7/24/08

our Tameka Lim

practicing

[scroll down for Yancy's 'Vette]

 

 

 

7/23/08

"Berkeley offers $15,000 reward in slaying" reports the Chronicle's Henry K. Lee.

"The city of Berkeley offered a $15,000 reward today for information leading to the conviction of the person who killed a man last month.

Charles Faison, 39, was found shot inside his home at 2022 Emerson St. about 12:15 p.m. June 19, police said. Investigators released no other details about the case.

Bay Area Crime Stoppers is offering an additional $2,000 reward for tips leading to a conviction.

Anyone with information is asked to call police homicide investigators at (510) 981-5741 or Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477."

 

 

Lt Greenwood, Berkeley PD emails

Greetings,
The Berkeley Police Department has issued a new, updated Community Crime Alert--text at the bottom of this email--regarding three apparently related incidents involving nighttime residential stranger sexual assaults in North Berkeley. This is a follow-up alert to one issued on July 8th. While these incidents have occurred in north Berkeley, the Crime Prevention measures apply everywhere. Note that the message below has also gone out to our Neighborhood Watch Group leaders, so some of you may have already received this...
Please take the time to follow our Crime Prevention measures--these can make a difference, in prevention, and in your helping us apprehend the suspect. While the description is somewhat vague, anyone prowling on private property, in backyards, on the sides of apartment buildings or multi-unit buildings should be called in.
Folks who are moving around early in the morning may end up seeing someone prowling, emerging from a yard, or a similar circumstance. Please call BPD to report such a sighting at 9-1-1, or, from a cel phone, at 981-5911. Be prepared to give the dispatcher the suspect's location, description, and direction of flight--including street name, cross street, etc., so that responding officers have the best possible chance of responding and contacting that individual.
Please feel free to pass this information to members of your group, as well as family and friends whom you believe should know about this.

Best Regards,
Lt. Andrew Greenwood
Berkeley Police Department
Community Services
510/981-5809

COMMUNITY CRIME ALERT - Detectives Investicate Series of Sexual Assaults
Berkeley, California (Tuesday, July 22, 2008) - The City of Berkeley Police Department (BPD) is urging the community to employ the following crime prevention measures in response to a third apparently related sexual assault:
Community members should always lock and secure their doors and windows
Be aware of locations and situations which make you more vulnerable to crime, such as traveling alone, and when walking through alleys, doorways, parking lots and stairwells
Call BPD to report suspicious persons or activity
Detectives are investigating a sexual assault that occurred yesterday morning just before 0400 AM on the 1600 block of Hearst Ave in north Berkeley.
In all three recent incidents, the victims described the suspect as a black male adult, 5-5 to
6-0, thin muscular build, late teens to early 20s, with possible facial hair and armed with a deadly weapon.
If you have any information regarding these cases, please call the BPD Sex Crimes Detail at (510) 981-5735.
The BPD is working in partnership with Bay Area Crime Stoppers who are offering up to a $2,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the involved suspect(s). Callers may remain anonymous by calling Bay Area Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
For crimes in progress, call 911 or (510) 981-5911 from your cell phone. To report suspicious persons or activity, call the BPD non-emergency line at (510) 981-5900.

 

 

 

"Columnist issued citation after hitting pedestrian" reports the AP.

Syndicated columnist Robert Novak says he has been issued a $50 citation after hitting a pedestrian while driving in downtown Washington.

Witnesses say the collision occurred about 10 a.m. Wednesday as the 77-year-old Novak was traveling near K Street in his black Chevrolet Corvette.

D.C. fire department spokesman Alan Etter said the victim was taken to George Washington University hospital with minor injuries.

Novak tells WJLA-TV he was cited for failing to yield the right of way. He says he didn't realize what happened and continued driving until a bicyclist stopped him.

David Bono, the bicyclist who witnessed the incident, told The Associated Press that the pedestrian was hit in a crosswalk and was splayed across Novak's windshield."

 

 

Our Angela Gallegos-Castillo email about graffiti

Hello folks, thanks for the information and in addition to abatement the city is also developing strategies that engage local youth who are tagging the signs. Outreach and engagement wiht the youth are just as important strategies to help decrease the tagging in the neighborhoods because we can get at the root of the problem.  Currently, we have staff working with local westside youth to find alternative ways to express themselves. A chancellor community grant proposal has been partially funded, for example, to work on West Berkeley Mural project that will engage local youth. 
 
Also, PW is replacing many of our city traffic signs with anti-grafitti coating such that it makes it easier to clean-off the tagging once it is tagged.  Yes, please advise if something you have called something in and it has not been cleaned.  The city has increased their grafitti abatement program on public right of way from a weekend only to a 7 day a week program.  The best strategy for preventing private property grafitti is to paint/abatement right away. The sooner it gets cleaned, the less apt taggers will want to go back to that space b/c they'll know it won't stay on long. The less time the tag is up, the less chance the tagger has public exposure and that is what they are looking for.
 
Betsy Reeves is the appropriate Parks person for grafitti on trees - 981-6689 -- the rest of the numbers are accurate.

[from a previous email, they are:

On the sidewalk, streetlight, etc. ­ Kerk Ross ­ 510-981-6482.

On a street sign ­ Roger Mason ­ 510-981-6474.

Garbage, shopping carts, couches on the street (Public Works) - 510-981-6620]

 Look forward to your National Night Out event on August 5, 2008...I believe I saw the beginnings of an organizing conversation..
 
Angela

 

 

 

"Cal wins big in battle over athletic center" reports Charles Burress of the Chronicle.

"An Alameda County judge gave UC Berkeley the go-ahead on Tuesday to clear dozens of trees next to Memorial Stadium and build a proposed athlete training center, a crucial victory for Cal in a protracted battle marked by a widely publicized protest by tree-sitters that began in December 2006.

The long-awaited decision issued late in the day by Alameda County Superior Court Judge Barbara Miller said the university has satisfied environmental and seismic-safety requirements for the project, which has been blocked by a court injunction since February 2007.

Miller said the injunction can be lifted in a week. She postponed removal of the injunction for seven days to give opponents an opportunity to appeal to the state Court of Appeal.

The decision came as a blow to the three plaintiffs that had sought to block the facility - the City of Berkeley, the California Oak Foundation and a neighborhood group, the Panoramic Hill Association. Miller ordered them to pay 85 percent of court costs."

 

 

"East Bay women get business boost" reports Matt O'Brien of our Times.

"Dilsa Lugo learned how to cook masterfully in her Mexican hometown of Cuernavaca, but starting her own Bay Area food business was another kind of challenge.

She knew little English and had a young child to raise. In her spare time, she steamed 200 tamales a week in her West Berkeley home, selling most of them to her husband's co-workers in construction.

If she stopped there, Lugo would be another of countless immigrants finding small ways to patch up household incomes in an informal economy. But Lugo took her business dreams a step further, enrolling in English and entrepreneurial classes, discovering a licensed community kitchen and, this week, obtaining a small cash grant to help grow her budding catering business."

 

 

"Bay Area venture capital thriving" writes the Times' George Avalos.

"The economy may be in a funk, but that news has yet to filter down to Bay Area venture capitalists, who combined for the best quarter in the region in seven years.

Privately held companies in the Bay Area raised $2.96 billion in venture financing during the second quarter of 2008. That was 10.4 percent higher than the funding totals for the same quarter the year before, according to the latest MoneyTree report from PricewaterhouseCoopers and the National Venture Capital Association, or NVCA.
The second quarter of 2008 also topped the first quarter of this year, muscling to a 12.1 percent increase."

 

7/21/08--~11:15 AM--subtle irritant in front room, very dry skin, eyes, mouth. slight burning sensation, over-rides HEPA filters. 1:23 PM--irritant in front room, leave.

    

Kruse guy, Kieron Yancy's

Corvette with the sweetest V-8 sound in recent memory

Tracy likes it but the girls aren't quite sure

 

 

Tyche Hendricks of the Chronicle writes "On blogs and around kitchen tables across the country, mixed-race Americans are celebrating the fact that, for the first time, a biracial person, Barack Obama, will be a major party's nominee for president of the United States.

Obama identifies as African American, and much has been made of the historic nature of his candidacy, which could make him the country's first black president. But he also frequently evokes his mixed heritage: his white mother from Kansas and his black father from Kenya. His presence on the national political stage is being embraced by multiracial Americans as an opportunity to focus attention on the growing population of multiracial people and deepen the debate about racial identity.

'There's a huge level of excitement,' said Jilchristina Vest, co-director of iPride, a Berkeley nonprofit that runs a summer camp for multiracial kids and trains teachers on honoring ethnic diversity. 'He really represents the multiplicity of mixed Americans.' Full story here.

 

My second-cousin Harriet was biracial, perfect nordic-features, perfect tan-skin and tight curly hair. Harriet was great-uncle Max' daughter. Uncle Max, the "first" Pendorf to leave Hamburg, settled in Mississippi in the early 1900s where he worked as an overseeer on a plantation. He came north to Wisconsin with Harriet and raised her, as a single dad in the 1920s, '30s, '40s of America.

Harriet was one of the reasons I spent summers at Bradford beach getting a perfect-tan, always sorry it faded with winter when "hers" never did.

 

 

 

 

 

 

7/24/08

our Gerard emails

Bar a babord

Un homme, bouree, mais alors

tres boure, se trouve dans

un bistrot et demande a un

homme en uniforme.

 

Portier, appelez-moi un taxi.

et l'autre, outre. et hautain.

 

Je ne suis pas taxi, mais

officier de marine.

 

Bon, appelez-moi un bateau.

 

 

 

The Groove Yard's Rick Ballard emails

here are excerpts

 

KCSM Special Shows
 
Below you find a list of upcoming shows on KCSM (91.1 FM):
 
Desert Island Jazz With Alisa Clancy Fri. 9:00 AM

July  25  drummer Tootie Heath
Aug. 1  drummer Sylvia Cuenca
Aug. 8  drummer Jeff Ballard
Aug. 15  pianist Ken Berman

 

I'm Talkin' Jazz Sun. 8:00 AM

July 27 bassist Justin Hellman with Chris Cortez
Aug. 3 pianist Ellen Hoffman
Aug. 10 percussionist Pete Escovedo
Aug. 17  Time 4
Aug. 24 saxophonist Roscoe Mitchell
Aug. 31 trumpeter Arturo Sandoval

 

In The Moment With Jim Bennett Sun. 8:00 PM

July 27  Sepia: Faye Carol, Denise Perrier, Frankye Kelly & Lady Mem'Fis at Yoshi's San Francisco
Jazz Profiles With Nancy Wilson Mon. 9:00 PM

July 28  composer/trombonist Melba Liston
Jazz at Lincoln Center With Wynton Marsalis Tues. 9:00 PM

July 22  Brazilian Rhythms - Today and Tomorrow
July 29  Swing Me A Song: Carmen Lundy 

 

Piano Jazz With Marian McPartland Wed. 9:00 PM

July 23  vocalist Sarah Vaughan
July 30  trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie

 

Jazzset With Dee Dee Bridgewater Thurs. 9:00 PM

July 24  trumpeter Jon Faddis at the Jazz Standard in New York
July 31  vocalist Karrin Allyson at the Kansas City Repertory Theater

 

All Out with Greg Bridges

every Thursday night at 10:00 PM avant garde and free jazz recordings
 

 

Stanford Jazz Festival
 
The Stanford Jazz Workshop summer festival runs through Saturday, Aug. 9. Artists scheduled to appear include: Andrew Speight, Geoff Keezer, Taylor Eigsti, Julian Lage, Ruth Davies, Ambrose Akinmusire, Tia Fuller,  For further information and a complete schedule please visit www.stanfordjazz.org/events
 
San Jose Jazz Festival
 
The 19th Annual San Jose Jazz Festival takes place Friday, Aug. 8 through Sunday, Aug. 10. local artist scheduled to appear include George Brooks, Zakir Hussain, Gini Wilson, Pete Yellin, Mimi Fox, Eddie Gale, Wayne Wallace, John Santos, Alexa Weber-Morales, Claudia Villela, Gail Dobson, Dayna Stephens, Wally Schnalle, Modesto Brisenio, Nicolas Bearde, Mo'Rockin Project, Roberta Donnay, Jonathan Poretz and Shotgun Wedding. For more information and a complete schedule go to www.sanjosejazz.org
 
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. For complete festival info visit www.montereyjazzfestival.org
                       

 

 

 

 

"Amazon.com sees profit its double" reports Rachel Metz of the AP.

"Amazon.com Inc. showed that it wasn't being hurt by economic weakness and high fuel prices, reporting Wednesday that its second-quarter profits more than doubled and surpassed analyst expectations. The Internet retailer also raised full-year revenue projections.

Sales were strong in several sections of Amazon's massive marketplace."

 

BBC NEWS reports "The US House of Representatives has passed a massive housing rescue bill that could help struggling homeowners get cheaper loans." 

 

 

The AP's Anne d'Innocenzio reports "Costco sees 4Q below estimates.

"Costco Wholesale Corp. said Wednesday that its earnings for the current quarter will be lower than expected as it delays raising prices on items from food to patio sets amid soaring energy costs that have accelerated in recent weeks.

Shares in the nation's no. 1 warehouse club operator-which had been one of the few bright spots in retailing-plummeted almost 12 percent Wednesday. Rival BJ's Wholesale Club Inc. fell more than 10 percent as investors see Costco's willingness to hold prices on some products steady as a sign BJ's may have to do the same.

The reduced profit outlook from Costco reflects a dilemma that retailers, particularly low-price operators, face as the economy struggles: whether to raise prices on products-which could cost them customers-or resist price hikes from suppliers as long as possible, a move that depresses profits as they absorb higher costs.

Costco, which sells items in bulk and features gas stations at most locations, has attracted crowds of shoppers as they seek cheaper options. But Costco, like many retailers, can resist for only so long. Most ultimately are passing along the higher prices, which Costco officials said are being pushed by suppliers at a faster and higher rate in recent weeks than before.

That means more financial pain for shoppers."

 

"Berkeley warning residents about possibly rabid bats" writes Doug Oakley of our Times.

"A rabid bat found in a Berkeley backyard has officials warning residents that more may be carrying the potentially deadly virus.

Workers from the Environmental Health Division went to about 60 houses last week in a neighborhood near the intersection of Sonoma Avenue and Hopkins Street to inform residents about the bat and the danger of rabies, said Manuel Ramirez, manager of the division.

'A resident found a bat and took it to the Lindsay Wildlife Museum in Walnut Creek,' Ramirez said. 'It tested positive for rabies, and then they gave us a call.'

The bat was sitting on a garden hose - unusual, and the first sign of danger, since bats typically come out only at night and do not sit on the ground, Ramirez said.

A few days later, a cat in the same area of Berkeley brought home a bat in its mouth, but the bat escaped. The cat was quarantined but has not tested positive, he said.

If a rabid bat bites a human and the person is not treated, the person most likely will die, Ramirez said. According to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, most rabies cases reported each year come from bat bites."

Oh dear me.

 

Andrew Frankel, Berkeley PD PIO emails

Berkeley, CA. (July 24, 2008) ­ City of Berkeley Police Department (BPD) Robbery 
Detectives are asking the community's help in identifying a bank robber and his 
associate.  Based on the quality of the pictures Detectives are optimistic that someone 
may recognize the suspect in the photos above who recently robbed a bank in the City of 
Berkeley.      
 
On July 18, 2008, at about 3:00 PM, the above-pictured suspect robbed the Wells Fargo 
Bank (located within the Andronico's Market) located at 1444 University Ave.  The 
suspect was armed with a small caliber handgun and patiently waited his turn in line 
before demanding cash. 
 
Witnesses described the suspect as:  A Black Male Adult 
      In His Early to Mid 20s 
      Approximately 6-0/180 lbs 
      Medium Complexion   
 
Possibly in the company of a lookout: A Black Male Adult 
   Dark Complexion 
With Short Dread Locks 
 
A $2,000 Reward is being offered through Bay Area Crime Stoppers for Information 
leading to the arrest of the suspect(s).   
     
Detectives are asking for the community's help with this investigation.  Anyone who may 
know the identity of this suspect is urged to call the BPD Robbery Detail at (510) 981- 
5742 or (510) 981-5900 the BPD Non-Emergency Line.  If callers wish to remain 
anonymous they are asked to call the Bay Area Crime Stoppers Tip Line at 1-800- 
222-TIPS (8477). 
 
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7/25/08

I'm told Acme is now using four loading docks, two in their new facility, is curing their new ovens, and has experienced a real increase in the price of walnuts.

 

 

"Berkeley council debates appeal of UC ruling" reportsCharles Burress of the Chronicle.

"Angry shouts of "'Shame! Shame!' erupted in the Berkeley City Chambers Thursday night after the council
declined to appeal a court ruling against the city allowing UC Berkeley to build an athletic training center next to Memorial Stadium."

So, does it follow that elected-leaders who can't maintain order at their own city council meeting aren't very good at maintaining law and order in their city?

aw, gawon.

 

 

Our Claudia reports there was a police action last evening around 6:00 o'clock in the 900 block of Grayson. Two radio cars were envolved. A man was handcuffed at the scene.

 

 

"Scientists figure out what makes northern lights dance" writes David Perlman of the Chronicle.

UC Berkeley scientists steering a fleet of five satellites have unraveled a mystery about what causes the northern
lights to brighten suddenly from shimmering green to flaming curtains of red and yellow.

'We discovered what makes the northern lights dance,' said the fleet's commander, Vassilis Angelopoulos, a leading member of the Space Sciences Laboratory at Berkeley and a UCLA physics professor.

The spectacular light show in the aurora borealis high above the Arctic - and in the aurora australis, or southern lights, above Antarctica - results when bursts of energy from the flaring sun explode violently with Earth's magnetic field far out in space between Earth and the moon to cause what scientists call auroral substorms , the scientists reported Thursday."

And I thought it was magic.

 

 

Cha-Cha-Cha was one of the restaurants featured on KQED-TV's "Check Please" this week. A Cuban restaurant in the Haight, all three guest-reviewers thought it was great. The man who recommended it regularly comes from the far-East Bay to eat there, is an Episcipol priest and a really-big 5x5 guy, and his Mom is Cuban. I saw the program right after dinner and still, listening made me hungry.

 

 

DW-TV reports that farmers in Thailand are returning to water-Buffalo to plow their rice-fields, since diesel has become too expensive for use in their motorized-plows. It takes about six days to teach a water Buffalo to pull a plow.

 

DW-TV also reports that world-wide arms sales "are up 50%, lead by the US."

 

7/23/08--7:26 AM--irritant in front room,wear mask. 7/24/08--7:15 AM--irritant in front room, wear mask. 7/25/08--11:28 AM--SERIOUS irritant in front room, wear mask.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7/27/08

"Look in the sky! See octopi fly!" rhymes Paul David Lampe of the Oakland Tribune.

"'Kites make you feel like you are a kid again,' said Dave Hoggan, 45, a landscape contractor from Antioch.

You'll get pretty much the same story from the six members of the Berkeley Kite Wranglers. They started flying kites when they were children, and the childhood pastime became an adult hobby for these men.

'I think we have all wanted to fly,' said John Khan, 55, a printing press operator from Concord.

The wranglers are inviting community members to join them Saturday and Sunday on their home turf - Cesar Chavez Park at the Berkeley Marina - for the Berkeley Kite Festival as they fly a 100-foot long trilobite, 11 octopi, and host the Japanese Sode-cho Kite-flying Society, which will display

The festival also includes the West Coast Kite Championships, sponsored by the Bay Area Sport Kite League, and a kite-making class for children."

 

 

"Fresh delay stops UC from cutting trees" reports Charles Burress of the Chronicle.

"UC Berkeley has been hit by a new delay in its plan to cut down trees in a grove occupied by tree-sitters
next to Memorial Stadium and build an athletic training center there.

A 17-month-old court order blocking the project had been set to expire after Tuesday, following this week's decision by an Alameda County Superior Court judge allowing UC to build the center.

But on Friday, the injunction was extended at least 20 days following a notice of appeal filed by two groups that sued to block the project, the California Oak Foundation and the Panoramic Hill Association."

 
Our Jarad emails

I finally had a chance to try out the inmate locator recommended by Ryan Lau at Darryl Moore's office to see how it works.
http://www.acgov.org/sheriff_app/inmateSearch.do
 
1. You need to know the person's name -- this means that if you see someone arrested in our part of town, but don't know their name, you are out of luck...it won't work!
 
2. The name of a mugger in downtown Berkeley was published in the East Bay Express http://www.eastbayexpress.com/blogs/armed_robbers_strike_in_downtown_berkeley/Content?oid=797368
 
So I tried out the inmate locator to see if the scumbag was from our neighborhood. I pulled up his record and there is no photo of the guy.
 
The system is worthless for use by neighborhood watch groups, which puts us back at square one. I've asked over and over and over for BPD to provide photos for all felons with stay away orders for W. Berkeley. They have provided 1 photo and since have refused despite a phone call I've had with the office of the Attorney General of California where I was told that if I could get the mug shots as part of a public information inquiry at the courthouse in Oakland by just showing them my CDL, it was a mystery to the State Attorney General's office why BPD can't supply the mug shots of people with stay away orders for W. Berkeley.
 
Is the city attorney too busy wasting my property tax dollars suing the UC about a 1920's landscaping project [instead of clearing] this very irritating . . . road block for the law abiding citizens of West Berkeley?
 
Jarad

 

 

 

"Booming Auto Sales Help Infrastructure" report Boris Kamchev and Jeremy Ventuso in the St. Petersburg Times.

"Experts and consultancy agencies are unanimous - Russia is becoming the most important automobile market in the world. The country overtook Germany as Europe's biggest auto market in the first half of this year as sales rose 41 percent to 1.65 million cars, swollen by demand for models from U.S. and Asian manufacturers, according to PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Between January and June 2008, Russians spent $33.8 billion on 1.65 million cars, compared to 1.63 million vehicles in Germany.

Experts predict that Russian auto sales could reach 3.8 million this year if the present level of growth is sustained. The country currently accounts for 12 percent of the total global auto market, and by 2015, the country's car sales are expected to account for one fifth of global sales growth, or a maximum 6 million cars per year."

 

 

 

"State's home sales have a baffling 17.5% jump" writes the Chronicle's James Temple.

"Sales of existing homes rose nearly 18 percent across the state last month, a surprising show of strength driven in part by increasing purchases of priced-to-move distressed and foreclosed properties, according to an industry trade group."

 

"New home sales fall less than expected" reports Martin Crutsinger of the AP.

"Sales of new homes fell in June for the seventh time in the past eight months, but the decline was less than had been expected, raising faint hopes that the nation's severe housing
recession could be approaching a bottom.

The Commerce Department reported Friday that sales of new single-family homes dropped by 0.6 percent last month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 530,000 units. That was less than half the decline that had been expected and the May performance was revised up a bit."

 

But "Foreclosures double in U.S." reports the AP's J.W. Elphinstone

"The number of households facing the foreclosure process more than doubled in the second quarter compared to a year ago, according to data released Friday.

Nationwide, 739,714 homes received at least one foreclosure-related notice during the quarter, or one in every 171 U.S. households, Irvine, Calif.-based RealtyTrac Inc. said. That's up 121 percent from the second quarter of 2007."

 

And "San Jose bankruptcies lead Bay Area" writes Sonia Narang in our Times.

"This month, nearing $1 million in debt, the veteran real estate agent and San Jose father of three filed for Chapter 13 bankruptcy.

'I have taken upward of 25 phone calls a day from creditors,' he said. 'When you have 25 people grinding on you day after day, it takes a toll.'

Arthur can add himself to the list of 5,941 people who filed for bankruptcy in the San Jose division of U.S. Bankruptcy Court from July 2007 through June 2008. Of the four Bay Area bankruptcy courts,
San Jose's - which oversees Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, San Benito and Monterey counties - posted the highest increase in bankruptcies - 69.7 percent - over the 12 previous months."

 

"FDIC takes over 2 more banks, closing 28 branches" writes Brendan Riley of the AP.

"The 28 branches of 1st National Bank of Nevada and First Heritage Bank, operating in Nevada, Arizona and California, were closed Friday by federal regulators."

 

 

 

"Energy Partnership Focus for Venezuelan President" reports Anna Smolchenko of the St Petersburg Times.

"Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez gave the go-ahead for expanded operations by Russian oil companies and called for an energy alliance with Moscow during an appearance with President Dmitry Medvedev on Tuesday, but he saved a personal invitation to visit Caracas for Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.

During the first leg of his European tour, the outspoken, anti-U.S. leader also held talks on purchasing Russian arms and said the world should jettison the U.S. dollar in favor of the Russian ruble."

 

 

Gerard emails

Il vaut mieux

être soûl que con

ca dure moins

longtemps.

 

 

 

 

 

 

7/28/08

"Sandwiches That You Will Like" is PBS program recently shown on KQED. Here is the program's home page. And check out the KQED Archive and watch the show.

 

Ok, . . . it started by searching Google for Marsha Wacko

And then searching again.

 

As you can see, some of the links are to October 2005.

 

10/6/05

Zelda B on free beer.

"First Person: UC, Berkeley Honda: Free Beer, But No Free Speech" at
Berkeleydailyplanet.com Zelda on Free Beer

 

"Economist predicts slow home sales, high prices" reports James
Temple of the West County Times. "There is a bubble, a bubble in the
number of articles about the housing bubble, according to the chief
economist for the California Association of Realtors."

 

"Bubble talk overblown, says Realtor" writes James Temple of the West
County Times. "The long-booming housing market is moderating, but
fears of a bubble are overblown, according to the chief economist for
the California Association of Realtors."

Remember she's in sales--divide by two.

 

and interesting

 

10/14/05

"West Berkeley Bowl EIR Says Project Won't Negatively Impact
Neighborhood" writes Richard Brenneman of the Daily Planet. "The new
Berkeley Bowl planned for the corner of Ninth Street and Heinz Avenue
in West Berkeley 'would not result in any significant and unavoidable
impacts,' according to the conclusion of the massive draft
environmental impact report (EIR) prepared by Christopher A. Joseph &
Associates, a Petaluma consulting firm."

 

 

Also, with apologies to our Barry Gifford, Google The Mary Poppins Institute of Behavioral Research.

Marsha's current movie recommendation, and required reading for Mary Poppin's Institute grad-students, is Freedom Writers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7/29/08

our Geralyn emails

Aloha Kakou!
The Aloha Festival is this weekend at the Presidio
Parade Grounds. Here's the link for the poster:
/www.pica-org.org/AlohaFest/index.html
My class will be dancing between 10:30 and 11:00 on
Sunday morning. Look for the REALLY big blue muumuu. I
hope you can make it because it is always alot of fun.
A hui hou,
Geralyn

 

 

Foggy Gulch Eric emails

Greetings,
 
You are invited to the Oakland Lakefest Art & Wine Festival this coming weekend, August 2nd & 3rd!!
 
 Time we play: Saturday, 8/2, noon - 12:45PM (the Festival goes from 11 - 6)
 Place: Lakeshore Avenue & Trestle Glen, Oakland, CA
 Price: Free!
 
Our debut album, Fogged In , will be available for a low, low Festival price of $10.00.
How To Get There
There will be a free shuttle provided by Douglas Parking on both Saturday and Sunday. It runs every 15 minutes.  Here is the map: http://oaklandlakefest.com/map.html
Free valet bicycle parking will also be available on Lakeshore at the entrance to Trader Joes.
 
We hope to see you Saturday!
 
 Eric Hughes
Foggy Gulch Band

 

 

Our Jarad emails

Meeting on the City's Crime Prevention Policies
In response to the amount and nature of crime in recent months, Councilmember Darryl Moore will be holding a meeting about the City's Crime Prevention Policies at 7PM on Thursday, August the 7th at Frances Albrier in San Pablo Park, 2800 Park Street between Russell and Ward Streets.  The discussion will be focus around:       Enforcement:  What type of strategies the Berkeley Police Dept (BPD) uses, how BPD uses the various policies at their disposal, what neighbors can do to prevent crime and help police in their investigation, and how the Berkeley Police Department works with other departments to most effectively respond to situations.
      Diversion:  What types of programs are available that are designed to prevent/divert youth from engaging in "at-risk" behavior, what programs are available to engage youth that are already engaging in "at-risk" behavior.
The Berkeley Police Department, City Attorney's office, Berkeley Housing Authority, Parks and Recreation Department, and the Alameda County District Attorney's office will be represented and will be discussing how they fit in to the overall crime prevention strategy of the City, as well as discuss how current policies and strategies might be improved.

 

our Ryan Lau emails

Upcoming Crime Meetings

Meeting on Recent Sexual Assaults
In response to the recent sexual assaults, Councilmember Maio will be holding a meeting at 7PM on Tuesday, July 29th at the Lutheran Church of the Cross, 1744 University Ave between McGee and Grant.  The Berkeley Police Department will be informing the community about the recent assaults, what residents should be looking out for and what precautions they should be taking in order to protect themselves.  We apologize for the short notice, but since the most recent assault occurred on July 22nd, Councilmember Maio thought that it was important to respond immediately.  For more information, please call Councilmember Maio's office at (510) 981-7110.

 

Meeting on the City's Crime Prevention Policies
In response to the amount and nature of crime in recent months, Councilmember Darryl Moore will be holding a meeting about the City's Crime Prevention Policies at 7PM on Thursday, August the 7th at Frances Albrier in San Pablo Park, 2800 Park Street between Russell and Ward Streets.  The discussion will be focus around:

Enforcement:  What type of strategies the Berkeley Police Dept (BPD) uses, how BPD uses the various policies at their disposal, what neighbors can do to prevent crime and help police in their investigation, and how the Berkeley Police Department works with other departments to most effectively respond to situations

Diversion:  What types of programs are available that are designed to prevent/divert youth from engaging in "at-risk" behavior, what programs are available to engage youth that are already engaging in "at-risk" behavior.

The Berkeley Police Department, City Attorney's office, Berkeley Housing Authority, Parks and Recreation Department, and the Alameda County District Attorney's office will be represented and will be discussing how they fit in to the overall crime prevention strategy of the City, as well as discuss how current policies and strategies might be improved. 

 

 

Berkeley Unified School District West Campus/Old Berkeley Adult School Community Construction Meeting
The Berkeley Unified School District will be holding a public meeting at 7PM on Monday, August 4th at the West Campus site, at 1222 University Avenue, BUSD's West Campus Boy's Gymnasium, (Located in the Browning Street Parking Lot).  This meeting is intended to update the community about the District's plans regarding the development of the facility on the West Campus property, for our staff currently located in unsafe buildings. The District has been exploring a second alternative and would like to present it to the community. This meeting is to share the design for Option Two, Rehabilitation of the Bonar Street Building, before both options go before the School Board on August 20, 2008. Option Two will be available for review.

For more information: (510) 644-6066

 

Reminders!

Pandemic Influenza: Are You Prepared? An Alameda County Community Forum
Please join us for a one-day forum designed for Alameda County organizations wanting to learn more about current pandemic flu planning and coordination, what organizations can do to be better prepared, and how to tap available resources.

Speakers include:
      Alameda County Public Health Director and County Health Officer

Dr. Anthony Iton

      California Department of Health Services' Dr. Howard Backer
      Alameda County Public Health Department Deputy Health Officer

Dr. Muntu Davis.

The morning presentations include a County Resource Coordination and Communications Panel with county experts.
Attendees can select three of the afternoon breakout sessions offered, which include:
·       Security without a Bouncer
      SEMS/NIMS/Incident Command System-A First Responders Approach
      Risk Communications-Getting It Straight the First Time (...and What Happens If You Don't)
      Fatality Management-Addressing the Reality
      Dispensing Medicine to the Masses
      Mental Health in a Pan Flu Event
      Community Care-Keeping the Sick Home
      Caring for Patients-What Can the Health System Handle?
      Volunteers-How Do We Use Them?

When:  Tuesday August 5, 2008 from 8:30 am - 4:00 pm
Where:  Preservation Park - Nile Hall at 668 13th Street Oakland (at 13th Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Way)
FREE registration fee (includes continental breakfast, lunch and program materials)
 

 

West Berkeley Circulation Master Plan - Transportation in West Berkeley
Attached is a handout with examples preliminary ranking of possible West Berkeley Circulation Improvements and a PowerPoint presented the Project Area Committee (PAC) July 10th highlighting example projects and geographic areas of improvements.  Please note the PAC moved to include new ranking criteria to consider green house gas emission impacts (using Vehicle Miles Traveled and/or Vehicle Hours Traveled) and Livability (lost parking/retail access impacts) of improvements. Revised criteria will be brought back to the PAC and public for review of proposed project. 

  Public comment on the initial projects and how they may be modified, expanded or eliminated is requested prior to the next meeting.  Please respond by July 24th.  Comments referring to specific improvement numbers in attached list are appreciated, as are additional suggestions.  Please include number where appropriate.

 

 

National Night Out
The City of Berkeley will be participating in National Night Out again this year.  This special national event was founded around the idea of crime prevention and has taken on a larger meaning:  the celebration of our neighbors and our community.

National Night Out is Tuesday, August 5, and we are working to help neighborhoods get their street parties organized.  Anyone can organize a National Night Out party - although we hope neighbors will organize against crime and for emergency preparedness, it is not a prerequisite.  Everyone is invited!

 The Berkeley Police Department website (www.CityOfBerkeley.info/police <http://www.CityOfBerkeley.info/police> - look under "What's New") has information about Night Out, and residents can call 981-5808 to:

·       Get their events registered with the City;
       Get their parties organized, get ideas for block party activities, and learn how to reach out to new neighbors and block off their streets;

       Request a visit by City staff and equipment (like fire trucks and police motorcycles!); and
·       Find a party in their neighborhood.

These are fun events where neighbors can gather, meet each other, and talk about the issues that concern them most.  You can help your neighborhoods by doing two things:

 

      Distribute the attached registration form to residents in your area.  Organizers can call for assistance or simply fill out the form and send it directly to BPD.

       Come out for Night Out! Many residents never make it to a commission or Council meeting, and National Night Out is a chance to meet people on their turf.  We will distribute district-specific lists directly to Council members on the Friday before and the day of Night Out.

 

Crime and violence prevention are major concerns for Berkeley residents, and we are proud to be hosting this event.  These block parties help neighbors learn to know and look for each other, and it is a central mission of this City to foster those relationships.

We look forward to a great Night Out!  There is still time to register, so if you haven't already done so, please print out the attached registration form and return it to

Berkeley Police Department
Community Services Bureau,
c/o CSO Subia #427
2100 Martin Luther King Jr. Way
Berkeley, CA 94704
Or fax to (510) 981-5819

 

 

 

Kubik emails a link to the New Yorker's

"How medical marijuana is transforming the pot industry" by David Samuels

 

"[Last] Wednesday's Robberies Bring Berkeley's July Total to 45" reports Kristin McFarland in the Planet.

"A rash of robberies this week brought Berkeley to a total of 45 this month, up from 25 in July 2007.
Wednesday alone saw two commercial robberies, two muggings and a third attempted mugging. This number does not include the many auto break-ins that occur every day.

'We have seen an increase in robberies this month,' said Berkeley police Sgt. Mary Kusmiss, the Community Services Bureau Supervisor. 'Whether that is going to be a persistent trend, we won't know till next month.'

According to Kusmiss, the trend extends across the Bay Area, with many nearby communities also suffering from an abnormally large number of robberies.

'We're not sure why there has been such an increase, but we're certainly feeling the impact,' Kusmiss said.
Berkeley saw 34 robberies in April, 35 in May and 33 in June. July's total might reach 50 by the end of the month. Kusmiss said that a typical monthly average ranges from 25-40, but this summer has seen continually high numbers.

On Wednesday, a Berkeley man was robbed at 12:07 a.m. in the 2000 block of Emerson Street. The suspect approached the victim from behind, shoved what the victim thought was a gun into his back and took his cell phone, keys and wallet. A second suspect approached the victim from and took his bag, filled with clothes.
At 11:56 a.m., Environmental Concepts, in the 1600 block of 5th Street, was robbed. Two suspects threatened the two employees, a Walnut Creek resident and a San Rafael resident, with a pistol and ordered them to open the store's safe and cash register. The suspects also took the two employees' wallets, leaving with approximately $820 cash.
At 8:59 p.m., a cashier at U.S. Gas Station, in the 3000 block of Shattuck Avenue, was shoved repeatedly by a suspect who took approximately $200 cash from the register that was open while the cashier helped a customer.
At 11:27 p.m., a Berkeley man was threatened with what appeared to be a sawed-off shotgun in the 2400 block of Blake Street and forced to give up his wallet and keys. The victim said he was approached by one suspect with a gun while the other two suspects stood behind him.
On Tuesday, July 22 at 12:05 a.m., a West Berkeley man was robbed in the 2200 block of 7th Street. Two suspects approached him from the left and from behind, one of them holding a pistol to the victim's cheek and taking his wallet, while the second suspect riffled through the victim's bag." 

 

 

"The Wire star hits out at Emmys" reprts BBC NEWS.

"Seth Gilliam, star of gritty US drama The Wire, has criticised the Emmys for being obsessed with sex and violence.

The actor, who plays Sergeant Ellis Carver, spoke out after the critically acclaimed programme received only one nomination for September's award show.

Talking to on BBC 5 Live, Gilliam said: 'The show deals with inner city civil servants and the Emmys would rather fantasise about lawyers and romance.'

Each season of The Wire focuses on a different facet of urban life.
While critics have praised the show's complex drama - Entertainment Weekly called it 'the smartest, deepest and most resonant drama on TV' - it has repeatedly failed to be nominated for any major award." 

 

 

"Berkeley Boosters Police Activities League: A Primer" writes David Manson in our Planet.

"I just finished reading Ms. Scherr's 'article' on the new Berkeley Hosts program, and felt immediately compelled to write.

In doing her background research for the article, Ms. Scherr has proven careless at best, purposely misleading at worst. I will leave it to your readers to make the decision as to which." 

 

 

7/28/08--7:35 AM--SERIOUS irritant in front room, over rides HEPA filters. 7:55 AM--VERY SERIOUS irritant in warehouse front and IMMEDIATELY in front of warehouse, burning eyes, mouth, short breath, over-rides HEPA filters. 2:34 PM--SERIOUS irritant in front room.

 

 

"'Blood oil' dripping from Nigeria" reports the BBC's Andrew Walker.

"Under cover of night dozens of barges queue up to dock at a jetty in a creek somewhere in Nigeria's oil-rich Niger Delta.

Their holds are filled with stolen oil running from valves illegally installed into a pipeline.

Full, they chug downstream to meet around 10 larger ships near the oil export terminal in Bonny, Rivers State, where they disgorge their cargo.

By 0500, in the darkness before dawn, the ships uncouple from the barges and move out in a convoy to sea to rendezvous with a tanker which will spirit away the stolen oil, making it disappear into another cargo, bound for sale on the world market.

It is likely the tanker arrived partly loaded with guns, cocaine to be trafficked into Europe and cash, which they will use to pay for the oil.
Bogus shipping documents make their load - possibly tens of thousands of tons of crude oil - disappear into legitimate markets in Eastern Europe or America." 

 

 

 

 

"Cataracs have clear focus on big-time" reports Abigail Curtis in the Chronicle.

"Two weeks ago, a mob of screaming teenagers overflowed from La Peña Cultural Center in Berkeley. Hundreds more waited in an unruly ticket holders' line that snaked around the block. Some tried to beg and bribe their way'inside the crowded venue.

'How much do you want?" one blond teenager asked the bouncer, flashing his wallet. 'I'll give you money. I'll give you anything.'

A few teens crept around the building, looking for a back entrance to break into the show. And the ones who didn't get in didn't go home - they prowled the sidewalk outside, listening to the muffled strains of music. Some even waited there until midnight. Mariola Fernandez, house manager of La Peña, said she'd never seen anything like it during the four years she's worked there.

What was making these kids so crazy?"

In talks with old friend David Richardson, Robert Porter often comes up, usually as another jazz fan and record collector. But Porter was a great influence to and educator of young jazz players, our Ambrose Akinmusire among them. He spoke of Porter's nurturing and mentoring on his Monday's KCSM interview. And there was a Robert Porter tribute last Monday at Jazz Jam.

Akinmusire is now playing at the Stanford Jazz Festival--you can learn about him here.

 

 

 

 

Selected email from 10th Street residents

Ryan,
We greatly appreciate your involvement and support in addressing the issues of our neighborhood.  A few geographical features are unique to 10th street (btw Channing and Bancroft) that I feel contribute to the activity on the block.  The long stretch of barbed wire fencing bordering East Bay Nursery, and the long stretch sidewalk bordering the Church on 10th and Channing contribute to an
 over all lack of trees / aesthetic appeal.  Why is this important?  A well dressed man, walking erect and confidently is less likely to be mugged.  
We are aware of that the city offers a tree planting service.  However, I am also aware that there is a significant amount of wait time necessary.  I do not know if it is possible, but I am reaching out to you to see if there is any way 10th street be submitted as a priority street at the tree planting office?  If this is possible, I know my building is very interested.  Perhaps we can convince others on the street to participate.
As always, your input and support is valued.
Best,
Jeff

 

Dear Angela and Ryan,
1019 Channing needs immediate attention before this location gets to the point of being difficult to manage.  This is the large blue building that sits on the corner of Channing and 10th Street.  It currently has a For Sales sign.  The crowds have been gathering and sitting on the 10th street side of the low blue wall that runs along the perimeter of the building with increasing numbers and frequency (perhaps because they have been discouraged from other hang out points on the street?).  
Contacting the owner (seller?) to post no trespassing signs might be a proactive start, which gives residents leverage when reporting to The Cops (who do not respond to "loitering" concerns easily).  
We want it to be clear, that loitering, loud noise, public consumption, and littering will not be tolerated in our neighborhood.  The garbage is piling up along that property which, if tolerated, beyond being an eyesore - sends the message that this is acceptable, thereby opening the door to even more serious crime.
Angela and Ryan - any information you can share with us regarding any effort to contact the owner (seller?) of this property will be much appreciated.  
Best,
Jeff

 

Ryan emails

I forwarded to the appropriate people.  I'll let you know when they say they'll be able to get to it.  Also, in terms of the East Bay Nursery's barb wire fence, I don't know that we can do much about that, since they have likely put it there in response to break-ins in the past, etc., but the street trees should not be a problem.  I should caveat with the fact that the property owner, the Church, has to agree to the planting.  I don't imagine that they would have a problem with it, but one never knows. 
Ryan

 

Hi Jeff,
I think this is a very good point that you bring up, and this is something that we will bring up to the urban forestry division.  I know that there are a number of different options for street plantings available and the group should probably discusss this so there is some consensus over the decision.  I will see if someone from the division can meet with the group or at least discuss with one of the members the various options.  Additionally, I would suggest that beyond that, if the group notices any physical infrastructure needs, ie. crosswalks painted out, street signs missing, etc., please let us know as well.  This goes back to the look and feel of the street being indicative to community standards.  I will get back to the group once I speak to urban forestry.  Thanks for bringing this to our attention Jeff.
Sincerely,
Ryan Lau
Council Aide
Councilmember Darryl Moore, District 2

 

Tracy Harvena Deptartment of Public Works emails

Work orders have been generated for your request.  
 W/O # 337803 -- Graffiti  Removal;  Stops Signs & Roundabout signs
 W/O # 337804 -- Graffiti Removal on telephone polesWork order # 337806 has been generated for the removal of the Shopping Cart.
 Graffiti removal on trees is handeled by the Parks Dept.  You may contact the depatment @ 981-6660. 
 
 


 

 

Dorothy L Hernandez emails

There are numerous individuals loitering around 10th and Bancroft (for the last few hours). I called the police about a fight and a squad car eventually drove by- but did not stop and take names, etc...  Is there a special number we are supposed to call?   When I called in, I mentioned that Officer Phelps had told us to report loitering. (of course, we waited until the fight broke out).  In any event, the loitering continues and I can only imagine this is going to lead to a very active evening.

Hi Dorothy,
I believe the best way in which to ensure responsiveness is to request a case # when you call into dispatch and ask for a call back.  If you do not receive a call back, you can always call back to dispatch and reference the case number to see what sort of action was taken.  Also, when officers drive through the area to assess the situation,  I don't believe it is likely that they will be getting out of their vehicles and jotting down peoples names.  From my understanding, patrol officers are generally pretty good about knowing who is involved in the drug trade and who is on probation, etc.  Riding through, they can usually tell who they should be looking out for and I would assume that much of this information is conveyed to patrol officers in their briefings with CSB. 
Sincerely,
Ryan Lau
Council Aide
Councilmember Darryl Moore, District 2 

Eternally useful links

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/

 

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:

Our new Area Coordinator is Officer Karen Buckheit, Berkeley PD - 981-5774 kbuckheit@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