Charles Mingus

by Jim Marshall courtesy Nick Despotopoulos

 

3/25/10

"Noted S.F. rock photographer Jim Marshall dies" Meredith May, Chronicle Staff Writer.

"Legendary rock photographer Jim Marshall, who captured some of the most memorable moments in music - Johnny Cash flipping the bird at San Quentin and Jimi Hendrix burning his guitar at Monterey Pop - died in his sleep Tuesday in a New York hotel. He was 74. The cause of death was not immediately known.

Mr. Marshall's unparalleled access, technical talent and musical passion merged to create hundreds of album and magazine covers, turning him into a household name among the biggest names in rock 'n' roll. "

One of my most treasured possessions is a dye line photo of John Coltrane by Marshall.

 

 

 

"American Idiot hits Broadway " is a press release at lsionline.co.uk..

"After an acclaimed world premiere at Berkeley Repertory Theatre in California, the new musical American Idiot is set for Broadway.

Directed by Tony Award winner Michael Mayer and featuring music by multi-Grammy Award winning punk trio Green Day, the new rock tuner takes the St. James Theatre beginning 24 March, 2010. Opening night is set for 20 April.

American Idiot follows the journey of a new generation of young Americans as they struggle to find meaning in a post 9/11 world, lived through Green Day's score. The musical includes every song from the album American Idiot as well as several songs from the band's 21st Century Breakdown."

 

 

"Cirque du Soleil showcases gymnastics, music, dance at Breslin" Kate O'Neill, the Lansing State Journal.

"As an environmental science major at the University of California at Berkeley, Tyler Block, a former high school gymnast, still found time to perform with the gymnastics team through all four years of college. Then, toward the end of his senior year, he decided to send his video of the gymnastics masters competitions to Cirque de Soleil headquarters in Montreal. Two months later he received an invitation from Cirque for an audition."

 

 

"Gastronomica, the scholarly food journal, celebrates its 10th anniversary" by Jackie Burrell, Contra Costa Times.

"It's the images that grab you first - a blood-red wedding cake, a tongue lapping up vivid violet sugar crystals, or the black and white photograph of a shapely, naked man wearing nothing but a pretzel lei and a skirt made of collard greens.

But 'Gastronomica: The Journal of Food and Culture' is more than arresting images. It's a scholarly compendium of food writing that makes Bon Appetit seem positively fluffy. Edited by Williams College professor Darra Goldstein and published by the University of California Press, Gastronomica is an intriguing blend of sociology, history, global politics and pop culture, with an undeniable foodie vibe."

 

 

 

" Jupiter Forecast: Cloudy, with Helium Rain: Scientists believe helium is condensing like a mist in the upper layers of the gas giant planet" by Irene Klotz at discoverynews.com.

"It's raining helium inside Jupiter, say scientists who believe that's the best explanation for why the giant planet is so lacking in neon.

When the planets formed out of the original solar nebula, they should have started with an identical mix of ingredients. But a NASA probe that descended through Jupiter's atmosphere in 1995 showed a significant dearth of the trace element neon.

'It was crying out for an explanation,' University of California, Berkeley astronomer Burkhard Militzer told Discovery News."

 

 

 

"New Call In Berkeley For Statewide Styrofoam Ban" is a report at cbs5.com.

"A group of about 40 students from a statewide advocacy organization gathered in Berkeley Wednesday to call for local and state bans on polystyrene, commonly known as Styrofoam, takeout containers."

 

 

 

"UC leaders promise to improve campus race relations" by Matt Krupnick, Contra Costa Times.

"Responding to racist incidents on the San Diego, Santa Cruz and Davis campuses, University of California leaders vowed Wednesday to improve race relations at the 10-campus system."

 

"Divestment bill vetoed at Berkeley" is a report at jta.org.

"The student government president at the University of California vetoed a bill calling for divestment from two companies doing business with Israel.

Will Smelko, the president of the Associated Students of the University of California, Berkeley, shot down the bill Wednesday, the Daily Californian reported. The association's Senate had passed the bill last week by a 16-4 margin. "

 

 

 

"Median tax to restore higher education: $32" opines Stanton Glantz at sfgate.com.

 

 

 

 

"Eurozone Unworkable in Present State" opines Edward Harrison at seekingalpha.com.

"The Eurozone treaty genie is out of the bottle and there's no way to put it back in. In my last piece, I pointed to a WirtchaftsWoche article which quoted German Chancellor Merkel as wanting to 'improve' (weiterzuentwickeln) the Eurozone's basis by revisiting treaty arrangements. Over the short-term, this is not likely to occur because of the sheer complexity of the matter. However, over the longer-term, changes are inevitable because the Eurozone is completely unworkable in its present setup."

 

 

our Ryan Lau emails

Berkeley Earth Day Celebration and Shoreline Cleanup
Earth Day is a day to promote awareness and appreciation for the Earth's environment. It is on 22 April. It was founded by U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson (D-Wisconsin) as an environmental teach-in in 1970 and is celebrated in many countries every year. The first Earth Day was in 1970.

Nearly 20 million Americans participated in the first Earth Day celebration on April 22, 1970. In the decades since, Earth Day has spread across the globe with thousands of events in more than 180 countries. From its beginning, the event influenced environmental politics, triggering such national legislation as the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act. "Earth Day is a commitment to make life better, not just bigger and faster," the organizers of the first celebration wrote in their manifesto. "It is a day to re-examine the ethic of individual progress at mankind's expense."

Please join us for our 40th Annual Earth Day Celebration on Saturday April 24, 2010 at 12 noon - 5:00 PM in Civic Center Park on Martin Luther King Way and Allston Way.  The event will be featuring
Cultural Performers
Earth day Dance, Reggae Angels, Venezuelan Music Project
Activities
Demonstrations of biodiesel and electric, solar power
Berkeley Farmer's Market
Climbing Wall, Chalk4Peace
Vegetarian Food, Craft and Community Booths
Also, in preparation for Earth Day, please come join with others on this global day of service to cleanup our shoreline.  It will be on Saturday, April 17th 2 1/2 hour cleanup at your time choice between 9am-3:30pm
To register for the Berkeley Shoreline Cleanup, find out about other Bay Area Earth Day events or just get more information, please visit www.bayareaearthday.org.
 
 

Grant Workshop for Chancellor's Community Partnership Fund
Grant Workshop on Wednesday, April 7th from 5:30 ­ 7:30 PM at the
North Berkeley Senior Center (1901 Hearst Avenue at Martin Luther King Jr. Way)
 
BERKELEY - The Chancellor's Community Partnership Fund at the University of California, Berkeley, is now accepting grant applications for its 2010-11 grant cycle. The fund will distribute $225,000 in grants this year to support projects and programs that link UC Berkeley faculty, staff and students with residents and community-based organizations to improve the quality of life in Berkeley.
 
Established in 2006, the fund has awarded more than $800,000 to over 60 diverse neighborhood improvement projects and community service programs that utilize collaborative relationships between UC Berkeley and the community to address critical needs.
 
This year, campus and community members are encouraged to develop collaborative partnerships that will yield real-world results in the areas of community safety and livability, environmental stewardship, education, and arts and culture.
 
"I am excited about the opportunities the fund offers to help forge closer connections between the community and the campus," said Caleb Dardick, director of UC Berkeley's Local Government and Community Relations Office.
 
An advisory board of city, campus and community representatives developed the goals, criteria and process for awarding partnership grants and will review and recommend projects for funding. Grant proposals are due by May 14, 2010. The grant awards will be announced in July 2010.
 
The fund will host a workshop for interested applicants as well as potential community or university partners on Wednesday, April 7th from 5:30 ­ 7:30 PM at the North Berkeley Senior Center (1901 Hearst Avenue at Martin Luther King Jr. Way).
 
The Chancellor's Community Partnership fund Web site is http://communityrelations.berkeley.edu/ccpf. Its e-mail address is calpartnershipfund@berkeley.edu
 
Contact Information:
Chancellor's Community Partnership Fund
UC Berkeley Office of Local Government and Community Relations
Telephone: 510/643-5299
E-mail: calpartnershipfund@berkeley.edu
Web: http://communityrelations.berkeley.edu/ccpf

Sincerely,
Ryan Lau
Council Aide
Councilmember Darryl Moore, District 2

 

 

 

 

 

 

3/26/10

"California Shakespeare's 15th annual gala, on Saturday night, was a loving tribute to Jonathon Moscone, who's been with the company for 10 years and was celebrated by at least two former bosses, producer Carole Shorenstein Hays and Berkeley Rep's Tony Taccone" is part of a mention at sfgate.com.

 

 

our Angela emails

RACE: Are We So Different?
UC Berkeley's Lawrence Hall of Science
January 30­May 2, 2010

It's a simple truth: People are different.

Throughout history, these differences have been a source of community strength and personal identity. They have also been the basis for discrimination and oppression. This exhibit provides an opportunity to understand race from a biological, cultural, and historical perspective through engaging, hands-on science experiences; real artifacts; and videos that present people's unique stories.

Learn More:  http://lawrencehallofscience.org/visit/exhibits/race

 

 

"Pushcart Prize" is a story by Stephen Metcalf about our VIKs. It's at nytimes.com.

"In Berkeley, the lure of Indian street food has turned one shop into a culinary sensation."

 

 

 

"California Puts Legalizing Marijuana on Ballot" is a report by Richard C. Paddock San Francisco Correspondentat AOLnews.

" California voters will decide in November whether to legalize personal use of marijuana and impose a tax that could raise more than $1 billion for financially struggling state and local governments.

California Secretary of State Debra Bowen announced Wednesday that an initiative known as the Regulate, Control and Tax Cannabis Act of 2010 has qualified for the ballot. Sponsors of the measure submitted 694,248 signatures, far more than the 433,971 they needed to win a place on the Nov. 2 ballot."

I'm told that out-of-town growers are looking at west-Berkeley warehouse space for growing cannabis. RP

 

 

 

"Liberal Activist Says 'Cognitive' Brain Patterns Prevent Conservatives From Accepting Threat of Global Warming" by Penny Starr, Senior Staff Writer.

"Proponents of human-caused global warming claim that 'cognitive' brain function prevents conservatives from accepting the science that says "climate change" is an imminent threat to planet Earth and its inhabitants."

Aw jeez! RP

 

 

WEIBACers glassman, George Chittenden, and lobbyist, Rick Auerbach

a wsj photo by Darcey Padilla

Quote from the East Bay Express story on change in west-Berkeley.

"As for West Berkeley's NIMBYs, they not only oppose dense housing, but most of the green-tech businesses as well. . . .

Auerbach also apparently intends to use any means necessary to achieve his goals, including turning the Climate Action Plan on its head. . . ."

 

Quote from the Bay Area Wall Street Journal story on change in west-Berkeley.

"Hoping to protect existing businesses like Poly Seal, Mr. Auerbach has been taking city officials on tours of West Berkeley with the aim of demonstrating that the neighborhood is thriving without rezoning."

Corrections and amplifications from the Wall Street Journal story about change in west-Berkeley.

"Rick Auerbach supports green technology as well as rezoning in some sites in West Berkeley, Calif., to increase green tech businesses, but believes broad zoning changes are unnecessary."

 

 

WEIBACer, glassman neighbor, George Chittenden

a wsj photo by Darcey Padilla

moulding glass

 

 

 

 

 

3/27/10

Nick Despotopoulos emails

 

A quick thanks for the many emails and calls over the last 2 crazy days (site received 50,000+ hits today) - means a lot to me.

Jim was a good friend, a crazy but fair guy to do business with and a true American original. He was a huge part of my life
and I will fucking miss him...

Peace,

Nick

 

A few Jim Obits very much worth reading and some other interesting links as well

KTVU SF TV Station article with Video Interview with Jim (from 2007)

 

http://blog.apasf.com/?p=900

http://www.chroniclebooks.com/blog/?p=4656

http://theonlinephotographer.typepad.com/the_online_photographer/blog_index.html

http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/03/24/jim-marshall-photographer-of-rock-stars-dies/

http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2010/03/24/jim-marshall-legendary-rock-photographer-passes-away-at-74/

http://www.brooklynvegan.com/archives/2010/03/rock_photograph.html

Nick Despotopoulos

 

 

 

"Berkeley Tackles $14.6M Budget Deficit, Plans Refuse Rate Increases" by Riya Bhattacharjee in our Planet.

"A severe cash crunch has sent the City of Berkeley scrambling to find ways to stay afloat in a tough economy, including a two-year rescue plan whose blueprint City Manager Phil Kamlarz presented to the City Council Tuesday."

 

 

"Berkeley City Council Votes to Support Center Street Plaza" by Riya Bhattacharjee in our Planet.

"When it comes to its city's downtown, the Berkeley City Council can be extremely picky. But on Tuesday, a concept for creating a plaza with a water feature on Center Street received its blessing.

The council voted 8-1 close to midnight on a resolution supporting the proposed project, which is being called the Strawberry Creek or the Center Street Plaza. Councilmember Susan Wengraf cast the only no vote."

 

"How Pixar Creates Great Films and Balances Art, Tech and Success" is a story at ftcpublications.com.

"Here at The Economist Innovation Conference in Berkeley, California, hundreds of thought leaders have gathered to discuss the process, politics and economics of innovation.

How do you create an innovative technology? How do you balance innovation and economics? What fosters great ideas? On stage earlier today was Ed Catmull, the president of Pixar and Disney Animation Studios, who spoke to a lot of these points. He was interviewed by Economist correspondent Martin Giles; He also answered question from the audience.

Here's a small sampling of his thoughts on how innovation and innovative companies are created."

 

 

 

"China Establishes New Limits On Google" is a report at bernama.com.

"China has introduced a swathe of new limits on media coverage of the world's largest search engine run by Google Inc., Yonhap news agency reported, citing a U.S.-based research network at the University of California, Berkeley on Friday."

 

 

 

 

 

 

3/28/10

"Second driver this week dies in fatal I-80 crash in Richmond" by Karl Fischer Contra Costa Times.

"A motorcyclist lost control, crashed and died on Interstate 80 near Carlson Boulevard in Richmond on Thursday night, the second driver killed along that stretch of freeway this week.

The victim, 41-year-old Berkeley resident Dayna Seico, lost control in the right westbound lane about 8:50 p.m., veered into a barrier and flew off her 1992 Kawasaki into foliage along the side of the freeway, CHP Officer Sam Morgan said. The cause remains under investigation."

 

 

 

"Improved Quality Food to be Given a Priority in School Lunch Program" writes Prakash Sharma at topnews.us.

"Hunger-Free Kids Act 2010 was cleared after the final vote by Senate last Wednesday. This bill is expected to increase the effectiveness of lunch programs under a project in Berkeley, California.

The initiative promises to offer healthy, freshly prepared and good to taste meals with seasonal items that are collected from sustainable farms and sent directly to all of Berkeley's public schools to be served to students."

 

 

 

"Legalization And Cheaper Weed" opines Nick Gillespie at the atlantic.com.

"Black market dealers in California are worried that legalizing pot will drive them out of business. Nick Gillespie rightly feels no pity: "

 

 

"Why Do People Swear?" by Emily Sohn at newdiscovery.com.

"When the Vice President dropped the f-bomb this week, he sparked a flurry of controversy, but'researchers point out cussing has been around for centuries.

"This week's historic health-care vote evoked strong reactions across the United States, including from the vice president of the United States. "This is a big f-ing deal,' Joe Biden whispered to Barack Obama, as the men shook hands in front of a cheering crowd and an open mic."

 

 

 

 

 

3/29/10

smokin' issues aside

 

 

 

Quote of the week from our Tracy

"The secret of living is not in having all the answers but in pursuing unanswerable questions in good company" Rachel Remen

 

 

The French School bought the building and surrounding property of their 8th Street campus. Escrow closed this past Thursday

 

 

Our Ben hit a Grand Slam homer to win a NOLL-SOLL game in extra innings.

Last Sunday, Ben's Tigers were playing the A's --the Tigers tied it up in the 6th 5-5 forcing the game into extra innings. In the 1st of the 7th, the A's got three runs going ahead 8-5. BUT, in the last of the 7th Ben came to bat and with 2 outs and a 3-2 count hit his Grand Slam, winning the game 9-8.

Ben's Grand Slam is here on youtube.

 

 

 

"Late professor a hero at and beyond Cal" by Martin Snapp at insidebayarea.com.

"A brave man died two weeks ago.

On March 12, UC Berkeley Professor Emeritus Charles Muscatine, a renowned Chaucer scholar and one of the best teachers on campus, died at age 89 at the Kaiser Permanente Medical Facility in Oakland.

But his most enduring fame will be for his heroism 60 years ago, when he was a young assistant professor at Cal. It was the height of the McCarthy hysteria, and the regents of the university ordered every faculty member to sign a loyalty oath swearing that he or she wasn't a communist.

Muscatine refused and was fired, along with 30 others.

Not that he was a communist, of course. But this was an obvious invasion of academic freedom, as well as the Constitution."

 

 

 

 

"Going Radically Green with Residential Solar Power" is a pitch by solor contractors at solar.calfinder.com.

"The story goes like this: Homeowner A calls Solar Contractor B. Gets an analysis, sleeps on it, applies for this or that rebate, tax credit or municipal loan and goes solar. In a sentence full of operatives, you might not notice that powerful and exclusive word hitting lead-off: homeowner. Solar power is very much about getting solar panels on to more and more rooftops, but it's not only homeowners who can take solar energy and funnel it into a light bulb.

Most anyone can get "radically" sustainable with home solar power these days. If you live in any one of the 29 states with mandatory renewable electricity standards (RES), a number of avenues are already mapped for you on the road to home solar power.

solar contractor

Utilities need renewable energy and they need it now - a fact that's pushed many to come up with innovative ways to get their customers to purchase renewable energy.

Options are out there for everyone. Check out yours below."

 

 

Much has been made in the local, national and international press about our Berkeley FIRST program, a program which finances solor installations.

Here is an explanation at our city website.

"Berkeley FIRST

Financing Initiative for Renewable and Solar Technology Berkeley FIRST House

Berkeley FIRST is the City of Berkeley's solar financing program. The recently concluded pilot program provided property owners an opportunity to borrow money from the City's Sustainable Energy Financing District for the installation of solar photovoltaic electric systems. The pilot was the first in the nation to finance the cost of solar installations through an annual special tax on the homeowner's property tax bill that is repaid over 20 years. To follow up on the pilot, the City has joined with a state-wide consortium developing a California FIRST program.

Berkeley FIRST was designed to solve many of the financial hurdles facing property owners who wanted to install solar systems. The advantages of the Berkeley FIRST program are:

There is relatively little up-front cost to the property owner.
The cost for the solar system is paid for through a special tax on the property, and is spread over 20 years.
The financing costs are comparable to a traditional equity line or mortgage.
Since the solar system stays with the property, so does the tax obligation-if the property is transferred or sold, the new owners will pay the remaining tax obligation."

But this is simply a pilot program of only thirteen installations--not a fully operational city program. So we got a lot of "Berkeley's on the cutting edge" world-wide out of thirteen pilot installations.

I'm reminded of a decades old TV burger commercial featuring a little ole lady who, after opening a competitor's budget-burger asks "Where's the beef." RP

 

Oh ya, last week I left a message on the answering machine of some guy named Moe in Da Boz' office asking for details of the program. So far no response.

 

 

 

 

"AT&T Seeks To Expand Market, Targets Dogs" by Jennifer Johnson at hothardware.com.

"Considering 91% of Americans carry a cell phone, there are not a lot of new customers for wireless carriers to target. That is, unless you start considering non-human customers. That's just what AT&T has in mind with a new dog collar that can connect to the Internet. . . .

The dog collar was developed by Berkeley, California-based Apisphere. "

 

 

 

 

"Bay Area arts groups survive on the edge" by Karen D'Souza at contracostatimes.com.

"It's a twist of dramatic irony worthy of the stage: Major Bay Area arts groups are, surprisingly, having a robust year at the box office, but slumping donations, absentee tech giants, and diminishing government and foundation funding have left many of them limping out of the long, hard recession.

'This is shaping up as our most difficult year yet,' says Andrew Bales, president of Symphony Silicon Valley. 'We continue to fight the good fight.'

Attendance has increased this season for theaters, symphonies and museums from San Jose to San Francisco and Oakland. However, ticket sales are only a slice of the fundraising pie - about 34 percent nationwide, research by the National Endowment for the Arts shows. So just when arts leaders deserve to bask in their standing ovations, they are having to lay off performers, cut shows and crunch numbers as aid dwindles and, in the valley, most of the tech sector 'ails to chip in.

Even Berkeley Rep, which had its biggest seller ever last fall with the world premiere of the Broadway-bound Green Day musical 'American Idiot,' is hustling to break even by cutting staff 7 percent and trimming production expenses."

 

 

 

 

"Calif. pot vote isn't just hippies versus cops" is an AP report in the West County Times.

"Now that a proposal to legalize pot is on the ballot in California, well-organized groups are lining up on both sides of the debate. And it's not just tie-dyed hippies versus anti-drug crusaders."

 

 

 

 

 

3/30/10

Inkworks mural

3/28/10

 

 

 

Hello Ron,

I was returning on a Southwest Air flight at the Oakland Airport and saw our neighbor Peter Hurney's work in a display there of handcrafted musical instruments, the exhibit showcases 3 or 4 pieces by Pete, amazingly crafted ukuleles. If you are in the terminal 2 on the Southwest Air sides, it's worth a view. http://oaklandliving.wordpress.com/2010/01/08/appreciating-art-at-the-oakland-airport-part-3/

Best,
Cameron

 

 

"Cost to California of tax breaks for green-tech equipment questioned" is opinion at latimes.com.

"Schwarzenegger and legislators say the state won't lose a cent because the credits will lure firms and create jobs. But economists and other experts say the claim is misleading."

 

 

 

"California seniors are healthcare reform's big winners" by Adrienne Verrilli at calvn.org.

After months of some lawmakers making questionable statements about what health insurance reform meant for our nation's seniors - death panels, killing Medicare, etc. - a report that received virtually no attention found that seniors are actually the big winners from national health insurance reform.

Of course, no American would know this as the media was and still is more interested in propping up the tea party movement and reporting on the politics of reform as opposed to informing the public of the actual content in health insurance reform itself.

In fact, earlier this month, the UC Berkeley School of Law, Center on Health, Economic and Family Security and the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research issued a report How Would Health Insurance Reform Impact California Senior Citizens? The report analyzed the impact of the Senate bill recently passed by the House of Representatives and signed into law by President Obama, as well as the reconciliation bill to become law on Tuesday, March 30 would have on California seniors.

The report found that seniors' prescription drug benefits will increase, access to primary preventative health care services will improve, Medicare's solvency will be better protected and long-term health care options will increase while protection for benefits will be greater.

The following are the report's specific findings."

 

 

 

"Confusion Over Medical Marijuana Rules, and Mall Parking Erased for Green Cars" is at nytimes.com.

"How Much Medical Marijuana Is Too Much? | Police, prosecutors and defense lawyers have struggled with the question of how much pot a medical marijuana patient may possess since the California Supreme Court threw out a conviction and struck down a state law that imposed an eight-ounce limit. Instead, patients are entitled to a 'reasonable' amount of the drug for their ailments, the court said in its January ruling. The ruling has resulted in a number of marijuana cases being dismissed; other trials ended in acquittals. Law enforcement agencies around the state are struggling with the aftermath of the ruling. 'Gray is not a good color for the law,' said Gerald Benito, the Shasta County district attorney, who dismissed a case this month. 'It makes it very difficult for us to enforce the law - I think everyone is crying out for a clear line.' "

 

 

 

"California Watch Creates Map of UC Berkeley's Seismically Unsafe Buildings" is a report at sfirst.com.

"California Watch put together this handy map detailing seismically unsafe structures at UC Berkeley. 'Although it has fixed many of the buildings, the system still has 102 buildings rated as 'poor' and 10 rated as "very poor," ' notes California Watch.

Most notably, Daily Clog points out, the Greek Theatre could be the first to crumble to bits during a big quake. Does the university, as one concerned California Watch commenter wonders, have an evacuation plan for the 70,000 people the stadium can hold? We sure hope so."

 

 

 

"Berkeley man accused in phone-theft ring" Henry K. Lee, Chronicle Staff Writer.

"A Berkeley man has been charged in federal court with masterminding a spate of break-ins of AT&T stores in four states in which burglars broke in through buildings next door, then gave him stolen cell phones to resell, court records show.

Steven Castro was identified through phone records as the "only link" between burglars who have broken into 40 AT&T stores since 2008 in Northern California, Washington, Oregon and Nevada, and 'fencers' who sold stolen phones on Craigslist and eBay, authorities said.

Castro was charged Wednesday in U.S. District Court in San Francisco with sale or receipt of stolen goods.

The burglars typically broke into businesses or hallways next to AT&T stores before punching through the drywall to steal high-end cell phones, U.S. Postal Inspector Kristine Kearney wrote in an affidavit."

 

 

 

 

 

"Militia Members Charged in Plot to Kill Police Officers" by Alex P Kellogg at wsj.com.

    "Seven members of an anti-government militia group were arraigned in federal court here on Monday, charged with conspiring to kill a law-enforcement official in hopes of starting a 'war' against the U.S. government.

Two others who were arrested over the weekend have yet to appear in court, and a 10th person believed involved in the matter remains at large.

The seven who were arraigned in court today were ordered held without bond until further hearings later this week. Arrests took place over the weekend, primarily Michigan, along with two in Ohio and another of an Indiana man who had fled to Illinois.

The group, known as Hutaree, planned to kill an unidentified local law-enforcement official in April and then attack local, state and federal officers who come to Michigan to attend the official's funeral, the U.S. Attorney for the Easter District of Michigan said in a statement.

According to an indictment of the nine individuals, which was unsealed on Monday, the group had planned to use homemade bombs and had practiced attacks and other military maneuvers with automatic weapons for more than a year. 

After attacking the funeral, the group planned to retreat to a remote 'rally point' from which Hutaree members would fight off an expected response by law enforcement, the U.S. attorney's office said in a statement. "

 

 

 

 

 

 

3/31/10

Ken, Acme driver and foreman says they're establishing another route in SF to better serve those customers in the city's northwest.

 

The mayor held a Green Roundtable at Berkeley Mills two weeks ago. It was attended by over twenty invities.

 

There was a two car accident on San Pablo around the Albatross about 10:30 this morning. One car crashed into the store window of an adjacent shop the other spun around" reports Alicia, sever at 900 GRAYSON.

 

Just who was that young lovely having lunch with our Rick at 900 today?

 

 

 

Da Boz emails his March report (excerpts)

 

New Downtown Plan Highlighted in the New York Times

Daniel Weintraub of the New York Times interviewed me for a recent article about my Downtown Area Plan.  See the full article here and read more about my blueprint for revitalizing Berkeley's downtown: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/21/us/21sfpolitics.html
 

 

1st Annual Green Career Exploration Fair a Success

On March 19th my office in partnership with the East Bay Green Corridor hosted the first annual high school Green Career Exploration Fair. 
 
Students came from Berkeley High School, El Cerrito High School, Emery Secondary, Oakland Tech High School, Richmond High School, Skyline High School and San Lorenzo High School.  Each of these schools is developing a dynamic Green Career Academy that will prepare our young people for the jobs of today and tomorrow.  This Green Career Exploration Fair was an opportunity for local organizations to show-off their business to future employees, customers, and advocates.
 
Video Links: 
BHS Green Fair 2010 Part One: [ http://vimeo.com/10341836]
BHS Green Fair 2010 Part Two: [ http://vimeo.com/10342829]
 

 

Renewable Energy Reception

Last week I hosted a reception for Berkeley-based renewable energy companies.  Representatives from over 25 companies came to Berkeley Mills to tell me more about their product or service as well as discuss their experience doing business in Berkeley. 
 
Attendees also had a chance to hear about local (West Berkeley's Enterprise Zone) and statewide (Senate Bill 71) initiatives that may be beneficial to their operations.  Companies included bio fuel start ups, international solar companies and plug in hybrid electric vehicle integrators.
 

 

Berkeley FILM Foundation Grant Applications Available for 2010
 
The City of Berkeley, Wareham Development and The Saul Zaentz Company are pleased to announce the 2nd year of the Berkeley FILM Foundation grant-giving program for independent filmmakers.  The mission of the Foundation is to nurture, sustain and preserve the thriving Berkeley Film community. The Berkeley FILM Fund focuses on supporting the ideals reflected in Berkeley culture: social, historical and innovative documentary and dramatic works.
 
Click here for more information and the grant application: http://visitberkeley.com/film-office/berkeley-film-foundation
 

 

Center Street Art Walk Pilot Program Launched

We have launched the Center Street Art Walk (C-SAW!) - a pilot fine arts festival that will take place for eight consecutive Saturdays starting this summer.  The objective of the pilot project is to enliven the Downtown and expand the offerings of the Downtown Berkeley Arts District. 
 
This pilot program will also serve as an initial step in the proposed revitalization of Center Street.  In preparation for this pilot, organizers are looking for interested artists. 
 
Please visit: http://www.anotherbullwinkelshow.com/ for more information.
 

 

Attention Local Businesses and Artists - Downtown Art Project
 
There are 60 Utility Boxes within the Downtown Berkeley Area. All of them are grey. The 60 boxes project will work to transform these boxes into art. Using the theme Sustainability we will create 60 mini-murals on the boxes around town and create a walking tour website for the public.
Earth Island Institute has support from the Civic Arts Commission to produce this effort, secure funding, hire artists and begin painting.
 
Attend this workshop to get involved in this project:
What: Artist and business meet and greet with the 60 boxes project
When: Thursday,  April 1st at 6 p.m.
Where: Earth Island Institute, at the David Brower Center - 2150 Allston Way, Suite 460
Hosted by: Ariana Katovich and Julia Robertson
Contact: 510.859.9154

 

 

 

 

"The Chocolate Seder" by Erin Wade for the Bay Area News Group.

"The Passover crystal gleams, the silverware is polished, and the Seder plate is filled with ... chocolate?"

 

"Collapse, Inspired by a Minnesota Tragedy, Will Get World Premiere in California" by Kenneth Jones at playbill.com.

"Aurora Theatre Company in Berkeley, CA, will present the world premiere of Allison Moore's Collapse, directed by Jessica Heidt, as part of the National New Play Network program."

 

 

 

"In the drug war, drugs are winning" Steve Chapman, Chicago Tribune columnist at ocregister.com.

"When someone next door is coping with trouble, the neighborly thing to do is help. Mexico has a growing problem with extreme violence. And many people in California have a good idea of how to help.

Mexico has been wracked by murders connected to the drug trade. Last year, it suffered more than 6,500 drug-related killings, triple the number in 2007. And 2010 looks worse.

As of mid-March, more than 2,000 people have died in drug-related homicides ­ which puts Mexico on pace for more than 10,000 such deaths this year. That's more than one every hour.

This is not an epidemic of crazed meth addicts slaughtering people at random. It's the byproduct of a war involving narcotics traffickers, who sometimes kill each other, sometimes kill police and soldiers, sometimes kill journalists who report their crimes and sometimes kill innocent bystanders.

So what can the Golden State offer in the way of assistance? "

 

 

 

 

"Study Shows Effects of 1996 Immigration Law on Legal Immigrants" at washingtonindependent.com.

"Via Newswire, a study released today shows that immigration laws are not targeting the most dangerous illegal immigrants. The study, conducted by the law schools of the University of California, Berkeley, and the University of California, Davis, reports that changes to immigration law in 1996 have led to large numbers of deportations of legal permanent residents (LPRs), or green card holders, over a 10-year period due to non-violent, minor crimes: They now make up nearly 10 percent of all immigrants deported from the country."

 

 

 

"Hyenas' laughter may encode distress signals" is a report at sify.com.

"Acoustic analysis of the 'giggle' sound emitted by spotted hyenas has revealed that their laughter may encode distress signals, besides information about age, dominance and identity.

Researchers recorded the calls of 26 hyenas in captivity and found that variations in the giggles' pitch and timbre may help hyenas establish social hierarchies. It might also signal calls for help in danger."

 

 

"Appeals court gives stray dogs an extra weekday" Bob Egelko, Chronicle Staff Writer.

"Animal shelters must keep a stray dog for at least four weekdays, not three, before putting it to death, a state appeals court in San Francisco has ruled."

 

 

 

 

 

from my log

3/26/10--8:00 AM--VERY SERIOUS irritant in front room, heavy dry air.

3/27/10--2:18 PM--irritant IMMEDIATELY in front of warehouse, sinus congestion, eyes water, heavy dry air,"bad catalytic converter" odor. Marsha same. 2:33 PM--same with "chlorine bleach" odor. Similar off-and-on all AM early PM. 3:412 PM--irritant IMMEDIATELY in front of warehouse with STRONG "bad catalytic converter" odor.

3/29/10--5:29 PM--SERIOUS irritant in front room, heavy dry air, itchy skin, dry eyes, wear respirator. 8:57 PM--irritasnt in warehouse front and IMMEDIATELY in front of warehouse, leave.

3/30/10--6:59 AM--SERIOUS irritant in warehouse front and front of warehouse, heavy dry air, sinus congestion, wear respirator. Off-and-on all AM, same.

3/31/10--3:02 AM--SERIOUS irritant in front room, wear respirator.3:27 AM--VERY SERIOUS irritant in warehouse front and IMMEDIATELY in front of warehouse, light head, STRONG "chlorine bleach" odor, LEAVE. 7:27 AM--irritant in front room, nasal congestion, dry eyes, dry skin. 10:53 AM--SERIOUS irritant in front room, burning eyes, dry skin, "bad catalytic converter" odor, over riders five HEAPA filters, wear respirator and eye protection. 11:40 AM--"chlorine bleach" odor in front room, leave.Off-and-on all afternoon, irritant, dry heavy air, "bad catalytic converter" odor.

 

The irritants sometimes experienced cause coughing; dry/burning eyes, nose, mouth; light head; occasional short breath; occasional nausea.

Though the irritants we experience sometimes over ride as many as four HEPA filters, our SO Safety respirators with 8053-P100 Cartridges seem to filter "all" the irritant. These are filters for organic vapors, chlorine, chlorine dioxide, hydrogen chloride, hydrogen fluoride.

I am left to conclude that possibly (probably?) some of the irritants we regularly experience, those that our SO Safety 8053-P 100 cartridges successfully filter, are identifiable, ironically, by their absence when using the respirator. The HEPA filters don't remove them, the SO Safety filters do. So what they remove--chlorine, chlorine dioxide, hydrogen chloride, hydrogen fluoride--must be some of the irritant.

Though the respirator-filters largely prevent inhalation of the irritant, it is clear from "health effects" that irritants can enter the body's system through the skin.

"I feel like ants are crawling on me" said Marsha.

 

I've noticed recently some neighbors have similar symptoms, some more severe--redness of the eyes, nasal congestion. And neighhors stopping-by in front to talk have experienced watery eyes and coughing.

 

 

 

Eternally useful links

 

Bay Area home prices from sfgate.com

 

Bay Area foreclosures from sfgate.com

Our City Council update is here.

 

Our Planning Commision update is here

 

 

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.

 

 

Berkeley Police reports at insidebay area.com are here.

 

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 posted material retains copyright. The material is used only to illustrate.