Camelia Street Blog

“Berkeley, California (Thursday, August 23, 2007) - Berkeley is celebrating the 100th anniversary of its parks. Our open space system was born in 1907 with the establishment of San Pablo Park, and now includes dozens of parks and mini-parks, plazas, paths and greenways, community gardens, creeks, public pools, fields, and even a labyrinth. They evoke the unique sense of place and community that characterizes Berkeley.  The parks’ centennial season is from August 25 to November 17 and includes a variety of events for all ages and interests, sponsored by a variety of organizations working together as Berkeley Partners for Parks (BPFP).”

Some of the upcoming events in September:

September 8, Saturday, 10 a.m. to noon - Rocks, Parks and Residential Neighborhoods of North Berkeley

September 16, Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m. - Musical Block Party at Peralta Community Garden – hosted by the Friends of Westbrae Commons:

September 23, Sunday, 12 to 3 p.m. - East Bay Labyrinth Project –Walk the future labyrinth at the Marina

September 23, Sunday, 3 to 5 p.m. - Berkeley Partners for Parks Fundraiser in Aquatic Park

September 30, Sunday, 5 to 7:30 p.m. - Halcyon Commons - Community Potluck with Live Music

Events continue through November, for more info visit the City of Berkeley website, or or call Virginia Aiello at the City of Berkeley Parks Department  (510-981-5158) or Berkeley Partners for Parks 510-847-0575.

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Willi Paul’s letter can be found in the 08.31.07 Berkeley Daily Planet–
and L.A. Wood’s correction letter can be found in the 08.31.07 Berkeley Daily Planet as well.

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This past Friday, at 4:10pm in the afternoon, at Highglow Jewelers on University Ave.  Read more about it in the 08.31.07 Daily Californian.

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…can be found here.

For related info, visit Berkeley Citizen (Per the California Air Resources Board 2005 data for industrial facilities in zip 94710 (west Berkeley), Pacific Steel is a chart topper)

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from Steve Martinot.

Read more about it in the 08.31.07 Berkeley Daily Planet.

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• 08.28.07 Berkeley Daily Planet - Group to Announce Results of West Berkeley Air Quality Testing
• 08.28.07 Berkeley Daily Planet - Commentary: West Berkeley Air Quality; Don’t Ask Don’t Tell
• 08.29.07 San Francisco Chronicle:Berkeley’s Pacific Steel Foundry Emitting Toxic Metals, Group Says + Comments
• 08.29.07 Channel 2 News (video)
• 08.29.07 Daily Californian - Nonprofit’s Data Shows Pollutants Near Foundry

For even MORE links to recent media, visit Berkeley Citizen.

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You are now able to look up current permit/zoning applications online via the Planet’s new interactive maps!  How handy.  It show the location, permit number (for further research at the City of Berkeley) and a brief description of what is being proposed.

What a good idea.

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In response to the cleaning method of a chemical filled drum used in the manufacturing process, workers walked out and were then were locked out by the store’s proprietors.
Read more in the 08.14.07 Daily Planet Article.

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• 07.27.07 Daily Planet Commentary: “West Berkeley Tax District Benefits Developers” by Sarah Klise:
• 08.03.07 Daily Planet: “West Berkeley Tax District Questioned” by Judith Scherr
• 08.10.07 Daily Planet Commentary: “West Berkeley Improvements; Benefits for Everyone” by Steven Donaldson.
• 08.10.07 Daily Panet Letter to the Editor: Opposition to West Berkeley Distirct by Susanne Hering.
• 08.10.07 Daily Planet Letter to the Editor “West Berkeley Benefits District” by Judith Dater & others.

+ Related.

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Slowly but surely, Google has begun to document the neighborhood.  Of course issues of privacy and security have been raised…..  In the meantime, here’s what the street views are starting to look like: Fourth Street, the skate park, PSC , Flint Ink, etc. 

 So if you see a van with a large camera on top slowly driving by…..

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To help accomodate Berkeley’s dwindling number of care dealerships (i.e. less and less sales tax revenue for the city), Berkeley is in the process of rezoning certain areas to allow for such businesses to take place.
Read more in Carol Jones 08.07.07 SF Chronicle article.

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Still going strong.  Read more about it in the 08.03.07 Berkeley Voice.

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 ” In Berkeley’s green future, there will be no incandescent lightbulbs, Wedgewood stoves or gas-powered water heaters. The only sounds will be the whir of bicycles and the purr of hybrid cars — and possibly curses from residents being forced to upgrade all their kitchen appliances.” –Carolyn Jones 5.24.07 Chronicle.

Read more of “It won’t be easy being green” article in today’s Chronicle.

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So I hope to start posting more regularly!

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…because I recently fractured my right arm.  Typing is impossible.  I should be back up to speed when the cast is removed in couple weeks.

-Ann

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Read some of the specifics in today’s Daily Planet.

“Tonight’s series of meetings begins at 5 p.m. with a workshop to discuss the 2008-2009 citywide work plan. At 6:30 p.m. the Redevelopment Agency will meet to look at adding $400,000 to the Oxford Plaza Apartment project.

The regular meeting begins at 7 p.m. All meetings are at Old City Hall, 2134 Martin Luther King Jr. Way and available via Cable TV Channel 33, KPFB-FM 89.3 and via the internet.” -03.13.07 Berkeley Daily Planet

Related article in today’s Daily Californian.

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ZAB is debating the validity and use of Kitchen Democracy’s online public comments in their decision making process. The issue was raised in reponse to the use permit recently granted to the owners of Wright’s Garage. Read more in the 03.13.07 Daily Planet.

Related: 03.13.07 Daily Planet article on ZAB approval of the Wright’s Garage. Map.

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…from Paul Kamen in the 03.13.07 Daily Planet.

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Read the latest on the report and potential next steps in the 03.06.07 Berkeley Daily Planet.

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…on the Chronicle’s Watch List.

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Not just one, but two! Proposals and potential locations will be presented at both. There will be a public comment period as well.
* The first is this evening at 6:30 at the North Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst Avenue.
* The follow up will be March 15, at 6:30 p.m. at the Albany Public Library, 1247 Marin Avenue.

Click here or here for more info.

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It’s not just the independent bookstores that are feeling the burn…..Read more about the chain’s recent announcement to close their local store, in the 03.02.07 Daily Planet.

Becky O’Malley’s editorial on the subject in her 03.06.07 editorial in the Planet.

Related past post.

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(I say unofficial tounge in cheek)

And street art is the polite term….others might just call it graffiti. I’m personally on the fence. Some realizations of it are better than others. My biggest worry, and the reason for making a post about it, is that it seems to be getting more common/prevalent in the area. I actually enjoy walking by Flink Ink to check out the new additions to its crumbling walls, but as soon as it begins to spread…it will be hard to stop.
Click here to view the East wall of easternmost Flint Ink builing.

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Better late then never.  You can read the 107 page document in its entirety on Linda Maio’s City of Berkeley Page.

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