Berkeleyside

The Berkeley Wire: 05.29.12

Tracey Taylor — Tue, 29 May 2012 23:55:43 +0000

Berkeley schools’ attendance investment pays off [Chronicle]
Zaytuna College to move into permanent home on holy hill [Patch]
Recent Cal grad dies in auto accident in Emeryville [Daily Cal]
Michael Meehan, Berkeley Police Chief, in spotlight [Chronicle]
Smoke Berkeley is part of new Bay Area barbecue boom [Chronicle]
Solar power in suitcase for medical situations [Clean Technica]
Cal scientists create tribute for Golden Gate Bridge [Daily Cal]
Berkeley Olive Oil Association produces award-winning oil [ChicoEr]
Strike Two for Berkeley Police Chief Michael Meehan [Express]

Photo: View from the Campanile, by Tracey Taylor.

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Poll: Police Chief’s reputation tarnished, not department

Tracey Taylor — Tue, 29 May 2012 23:00:40 +0000

Chief Meehan: damaged reputation after two and a half years on the job

Recent actions by Berkeley Police Chief Michael Meehan have damaged his standing, but the department’s reputation has not been overly tarnished and there is not strong demand for Meehan to apologize. These are the main findings of our “Berkeley Police Chief” Reader Poll, which we launched on Friday and kept open over the Memorial Day weekend.

We had 301 respondents to the poll, which was designed to take the pulse of the community rather than be scientific. Many of you qualified your votes with comments.

Sixty percent of you felt the January incident in which Meehan sanctioned sending ten officers to Oakland to look for his teenage son’s stolen iPhone, and the March incident in which he sent an officer to a reporter’s home in the middle of the night to correct a story, had sullied the Chief’s reputation. Only 38% felt the department’s reputation had been damaged as a result, however. Although a number of readers called on the Chief to resign, many felt there was a clear distinction between the boss and the rank and file. “It is possible to be very proud of BPD and at the same time very embarrassed of Meehan,” wrote Berkeleyan in the comments.(...)

Read the rest of Poll: Police Chief’s reputation tarnished, not department (529 words)

By Tracey Taylor. | Permalink | 4 comments |
Post tags: Berkeley Police Chief Michael Meehan, Berkeley Police Department

Shop Talk: The ins and outs of Berkeley businesses

Frances Dinkelspiel — Tue, 29 May 2012 21:20:05 +0000

The Bread Garden: closing

WHERE IS MY BAGUETTE? The Bread Garden, which opened its doors at 2912 Domingo Avenue in November 1973, is shutting up shop. Its owner, David Morris, is finally making good on his threat to move the bakery elsewhere. He plans to open a new bakery in Paso Robles, in an old building that housed another bakery from 1923 to 1973. “One statistic sums it up,” said Morris. “When I opened the bakery in 1973 I was bakery #8 in Berkeley. The last time I counted there were 38 bakeries in Berkeley. The market isn’t any bigger than it was in 1973. There is intense competition for the bakery dollar.” Morris said he plans to close the Claremont neighborhood bakery, home to the 19th-century baguette, cheese rolls, cinnamon swirl bread, and pizza bread, among other things, by July 1.

Zentrum: shuttering

FURNITURE CLOSE-DOWN After 27 years at 1914 Fifth Street, right behind Spenger’s, the family-owned Zentrum Furniture is shutting down its Berkeley operations. The lease is up and owner Bill Stewart is moving the store to Dublin where he is hoping the business conditions are better. Everything in the store is 20% to 60% off, said Stewart, who plans to close the doors for the final time at the end of July.(...)

Read the rest of Shop Talk: The ins and outs of Berkeley businesses (334 words)

By Frances Dinkelspiel. | Permalink | 8 comments |
Post tags: Kip's Bar, The Bread Garden, Zentrum Furniture

Big Screen Berkeley: A Cat in Paris

John Seal — Tue, 29 May 2012 19:00:29 +0000

"A Cat in Paris": a delightful Academy Award-nominated animated feature opening Friday

Which is the real Paris — the one seen in last week’s grimy child abuse epic Polisse, or the one depicted in A Cat in Paris (Une vie de chat), a delightful Academy Award-nominated animated feature opening this coming Friday, June 1, at Landmark’s Shattuck Cinemas? My money’s on the former, but the latter is definitely the City of Light as we imagine — or hope — it might be.

Directed by Jean-Loup Felicioli and Alain Gagnol, A Cat in Paris relates the tale of Dino, a pampered pet who lives a double life. By day, Dino is the loyal companion of mute youngster Zoe, who collects the dead lizards he brings her in an old sardine can. At night, however, Dino lets his hair down and accompanies Nico (Matthew Modine), a cat burglar who specializes in stealing valuable jewelry from under the sleeping (and sleepwalking) noses of wealthy Parisians.(...)

Read the rest of Big Screen Berkeley: A Cat in Paris (406 words)

By John Seal. | Permalink | One comment |
Post tags: A Cat In Paris, Extinction of the Saber-Toothed Housecat, Shattuck Cinemas

6-year old boy dies of injuries from drunk driving accident

Frances Dinkelspiel — Tue, 29 May 2012 17:53:13 +0000

Xavier Chevez died of his injuries on May 25

The six-year old boy who was in a car that hit a traffic roundabout at 64 miles per hour and rammed into a tree died of his injuries on Friday.

Xavier Chevez died at 6:30 pm at Children’s Hospital in Oakland, according to the Alameda County Coroner’s office. He had lingered seven days after the May 18 accident, but was in a coma on life support with minimal brain function.

His mother, Milanca Alicia Lopez, a UC Berkeley student who was planning to attend graduate school at UCLA this fall, died at the scene.

The driver, Jose Lumbreras, 24, of Berkeley, has been charged with drunk driving and gross vehicular manslaughter. More charges may be coming. Prosecutors said he had a blood alcohol level of 0.219%, which is more than twice the legal limit of 0.08%.(...)

Read the rest of 6-year old boy dies of injuries from drunk driving accident (111 words)

By Frances Dinkelspiel. | Permalink | 24 comments |
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Lifelong Medical Care gets $1.1 million federal grant

Frances Dinkelspiel — Tue, 29 May 2012 16:00:09 +0000

Back Row: Ester Parker (LifeLong Over 60 Patient),William Posey (LifeLong Over 60 Patient), David Sayen,Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Regional Administrator (Region IX), Mayor Tom Bates (Berkeley) First Row: Yomi Wrong, Executive Director, Center for Independent Living, Johnnie Mae Poindexter(LifeLong Over 60 Patient), Rep. Barbara Lee (D), Marty Lynch, CEO, LifeLong Medical Care, Herb Schultz US Regional Director, Health and Human Services (Region IX), Gladys Rivera (LifeLong Over 60 Patient), Ricardo Ruiz(LifeLong Over 60 Patient) Photo: Lifelong/Auintard

It was all smiles on Friday at Lifelong Medical Care’s Over 60 Health Center.

Dozens of dignitaries, doctors, patients and administrators gathered to celebrate the award of a $1.1 million federal grant to the 36-year old clinic. The funds will be used to hire 60 peer educators to work with 3,200 elderly over three years to better manage their health care. The aim is to get the older patients to be proactive about their health so they don’t take unnecessary trips to the emergency room.

The 60 peers will lead group classes for disabled patients and do one on one counseling. They will train adults to adopt more healthy lifestyles and encourage them to work with a group of nurses to more closely manage their own health care, according to a press release issued by Lifelong. The Center for Independent Living is a partner in the project.(...)

Read the rest of Lifelong Medical Care gets $1.1 million federal grant (198 words)

By Frances Dinkelspiel. | Permalink | 3 comments |
Post tags: Barbara Lee, Lifelong Medical Care, Marty Lynch, Over 60 Clinic

Save our pools: Invest in people, close opportunity gap

Guest contributor — Tue, 29 May 2012 14:00:43 +0000

Willard Pool: now full of dirt

When school breaks up for summer, Berkeley 5th grade teacher Maggie Knutson would like to see her students embracing adventure, reading books… and swimming. In an Opionator column published this morning, Knutson argues for the resurrection of Willard Pool, the only pool in South Berkeley, and one that could serve a young diverse population with very limited access to water safety, fitness and healthy social development. As the City Council meets tonight to consider the most recent community survey on the issue, she asks them to think carefully about how such a closure sits with 2020 Vision, an initiative designed in large part to close the achievement gap.

Berkeleyside welcomes submissions of op-ed articles of 500 to 800 words. We ask that we are given first refusal to publish. Topics should be Berkeley-related and local authors are preferred. Please email submissions to us. Berkeleyside will publish op-ed pieces at its discretion.

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Best of Berkeleyside: This week’s most popular posts

Tracey Taylor — Sat, 26 May 2012 19:33:35 +0000

There’s no doubt which story captivated readers this week: our revelation on Monday that Berkeley Police Chief Michael Meehan had sanctioned sending ten officers to Oakland to “live track” his teenage son’s stolen iPhone back in January triggered impassioned responses. We followed up the news with analysis and comment on the investigation and then, on Wednesday, an interview with the Chief. We are running a Reader Poll all weekend to solicit your opinions on the Chief’s actions and their repercussions.

The tragic accident on California Street on May 18 that involved a mother recently graduated from UC Berkeley inevitably prompted shock and discussion. The 24-year old male driver was charged with vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and a series of other felony counts

On a lighter note, Sarah Henry’s interview with Suzanne Drexhage, who is taking on the daunting task of opening a new restaurant in the space left vacant by the shuttered Alice Waters-owned Café Fanny, had people salivating. Bartavelle Coffee & Wine Bar hopes to appeal to a young set, as well as veteran Waters worshipers. “I feel heartened and anticipatory. I wish Bartavelle a terrific success,” commented reader Rachel Anderson.

While you’re waiting for Bartavelle to open, check out Luigi Oldani’s espresso cart on the patio (pictured above): he’s serving Sightglass coffee.

Happy Memorial Day weekend everybody! See you back on Tuesday.

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By Tracey Taylor. | Permalink | One comment |
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Adopt a Pet: Puppy Friedrich who likes lot of exercise

Guest contributor — Sat, 26 May 2012 18:34:06 +0000

Friedrich is the last of six awesome puppies that The Milo Foundation rescued recently. They are great pups! He is pictured here chillin’ with his sister Brigitta, who has a home to go to.

These are herding bred mixed puppies, and will need LOTS of time, exercise, more time, patience, and then will reward you with lots of love and affection and fun.

If you think that you can provide this, and a lifetime home, please come and meet this adorable boy at our weekend adoption events. The next one is Saturday May 26th, 12-4, at the Rockridge Pet Food Express store at Broadway/51st Street in Oakland.(...)

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The Berkeley Wire: 05.25.12

Tracey Taylor — Fri, 25 May 2012 23:55:56 +0000

Berkeley’s Joshua Redman’s new band heads to Bay Area [BANG]
Cal scientists work mirror magic on Golden Gate Bridge [UCB]
Develop eye for landscape photos at UC Extension [Chronicle]
Berkeley’s spicy Udupi Palace [ABC Local]
Assistant swim coach at Cal: no longer a victim [BANG]
Lonely Island to donate additional $10K to BHS [Daily Cal]
Don’t miss “Fortune” by Ragged Theater [Daily Planet]
Greek Theater gets $9.3 million seismic upgrade [SF Business Times]

Photo: Stop, by 2812 photography/Berkeleyside Flickr pool.

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