Worth Noting:

There is a special City Council meeting on November 2, 2023 at 6 pm on the Draft Waterfront Specific Plan. (note that the Parks, Recreation and Waterfront Commission Recommendations are separate from the City staff and consultants’ reports)

• The 13-page Report & Recommendations from the Parks, Recreation and Waterfront Commission can be read starting on page 9 at: https://tinyurl.com/y7s4y3xu
• All of the documents from the consultants, meetings, presentations and city staff are at: https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/our-work/capital-projects/waterfront-specific-plan

The next regular Tuesday evening 6 pm City Council meeting is listed as November 7, 2023

Check the City website for late announcements and meetings posted on short notice at: https://berkeleyca.gov/

Go to meetings and events are bolded: The Bird Festival looks terrific. Wednesday is a public hearing on BART. The Zero Waste Strategic Plan is offered twice. Two SB 330 state density projects at DRC on Thursday.

• Sunday: From 8 am to 5 pm there are Bird Festival activities all over Berkeley from birding field trips, to sidewalk chalk drawing to poetry, art and presentations at the Brower Center on plants for birds and making your home safe for birds.
• Monday:
  • At 6 pm the online Point Molate speaker is on the Marine Mammal Center.
  • At 7 pm the Peace and Justice Commission meets in person.
  • At 7 pm the Homeless Panel of Experts Subcommittee on guidelines and policies for homeless encampment meets in person. This meeting is not posted.
• Wednesday:
  • At 1:30 pm the Commission on Aging meets in person.
  • At 5:30 pm the Planning Commission meets in person and holds a public hearing on Objective standards for the North Berkeley BART Station Housing.
  • At 6 pm is the Zero Waste Strategic Plan Presentation.
  • At 6 pm the Environment and Climate Commission meets in person.
  • At 7 pm the Commission on Labor meets in person.
  • At 7 pm the Commission on the status of Women meets in person.
• Thursday:
  • At 10:30 am the Health, Life Enrichment, Equity & Community meets on an ordinance on horse racing.
  • At 6 pm the Zero Waste Strategic Plan will be repeated in the online.
  • At 6:30 pm the Fair Campaign Practices Commission/Open Government Commission meets in person.
  • At 6:30 pm the Design Review Committee meets in person on two projects 17-story at 2420 Shattuck and 6-story 2127 Dwight.
• Saturday: From 9 am – 11 am Shoreline Cleanup

Activist’s Diary for week ending Oct 8, 2023 Parts 1 & 2 https://berkeleydailyplanet.com/issue/2023-10-04

Directions with links to ZOOM support for activating Closed Captioning and Save Transcript are at the bottom of this calendar.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

BERKELEY PUBLIC MEETINGS AND CIVIC EVENTS

Sunday, October 15, 2023

BERKELEY BIRD FESTIVAL from 8 am – 5 pm

Check the website there is something for everyone: field trips, bird watching, sidewalk chalk drawing, tours of the UC Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, poetry, stories, children’s art and presentations at the Brower Center on birding, bird safe home plants for birds

https://berkeleybirdfestival.org/

Monday, October 16, 2023

PEACE and JUSTICE COMMISSION at 7 pm

In-Person: at 2939 Ellis, South Berkeley Senior Center

AGENDA: 8. Discussion and Planning Forum Regarding Fukushima Waste, 9. Discussion with Corina Gould regarding land acknowledgement.

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/boards-commissions/peace-and-justice-commission

HOMELESS SERVICES PANEL of EXPERTS Subcommittee on HOMELESS ENCAMPMENT GUIDELINES at 7 pm

In-Person: 1939 Addison, East Bay Media Center

AGENDA: Guidelines and Policies presented by Radu at the October 4, Homeless Services Panel of Experts Meeting. NOTE: the October 16 subcommittee meeting is not posted on the Berkeley City website

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/boards-commissions/homeless-services-panel-experts

SPEAKING UP for POINT MOLATE at 6 pm

Videoconference: https://sierraclub.zoom.us/j/99891619534

Meeting ID: 998 9161 9534

Agenda: Speaker Laura Gill on the Marine Mammal Center, “Behind the Bark”

Tuesday, October 17, 2023 - no City meetings or events found

Wednesday, October 18, 2023

COMMISSION on AGING at 1:30 pm

In-Person: at 1901 Hearst, North Berkeley Senior Center

AGENDA: Presentations: 1. Sidewalk Repair, 2. Use and multifunctionality of senior centers as a City resource, Commissioner Reports: 1. Age-friendly parks, 2. City merchants accepting cash only (this was supposed to be cards only), Action Items: Commission on Disabilities lawsuit with City of Berkeley over commissioner virtual attendance.

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/boards-commissions/commission-aging

COMMISSION on LABOR at 7 pm

In-Person: at 2939 Ellis St, South Berkeley Senior Center, Multi-purpose Room

AGENDA: Information Updates: 2. Labor education, 3. Fair Workweek Ordinance Outreach, 4. Subcommittee appointments, 5. Date and time for November 2023 meeting.

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/boards-commissions/commission-labor

COMMISSION on the STATUS of WOMEN at 7 pm

In-Person: at 1901 Hearst, North Berkeley Senior Center

AGENDA: (all agenda items are listed as discussion/possible action except chair report) 6. Panel/Presenters on Sex Trafficking, 7. Chair Report, 8. Topics from Small business subcommittees, 9. Proper lighting in Neighborhoods, 10. Calendar of Public Information, 11. Non-profit Village Connect, 13. Workplan.

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/boards-commissions/commission-status-women

ENVIRONMENT and CLIMATE COMMISSION at 6 pm

In-Person: at 1901 Hearst, North Berkeley Senior Center

AGENDA: 7. Presentation, Discussion and Action: BESO Proposed Time and Sale Upgrade, 9. Workplan Subcommittee Updates on Vehicle Miles Traveled, Native Plants and Pest Reduction, Electrification.

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/boards-commissions/environment-and-climate-commission

PLANNING COMMISSION at 5:30 pm

In-Person: at 1901 Hearst, North Berkeley Senior Center

AGENDA: 10. Public Hearing North Berkeley BART Objective Design Standards (packet 198 pages)

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/boards-commissions/planning-commission

ZERO WASTE STRATEGIC PLAN MEETING from 6 – 7:30 pm

In-Person: at 1901 Hearst, North Berkeley Senior Center

AGENDA: presentation of plan, presentation of plan will also be offered virtually on Thursday

https://berkeleyca.gov/community-recreation/events/zero-waste-strategic-plan-meeting-person

Thursday, October 19, 2023



HEALTH, LIFE, ENRICHMENT, EQUITY & COMMUNITY at 10:30 am

A Hybrid Meeting

In-Person: 2180 Milvia, 6th Floor, Redwood Room

Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1608367679

Teleconference: 1-669-254-5252 or 1-833-568-8864 (Toll Free)

Meeting ID: 160 836 7679

AGENDA: Kate Harrison – Adopt an Ordinance Adding Chapter 12.75 to BMC to Establish Protections Relating to Animals Held, Owned, Used, Exhibited or Otherwise Kept for Racing or Other Sport, Entertainment or Profit.

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/city-council/council-committees/policy-committee-health-life-enrichment-equity-community

DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE at 6:30 pm

In-Person: at 1901 Hearst, North Berkeley Senior Center, Gooseberry Room

AGENDA: 2420 Shattuck [between Channing and Haste] DRCP2023-0018 – to demolish two existing commercial buildings, merge two lots, and construct a 17-story mixed-use building with 132 dwelling units and a 2314 sq ft commercial space a SB 330 state density bonus project,

2127 Dwight [between Shattuck and Fulton] DRCP2023-0004 – to demolish two of the existing four residential buildings (demolish 8 units and retain 8 units) and replace with new 6-story residential building with 58 dwelling units with 70 bedrooms without windows (combined total of retained buildings and new project 66 dwelling units and 304 bedrooms on lot), a SB 330 state density project.

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/boards-commissions/design-review-committee

FAIR CAMPAIGN PRACTICES COMMISSION (FCPC) / OPEN GOVERNMENT COMMISSION (OGC) at 6:30 pm

In-Person: at 1901 Hearst, North Berkeley Senior Center, Aspen Room

AGENDA: 6. City Clerk enforcement referral regarding Mike Chang for BUSD School Board 2022, 7. Berkeley Election Reform Act (BERA) clean-up amendments, 8. Report from staff on public financing matching funds disbursements to Mark Humbert for council 2022, 9. Report from subcommittee on contribution limits.

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/boards-commissions/fair-campaign-practices-commission

TRANSPORTATION and INFRASTRUCTURE COMMISSION at 7 pm

In-Person: at 1901 Hearst, North Berkeley Senior Center, Dining Room

AGENDA: B. 1. 2023 Work Plan Progress Check

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/boards-commissions/transportation-and-infrastructure-commission

ZERO WASTE STRATEGIC PLAN MEETING from 6 – 7:30 pm

Virtual: use link to register for zoom link

AGENDA: presentation of plan, same program as Wednesday, October 18

https://berkeleyca.gov/community-recreation/events/zero-waste-strategic-plan-meeting-virtual



Friday, October 20, 2023 – no City meetings or events found

Saturday, October 21, 2023

SHORELINE CLEAN-UP from 9 – 11 am

Meet at 160 University Nature Center

Use link for more information and registration

https://berkeleyca.gov/community-recreation/events/3rd-saturday-shoreline-cleanup-3

Sunday, October 22, 2023 - no City meetings or events found

+++++++++++++++++++



LAND USE CALENDAR PUBLIC HEARINGS:

• 3000 Shattuck Avenue (Construct 10-story mixed-use building) – TBD

WORK SESSIONS & SPECIAL MEETINGS:

• November 2, 2023 - Draft Waterfront Specific Plan
• Proposed December 5, 2023 – Re-Imagining Public Safety Update and Ceasefire– (to be the only action item of the evening, Wengraf and Arreguin will be absent on December 5)

UNSCHEDULED WORK SESSIONS & SPECIAL MEETINGS

• Fire Department Standards of Coverage & Community Risk Assessment
• Dispatch Needs Assessment Presentation
• Presentation on Homelessness/Re-Housing/Thousand-Person Plan

PAST MEETINGS with reports worth reading:

• May 16 - Fire Facilities Study Report, Wildfire Prevention Plan https://berkeleyca.gov/city-council-special-meeting-eagenda-may-16-2023-6-pm
• June 20 (WS) - Climate Action Plan & Resilience Update, Berkeley Economic Dashboards Update reports available https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/city-council/city-council-agendas/city-council-2023-06-20

.

* * * * *

Kelly Hammargren’s summary on what happened the preceding week is posted on the What Happened page at: https://www.sustainableberkeleycoalition.com/what-happened.html and in the Berkeley Daily Planet https://www.berkeleydailyplanet.com/



The Activist’s Calendar of meetings is posted on the What’s Ahead page at: https://www.sustainableberkeleycoalition.com/whats-ahead.html



If you would like to receive the Activist’s Calendar as soon as it is completed send an email to: kellyhammargren@gmail.com.If you want to receive the Activist’s Diary send an email to kellyhammargren@gmail.com. If you wish to stop receiving the weekly calendar of city meetings please forward the email you received to- kellyhammargren@gmail.com -with the request to be removed from the email list.

______________

For Online Public Meetings

CLOSED CAPTIONING, SAVE TRANSCRIPT OVERVIEW, DIRECTIONS and ZOOM SUPPORT LINKS:
.
ZOOM has as part of the program -(for no extra cost)- Closed Captioning (CC). It turns computer voice recognition into a text transcript. Closed Captioning and show full transcript and the save option are only available when the person setting up the ZOOM meeting has activated these options. If you don’t see CC ask for it. If it can’t be activated for the current meeting ask for it for future meetings.

The accuracy of the Closed Captioning is affected by background noise and other factors, The CC and transcript will not be perfect, but most of the time reading through it the few odd words, can be deciphered--for example "Shattuck" was transcribed as Shadow in one recent transcript.

For the online attendee, the full transcript is only available from the time the attendee activates Show Full Transcript. But if you sit through a meeting and then remember 10 minutes before it is over to click on Show Full Transcript you will only get the last 10 minutes, not the full transcript – So click often on both Save Transcript and on Save to Folder during the meeting for best results.



When you click on Show Full Transcript it will allow you to scroll up and down, so if want to go back and see what was said earlier you can do that during the meeting while the transcript is running.



At the bottom of the transcript when we as attendees are allowed to save there will be a button for, "Save Transcript," you can click on the button repeatedly throughout the meeting and it will just overwrite and update the full transcript. Clicking on the Save Transcript repeatedly as the meeting is coming to an end is important because once the host ends the meeting, the transcript is gone if you didn't save it.



Near the end of the meeting, after you click on "Save Transcript," click on "Save to Folder." The meeting transcript will show up (as a download to your desktop) in a separate box as a text file. (These text files are not large.) After you have done your last Save Transcript and Save to Folder (after the meeting is over) you can rename the new transcript folder on your computer, and save it (re-read or send or share it).



Remember, allowing us attendees to save the meeting transcript does not require the public meeting host to save the transcript (for public record.)



Here is the link to ZOOM Support for how to set up Closed Captioning for a meeting or webinar:
https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/8158738379917#h_01GHWATNVPW5FR304S2SVGXN2X



Here is the link to ZOOM Support for attendees in how to save Closed Captions:

https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/360060958752-Using-save-captions#h_01F5XW3BGWJAKJFWCHPPZGBD70

Worth Noting:

There is a special City Council meeting on November 2, 2023 at 6 pm on the Draft Waterfront Specific Plan. (note that the Parks, Recreation and Waterfront Commission Recommendations are separate from the City staff and consultants’ reports)

• The 13-page Report & Recommendations from the Parks, Recreation and Waterfront Commission can be read starting on page 9 at: https://tinyurl.com/y7s4y3xu
• All of the documents from the consultants, meetings, presentations and city staff are at: https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/our-work/capital-projects/waterfront-specific-plan

The next regular Tuesday evening 6 pm City Council meeting is listed as November 7, 2023

Check the City website for late announcements and meetings posted on short notice at: https://berkeleyca.gov/

Go to meetings and events are bolded: The Bird Festival looks terrific. Wednesday is a public hearing on BART. The Zero Waste Strategic Plan is offered twice. Two SB 330 state density projects at DRC on Thursday.

• Sunday: From 8 am to 5 pm there are Bird Festival activities all over Berkeley from birding field trips, to sidewalk chalk drawing to poetry, art and presentations at the Brower Center on plants for birds and making your home safe for birds.
• Monday:
  • At 6 pm the online Point Molate speaker is on the Marine Mammal Center.
  • At 7 pm the Peace and Justice Commission meets in person.
  • At 7 pm the Homeless Panel of Experts Subcommittee on guidelines and policies for homeless encampment meets in person. This meeting is not posted.
• Wednesday:
  • At 1:30 pm the Commission on Aging meets in person.
  • At 5:30 pm the Planning Commission meets in person and holds a public hearing on Objective standards for the North Berkeley BART Station Housing.
  • At 6 pm is the Zero Waste Strategic Plan Presentation.
  • At 6 pm the Environment and Climate Commission meets in person.
  • At 7 pm the Commission on Labor meets in person.
  • At 7 pm the Commission on the status of Women meets in person.
• Thursday:
  • At 10:30 am the Health, Life Enrichment, Equity & Community meets on an ordinance on horse racing.
  • At 6 pm the Zero Waste Strategic Plan will be repeated in the online.
  • At 6:30 pm the Fair Campaign Practices Commission/Open Government Commission meets in person.
  • At 6:30 pm the Design Review Committee meets in person on two projects 17-story at 2420 Shattuck and 6-story 2127 Dwight.
• Saturday: From 9 am – 11 am Shoreline Cleanup

Activist’s Diary for week ending Oct 8, 2023 Parts 1 & 2 https://berkeleydailyplanet.com/issue/2023-10-04

Directions with links to ZOOM support for activating Closed Captioning and Save Transcript are at the bottom of this calendar.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

BERKELEY PUBLIC MEETINGS AND CIVIC EVENTS

Sunday, October 15, 2023

BERKELEY BIRD FESTIVAL from 8 am – 5 pm

Check the website there is something for everyone: field trips, bird watching, sidewalk chalk drawing, tours of the UC Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, poetry, stories, children’s art and presentations at the Brower Center on birding, bird safe home plants for birds

https://berkeleybirdfestival.org/

Monday, October 16, 2023

PEACE and JUSTICE COMMISSION at 7 pm

In-Person: at 2939 Ellis, South Berkeley Senior Center

AGENDA: 8. Discussion and Planning Forum Regarding Fukushima Waste, 9. Discussion with Corina Gould regarding land acknowledgement.

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/boards-commissions/peace-and-justice-commission

HOMELESS SERVICES PANEL of EXPERTS Subcommittee on HOMELESS ENCAMPMENT GUIDELINES at 7 pm

In-Person: 1939 Addison, East Bay Media Center

AGENDA: Guidelines and Policies presented by Radu at the October 4, Homeless Services Panel of Experts Meeting. NOTE: the October 16 subcommittee meeting is not posted on the Berkeley City website

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/boards-commissions/homeless-services-panel-experts

SPEAKING UP for POINT MOLATE at 6 pm

Videoconference: https://sierraclub.zoom.us/j/99891619534

Meeting ID: 998 9161 9534

Agenda: Speaker Laura Gill on the Marine Mammal Center, “Behind the Bark”

Tuesday, October 17, 2023 - no City meetings or events found

Wednesday, October 18, 2023

COMMISSION on AGING at 1:30 pm

In-Person: at 1901 Hearst, North Berkeley Senior Center

AGENDA: Presentations: 1. Sidewalk Repair, 2. Use and multifunctionality of senior centers as a City resource, Commissioner Reports: 1. Age-friendly parks, 2. City merchants accepting cash only (this was supposed to be cards only), Action Items: Commission on Disabilities lawsuit with City of Berkeley over commissioner virtual attendance.

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/boards-commissions/commission-aging

COMMISSION on LABOR at 7 pm

In-Person: at 2939 Ellis St, South Berkeley Senior Center, Multi-purpose Room

AGENDA: Information Updates: 2. Labor education, 3. Fair Workweek Ordinance Outreach, 4. Subcommittee appointments, 5. Date and time for November 2023 meeting.

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/boards-commissions/commission-labor

COMMISSION on the STATUS of WOMEN at 7 pm

In-Person: at 1901 Hearst, North Berkeley Senior Center

AGENDA: (all agenda items are listed as discussion/possible action except chair report) 6. Panel/Presenters on Sex Trafficking, 7. Chair Report, 8. Topics from Small business subcommittees, 9. Proper lighting in Neighborhoods, 10. Calendar of Public Information, 11. Non-profit Village Connect, 13. Workplan.

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/boards-commissions/commission-status-women

ENVIRONMENT and CLIMATE COMMISSION at 6 pm

In-Person: at 1901 Hearst, North Berkeley Senior Center

AGENDA: 7. Presentation, Discussion and Action: BESO Proposed Time and Sale Upgrade, 9. Workplan Subcommittee Updates on Vehicle Miles Traveled, Native Plants and Pest Reduction, Electrification.

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/boards-commissions/environment-and-climate-commission

PLANNING COMMISSION at 5:30 pm

In-Person: at 1901 Hearst, North Berkeley Senior Center

AGENDA: 10. Public Hearing North Berkeley BART Objective Design Standards (packet 198 pages)

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/boards-commissions/planning-commission

ZERO WASTE STRATEGIC PLAN MEETING from 6 – 7:30 pm

In-Person: at 1901 Hearst, North Berkeley Senior Center

AGENDA: presentation of plan, presentation of plan will also be offered virtually on Thursday

https://berkeleyca.gov/community-recreation/events/zero-waste-strategic-plan-meeting-person

Thursday, October 19, 2023



HEALTH, LIFE, ENRICHMENT, EQUITY & COMMUNITY at 10:30 am

A Hybrid Meeting

In-Person: 2180 Milvia, 6th Floor, Redwood Room

Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1608367679

Teleconference: 1-669-254-5252 or 1-833-568-8864 (Toll Free)

Meeting ID: 160 836 7679

AGENDA: Kate Harrison – Adopt an Ordinance Adding Chapter 12.75 to BMC to Establish Protections Relating to Animals Held, Owned, Used, Exhibited or Otherwise Kept for Racing or Other Sport, Entertainment or Profit.

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/city-council/council-committees/policy-committee-health-life-enrichment-equity-community

DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE at 6:30 pm

In-Person: at 1901 Hearst, North Berkeley Senior Center, Gooseberry Room

AGENDA: 2420 Shattuck [between Channing and Haste] DRCP2023-0018 – to demolish two existing commercial buildings, merge two lots, and construct a 17-story mixed-use building with 132 dwelling units and a 2314 sq ft commercial space a SB 330 state density bonus project,

2127 Dwight [between Shattuck and Fulton] DRCP2023-0004 – to demolish two of the existing four residential buildings (demolish 8 units and retain 8 units) and replace with new 6-story residential building with 58 dwelling units with 70 bedrooms without windows (combined total of retained buildings and new project 66 dwelling units and 304 bedrooms on lot), a SB 330 state density project.

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/boards-commissions/design-review-committee

FAIR CAMPAIGN PRACTICES COMMISSION (FCPC) / OPEN GOVERNMENT COMMISSION (OGC) at 6:30 pm

In-Person: at 1901 Hearst, North Berkeley Senior Center, Aspen Room

AGENDA: 6. City Clerk enforcement referral regarding Mike Chang for BUSD School Board 2022, 7. Berkeley Election Reform Act (BERA) clean-up amendments, 8. Report from staff on public financing matching funds disbursements to Mark Humbert for council 2022, 9. Report from subcommittee on contribution limits.

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/boards-commissions/fair-campaign-practices-commission

TRANSPORTATION and INFRASTRUCTURE COMMISSION at 7 pm

In-Person: at 1901 Hearst, North Berkeley Senior Center, Dining Room

AGENDA: B. 1. 2023 Work Plan Progress Check

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/boards-commissions/transportation-and-infrastructure-commission

ZERO WASTE STRATEGIC PLAN MEETING from 6 – 7:30 pm

Virtual: use link to register for zoom link

AGENDA: presentation of plan, same program as Wednesday, October 18

https://berkeleyca.gov/community-recreation/events/zero-waste-strategic-plan-meeting-virtual



Friday, October 20, 2023 – no City meetings or events found

Saturday, October 21, 2023

SHORELINE CLEAN-UP from 9 – 11 am

Meet at 160 University Nature Center

Use link for more information and registration

https://berkeleyca.gov/community-recreation/events/3rd-saturday-shoreline-cleanup-3

Sunday, October 22, 2023 - no City meetings or events found

+++++++++++++++++++



LAND USE CALENDAR PUBLIC HEARINGS:

• 3000 Shattuck Avenue (Construct 10-story mixed-use building) – TBD

WORK SESSIONS & SPECIAL MEETINGS:

• November 2, 2023 - Draft Waterfront Specific Plan
• Proposed December 5, 2023 – Re-Imagining Public Safety Update and Ceasefire– (to be the only action item of the evening, Wengraf and Arreguin will be absent on December 5)

UNSCHEDULED WORK SESSIONS & SPECIAL MEETINGS

• Fire Department Standards of Coverage & Community Risk Assessment
• Dispatch Needs Assessment Presentation
• Presentation on Homelessness/Re-Housing/Thousand-Person Plan

PAST MEETINGS with reports worth reading:

• May 16 - Fire Facilities Study Report, Wildfire Prevention Plan https://berkeleyca.gov/city-council-special-meeting-eagenda-may-16-2023-6-pm
• June 20 (WS) - Climate Action Plan & Resilience Update, Berkeley Economic Dashboards Update reports available https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/city-council/city-council-agendas/city-council-2023-06-20

.

* * * * *

Kelly Hammargren’s summary on what happened the preceding week is posted on the What Happened page at: https://www.sustainableberkeleycoalition.com/what-happened.html and in the Berkeley Daily Planet https://www.berkeleydailyplanet.com/



The Activist’s Calendar of meetings is posted on the What’s Ahead page at: https://www.sustainableberkeleycoalition.com/whats-ahead.html



If you would like to receive the Activist’s Calendar as soon as it is completed send an email to: kellyhammargren@gmail.com.If you want to receive the Activist’s Diary send an email to kellyhammargren@gmail.com. If you wish to stop receiving the weekly calendar of city meetings please forward the email you received to- kellyhammargren@gmail.com -with the request to be removed from the email list.

______________

For Online Public Meetings

CLOSED CAPTIONING, SAVE TRANSCRIPT OVERVIEW, DIRECTIONS and ZOOM SUPPORT LINKS:
.
ZOOM has as part of the program -(for no extra cost)- Closed Captioning (CC). It turns computer voice recognition into a text transcript. Closed Captioning and show full transcript and the save option are only available when the person setting up the ZOOM meeting has activated these options. If you don’t see CC ask for it. If it can’t be activated for the current meeting ask for it for future meetings.

The accuracy of the Closed Captioning is affected by background noise and other factors, The CC and transcript will not be perfect, but most of the time reading through it the few odd words, can be deciphered--for example "Shattuck" was transcribed as Shadow in one recent transcript.

For the online attendee, the full transcript is only available from the time the attendee activates Show Full Transcript. But if you sit through a meeting and then remember 10 minutes before it is over to click on Show Full Transcript you will only get the last 10 minutes, not the full transcript – So click often on both Save Transcript and on Save to Folder during the meeting for best results.



When you click on Show Full Transcript it will allow you to scroll up and down, so if want to go back and see what was said earlier you can do that during the meeting while the transcript is running.



At the bottom of the transcript when we as attendees are allowed to save there will be a button for, "Save Transcript," you can click on the button repeatedly throughout the meeting and it will just overwrite and update the full transcript. Clicking on the Save Transcript repeatedly as the meeting is coming to an end is important because once the host ends the meeting, the transcript is gone if you didn't save it.



Near the end of the meeting, after you click on "Save Transcript," click on "Save to Folder." The meeting transcript will show up (as a download to your desktop) in a separate box as a text file. (These text files are not large.) After you have done your last Save Transcript and Save to Folder (after the meeting is over) you can rename the new transcript folder on your computer, and save it (re-read or send or share it).



Remember, allowing us attendees to save the meeting transcript does not require the public meeting host to save the transcript (for public record.)



Here is the link to ZOOM Support for how to set up Closed Captioning for a meeting or webinar:
https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/8158738379917#h_01GHWATNVPW5FR304S2SVGXN2X



Here is the link to ZOOM Support for attendees in how to save Closed Captions:

https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/360060958752-Using-save-captions#h_01F5XW3BGWJAKJFWCHPPZGBD70

Worth Noting:

There is a special City Council meeting on November 2, 2023 at 6 pm on the Draft Waterfront Specific Plan. (note that the Parks, Recreation and Waterfront Commission Recommendations are separate from the City staff and consultants’ reports)

• The 13-page Report & Recommendations from the Parks, Recreation and Waterfront Commission can be read starting on page 9 at: https://tinyurl.com/y7s4y3xu
• All of the documents from the consultants, meetings, presentations and city staff are at: https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/our-work/capital-projects/waterfront-specific-plan

The next regular Tuesday evening 6 pm City Council meeting is listed as November 7, 2023

Check the City website for late announcements and meetings posted on short notice at: https://berkeleyca.gov/

Go to meetings and events are bolded: The Bird Festival looks terrific. Wednesday is a public hearing on BART. The Zero Waste Strategic Plan is offered twice. Two SB 330 state density projects at DRC on Thursday.

• Sunday: From 8 am to 5 pm there are Bird Festival activities all over Berkeley from birding field trips, to sidewalk chalk drawing to poetry, art and presentations at the Brower Center on plants for birds and making your home safe for birds.
• Monday:
  • At 6 pm the online Point Molate speaker is on the Marine Mammal Center.
  • At 7 pm the Peace and Justice Commission meets in person.
  • At 7 pm the Homeless Panel of Experts Subcommittee on guidelines and policies for homeless encampment meets in person. This meeting is not posted.
• Wednesday:
  • At 1:30 pm the Commission on Aging meets in person.
  • At 5:30 pm the Planning Commission meets in person and holds a public hearing on Objective standards for the North Berkeley BART Station Housing.
  • At 6 pm is the Zero Waste Strategic Plan Presentation.
  • At 6 pm the Environment and Climate Commission meets in person.
  • At 7 pm the Commission on Labor meets in person.
  • At 7 pm the Commission on the status of Women meets in person.
• Thursday:
  • At 10:30 am the Health, Life Enrichment, Equity & Community meets on an ordinance on horse racing.
  • At 6 pm the Zero Waste Strategic Plan will be repeated in the online.
  • At 6:30 pm the Fair Campaign Practices Commission/Open Government Commission meets in person.
  • At 6:30 pm the Design Review Committee meets in person on two projects 17-story at 2420 Shattuck and 6-story 2127 Dwight.
• Saturday: From 9 am – 11 am Shoreline Cleanup

Activist’s Diary for week ending Oct 8, 2023 Parts 1 & 2 https://berkeleydailyplanet.com/issue/2023-10-04

Directions with links to ZOOM support for activating Closed Captioning and Save Transcript are at the bottom of this calendar.

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BERKELEY PUBLIC MEETINGS AND CIVIC EVENTS

Sunday, October 15, 2023

BERKELEY BIRD FESTIVAL from 8 am – 5 pm

Check the website there is something for everyone: field trips, bird watching, sidewalk chalk drawing, tours of the UC Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, poetry, stories, children’s art and presentations at the Brower Center on birding, bird safe home plants for birds

https://berkeleybirdfestival.org/

Monday, October 16, 2023

PEACE and JUSTICE COMMISSION at 7 pm

In-Person: at 2939 Ellis, South Berkeley Senior Center

AGENDA: 8. Discussion and Planning Forum Regarding Fukushima Waste, 9. Discussion with Corina Gould regarding land acknowledgement.

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/boards-commissions/peace-and-justice-commission

HOMELESS SERVICES PANEL of EXPERTS Subcommittee on HOMELESS ENCAMPMENT GUIDELINES at 7 pm

In-Person: 1939 Addison, East Bay Media Center

AGENDA: Guidelines and Policies presented by Radu at the October 4, Homeless Services Panel of Experts Meeting. NOTE: the October 16 subcommittee meeting is not posted on the Berkeley City website

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/boards-commissions/homeless-services-panel-experts

SPEAKING UP for POINT MOLATE at 6 pm

Videoconference: https://sierraclub.zoom.us/j/99891619534

Meeting ID: 998 9161 9534

Agenda: Speaker Laura Gill on the Marine Mammal Center, “Behind the Bark”

Tuesday, October 17, 2023 - no City meetings or events found

Wednesday, October 18, 2023

COMMISSION on AGING at 1:30 pm

In-Person: at 1901 Hearst, North Berkeley Senior Center

AGENDA: Presentations: 1. Sidewalk Repair, 2. Use and multifunctionality of senior centers as a City resource, Commissioner Reports: 1. Age-friendly parks, 2. City merchants accepting cash only (this was supposed to be cards only), Action Items: Commission on Disabilities lawsuit with City of Berkeley over commissioner virtual attendance.

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/boards-commissions/commission-aging

COMMISSION on LABOR at 7 pm

In-Person: at 2939 Ellis St, South Berkeley Senior Center, Multi-purpose Room

AGENDA: Information Updates: 2. Labor education, 3. Fair Workweek Ordinance Outreach, 4. Subcommittee appointments, 5. Date and time for November 2023 meeting.

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/boards-commissions/commission-labor

COMMISSION on the STATUS of WOMEN at 7 pm

In-Person: at 1901 Hearst, North Berkeley Senior Center

AGENDA: (all agenda items are listed as discussion/possible action except chair report) 6. Panel/Presenters on Sex Trafficking, 7. Chair Report, 8. Topics from Small business subcommittees, 9. Proper lighting in Neighborhoods, 10. Calendar of Public Information, 11. Non-profit Village Connect, 13. Workplan.

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/boards-commissions/commission-status-women

ENVIRONMENT and CLIMATE COMMISSION at 6 pm

In-Person: at 1901 Hearst, North Berkeley Senior Center

AGENDA: 7. Presentation, Discussion and Action: BESO Proposed Time and Sale Upgrade, 9. Workplan Subcommittee Updates on Vehicle Miles Traveled, Native Plants and Pest Reduction, Electrification.

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/boards-commissions/environment-and-climate-commission

PLANNING COMMISSION at 5:30 pm

In-Person: at 1901 Hearst, North Berkeley Senior Center

AGENDA: 10. Public Hearing North Berkeley BART Objective Design Standards (packet 198 pages)

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/boards-commissions/planning-commission

ZERO WASTE STRATEGIC PLAN MEETING from 6 – 7:30 pm

In-Person: at 1901 Hearst, North Berkeley Senior Center

AGENDA: presentation of plan, presentation of plan will also be offered virtually on Thursday

https://berkeleyca.gov/community-recreation/events/zero-waste-strategic-plan-meeting-person

Thursday, October 19, 2023



HEALTH, LIFE, ENRICHMENT, EQUITY & COMMUNITY at 10:30 am

A Hybrid Meeting

In-Person: 2180 Milvia, 6th Floor, Redwood Room

Videoconference: https://cityofberkeley-info.zoomgov.com/j/1608367679

Teleconference: 1-669-254-5252 or 1-833-568-8864 (Toll Free)

Meeting ID: 160 836 7679

AGENDA: Kate Harrison – Adopt an Ordinance Adding Chapter 12.75 to BMC to Establish Protections Relating to Animals Held, Owned, Used, Exhibited or Otherwise Kept for Racing or Other Sport, Entertainment or Profit.

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/city-council/council-committees/policy-committee-health-life-enrichment-equity-community

DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE at 6:30 pm

In-Person: at 1901 Hearst, North Berkeley Senior Center, Gooseberry Room

AGENDA: 2420 Shattuck [between Channing and Haste] DRCP2023-0018 – to demolish two existing commercial buildings, merge two lots, and construct a 17-story mixed-use building with 132 dwelling units and a 2314 sq ft commercial space a SB 330 state density bonus project,

2127 Dwight [between Shattuck and Fulton] DRCP2023-0004 – to demolish two of the existing four residential buildings (demolish 8 units and retain 8 units) and replace with new 6-story residential building with 58 dwelling units with 70 bedrooms without windows (combined total of retained buildings and new project 66 dwelling units and 304 bedrooms on lot), a SB 330 state density project.

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/boards-commissions/design-review-committee

FAIR CAMPAIGN PRACTICES COMMISSION (FCPC) / OPEN GOVERNMENT COMMISSION (OGC) at 6:30 pm

In-Person: at 1901 Hearst, North Berkeley Senior Center, Aspen Room

AGENDA: 6. City Clerk enforcement referral regarding Mike Chang for BUSD School Board 2022, 7. Berkeley Election Reform Act (BERA) clean-up amendments, 8. Report from staff on public financing matching funds disbursements to Mark Humbert for council 2022, 9. Report from subcommittee on contribution limits.

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/boards-commissions/fair-campaign-practices-commission

TRANSPORTATION and INFRASTRUCTURE COMMISSION at 7 pm

In-Person: at 1901 Hearst, North Berkeley Senior Center, Dining Room

AGENDA: B. 1. 2023 Work Plan Progress Check

https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/boards-commissions/transportation-and-infrastructure-commission

ZERO WASTE STRATEGIC PLAN MEETING from 6 – 7:30 pm

Virtual: use link to register for zoom link

AGENDA: presentation of plan, same program as Wednesday, October 18

https://berkeleyca.gov/community-recreation/events/zero-waste-strategic-plan-meeting-virtual



Friday, October 20, 2023 – no City meetings or events found

Saturday, October 21, 2023

SHORELINE CLEAN-UP from 9 – 11 am

Meet at 160 University Nature Center

Use link for more information and registration

https://berkeleyca.gov/community-recreation/events/3rd-saturday-shoreline-cleanup-3

Sunday, October 22, 2023 - no City meetings or events found

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LAND USE CALENDAR PUBLIC HEARINGS:

• 3000 Shattuck Avenue (Construct 10-story mixed-use building) – TBD

WORK SESSIONS & SPECIAL MEETINGS:

• November 2, 2023 - Draft Waterfront Specific Plan
• Proposed December 5, 2023 – Re-Imagining Public Safety Update and Ceasefire– (to be the only action item of the evening, Wengraf and Arreguin will be absent on December 5)

UNSCHEDULED WORK SESSIONS & SPECIAL MEETINGS

• Fire Department Standards of Coverage & Community Risk Assessment
• Dispatch Needs Assessment Presentation
• Presentation on Homelessness/Re-Housing/Thousand-Person Plan

PAST MEETINGS with reports worth reading:

• May 16 - Fire Facilities Study Report, Wildfire Prevention Plan https://berkeleyca.gov/city-council-special-meeting-eagenda-may-16-2023-6-pm
• June 20 (WS) - Climate Action Plan & Resilience Update, Berkeley Economic Dashboards Update reports available https://berkeleyca.gov/your-government/city-council/city-council-agendas/city-council-2023-06-20

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Kelly Hammargren’s summary on what happened the preceding week is posted on the What Happened page at: https://www.sustainableberkeleycoalition.com/what-happened.html and in the Berkeley Daily Planet https://www.berkeleydailyplanet.com/



The Activist’s Calendar of meetings is posted on the What’s Ahead page at: https://www.sustainableberkeleycoalition.com/whats-ahead.html



If you would like to receive the Activist’s Calendar as soon as it is completed send an email to: kellyhammargren@gmail.com.If you want to receive the Activist’s Diary send an email to kellyhammargren@gmail.com. If you wish to stop receiving the weekly calendar of city meetings please forward the email you received to- kellyhammargren@gmail.com -with the request to be removed from the email list.

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50 years ago, the UK/US forced expulsion of the native residents of Diego Garcia to make way for a US military base. This issue remains a blight on the conscience of both the United States and the United Kingdom, and it is time for us to confront our past actions and make amends. 

Diego Garcia, located in the Indian Ocean, was once a British Protectorate. However, in a deeply regrettable move, the British government handed over this land to the United States in the late 1960s. In doing so, they forcibly removed the multi-generational native inhabitants of the Chagos Archipelago, primarily from Mauritius and Seychelles. These individuals were given no choice in the matter, and their ancestral homes were taken away from them. The natives of Diego Garcia have been demanding an apology and massive reparations for the grave injustice that was committed against them. It is a painful history marked by deception, as both the US and the UK falsely claimed that there were no natives on the island, only contractors. This deceit led to the heart-wrenching decision to gas the beloved dogs of the Chagossians to make way for the military base. Furthermore, the Americans sought to make the island entirely free of its native inhabitants. 

President Biden has spoken extensively about the United States being a center of human rights, and now is the time to walk the walk. The US government must offer a sincere apology and provide substantial reparations to the former natives of Diego Garcia. It is their right to return to their ancestral homes, and it is our moral duty to facilitate this. As Olivier Bancoult, a prominent Chagossian activist, states, "The U.S. is fully responsible for what happened to our people." The military base on Diego Garcia played a pivotal role in the US invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan, but this should not overshadow the crime against humanity committed against the Chagossians. 

It is worth noting that this is not an isolated incident. Author David Vine points out that there have been more than 20 cases of the US displacing local populations for military bases around the world. The Chagossians are not alone in their struggle for justice. 

In conclusion, it is high time for the US government to acknowledge its responsibility in this matter, apologize, and provide the necessary reparations to the Chagossians. " It is time for justice to take precedence over geopolitical interests.

Content warning: Mixed Messages: I'm offering complex and mixed messages in the following essay some of which are defiant, some of which are probably accurate but satirical, and some of which advise in a more conservative approach. Since life isn't simple and since life doesn't stick to just one rule, I don't stick to one rule or one way of perceiving everything or doing everything. 

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Social engineering apparently exists. Governments seem to install mechanisms to cause society to be orderly and prosperous for those who abide by their rules. Yet if you can't or won't behave in ways that social engineers "want to see," you could be excluded and/or rendered defunct. There are ways this can be done. And many "in" people approve of this. 

Mechanisms seem to exist so that people can do things like drive across town to run errands without a problem, go to their jobs, raise their children, and go on ocean cruises when older. 

The objectives in the design of the mental health treatment system include keeping cash out of our hands, preventing us from becoming nuisances to the good working people--doing this through segregation, and "managing" us. They designed the system to insulate the greater society from being disturbed by inappropriate mental health consumers who are acting "strange." 

It might be confusing to many working people when they see someone acting outside of the narrow zone of behaviors that people view as normal and acceptable. When people are perplexed by a mentally divergent person's behavior, it will be harder for them to do their jobs. They might spend too much time trying to understand what a behavior meant. 

The above paragraphs are partly conjecture. The next paragraph is more factual: 

A simple reality: a mentally ill person who evades or refuses treatment can be a danger to themselves and others, can be a nuisance, and may not be able to take care of oneself. That's a straightforward observation and it does not need to be dissected. There are no subcomponents to what I said. 

The second fact I'll offer, derived from the first: If you have a psychiatric condition, you need to accept treatment. There are many ways to do this, some of which will not subject you to indignities, and some of which could make you feel a lot better than you would otherwise. 

If you are mentally ill and if you want to be successful in life, don't try to defy the system too much. If you try to overcome the system, it won't go well. The system is bigger than you, and if you try to outdo the system, it can squash you. I know all about this. In my past, I was dumb enough to think I could live by my own rules. Many people were unhappy with this. 

When mental health consumers are subject to "segregation" as I wrote above, this is accomplished through providing outpatient treatment programs that we might attend all day. Then at the end of the day, people are brought back to a group home by the van driver. Your whole day is planned out, and there is no space in it to become a "nuisance." 

Apparently, I was spotted going to the bank at some point. (Guess what: I have a bank account!) I was phoned, and an unidentified person asked me why I was seen at the bank. I used to get a lot of calls like that. Militant "normal" people wanting to ask questions about my behavior. More than once my response has been "I don't have to tell you anything." And once at a group for mental health consumers, a person commented I had a nice shirt, but said this in a way that implied I do not have a right to wear a nice shirt. The same kind of comment was made about the apartment I lived in. 

People have the impudence to think they can interrogate a mentally divergent person by phone or in person. More than ten years ago, a person came up to me and wanted to ask questions about why I was in a certain area of the County Hospital. I was providing transportation to my wife who wanted to attend something there. The interrogator had sat on a wooden bench next to me, she was bigger than me, and her presence was overpowering in a bad way. She asked, "What brings you here?" 

This is the kind of thing you get. The people who have designed society expect and want mentally divergent people to just disappear, aside from providing bread and butter jobs for county social workers and treatment professionals. In that case we shouldn't disappear. But whatever we do, we are not to go to the bank, wear a nice shirt, rent a nice apartment, or do any of the things normal people do. 

 

Jack Bragen lives and writes in Martinez, California.

The carefully planned Hamas attack on Israel on October 7 has already caused the deaths of more than 1,200 Israelis, including at least 22 American citizens, and at least 1,100 in Gaza. In addition an unknown number of American citizens are being held hostage by Hamas. The War in the Holy Land has produced atrocities that cannot be denied or justified. No righteous cause justifies the slaughter of innocent civilians on either side. 

However, anyone paying attention to the troubles between Israel and the HAMAS, should not have been surprised that violence of some sort was inevitable; it was not if, but when. 

Consider that the last public talks between the Israelis and Palestinians ended in 2014. At that time, U.S. Secretary of State John F. Kerry put the blame mostly on the Israelis for their suspension. And consider that five million Palestinians live under occupation with no civil rights; no freedom of mobility; no say in their lives. As Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the first cardinal of Jerusalem, put it, Gaza is an "open prison.” Since then, no talks have taken place, even while three U.S. presidents — Barack Obama, Donald Trump, and Joe Biden have only given lip service to the two-states for two peoples solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. 

A two-state solution is an unpopular notion for Israel’s new right-wing government who oppose concessions to the Palestinians and rule out an independent Palestinian state in the land Israel has occupied since the1967 Mideast War. Consider that in December 2022, incoming prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu published his right-wing coalition’s principles and agenda, promising construction of settlements throughout the country including in the West Bank. One of the guidelines include the following: "The Jewish people have an exclusive and inalienable right to all parts of the Land of Israel. The government will promote and develop the settlement of all parts of the Land of Israel — in the Galilee, the Negev, the Golan and Judea and Samaria.” 

Hamas, a Sunni Islamic group, in its 1988 Charter does not recognize Israel’s right to exist and whose goals from the beginning have been to liberate Palestine from Israeli occupation through any means necessary. In a bid to improve its flagging international standing, Hamas released a contradictory new policy document in 2017 that presents softened language on Israel while still calling for its destruction. The document accepts the idea of a Palestinian state in territories captured by Israel in the Six-Day War of 1967 but dismisses the State of Israel as “illegal,” asserting a Palestinian claim to the entire land of Israel, and a so-called right of return for all descendants of refugees. Israel dismissed the new document as an attempt to “fool the world.” 

Clearly, Israel and HAMAS have diametrically views on what the future of Palestine, not a formula for lasting peace. Yet, without hope for a peaceful solution between Israel and HAMAS, continuing conflict seems inevitable. As King Abdullah II of Jordan warned in December 2023, “Without clarity on where the Palestinians’ future lies, it will be impossible to converge on a political solution to this conflict. Five million Palestinians live under occupation — no civil rights; no freedom of mobility; no say in their lives.” 

In the meantime, Israel has ordered a complete siege of Gaza, which includes sealing the borders, no power, no food, no clean drinking water, no gas, and no proper sanitation and healthcare. If Israel, as expected, invades Gaza, many more casualties can be expected. If Israel , as expected, wins the War in the Holy Land, I expect an Israeli occupation of Gaza and then annexation will follow.

 

 

Recently, San Francisco Opera’s Music Director Eun Sun Kim joked that “Casting Trovatore is very easy — you just need to find the five best singers in the world,” adding that ‘I really think we have those singers on our team.” Sure enough. When I attended Il Trovatore on Friday, September 29, I was deeply impressed by the high quality of singing by the five principals and, indeed, by the entire cast. 

Two of the principals were new to me, while I had previously heard the Mexican tenor Arturo Chacon-Cruz as the Duke of Mantua in Verdi’s Rigoletto and Rodolfo in Puccini’s La Bohème.; and I had previously heard Russian mezzo-soprano Ekaterina Semenchuk as Frederica in Luisa Miller, Amneris in Aida, and Santuzza in Cavalleria Rusticana. Now, as Manrico in Verdi’s Il Trovatore, Arturo Chacon-Cruz achieved radiant new heights of vocal intensity. His powerful high notes soared compellingly. Yet perhaps the most impressive of this opera’s principals was soprano Angel Blue as Leonora. Returning to the War Memorial Opera House for the first tiime since singing the role of Clara here in Porgy and Bess in 2009, Angel Blue as Leonora displayed astonishing vocal power and a rich, burnished creaminess in coloration. There was an electric rush of vitality in everything Angel Blue sang. 

Likewise, Russian mezzo-soprano Ekaterina Semenchuk sent shivers up this listener’s spine with her vocally dramatic portrayal of the troubled Gypsy woman Azucena. With Azucena, as many scholars have noted, Verdi created one of his most complex characters, a woman haunted by the memory of seeing her mother burned at the stake while imploring her daughter to avenge her. Then, Azucena grabbed one of the infant sons of the elder Count di Luna and threw this child into the flames only to discover to her horror that in her confusion the child she sacrificed was her own infant son. Yet in spite of this trauma, Azucena has devoted herself to providing motherly love to Manrico even while knowing that he is not her son. Among the principals in this production of Il Trovatore, we heard Romanian baritone George Petean as the current Count di Luna, a man possessed by desire for Leonora but who becomes madly jealous when he learns that she loves the troubadour Manrico. Although clearly the villain of this opera, Count di Luna has the sumptuous aria “Il balen del suo sorriso”/“The shine of her smile,” in which he sings rapturously of the beauty of Leonora., and here George Petean produced one of the vocal highlights of the many such moments in this great opera. Finally, to round out the five principals in Il Trovatore, we heard Canadian bass Robert Pomakov as Ferrando, who single-handedly dominates the entire first scene of this opera as he recounts to a group of soldiers the story of the burning at the stake of Azucena’s mother and the dire consequences of that harrowing moment in the ongoing lives of the other principals. In the role of Ferrando, Robert Pomakov sang splendidly. 

Verdi’s librettist for Il Trovatore was Salvatore Cammarano, who took as his source the 1836 play El Trovador by Spanish playwright Antonio Garcia Guttiérrez. Cammarano delved into this work of Spanish Romanticism and cast it in, as Julian Budden calls it, “the well-trodden path of cavatinas, cabalettas and pezzi concertati.” However, in spite of this old-fashioned operatic style, Verdi’s remarkable music never lets this opera bog down. Instead, one great tune after another spills out of this opera at every moment. Further, Verdi diligently created different vocal styles for each of his main characters. Julian Budden notes that, “While the heroine, Leonora, is the epitome of everything lyrical, an aristocrat who expresses herself in long, flowing melodies, Azucena is a woman of the people, speaking a demotic language, mostly in 3/8 or 6/8, mostly of short-breathed rhythmic patterns. Lyrical by fits and starts, she is otherwise the essence of everything dramatic.” 

As an aristocrat, Count di Luna shares to some extent the lyrical style of the aristocratic Leonora. However, di Luna’s passionate desire for Leonora and implacable desire for revenge against Manrico enable his vocal style to veer into the dramatic vein. As for Manrico, when he converses with his mother, he adopts her demotic, short-breathed style, but when expressing his love for Leonora he adopts her lyrical style. 

Sir David McVicar’s acclaimed production of Il Trovatore, first presented here in 2009, is inspired by Spanish artist Francisco Goya’s The Disasters of War, an image of which serves as production curtain. McVicar uses a revolving set designed by Charles Edwards that rotates throughout this opera, offering different perspectives on the actions. Happily, McVicar never allows himself any instances of aberrational directorial caprice that have plagued many recent opera productions under Matthew Shilvock’s tenure as General Manager. Costumes for Il Trovatore are designed by Brigitte Reiffenstuel and lighting designs are by Jennifer Tipton. Revival Director of this McVicar production is Roy Rallo. Eun Sun Kim’s conducting was, as always, spot on, concise yet full of orchestral vigour. In short, this was an Il Trovatore for the ages, one that can hold its head high among the many previous great productions of this work at San Francisco Opera.