Kids at the Ursula Sherman Village help Mayor Tom Bates christen a new play structure

The small earthquake that shook people out of their slumber Thursday at 5:36 am put everyone’s nerves just a little bit more on edge. Berkeley has been rattled by a number of quakes in the past ten days. Does this mean the Big One is on its way or does it mean nothing? A quake expert weighs in.
Happenings in our fair city this week prompted vigorous debate among readers who expressed opinions about whether the city should alert residents about street sweeping dates and whether a new medical cannabis collective should be operating on Sacramento Street. Another question pondered: What role did Berkeley police play in helping quell the Occupy Oakland protests?
There were a couple of “aw shucks” stories too, including the tale of the Berkeley boys who have wowed New York City with their burritos, a Q & A with the founder of Urban Ore, the play structure built by the Rotary Club for homeless kids, and the poignant portrait of piano mover Edward Gong, who passed away recently, by his niece. Berkeley author Julia Scheeres’ new book on the Jonestown tragedy shows a more tragic aspect of life.

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Frances Dinkelspiel, Berkeleyside and CItyside co-founder, is a journalist and author. Her first book, Towers of Gold: How One Jewish Immigrant Named Isaias Hellman Created California, published in November...