Saturday, November 21, 2009
Slap Hitter: They Might be Warriors
Sports Kibby Kleiman — Sat, Nov 21, 2009 at 7:00 PM
For sure, you can't write anything about the Golden State Warriors without using the words dysfunctional, wretched or cursed. And yet, the perpetually downtrodden hoopsters have been, of late, displaying a whole lot of heart and some adequate basketball too.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Oak Knoll to be Cleaned Up, Finally
Environment Robert Gammon — Fri, Nov 20, 2009 at 12:11 PM
The former Oak Knoll Naval Hospital in the Oakland hills, which has been strewn with overgrown weeds and hollowed-out buildings for more than a year, is finally going to get cleaned up. According to the Chron and the Trib, Lehman Brothers, the bankrupt co-owner of the property with developer SunCal, has agreed to pay $3.7 million to clean-up the property.
Judge Sends BART Cop Murder Trial to Downtown LA
Crime Robert Gammon — Fri, Nov 20, 2009 at 11:56 AM
In a victory for prosecutors and the family of Oscar Grant, a judge has sent the murder trial of ex-BART cop Johannes Mehserle to downtown Los Angeles, according to the Trib and the Chron. Mehserles defense team had wanted the case moved to conservative San Diego County, where the jury pool likely would have been more sympathetic to police officers.
Gluten-Free Oakland Bakery Expands
Business / Food / Health Anneli Rufus — Fri, Nov 20, 2009 at 11:40 AM
The East Bay's only dedicated gluten-free artisan bakery, Mariposa Baking Company, is expanding. Today is opening day at its new kiosk in the Ferry Building Marketplace. The San Francisco location's offerings will include fresh gluten-free breads, bagels, muffins, and cookies, as well as frozen pizzas, ravioli, and more. Special items for Thanksgiving include gluten-free cornbread, bread cubes for stuffing, rosemary rolls, and — by special order — pies.
Blog Problems
Media Robert Gammon — Fri, Nov 20, 2009 at 10:13 AM
We're experiencing some difficulties with our new website in that some older blogs are being displayed as "new," particularly when you click on the "Blogs" button from our home page. We're working to fix the problem. Thanks for your patience.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Poll: Meg Whitman Now Tied with Jerry Brown
Politics / People / Environment Robert Gammon — Thu, Nov 19, 2009 at 4:35 PM
Republican candidate Meg Whitman has moved into a tie with state Attorney General Jerry Brown, according to a new Rasmussen poll. Whitman and Brown are deadlocked at 41 percent, although the poll shows Brown leading the other GOP hopefuls, Tom Campbell and Steve Poizner by at least nine percentage points. While Rasmussen polls tend to lean Republican, the new results can't be good for the former Oakland mayor.
State Deficit Jumps to $21 Billion
Politics / People / Business Robert Gammon — Thu, Nov 19, 2009 at 4:32 PM
California is facing a new financial crisis, as the projected budget deficit for next year has now ballooned to $20.7 billion, according to the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst's Office. The news comes just four months after the governor and legislative leaders slashed $24 billion from this year's budget. And according to the Chron, Governor Schwarzenegger is against raising tax increases to help solve the new crisis, which is being caused primarily by declining revenues because of the recession.
California Forces Flat Panel TVs to Go Green
Politics / Business / Environment Robert Gammon — Thu, Nov 19, 2009 at 4:30 PM
The California Energy Commission has ordered the television industry to drastically reduce the amount of electricity that new TVs consume, the Chron reports. The new rules require that flat-panel TVs, which suck up huge amounts of electricity, become one-third more energy efficient by 2011, and 50 percent more efficient by 2013. Television manufacturers claim the new rules could result in higher TV prices and job losses.
Berkeley NIMBYs Complain, Again
Politics / Business Robert Gammon — Thu, Nov 19, 2009 at 4:26 PM
Despite loud complaints from residents of the bucolic Berkeley hills, the city council unanimously agreed to relax noise limits for downtown nightclubs, the Chron reports. The council is determined to help the city's burgeoning downtown scene come to life, especially with the planned opening of a major new venue at the old UC Theatre. The council also thankfully ignored the many complaints by the Panoramic Hills Association, who claimed that all the noise from the downtown clubs would interfere with their sleep.
Raiders to Extend Lease Until 2013
Politics / Business / Sports Robert Gammon — Thu, Nov 19, 2009 at 4:19 PM
The Oakland Raiders have agreed to remain at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum through the 2013 season, according to the Bay Area News Group. The team's lease had been set to expire at the end of next season. Under the extension, the Raiders would pay Oakland and Alameda County $5 million, along with their annual $525,000 rent. The extension also includes an opt-out clause that would allow the team to leave Alameda County before 2013 - as long it pays the $5 million.