mom,
with an interview and great old photos. Today Mrs Tokuda, the
Mom, is receiving an honorary batchelors degree up in Seattle,
her home. Seems her studies, and life, were interrupted by The
Internment in 1942.
Our Geralyn emails
Aloha Kakou!
I just wanted to let you know that the Berkeley Buddhist Temple
on Channing and Shattuck is having its Satsuki Bazaar this weekend.
There will be entertainment on Sunday, which includes a Jazz ensemble,
Taiko drumming and...hula!
I will be announcing the one hour program for the Berkeley based
"Hui Hula o na Pu'u i ka Noe" dance troupe. This
job was placed in my hands a couple of nights ago so
I don't know how smooth my emcee-ing will go, but who really cares?
Come over and sample the food offerings, soak in some music and
dance, not to mention some sun, and have fun!
The hula starts at noon, so I hope to see you there!
A hui hou!
Geralyn aka Keolani
Our Ryan Lau emails
First Annual Kids Triathlon:
Swim, Bike, Run
Please join us at the Cit of Berkeley Aquatics Program's First
Annual Kids Triathlon. The event will be on Saturday, May
31 2008 at the King Swim Center, 1700 Hopkins Street, 9:00 AM
12:00 noon for youth ages 6 to 18. The day's events
include guest speakers and awards for the children who participate
in the event.
For more information, please
call Phil Harper-Cotton at (510) 981 5146
Voices Against Violence Leadership
Academy
What do we do?
Youth Works and the Recreation Division are co-sponsoring an eight-week
Leadership Academy service. This is designed to help young
people develop tools to resist violence as a way of life, while
developing job and career skills. Youth will receive 15
paid hours per week for work-related service projects. Participants
take part in a variety of leadership development and empowerment
activities, including arts and media integration, community service
projects, life-skills training, education field trips, and conflict
resolution and peace-making strategies.
Monday-Friday
June 16-August 9
12:00 PM 5:00 PM
Martin Luther King Jr. Youth Services Center
1730 Oregon St., Berkeley, CA 94703
For more information call Michael Smith, Recreation Coordinator
at (510) 981-6671
Summer Recreation Programming
For other summer City Recreation Programming, here.
San Pablo Neighborhood Council
2008 Scholarship Application
San Pablo Neighborhood Council Scholarship Program is committed
to investing in growth and development of youth to reach their
goals in education. The Scholarship is available to graduating
high school students who will maintain full time status attending
a vocational/trade school, community college or four-year university.
Applicants must be a Resident of Berkeley and Reside in the San
Pablo Park Community boundaries, Sacramento St. to San Pablo Ave.
and Dwight Way to Ashby Ave., or have community service hours
in the San Pablo Park community.
All Applications must be mailed to:
SPNC08 SCHOLARSHIP P.O. Box 2968 - Berkeley, CA 94702
Applications will be available at the Frances Albrier Community
Center in San Pablo Park, 2800 Park Street (between Russell and
Ward Streets) - Berkeley, CA 94702
Public Hearing on AC Transit
Fare Hike Proposals
On Wednesday, May 21, the AC Transit Board of Directors will hold
a public hearing to receive comments on proposed fare changes
for AC Transit and Dumbarton Express service. The hearing
will take place at the Oakland City Council Chambers, 1 Frank
H. Ogawa Plaza, beginning at 4:00 p.m. The hearing will continue
at least until 7:00 p.m. (but no later than 10:00 p.m.).
AC Transit, like many Bay Area transit agencies, continues to
be challenged by expenses rising faster than revenues. Since 2005,
total revenue and subsidies have grown by $9.9 million, while
operating expenses have increased $35 million. For example, costs
in two important areas-fuel and health insurance-have gone up
between 40 and 48 percent. At the same time, the economy is experiencing
a downturn that threatens to cut into key funding sources such
as sales and property taxes. Unless AC Transit increases revenues,
expenses will have to be cut, which could result in service reductions.
Public Workshop Condominium
Conversion Ordinance
Thursday, May 22, 2008
4:00 6:00pm
2180 Milvia Street, Civic Center Building; 6th Floor, Redwood
Room
The City of Berkeley cordially
invites you to attend a public workshop to learn more about the
new Condominium Conversion Ordinance procedures that become effective
on May 22, 2008. Items to be discussed are as follows:
Overview of the new Condo Conversion Process
New Application Materials and Forms
Questions and Answers
New application materials
and handouts will be available at the workshop, and the City of
Berkeley website will be updated to include these materials.
For more information about this workshop, please contact Be Tran
by email at btran@ci.berkeley.ca.us or by telephone at (510) 981-7410.
Berkeley High Live! Community Fundraiser for Berkeley High
School
Live Auction, Live Music, Good Food, Good Friends!
Wine/Beer/Margaritas Silent Auction
Sunday, June 8, 2008
5:00 8:30 PM
Berkeley Honda at 2600 Shattuck Ave.
Complimentary Valet Parking
Tax Deductible Donation: $75 per person
www.brownpapertickets.com
or mail to BSHDG P.O. Box 519, Berkeley, CA 94701
For more information contact MK Murlas at mulas@sbcglobal.net
or call (510) 866-9050
Benefits:
BHS Development Group
BHS Athletic Fund
BHS Jazz
Berkeley Public Education Foundation
Sponsorship Levels
Contributor: $200
Silver: $500
Gold: $1000
Platinum: $5000
Endowment: $10,000
Sustaining: $15,000
Hot Topics at City Council, May 20th
FY2009 Biennial Budget Update
Public Hearing
Citywide Fee Increases
Environmental Health
Land Use Planning, Building
and Safety, and Engineering
Transfer Station
Public Hearing
FY2009 Street Light Assessments
Discussion and Direction
on potential ballot measures for November 4, 2008 General Election:
Sincerely,
Ryan Lau
Council Aide
Councilmember Darryl Moore
Rick Ballard emails about some KCSM programs
Below you find a list of
upcoming shows on KCSM (91.1 FM):
Desert Island Jazz With Alisa
Clancy Fri. 9:00 AM
I'm Talkin' Jazz Sun. 8:00 AM
May 11 saxophonist
Sarah Manning and pianist Art Hirahara with Lee Thomas
May 18 drummer Brian Melvin with Chris Cortez
May 25 pianist Larry Vuckovich with Michael Burman
In The Moment With Jim Bennett Sun. 8:00 PM
May 11 Sepia: Music
of the Black Diaspora w/Faye Carol, Denise Perrier, Frankye
Kelly & Lady Mem'Fis at Yoshi's San Francisco
May 18 drummer Charles Ferguson at the Jazzschool
May 25 pianist Danny Mertens at the Jazzschool
Jazz Profiles With Nancy
Wilson Mon. 9:00 PM
May 12 bassist Charles
Mingus, part 1
May 19 bassist Charles Mingus, part 2
May 26 vocalist Bessie Smith
Jazz at Lincoln Center With
Wynton Marsalis Tues. 9:00 PM
May 13 Essentially
Ellington
May 20 Jazz and Art: From the Canvas to the Stage in Seven
Movements: monet, Van Gogh, Dali and Matisse vis saxophonist Ted
Nash
May 27 Guitarists Galore: Russell Malone, Ron Afiff,
Jim Hall and Romero Lubambo
Piano Jazz With Marian McPartland
Wed. 9:00 PM
May 7 vocalist Veronica
Nunn w/Travis Shook
May 14 pianist Larry Vuckovich
May 21 pianist Oscar Peterson
May 28 pianist Laurence Hobgood
Jazzset With Dee Dee Bridgewater
Thurs. 9:00 PM
May 8 pianist Daniela
Schaechter at the Mary Lou Williams Women in Jazz Festival at
the Kennedy Center
May 15 Convergence at Dazzle in denver
May 22 Highlights of the 2007 North Sea Jazz Festival
May 29 Clayton Brothers at the 2008 University of Michigan
Jazz Festival
"Taking ownership" writes Laura Casey in the Times.
"On an extra-large median
strip near Joan Rochlin's home, City of Oakland workers would
battle weeds. They used power tools and pesticides, stripping
the strip of as much plant life as they could.The semi-annual
act bothered Rochlin.
"It was so noisy and
it was a real waste of money,' she says as she stands in the place
where workers once hacked away, a place that is now populated
with native plants, pathways and sitting spaces. "That's
what prompted me to want something else."
The median strip where Rochlin stands is where Powell Street turns
into Stanford Avenue at Fremont Street near the Oakland-Emeryville
border. It is more like a median triangle, wide at parts and a
block long. The strip is a stone's throw away from Rochlin's house
and near a tidy park with a children's playground.
When the weeds were at their worst, homeless people would sleep
on the empty lot of land, hidden by the tall foliage. It was a
forgotten part of Oakland, an ugly part of the city landscape
that attracted criminal activity, neighbors say.
Yet for three summers now, the place can better be described as
a park. Rochlin, along with neighbors Jean Robertson and Josh
Simon, took ownership of the strip and turned it into a public
garden. Locals walk through the area instead of using the sidewalks
and dog-walkers detour through it."
"B-Tech Senior was Shooter, Says Principal" writes the Planet's Riya Bhattacharjee.
"The 17-year-old student
from Berkeley Technology Academy (B-Tech) who was shot Thursday
a few blocks from school underwent surgery and his injuries appear
to be non life-threatening, authorities said Friday.
Berkeley Police Department
spokesperson Sgt. Mary Kusmiss told the Planet that detectives
were following leads on a suspect in the shooting, who she said
was another teen.
The B-tech student was shot
near Martin Luther King Jr. and Dwight Way around 3 p.m. Thursday-right
after school let out-after which he flagged down a B-Tech teacher
who drove him to Highland Hospital."
"Modesto medical-marijuana operators convicted
in federal case" reports
Henry K. Lee of the Chronicle.
"Two Modesto men are
facing mandatory 20-year prison sentences after being convicted
of running a medical-marijuana operation that federal prosecutors
labeled a criminal enterprise, authorities said today.
Luke Anthony Scarmazzo, 28, and Ricardo Ruiz Montes, 28, were
convicted by a federal jury Fresno on Thursday of conducting a
continuing criminal enterprise, growing marijuana and possessing
marijuana with the intent to distribute.
The conviction for running
a criminal enterprise carries a mandatory sentence of at least
20 years. U.S. District Judge Oliver Wanger is to sentence both
men Aug. 4.
Federal officials said the
case sends a message to marijuana growers and dealers who believe
they are shielded from prosecution under the California law legalizing
medical marijuana use."
"Oil above $127 for the first time" reports BBC NEWS.
"Oil prices have hit a record high above $127 a barrel on
speculation that China will need to import more fuel, stretching
global supplies.
With more energy needed to
rebuild areas devastated by the earthquake earlier this week,
US light sweet crude jumped to $127.43 a barrel.
Prices were also supported by Goldman Sachs forecasting that oil
would reach $141 a barrel later this year."
I believe that 25-30% of
the price is the result of speculation--the oil-price-spikes,
the new "bubble."
5/21/08
Our Pete Hurney emails
Once a month we'll hi-jack the Midnight
Express show and take the Midnight Ukulele Express out for a
ride. You'll enjoy an hour of music by bands that include
the ukulele into their sound, from George Harrison to George Formby,
from Tiny Tim to Tippy Canoe and from Ukulele Ike to Uni and Her
Ukulele.
Hosting along with me on this show will be
the band 5 Cent Coffee who just returned from their Japanese
tour and promised to join with us in the studio
with a bunch of new music they found in Japan. I can't
wait to hear what they found!
That will be this Thursday, May 22nd at
Midnight, Pacific time on KALX 90.7 FM in Berkeley and for those
of you out of our listening range KALX can be streamed live
on-line at http://kalx.berkeley.edu
Peterhurney
www.pohakuukulele.com
Trombone player, Mal Sharpe
emails
here's a great way to start
the week
http://www.youtube.com/
The Coyle and Sharpe Podcast--New
To listen to or download recent programs here
DON'T LOOK AT THE TROMBONES,
IT ONLY ENCOURAGES THEM---Richard Strauss
excerpts from Rick Ballard's
most recent email
SFJazz Spring Season
The 9th Annual SFJazz Spring Season continues through June
20. Among the featured performers are Rosa Passos, Brad Mehldau,
Edward Simon, David Sanchez and Diane Reeves. To see a complete
schedule go here.
Marcus Shelby's "The
Legacy of Duke Ellington"
Bassist Marcus Shelby will present a 4 week jazz lecture/listening
workshop titled "The Legacy of Duke Ellington". It will
take place on four consecutive Thursdays beginning May 29-June
19. Each workshop will include a discussion of a different aspect
of the life and career of Ellington. The workshop will survey
his recordings and include a live performance featuring a weekly
guest artist. The workshop is being held at the Red Poppy Art
House in San Francisco.
Tenth Annual Healdsburg Jazz Festival
This festival begins May 30 and runs through June 8 at various
locations in the city of Healdsburg. Local musicians scheduled
to appear include Zakir Hussain, Pete Escovedo, John Santos, Lee
Charlton, Wayne Wallace, Angela & Lori Wellman, Sarah
Wilson, Herb Gibson, David Ewell, Sameer Gupta, Julian Lage and
Mary Stallings. I will list their schedule in the next newsletter.
The complete festival schedule is listed below. More informationhere.
New Jam Session in Downtown
Oakland
On Monday, June 2, a new jam session begins in Downtown Oakland.
Called the Downtown Jam Session, it is held in the Ed Kelly Hall
at the Oakland Public Conservatory of Music every Monday night
beginning at 7:00 PM. OPCM is located at 1616 Franklin St. They
are on the web at www.opcmusic.org The session is led by
pianist Glen Pearson along with bassist Ron Belcher.
Stanford Jazz Festival
The Stanford Jazz Workshop has announced its schedule for
its summer festival. The festival begins Friday, June 27 and runs
through Saturday, Aug. 9. Local artists scheduled to appear include:
Keith Terry & Crosspulse, Mary Stallings, John Calloway, Sony
Holland, Jim Nadel, Mel Martin, Sandy Cressman, Dayna Stephens,
Andrew Speight, Taylor Eigsti, Julian Lage, Ruth Davies & Ambrose
Akinmusire.
51st Annual Monterey Jazz Festival
This festival runs Sept. 19-21 at the Monterey Fairgrounds. Local
artists scheduled to appear so far include Ledisi, Jamie Davis,
Tuck & Patti, Rebeca Mauleon & Mary Stallings. Complete
festival info is here.
"Oakland Museum re-examines 'Cool' in its
many connotations"
reports Robert Taylor.
"Trumpeter Miles Davis
helped define a new style jazz in the years after World War II.
But by the time his early tracks were collected on the album "Birth
of the Cool" in 1957, he had become part of an irrevocable
cultural movement.
By then 'cool jazz' was a
marketing term, and the idea of cool spilled into popular culture,
flourishing especially in California, and making its way into
everything from movie sets and furniture design to paintings in
a style called 'abstract classicism.'
All these disparate elements
are covered in 'Birth of the Cool' an exhibit that opened Saturday
at the Oakland Museum and runs through Aug. 17. It takes its title
from Davis' landmark Capitol Records album. Then it sweeps through
the 1950s and into the 1960s following its all-inclusive subtitle,
'California Art, Design and Culture at Midcentury.'
The exhibit suggests that
'cool' would eventually include Charles and Ray Eames' fiberglass-and-plastic
bucket chairs and Eichler subdivisions, the Dave Brubeck Quartet's
'Time Out' album and 'Mr. Magoo' cartoons, Julius Shulman's breathtaking
photographs of almost transparent dream homes to Brad Pitt and
Angelina Jolie's 'Domestic Bliss' fashion spread in W magazine.
And it's never looked fresher."
"Danville church tackles tough subject
of race" writes
Matthai Kuruvila of the Chronicle.
From the pulpit of a Danville
church, the leader of the 1.2 million member United Church of
Christ on Sunday urged those gathered to start a national, "sacred"
conversation about one of the most toxic topics in American life:
race.
It is an issue that the Rev. John Thomas said has often been discussed
in the unhealthiest terms since the birth of the nation. But it
is an issue that has also recently engulfed the denomination after
sermons by one of its pastors, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, were
used as a political tool to attack one of its parishioners, presidential
candidate Barack Obama.
'The ugliness we watched
on television as media manipulators tried to scare us from voting
for an African American candidate by presenting a deliberat'ly
frightening caricature of his African American pastor reminded
us of how ugly the conversation on race can be," said Thomas,
president and general minister of the United Church of Christ."
"Michael Rossman, one
of the leaders of the Free Speech Movement at UC Berkeley, died
last week after a short battle with leukemia" writes Kristin
Bender of the Tribune.
"Rossman died at his Berkeley home surrounded by family and
friends, said his wife, Karen McLellan.
Rossman was at Sproul Plaza on the UC Berkeley campus on the afternoon
of Oct. 2, 1964, when 3,000 students sat around a police patrol
car and kept it from taking student protester Jack Weinberg to
jail.
One by one, people took off
their shoes and hopped onto the top of the police car to speak,
and in essence the Free Speech Movement was born.
During a time when student
protests were unprecedented, Rossman and students Mario Savio,
Hal Draper, Brian Turner, Steve Weissman, Art Goldberg, Bettina
Aptheker, Jackie Goldberg and others insisted that the UC administration
lift a ban on campus political activities, academic freedom and
free speech. It was a student protest that lasted about three
months during the 1964-65 school years."
"ECB head: Credit crunch 'ongoing'" reports BBC NEWS.
"The credit crunch is
continuing and it is not evident that the worst is over, the head
of the European Central Bank has told the BBC.
Jean-Claude Trichet said
we were seeing "an ongoing, very significant market correction,"
during an interview with the BBC business editor Robert Peston.
He warned that if central
banks were tempted to cut interest rates now, more serious problems
could follow.
He compared recent rises in energy and food prices to the 1970s
oil shock."
5/22/08
"Fire at Berlin orchestra's home" reports BBC NEWS.
"The home of one of
the world's greatest orchestras, the Berlin Philharmonic, has
been damaged by a fire.
Firefighters had to cut through
the roof to tackle the flames, which have now been brought under
control.Hundreds of visitors and musicians were evacuated, and
most of the instruments have been moved to safety."
"Senate race turns ex-allies into rivals" reports Josh Richman of the Oakland Tribune.
"Once amicable former
colleagues of like political minds are locked in a bruising battle
for the 9th State Senate District's Democratic nomination.
Former Assembly Majority
Leader Wilma Chan, D-Alameda, had her eye on state Senate President
Pro Tem Don Perata's seat long before she was termed out in 2006.
Assemblywoman Loni Hancock, D-Berkeley, who terms out later this
year, has long coveted the job too.
Each is striving to ensure
she's the one seated when the music stops, and the race hasn't
always been pretty."
Three reasons to vote for
Loni Hancock.
Nepotism--she is, after all,
Da Ms. Boz.
She's one of our own--not
a little thing.
Her record.
"Man shot in Albany
bowling alley" reports our Times.
"Police are investigating
a shooting at an Albany bowling alley early [Tuesday] morning
that left one man with a broken leg and a gunshot wound.
The incident occurred at
12:10 a.m. at the Albany Bowl, located at 540 San Pablo Ave. The
26-year-old victim was shot once in the upper leg while bowling
inside the building, and was transported to Highland Hospital
in Oakland. Investigators are not releasing the identity of the
victim at this time.
Albany Police Chief Mike
McQuiston said he did not believe the victim was the intended
target, but just a bystander. Police are interviewing witnesses
and do not have information yet about the shooter or the motive.
The Albany Police Department
were assisted at the scene by the Kensington, El Cerrito, Berkeley
and Richmond Police Departments, as well as by the California
Highway Patrol. Investigators are asking anyone with information
about the shooting to call the Albany Police Department at 510-525-7300."
"Arson suspected in Tilden Park fire" report Doug Oakley and Robert Salonga of our
Times.
A wildland fire that destroyed
two Tilden Regional Park structures Monday afternoon was intentionally
set, the Moraga-Orinda Fire Protection District said [Tuesday]."
"Bay Area home sales jump; Santa Clara
County median house price drops to $699,500" reports the Times' Sue McAllister.
"Bay Area home sales
shot up 28.8 percent in April compared to March, a sign that mortgages
are easier to obtain and more buyers jumped into the market, DataQuick
Information Systems said today."
5/23/08
From Bob Kubik comes the
quote of the week, attributed to Eric Hoffer.
"Every great cause begins
as a movement, becomes a business, and eventually degenerates
into a racket."
Libby's Foggy Gulch will
be playing at Ecole Bilingue' Marché, June 1.
Foggy Gulch's first CD, "Fogged
In" is now available at
http://cdbaby.com/cd/foggygulch
We encourage you to buy it there, but
you can also buy one (or more!) from any band member, or email
eric@foggygulch.com for
information on how to get a copy.
I bought my copy from Libby,
the groups' lead vocalist and the receptionist at École
Bilingue--she's at the Grayson Street campus. I've listened to
this CD dozens of times. I love Bluegrass and Country and this
is what these folks sing and play. Simply, it is the most musical
production I've heard in years--even for a first effort. Filled
with melody and played and sung with feeling, this CD is AMAZING!
And check them out live June 1 at Ecole Bilingue' Marché.
Our Janine emails
The Berkeley Early Music
Festival approaches, along with all the concerts and recitals.
I am just writing to let you know about a harpsichord recital
I am giving on Sunday, June 8th at 2 PM, Trinity Chapel - 2320
Dana Street. between Bancroft Way & Durant Avenue(one
block from the U.C. Berkeley)
I'm playing on John Phillips' sparkling "Florentine"
harpsichord, and am having the most fun choosing a program! It
is all music from Spain, and is most colorful and evocative. The
tentative program is below. It is approximately an hour
long, with no intermission, so those who need to rush off to another
concert have a chance to get there!
Tickets: $15 general, $12 SFEMS, WEKA and SEHKS members, $10 seniors/students/disabled.
No one is turned away for lack of funds.
Information: trinitychamberconcerts.com, 510-549-1520
Program:
Sonata #73 in D major, Allegro...........................................Padre
Antonio Soler
Sonata #74 in D major, Andante............................................................A.
Soler
Sonata K. 476 in g minor, Allegro.........................................Domenico
Scarlatti
Sonata K. 477 in G major, Allegrissimo............................................D.
Scarlatti
Sonata #4 in g minor Adagio and Allegro ...................Manuel
Blasco de Nebra
Fuga # 5 in g minor.........................................................................
Juan Sessé
Sonata K. 532 in a minor...................................................................D.
Scarlatti
Sonata K. 533 in A major...................................................................D.
Scarlatti
Sonata # 5 in f# minor, Adagio and Presto...........................M.
Blasco de Nebra
Sonata K. 499 in A major....................................................................D.
Scarlatti
Sonata K. 599 in A major....................................................................D.
Scarlatti
Janine
Celia's restuarant has been
raised to the ground reports Steve.
Last week at 900 GRAYSON,
Barry Gifford was holding
forth on his films and Hollywood.
Yesterday, John Mattos and
guest lunched at 900. John designed one of our Olympic Commeratives
and his guest regularly does The New Yorker covers.
"Cal softball back on track" writes the Times' Jonathan Okanes. "Cal
softball is back. Not that the Bears were gone very long.
After failing to advance
past the NCAA regionals for the first time in nine years last
season, Cal is back among the nation's elite after qualifying
for an NCAA Super Regional this weekend. The Bears visit No. 1
Florida for a best-of-three series beginning Friday, with the
winner advancing to the Women's College World Series."
"Bay Area air board approves global-warming
fees for businesses. Larger businesses such as oil refineries
will pay most to fund study of global warming" reports Denis Cuff of our Times.
"The Bay Area's air
pollution board Wednesday became the first in the United States
to levy fees on businesses for the global warming gases they emit.
Declaring that local governments have a role in helping solve
a global problem that Congress and the Bush administration have
been slow to tackle, the nine-county pollution board decided to
collect $1.1 million in annual fees from 2,500 businesses. The
charges are based on the tons of carbon dioxide, methane and other
greenhouse gases released by a business."
"Berkeley police investigate
home invasion" writes Doug Oakley of our Times.
"Berkeley police are
investigating a home invasion sexual assault that occurred early
Wednesday in west Berkeley.
The victim fought off her attacker and called police, and a man
was arrested a short time later, said police spokesman Andrew
Frankel.
Frankel said police are not
releasing the man's name or city of residence pending further
investigation.
'Right now detectives can confidently say this was a home invasion
sexual assault investigation, but we're not saying much more than
that,' Frankel said.
Frankel said there were no
injuries and it was 'an attempt only.'
Around 12:30 a.m. Wednesday, police were seen with flashlights
combing through bushes and garbage cans on Mathews Street between
Dwight Way and Blake Street, looking for evidence the attacker
may have discarded after the assault.
Police detectives were out
again in the 1200 block of Blake street Wednesday afternoon, talking
to neighbors and looking for evidence.
A detective at the scene
Wednesday confirmed a man had been arrested but added, 'Unfortunately
he's already out on bail.'
Last week, Koz had the new
battery stolen from his car parked on 8th and Channing.
This morning just after 2AM a vehicle pulled into my drive. Working
on Scrambled Eggs, I was in the front room on my computer as headlights
lit up the room and I heard a female voice utter "Don't be
touch'n anythin'.
Opening the top of my Dutch
door, I saw a young woman next to a white SUV parked at the drive's
edge.
"Can I get some scientific
glass here" she asked before taking refuge in questions
about plants and gardening.
We talked a bit, and then
she left with "You know, you look like Santa Claus"
and "I like it here, it's serene."
"South Berkeley Crime Meeting Reflects
Neighborhood Concerns" reports
Richard Brenneman of our Planet.
"The safest place to
be in Berkeley on Wednesday night last week was likely the community
center at San Pablo Park."
CrackerJack report by Brenneman,
and the meeting was of West and South Berkeley residents,
including a good representation from Potter Creek--Marvin, Ruth,
Bob, David, Barbara, Gene, etc.
"Credit card suckers complain" writes Ms Singletary in our Times.
"I should have known:
Call people suckers and they'll take offense.
A number of folks were either
confused or offended when I said recently that we are all suckers
-- that is, losers -- when we use credit to pay for services and
goods.
I offered that view while
reporting on a proposal from the Federal Reserve and two other
banking regulators to curtail or ban certain credit card industry
practices.
'I'm very perplexed,' wrote
Tim McCune of Germantown, Md. 'If we pay off all monthly credit
card balances, used primarily on utilities, other monthly expenditures
and Internet purchases ... and we get affinity benefits, how am
I losing money and why are we "suckers"? Haven't you
cast your victim net too widely?'
Others were equally convinced
that their credit card use is completely controlled.
"I do not understand
your argument that anyone who uses credit cards is a chump, even
if they pay their balances off in full every month," another
reader wrote. "I can assure you that I make the same purchases
and contributions, with credit cards, that I would make without
them."
I'm reasonably sure that
many people do not make the same purchases when they pay with
plastic. This isn't just a feeling or anecdotal evidence. Researchers
have found that people's willingness to purchase more products
or services increases with the use of plastic.
In their groundbreaking research,
Drazen Prelec and Duncan Simester of the Sloan School of Management
at MIT found that study subjects paid more when instructed to
use a credit card rather than cash. In fact, they found people
were willing to pay up to 100 percent more with plastic."
"Oil prices slip back after record above
$135" reports the
AP's Thomas Hogue.
"Thailand-Oil prices hit a record above $135 a barrel before
falling back in Asia Thursday, with supply worries, rising global
demand and a slumping dollar keeping crude futures on an upward
track.
With gas and oil prices setting
new records nearly every day, many analysts are beginning to wonder
what might stop prices from rising. There are technical signals
in the futures market, including price differences between near-term
and longer-term contracts, that crude may soon fall. But with
demand for oil growing in the developing world, and little end
in sight to supply problems in producing countries such as Nigeria,
few analysts are willing to call an end to crude's rally."
"Gas-saving myths exploded" reveals Janis Mara of the Times.
"The summer driving
season officially kicks off this Memorial Day week as gas prices
continue to soar to new record highs above the $4-a-gallon mark.
The Internet, the media and your next-door neighbor are bristling
with advice on how to save gas, but unfortunately, not all these
tips are useful or even accurate.
If you've decided, 'Damn
the pump prices, full speed ahead,' and are even now gearing up
for your trip, how can you save as much on gas as possible?
First of all, good news for
those of us who plan to drive through, say, Death Valley or some
other less-than-temperature-controlled area. You can ignore the
longstanding myth currently hotly debated in online discussions,
'Air conditioning wastes gas,' and its corollary, 'So does rolling
down the window.'
According to Consumer Reports,
'Our tests show that neither makes enough of a difference to worry
about. Using air conditioning while driving 65 miles per hour
reduced the Toyota Camry (test car's) mileage by about 1 mpg.
The effect of opening the windows at 65 mpg was not even measurable.'
A smart-car sighting in Potter
Creek by Doc and/or David--on 9th just off Heinz
"Naan better.Making
fresh, fluffy Indian flatbread at home a worthy challenge"
reports Jolene Thym in our Times.
"The dough ingredients
promise little in terms of flavor: flour, salt, sugar, milk, water
and baking powder. But slapped into a blistering hot oven, that
dough transforms into a round of bubbly, roasty toastiness called
naan.
Tuck some spicy potatoes inside or top it with a bit of garlic
and it's a meal-in-the-hand, the kind of food that some consider
mandatory at every meal.
'In the south of India, people
eat rice with their curries,' says Kulbir Pabla of Taste of India
restaurant in Fremont. 'But we are from the north, so for us,
a meal is not complete without naan.' For that reason, the Pabla
family has perfected the art of making what many say is the best
naan in the Bay Area - tender, fluffy, toasty and always ultra-fresh,
because they cook it all day long. At Taste of India in Fremont,
Mohinder Pabla and his brother Davinder oversee the making of
30 to 50 pounds of naan every day - that's 900 to 1,500 pieces
of naan.
Making naan well, says Davinder,
is one of the reasons Taste of India has been able to grow from
a small restaurant 20 years ago to a thriving catering business
that serves people as far north as Santa Rosa, as far south as
Monterey.
The new flour silos at Acme
weigh-out the flour too--baker needs 5lbs of flour, dials it in,
out it comes in the bakery
"US Fed cuts growth estimate by 1%" reports BBC NEWS.
"The US Federal Reserve
has cut its 2008 growth forecast for the US economy and predicted
that unemployment will rise more than it had previously expected.
The Fed cut its growth forecast
for this year by to a new range of between 0.3% and 1.2%, down
from the 1.3% to 2% predicted in February."
"East
Bay mortgage meltdown continues" writes the Times'
George Avalos.
"The housing market
quagmire has unleashed more misery on the East Bay economy.
Washington Mutual Inc. and
a Citigroup Inc. unit are cutting jobs in the East Bay. E-Loan,
a subsidiary of Irwin Financial Corp., and Fremont Investment
& Loan have exited large offices, which has created additional
empty space in the area."
Eternally useful links
In our rainy season you can
find more information about our current weather conditions than
is good for you at www.wunderground.com
Want to see weather coming
in, going out, beautiful sunsets, and much, much more? Check out
http://sv.berkeley.edu/view/
This very hip site was in an email from reader and contributor,
Tony Almeida. Read Tony's Jimi Hendrix story on the only page that routinely gets
more hits than Scrambled Eggs.
Best gas prices in 94710,
as well as all of US and Canada, are here
at gasbuddy.com
Kimar finds Costco routinely
has the lowest price.
Richmond
Ramblers' motorcycle club member, Cliff Miller emails a very
useful link
If you ever need to get a
human being on the phone at a credit card company or bank, etc.,
this site tells you how to defeat their automated system and get
you to a human being within a few seconds.
http://gethuman.com/us/
Markets
is not just a reference for Berkeley-Hills radicals with 1.5 mil
homes and considerable portfolios.
Our City of Berkeley Boards
and Commissions page is here--redone
and friendly.
Our Berkeley
PD Site with crime statistics and more is here.
Crime Log
for 94710 is here
This site is NOT affiliated
with Berkeley PD.
Take time to report
crime!
All reports
of crime-in-progress should first go to Berkeley PD dispatch--911
or non-emergency, 981-5900. THEN make sure you notify EACH of
these City people.
The contacts
are below:
Officer Andrew
Frankel, Berkeley PD - 981-5774 AFrankel@ci.berkeley.ca.us
Angela Gallegos-Castillo,
City Mgr Off - 981-2491 agallegos-castillo@ci.berkeley.ca.us
Ryan Lau,
aid to Darryl Moore - 981-7120 rlau@ci.berkeley.ca.us
Darryl Moore,
City Councilman dmoore@ci.berkeley.ca.us
More
Scrambled Eggs & Lox, here
and
Stories about Berkeley and stories about recorded-music
are at
Journal of Recorded Music 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11
ronpenndorf@earthlink.net
The original owner
of all scanned material retains copyright. The material is used
only to illustrate