December 2006

 

12/1/06

Kimar who's close to the U.C. Stadium and is more affected by it all then we are down here, emails "California Memorial Stadium, completed in November 1923, is dedicated to University of California, Berkeley students, alumni and other Californians who lost their lives in World War I. Situated in Strawberry Canyon, it remains one of the most beautiful settings in college athletics. . . .Designed by John Galen Howard, with co-designers G.F. Buckingham and E.E. Carpenter, the stadium is modeled after the Colosseum in Rome." There's more here.

 

At birth Margot weighed 7lbs 8 oz and was 19" long.

Ah, . . . the west-Boikley Plan

THE REVISIT!
I've just dusted off my copy of this 223 pager and am now reading, studying
and probing it. Anyone who'd like to join me, please email
ronpenndorf@earthlink.net
I'd specially encourage newbies, as fresh eyes, minds and mouths are needed.
My sense is that the oldies are entrenched, armed with baggage.
If any actual meetings should be held, let me make it perfectly clear, "All
weapons are to be checked at the door!"

 

Bob Kubik emails

We just got two notices in the mail telling us of a meeting of the Commission on next Thursday to discuss the "historical significance" of 2720 and 2748 San Pablo Avenue. That is should they be deemed a City Landmark or Structure of Merit! I believe these are the old YAS property and the Clay of the Land site. More details later.

And, a problem for our traffic department to work on.

 

 

12/3/06

On Thursday, December 7 there will be a meeting of the Landmarks Preservation Commission to consider the historical significance of the buildings at 2720 and 2748 San Pablo Avenue-- the old YAS property and the Clay of the Land site--to determine their eligibility as a City Landmark or Structure of Merit. The meeting will be held at the North Berkeley Senior Center at 7:30 PM.

Personally, I believe John Curl to be a more significant structure of merit. But Potter Creek citizen Bob Kubik emails "I suppose we should get a crowd together to push for the restoration of the YAS site to its former glory as a car wrecking yard."

Kimar thinks the Landmarks Preservation Commission should take on Cal and landmark Memorial Stadium if not already one--it is after all a John Galen Howard work.

 

Yuck!

"Dining out just a Dumpster away" reports Doug Oakley in the West County Times. "Cynthia Powell and Stephen Vajda are unabashed Dumpster divers who get much of their weekly food from garbage cans. The two educated Berkeley professionals -- who are not hungry or otherwise in need -- find motivation in a growing conservation movement whose mantra is that wasting resources, especially food, is shameful."

 

"Solano Stroll director resigns: Bullwinkel steps down after 16 years in post; some merchants decry improvement district" writes the Times Justin Hill. "Citing health reasons, the executive director of the Solano Avenue Association has resigned amid questions by Berkeley merchants of how their assessments were spent."

 

"Women wage war like never before: Female Americans are taking on more and greater roles in conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan" reports AP's Sharon Cohen in the Times.

Speaking of women at war, Cheri Webster was the first female employee at Moe's Books and Records where she fought a continuous battle. I hired her for the record department in the late 1970s when the staff was entirely made up of book and record men. Cheri was also the keyboard player in the punk-band X ray-Ted. They had the 45 Christmas hit "Santa Claustrophobia." Ted sometimes opened for The Avengers at Mabuhay.

 

 

 

12/4/06

Last night was Milo's Second Birthday Party--GREAT fun was had by all, especially Milo who banged enthusiastically on stuff with a fine rhythm and real music sense.

 

"Politics make this couple the perfect bedfellows"
writes Martin Snapp of the West County Times. "As the most powerful political couple in the East Bay, Berkeley Mayor Tom Bates and Assemblywoman Loni Hancock agree on almost every important political issue. The one thing they can't agree on, however, is when to celebrate their wedding anniversary."

 

It's generally agreed that the west-Berkeley Plan is out-dated. But is it terminally flawed? Read Scrambled Eggs soon-to-be-launched west-Berkeley Plan page for some insights from a soon-to-be thirty-six-year west-Berkelian.

 

 

 

12/5/06

Lots of open studios in Potter Creek on the weekends between now and Christmas--buy stuff!

 

Potter Creek's Vanni, the restaurant has closed.

 

Our Janine Johnson emails

It's been a while since I gave a house concert, primarily
because I was editing my new CD of the complete harpsichord solos
from Telemann's "Der Getreue Music Meister", but I have been
practicing again, all Bach this time.

I'm giving two house concerts December 16th, Saturday morning, at
10:30 AM (accompanied by tea, coffee and cookies), and again the
following afternoon, Sunday December 17th, at 3:00 PM. Both at my Derby
Street home, in Berkeley.

I know this is an intense shopping weekend for many, but then again,
perhaps you will want to get a few CDs as gifts, who knows? Along
with my new CD, there will be the usual ones available: All Bach
(mixed, including two English Suites), Bach's Goldberg Variations,
Buxtehude and Pachelbel, Chopin, and Dussek duos. All CDs are $12.00
and the suggested donation for the concert is $10.00.

I am calling the concert "Darkness and Light",
having chosen works of very contrasting character. I hope you can
come!, Please RSVP.

 

PROGRAM
Darkness and Light all J.S. Bach

Toccata in G major
Chorale "Kommst der nun, Jesu, von Himmel herunter"
Chorale "Jesus Christus, unser Heiland"

French Suite # VI in E major

(Intermission)*

Partita # VI in e minor:

 

*If the tuning holds, we can take a vote whether to omit the
intermission on Saturday Morning. I know people will want to be out
shopping. The program is a little over an hour without applause, so
this is possible.

 

 

"The Berkeley Public Library has created an online database of photographs of Berkeley ranging from the 1870s through the 1990s" writes Andrew McGall in the West County Times.

 

Emboldened by his overwhelming defeat for mayor, our Running Wolf has climbed a tree.

"Tree sitters protest plans to cut oaks at UC Berkeley: Opponents of plan to raze oaks for sports complex vow to keep perches until regents relent" reports Kristin Bender in the Times.

 

"ABAG: Berkeley Must Double New Housing" writes Richard Brenneman in our Planet.

 

 

12/6/06

"SFPD has a 'beanbag gun' officers can use to subdue suspects who may be mentally ill" reports Elizabeth Fernandez of the San Francisco Chronicle.

Ex-Buttercupper Mary Kate Connor, now a San Francisco mental health worker, contributed to this story. At the Cup, MK worked with the night crew under later-to-be Nobel Prize winner, Kary Mullis. And MK and I took many a ride on my 750 Triumph Bonneville, . . . and dressed to-the-tens, me in my fedora and pin-stripped suit and MK in her fleecy, fluzzy dress, we went to the opera in Anthony Navone's brand-new Mercedes 300, and heard Janacek's, Jenufa.

MK also introduced me to the best cellist I've ever heard. Check out my "Demicello's Story."

 

12/7/06

Ed Adams' Special 6

Is a hand-built special on a Triumph TR-6 chassis with TR-6 engine, transmission, and differential. The car was built at Steve Moals by Jimmy Kilroy. His own design, Kilroy started it in 1990 and finished it four years later. All body work is hand-formed aluminum, the motor is stock except for three Webers and a high-profile cam. The car will be featured in the upcoming book about custom cars of the Bay Area. Ed Adams is co-owner of one of the 2800 Eighth Street projects.

 

Prime Rib 101 by James Temple is in today's West County Times.

 

"Water conservation alert now in place: EBMUD will use color-coded warnings to tell customers how close they are to required rationing" reports Chris Treadway of the Times.

 

"APL plans to cut emissions. The Oakland-based shipping firm will test new fuel in an effort to reduce pollution according to new state mandates" writes Paul T. Rosynsky in the Times.

 

 

12/9/06

Pete's Potter Creek rain gauge shows .6 inch from yesterday PM to today AM. Richard's shows .4 inch.

Richard's guage shows 2.8 inches from October 5 till today.

As the rainy season begins 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 the Scrambled Eggs.

 

12:50 PM--irritant in warehouse, eyes water, dry lips. 1:20 PM--irritant immediately in front of 2741/corner/2743 8th accompanied by odor. "It smells like, like, . . . I don't know what it smells like" exclaimed Marsha. 1:47 PM--warehouse filled with irritant and odor.

 

A variance of the in-lieu fee for Ed Adams et als' 8th Street project was denied by the Zoning Adjustment Board. The Board recommended Adams take it before the City Council.

 

 

 

12/10/06

 

Commanding General saves embattled Democracy from right-wing coup d'etat! In some Third World country? No, in the 1930s in our U.S of A.

 

And coming this week in Scrambled Eggs, "EXPOSE:The CIA in Potter Creek."

 

Our City Council has passed a new landmarks ordinance, last Tuesday. Also, the Council delayed a vote on the problems of the Solano Avenue Business Improvement District. And the Council unanimously approve a reporting system for manufactures of nanoparticles.

"Landmarks preservation law gains final approval. City also imposes monitoring and disclosure requirements on fledgling nanoparticle industry" writes Martin Snapp in the West County Times. "The Berkeley City Council gave final passage this week to the revised Landmarks Preservation Ordinance, tightening the definition of which buildings can be designated landmarks -- or the lesser, but still protected, category of 'structures of merit.' " Boy, I hope Auerbach and Lipofsky are still included.

"Solano assessment district in jeopardy: Berkeley council delays vote after business owners decry lack of benefits"
reports Martin Snapp in the Berkeley Voice.

A Potter Creeker associated with the Solano Avenue business community says that there is widespread opposition to the plan by the business community and that many business people even oppose the Solano Stroll.

 

"KALX's 'The Sunday Morning Show' Will Be Missed" writes Jonathan Wafer in our Planet. Well, I still look forward to Pete and Julies "Alternate Tunings" series.

 

"Recession not inevitable, report says" writes George Avalos in the Times. "Despite the woozy housing market, California should be able to avoid a recession thanks to a diverse economy that is showing strength in other sectors, according to a report released today."

"Business leaders bullish on Bay Area: Local executives say they see the economy going full steam ahead into the coming year" reports Avalos.

"Poverty moving to suburbs: For the first time, more poor people live outside city centers, a study of the 100 largest metropolitan areas reveals" writes the AP's Stephen Ohlemacher in the Times.

 

"Help needed to restore famed Bethlehem exhibit. It's time again for El Cerrito's most beloved holiday tradition -- the Shadi sculptures. They'll be on display every day from 5 to 10 p.m. at their usual spot, the corner of Moeser and Seaview, from Dec. 13-27." writes Snapp in the Times.

Big holiday party last night in one of the Eighth and Pardee condos.

 

 

12/14/06

 

Pete's Potter Creek rain gauge showed .1 inch from yesterday PM through this AM. And, last Saturday PM through Sunday AM, 1.15 inches about which Pete offered "Rained like the dickens"; Sunday PM through Monday AM .01 inch; Monday PM through Tuesday AM, 1.35 inches.

 

Several residents have complained of the heavy smell of burning wood that hangs in the air almost nightly in the 900 block of Grayson between 8th and 9th. Apparently, what is rustic in the woods of Vermont has become simply an irritant to some in our increasingly dense Potter Creek.

 

Pete and Julie's next "Alternate tunings: Music Made on Bicycles" will air on KALX, Wednesday, December 20 at 9:00 AM.

 

900 GRAYSON did a party for 25 from Sumiko this week.

 

West-Berkelian, Tak Nakamoto emails

[Yesterday] morning, parts of Cesar Chavez Park in the Marina were blocked
off for use as a filming location for the movie"The Kite Runner." Yes
they had taken over the kite flying area and were shooting actors
going through the motions of flying a kite. Except: there's no wind,
no strings, no kites.

There is a showing of Charlotte's Web for the secert movie studio crew tonight. The studio worked on Templeton, the rat and some birds for the film.

Ida Lupino was a pioneering woman film director, her first effort the1949 film, "Not Wanted." There is much more about Ida Lupino and her films here.

 

There's a Delancey Street Christmas Tree lot on the south side of University just east of San Pablo Ave.

 

The Canned Food Store has Johnsonville hot Italian sausage at $2.69--they're in the freezer."

 

"Violent crime surging in Berkeley" writes Martin Snapp of theTimes. "In what Berkeley Police Chief Doug Hambleton called 'a new and disturbing trend,' violent crimes increased in the city in first nine months of 2006, reversing a three-year decline. And he said the police are running out of resources to combat the problem."

 

Running Wolf not fast enough?

"UC Berkeley police catch tree sitter away from post" reports the West County Times.

 

"Rosy labor report belies job seekers" writes James Temple of the West County Times. "Monica Brown has 15 years of marketing and sales experience, nearly half as a manager, trainer or team leader. Today, she's waiting tables."

 

"Droves cash out of Golden State: Census data show more people are leaving than arriving, citing cost of living and quality of life" reports Mike Swift in the Times.

 

"Internment a dark chapter for area family: Concord dentist remembers WWII ordeal as his father fought government, almost lost the right to go home" writes Michele R. Marcucci in the Times.

 

"Firms aim to reverse carbon emissions" writes Terence Chea of the AP in the Times. "Jill Cody used to feel guilty whenever she drove her car or flew on an airplane. She worried about pumping heat-trapping carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and contributing to global warming.But the San Jose State professor found a way to ease her conscience. She paid a San Francisco company called Terrapass to offset emissions from her car and air travel by investing in wind power and reducing farm pollution."

 

"Emissions controls not expected to cruise: Democratic Congress still faces opposition from industry, some lawmakers" reports Frank Davies in the Times.

 

 

 

12/15/06

From Richmond Ramblers Motorcycle Club member, Cliff Miller

 

 

"Berkeley's zoning board approved a controversial plan early this morning to build a Trader Joe's and 148 units of housing downtown" reports Carolyn Jones of the Chronicle. "After more than two hours of public comment and discussion, the Zoning Adjustments Board voted 5 to 3 in favor of the project at University Avenue and Martin Luther King Jr. Way, plans for which have been scaled back significantly since it was first proposed in 2002."

 

 

HAPPY HANUKKAH!

 

 

12/16/06

Many back months of Scrambled Eggs--even as far back as 2003--are now regularly being browsed. Yesterday, well over 200 visitors looked at Scrambled Eggs pages with about 1200 hits.

 

Yesterday about 3:00 PM, a hot pursuit with shots fired raced thru Potter Creek north on 7th Street ending with the pursued vehicle crashing into a residence on 7th and Dwight Way--there the suspects were apprehended. More than ten units from Berkeley and surrounding agencies were involved.

 

Today Chicagoan, Martin Samson picked up his CZ 125 racing bike in Potter Creek. Martin, a recent immigrant from the Czech Republic, bought this as-new 1978 racer from my collection. Here on a transcontinental run, he is transporting the CZ back to his Chicago home in his Volvo 18-wheeler. Martin learned to operate heavy vehicles in the Czech Army where he was a T-54 tank driver. He hopes the racer will someday be displayed a technical museum in Prague. Geralyn and Andrew helped load-up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

12/17/06

There is a two-foot, long very dead raccoon in the gutter directly across the street from 2741 8th. I'm told animal control has been called.

 

Escrow on the Fantasy property will close early next year and I'm told Norheim and Yost's web-site indicates that the Nexus property is in contract.

 

One of the Buttercup favorites in the '70s, were Granny Fenster cookies. Thought to be from a relative of mine, in fact, their recipe was found by manager, Mary Guenther in a 1940s Wisconsin Gas and Electric Cook Book--the Gas Company's. Further confusing their origin, during one of the first bakes, Haley, unknown to me, taped a large handwritten sign to my back reading GRANNY FENSTER

Granny Fenster Cookies

pre heat oven to 375

1 cup Butter (2 sticks)
1 cup Sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 egg yolks
2 cup Flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
Raspberry Jam, Dickinson's seedless (sometimes strawberry is used)
2 cups fairly finely chopped pecans

Cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Beat in yolks and vanilla. Gradually add flour and salt until blended. refrigerate 1 hr.
Shape into 1" balls, roll in beaten egg whites (left over from the yolks used in cookies), then roll in chopped pecans. Place on lightly oiled cookie sheet, (I use parchment paper, you can use nonstick spray also) about 2" apart, gently make indentation.
Bake 5 minutes, remove from oven, you may need to press the indentation again, fill with jam and bake another 10 minutes. Makes about 4 dozen

 

Richmond Ramblers Motorcycle Club, Cliff Miller's holiday recipe.

"This is a wonderful recipe, and it's just in time for the Holidays. Enjoy!

With the holidays coming, here's a fruit cake recipe that will help
take the stress out of this normally stressful time.

Ingredients:
1 cup of water
1 cup of sugar
4 large eggs
2 cups dried fruit
1 tsp. salt
1 cup brown sugar
3 ounces lemon juice
1 cup of nuts
vodka

First, sample the vodka to check for freshness. Take a large bowl.
Check the vodka again to be sure it is of the highest quality.

Repeat.

Turn on the electric mixer, beat 1 cup of butter in a large fluffy
bowl.
Add water, eggs and 1 tsp. sugar and beat again.

Make surr the vodca is still OK. Cry another tup. Turn off mixers.
Chuck in the cup of dried fruitt or something.
Mix on the turner.
If the fried druit gets struck on the beaterers, pry it loose with a
drewscriver.

Sample the vodka to check for tonsistancity. Next, sniff 2 cups of
salt. Or . . . Who cares? Check the vodka. Now sniff the lemon juice
and strain nuts.
Add one Table.

Spoon.
Of sugar. Whatever.
Grease the oven.
Turn the cake ttin 350 degrees.
Don't forget to beat off the turner.
Whip the bowl out the window.
Check the vidka again.

Ah, . . . forget it. Nobody likes fruitcake anyway."

 

Our firehouse -- B.F.D. Fire Station 1 -- collects gifts for children during these Holidays. The firehouse is at 2442 8th Street and you can drop off gifts there anytime. You might also drop off something for our firemen and firewomen.

 

 

 

12/18/06

 

Rex, a manager at Tippett and 900 regular, died as a result of a fall over the weekend.

 

Camp Ashby

Looking east up Potter

 

Richard Finch forwarded his copy the December Berkeley Historical Society Newsletter to me. The lead story is "Camp Ashby." The area now occupied by Weatherford BMW and the former Whole Earth Access, among others was once a military base. Construction of the camp "was started on February 18, 1942 and was completed on March 6, 1942 ." It was activated "on July 1, 1942." The camp was built on thirteen acres and was established "to protect our 'target area city' and to quarter and train the 779th Military Police Battalion (Colored)," an all black unit. (The photo is from the Berkeley Historical Society Newsletter.)

 

"Agency predicts Bay Area will fill in, grow up" reports Janis Mara in the West County Times."The Bay Area will be grayer, more crowded and slightly richer in 30 years, according to projections released [last] Thursday by a regional planning agency."

 

Check out Cocina Poblana at 65th and Hollis just over the border in Emeryville. They serve good, interestingly spiced Mexican-style breakfasts priced from $7.00 to $9.00. I had scrambled eggs with chorizo--eggs were dry but the chorizo home-made and creatively spiced.

 

"Eco-friendly hotel caters to conscientious travelers" reports Barbara E. Hernandez in the West County Times.

10:35 AM--irritant in entire warehouse, dry lips, eyes, skin, slight nausea, light head. 5:46 PM--SERIOUS irritant in front room, leave.

 

 

 

12/19/06

 

Sally's dining pavillion is featured in the January 2007 House Beautiful--available now. Here are some of the article photos.

 

 

 

12/20/06

 

The city storm-drain system is being repaired on Heinz at 8th and 9th.

Well Ok then!

 

The Acme Bread remodel of the old welding building is proceeding a pace.

 

The Kerstin/Andrew wedding pictures will appear in January's "Scrambled Eggs and Lox."

 

Though certainly not news to Potter Creek residents, "Pot is king of cash crops"
by the Los Angeles Times Eric Bailey is worth reading.

 

The "CIA in Potter Creek" will also appear next month.

 

"The city of Berkeley has begun temporarily closing fire stations in a cost-saving move, though firefighters say that's risky during the winter, when heaters and holiday lights are in use" reports Kristin Bender of the West County Times

 

Bender also reports "The city of Berkeley on Tuesday sued the University of California Board of Regents in an attempt to halt a plan to fix Memorial Stadium and build a $125 million sports training complex on the Hayward fault."

 

"Assembly vets Hancock, Chan eye seat in 2008, while third prospect leaves race to replace Perata"
reports Josh Richman in the West County Times. "It's never too early to launch a campaign, or to fold the tent. Both have just happened in the state's 9th Senate District, where Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata, D-Oakland, will be termed out in 2008. Assemblywoman Loni Hancock, D-Berkeley, has thrown her hat into the ring for the seat. Although her Hancock for Senate 2008 committee hasn't accepted any contributions yet, her 2006 Assembly committee still has about $85,000 that could be transferred."

 

"Home construction hits wall" writes George Avalos of the Times. "Iron workers and carpenters work on the large Tesoro Refinery construction project in Pacheco. Despite the apparent slump in residential construction, other forms of construction such as this are picking up the slack. It was bound to happen. The job market for home building in the East Bay has begun to stumble, halting a strong run. Although residential construction continues to grow, the pace of employment expansion in the housing sector is a fraction of what it was earlier this year. However, nonresidential sectors are poised to pick up the baton, a welcome development for construction workers who might otherwise have lost jobs tied to residential realty."

 

"[President Carter] he is staging a literary intervention with the publication of 'Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid,' a book that strongly criticizes Israel and the United States for blocking serious peace initiatives and exacerbating terrorism in the Middle East" writes Josh Getlin in his review of Carter's new book in the Times.

 

 

12/21/06

Oops, go boom!

or

Can you spell atomized?

A thought after last night's earthquake.

In rethinking the west-Berkeley Plan I'd sure-as-hell severely restrict the hazardous materials allowed in the Mixed Use Residential area.

 

Da Boz emails his December report

1. Mayor Bates Sworn in for Second Term
On December 12th, I was sworn in for my second term as Berkeley's mayor. I am truly honored to have the opportunity to serve the people of Berkeley for another term and hope to continue to make great progress in our efforts to improve services to our youth, expand environmental initiatives, provide affordable and workforce housing, build our economy, and run an efficient and effective city government. Please feel free to contact me any time with your ideas, concerns, or questions.

2. Berkeley Holds Second 'Youth Connect' for Homeless Young People
Earlier this month, I sponsored the second "Youth Connect" program to bring a wide range of services to homeless youth at an event on Monday, December 4th. Youth Connect, which was staffed primarily by community volunteers, provided services to over 50 young people - including medical, employment and training, education, DMV, library cards, animal care, assistance to go home, transportation, warrant support and advice, and personal hygiene. This is the only initiative of its kind focused on homeless young people in the country.

3. City Files Lawsuit Over UC's Plans for Student Athlete Center
On December 19th, the City of Berkeley filed suit against the UC Regents over serious public safety concerns regarding the proposed "Student Athlete High Performance Center" - a large underground sports training facility adjacent to Memorial Stadium. While I am disappointed that we have reached this impasse, the concerns raised by our public safety officials, lawyers, and others clearly indicate that we needed to take this difficult step.

4. Robert Reich to Discuss Berkeley's Economic Future on January 25th.
I am honored to join Berkeley City College in hosting former U.S. Secretary of Labor Robert Reich for a discussion of how Berkeley can compete in the new economy. The event is scheduled for Thursday, January 25th at Berkeley City College's beautiful new campus (2050 Center Street).

5. Voters Issue Mandate - Take Aggressive Action to Cut Greenhouse Gases
In November, Berkeley voters called for strong measures to reduce our community's greenhouse gas emissions when they passed Measure <http://www.cityofberkeley.info/elections/measures/2006/Ggreenhouse.htm> G with an overwhelming 81% of the vote. Measure G calls for the Mayor to work with the community to develop and submit an emissions reduction plan to the City Council by the end of 2007. We are now setting up a structure, applying for grants, and researching the work done by other cities and organizations.

6. Mayor Bates Appointed to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission
I am excited to report that earlier this month, I was unanimously appointed to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) by the Alameda County Conference of Mayors. The MTC is the transportation planning, coordinating and financing agency for the nine-county Bay Area. In addition to coordination and oversight, the MTC allocates over $1 billion every year in funding to mass transit, local streets and roads, highways, freight facilities, and bicycle and pedestrian routes in the region.

7. Community Meeting on Pacific Steel Casting Planned for February 1st
I am joining with Council Member Linda Maio and the Bay Area Air Quality Management District to host a community meeting on the emissions from Pacific Steel Casting in West Berkeley on Thursday, February 1st. We will provide an update on emissions and monitoring information, legal actions, and discuss next steps. The meeting will be held at the West Berkeley Senior Center (1901 6th St.) at 7 p.m.

 

 

Our David Snipper emails

Hi folks,

Eight (8) days from today, ALL cell phone numbers are being released to
telemarketing companies and you will start to receive sale calls.

You will be charged for these calls!

To prevent this, call the following number from your cell phone:
888-382-1222.
It is the National Do Not Call Reigistry. It will only take a minute
and it blocks your number for five (5) years.

You must call from the cell phone number you want to have blocked .
You cannot call from a different phone number.

or go to: www.donotcall.gov

David

12/24/06

 

Tonight is a spare-the-air night

 

Richmond Ramblers' Cliff Miller emails

10 EATING TIPS FOR THE HOLIDAYS

1. Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the Christmas spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where they're serving rum balls.

2. Drink as much eggnog as you can and quickly. You can't find it any other time of year but now. So drink up! Who cares that it has lots of calories in every sip?It's not as if you're going to turn into an "eggnog-aholic" or something. It's a treat. Enjoy it. Have one for me. Have two. It's later than you think. It's Christmas.

3. If something comes with gravy, use it. That's the whole point of gravy. Gravy does not stand-alone. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of your mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy. Eat the volcano. Repeat.

4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they're made with skim milk or whole milk. If it's skim, pass. Why bother? It's like buying a sports car with an automatic transmission.

5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control your eating. The whole point of going to a Christmas party is to eat other people's food for free. Lots of it. Hello???

6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New Year's. You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do. This is the time for long naps, which you'll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a 10-pound plate of food and that eggnog.

7. If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa, position yourself near them and don't budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention. They're like a beautiful pair of shoes. If you leave them behind, you're never going to see them again.

8.Same for pies. Apple, pumpkin and mincemeat -- have a slice of each. Or, if you don't like mincemeat, have two apples and one pumpkin. Always have three. When else do you get to have more than one dessert? Labor Day?

9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it's loaded with the mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all costs. I mean, have some standards.

10. One final tip: If you don't feel terrible when you leave the party or get up from the table, you haven't been paying attention.

 

"Where's Zelda?" "Have you seen Zelda?" "What's happened to Zelda?" I've been asked, as if I'd know. Perhaps she's continuing to meet behind closed doors in those non-smoke filled rooms. Perhaps she's out'a town.

WHAT EVER, "HAPPY HOLIDAYS Z!"

 

The West-Berkeley Plan:

some thoughts on my thirty-fourth year in Potter Creek

 

3:56 PM--irritant in front room, dry eyes, lips, sinus congestion.

 

 

 

12/25/06

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

 

 

12/26/06

11:06 AM--irritant in warehouse. Marsha has dry eyes, dry lips, a headache, runny nose. Marsha took a day off from the law firm to do taxes. "It's creepy" she said "You're going about doing your business and slowly you get sick. Go into the back room with the HEPA filters and you're pretty much ok. And if you stay out in the warehouse, it goes way in about an hour or so."

 

 

12/27/06

Pete's Potter Creek rain gauge showed 1.46 inches from yesterday PM through today AM.

 

 

12/28/06

HAPPY KWANZAA!

Our Darryl "the man" Moore answers ten questions put to him by the Planet's Jonathan Wafer.

 

900 GRAYSON made the East Bay's Diablo magazine. Their review is on page 126 of the January issue. Besides recommending the Grayson Burger and The Demon, the reviewer mentions the great care taken with just an ordinary dish, the Hash Browns.

 

Last night Channel 7 News did a story on Green business. Seems the Green image is becoming more and more important in marketing. The Association of Bay Area Governments said last month they had over 100 applications--a previously unheard of number.

Ahh yes, the con is on.

Several years ago one of Potter Creek's recyclers told me that employees of a well-known west-Berkeley environment company told him never to pick up a yellow container from their regular dumpster because it contained serious hazardous material.

 

Oops, go boom, encore!

Another earthshake this AM about 5 or so--2 point something on the Richter.

 

I was going to link the Planet's story, "How Berkeley Voted in the Last Election" until I read the first line "There were no big surprises in the way that Berkeley voters cast their votes this year."

Later.

 

The Nexus property is back on the market.

 

"Residents act to limit big houses" reports Barbara E. Hernandez in the West County Times. "Although most cities don't have a problem with new construction, neighbors who have to deal with months of drilling, bulldozers and a 30-foot "McMansion" that blocks ocean or mountain views may feel differently. It's an issue taking place all over the Bay Area, from Santa Clara to Marin County, with many homeowners finally taking a stand. Nishit Vasavada, a Fremont man who was fed up when his next-door neighbor took out a building permit for a 4,200-square-foot home in his Mission Ranch neighborhood, led a citizen's revolt all the way to City Hall. Vasavada, 37, discovered that the city had no responsibility to preserve the character of neighborhoods. And without a homeowner's association, he couldn't stop large-scale homes even though he could be directly affected by them."

 

Many back-months of Scrambled Eggs are still browsed, August 2004 being a favorite.

 

 

12/30/06

Oops, go BOOM!

"A small earthquake Thursday morning in Berkeley further strained the nerves of those waiting for the Big One, but the temblors are neither relieving stress on the Hayward fault nor acting as a precursor to a larger one, a scientist with the U.S. Geological Survey said" reports Doug Oakley of Times Media. Oakley writes further "Townley [chairman of Berkeley's Disaster and Fire Safety Commission] said Berkeley is in decent shape when it comes to earthquake preparedness, but residents will no doubt have to fend for themselves when the Big One hits."

Kind'a the Hobbesian scenario "Each man is the other man's wolf."

 

"New Berkeley library leader keeping eyes, ears open: Self-professed lifelong book lover wants to get handle on priorities for staff and community" reports Martin Snapp of the West County Times.

 

And, "Closure of landmark book store tops list of biggest stories in 2006" writes Snapp. "A vote to impeach President Bush, the opening of a new college and a mayor who got re-elected by the largest margin in almost 40 years. These were among the biggest stories in Berkeley in 2006. But the biggest story of all was the July 10 closure of Cody's Books' iconic Telegraph Avenue store."

Well, the biggest story in Potter Creek was the opening of 900 GRAYSON?

huh, . . . maybe Sally's dining pavillion making "House Beautiful.

nooo, . . . could be Pete and Julie's "Alternate Tunings" debut on KALX: Pete and Lin's upcoming KALX radio dramas? huh, that's 2007.

Hmm, . . . could be . . .

Bob Kubik's marathon hike in the Sierras?

 

Just before Christmas, Bob sent this email to our mayor and council members

I'm a U.C. graduate in geology and a Berkeley resident
and I applaud your standing up to the University in
its attempts to continue building on top of the
Hayward fault. It is totally irresponsible of the
Regents. If they don't exibit good sense someone must
do it for them.

 

Scrambled Eggs and Lox "Toughest Guy of the Year Award" goes to John Phillips, harpsichord maker. John REALLY toughed-out late Fall, early Winter.

 

Berkeley's Paul Bertolli [former chef at Chez Panisse, now sausage maker] was mentioned in "The Economist," December 23rd 2006. In the last paragraph of a story about cured meats, "Feet in the Trough," the author writes "Bertolli, like other romantics that transform raw flesh into something melting and rich with a little more than salt, air and time, do not follow tradition for its own sake, but because it produces something extraordinarily delicious. And that tradition, like the meat it produces, is something that neither the moths nor worms can spoil."

Well, Ok then!

 

Many back-months of Scrambled Eggs are still browsed, yesterday's favorite was January/February 2003 .

 

 

 

12/31/06

"Daily principles are the real focus of Kwanzaa week: African-American holiday lasts seven days; themes include unity, faith, creativity, purpose and responsibility" writes Cassandra Spratling of the DETROIT FREE PRESS in the West County Times.

 

"WWI vet's estate yields treasure" writes Chris Treadway in the Times. "A 67-year-old house in southwest Richmond, long in disrepair and now for sale, offers no hint of its historic past. But the house's contents, which were sold off at an estate sale in late November, included a treasure-trove of documents that chronicle the lives of one of the East Bay's most important couples and the times in which they lived. George Johnson was California's oldest resident and its last World War I veteran when he died Aug. 30 at age 112. He and his wife, Ida Dulany Johnson, who died in 1985 at age 90, amassed an enormous catalogue of newspaper clippings, photographs and other historical artifacts and documents that paint a vivid picture of the black community before World War II."

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

 

 

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