Page One

Calendar of Events & Activities

— compiled by Chason Wainwright

Wednesday January 31, 2001

Wednesday, Jan. 31

Planning Commission Hearing on the Oxford lot

7 p.m.

North Berkeley Senior Center

Martin Luther King Jr. Way at Hearst Ave.

Berkeley Symphony Orchestra

8 p.m.

Zellerbach Hall

UC Berkeley

Featuring “Berkeley Images,” a world premiere by Jean-Pascal Beintus.

$10 - $35 Call 841-2800

Conversations in Commedia

7:30 p.m.

La Pena Cultural Center

3105 Shattuck Ave. (at Prince)

Mime Troupe vet and St. Stupid’s Day creator, Ed Holmes, and 84-year-old Bari Rolfe, a mime for over 30 years, give dialogues on satire.

$6 - $8

Call 849-2568

Stagebridge Free Acting & Storytelling Classes for

Seniors

10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

First Congregational Church

2501 Harrison St.

Oakland

Call 444-4755 or visit www.stagebridge.org

Berkeley High Poetry Slam

6:30 p.m.

Berkeley High School

2246 Milvia St., Room G-210

A preliminary round for the regional poetry slams sponsored by youth speaks.

Human Welfare & Community Action Commission

7 p.m.

South Berkeley Senior Center

2939 Ellis St.

The Poetry of Robert Hass

Noon - 1 p.m.

Lower Sproul Plaza

UC Berkeley

Former U.S. Poet Laureate will read.

Public Exposure: DNA,

Democracy and the “Wireless Revolution”

7:15 p.m.

Community Meeting Room

Public Safety Building

2100 Martin Luther King Jr. Way

A video on the health risks of wireless communication technology.

Thursday, Feb. 1

Free “Quit Smoking” Class

5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

South Berkeley Senior Center

2939 Ellis (at Ashby)

Cease your smoking with the help of this free class offered to Berkeley residents and employees.

Call 644-6422 to enroll or e-mail quitnow@ci.berkeley.ca.us

Duomo Readings Open Mic.

6:30 - 9 p.m.

Cafe Firenze

2116 Shattuck Ave.

With featured poet John Rowe and host Randy Fingland.

644-0155

Hiking the California Desert

7 p.m.

Recreational Equipment, Inc.

1338 San Pablo Ave.

Steve Tabor of the conservation group Desert Survivors presents a slide-show of highlights from his reconnaissance trips along more than 400 miles of trail. Free

Call 527-7377

Berkeley Metaphysical

Toastmasters Club

6:15 - 7:30 p.m.

2515 Hillegass Ave.

Public speaking skills and metaphysics come together. Ongoing first and third Thursdays each month.

Call 869-2547

Dark Caves & Sunlight

7 - 9 p.m.

Hillside Community Church

1422 Navellier St.

El Cerrito

A series of Thursday evenings of conversation “engaging people in discovering the pleasures of an excellent discussion.” Explore the origins of how people speak to each other. $10

Friday, Feb. 2

Strong Women - Writers &

Heroes of Literature

1 - 3 p.m.

North Berkeley Senior Center

1901 Hearst Ave. (at MLK Jr. Way)

Taught by Dr. Helen Rippier Wheeler, author of “Women and Aging: A Guide to Literature,” this is a free weekly literature course in the Berkeley Adult School’s Older Adults Program.

Call 549-2970

Allee der Kosmontauten

8 p.m.

Zellerbach Hall

UC Berkeley

Performance of Berlin choreographer Sasha Waltz 1996 work in its West Coast premiere. Also features the film work of Elliot Caplan. $20 - $42

Call 642-9988 or e-mail tickets@calperfs.berkeley.edu

“A Night In Oakland”

8 p.m.

Alice Arts Center

1428 Alice St. (at 14th St.)

Oakland

Savage Jazz Dance Company launches their 2001 spring season along with the Marcus Shelby Jazz Orchestra.

$10 - $15

Call 496-6068 or visit

www.savagejazz.org

Stagebridge Free Acting

& Storytelling

Classes for Seniors

10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

First Congregational Church

2501 Harrison St.

Oakland

Call 444-4755 or visit www.stagebridge.org

Taize Worship Service

7:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Loper Chapel

(adjacent to) First Congregational Church of Berkeley

2345 Channing Way 848-3696

Saturday, Feb. 3

Spirits in the Time of AIDS Artists Talk

1 p.m.

Pro Arts Gallery

461 Ninth St.

As part of “Consecrations,” the public is invited to hear artists speak about their work and show slides. Free

Call 763-9425

Free Tae-Bo Classes for Adults

10 - 10:45 a.m.

Frances Albrier Community Center

San Pablo Park

2800 Park St.

Call 644-8515

Free Martial Arts Classes for Kids

11:15 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Frances Albrier Community Center

San Pablo Park

2800 Park St.

Classes taught by Michael Johnson, a fourth degree black belt. Ages 5 - 7, 11:15 a.m. - Noon; Ages 8 - 12, 12:15 p.m. - 1 p.m.; Ages 13 to adults, 1:15 p.m. - 2 p.m.

644-8515

Free Sailboat Rides

1 - 4 p.m.

Cal Sailing Club

Berkeley Marina

The Cal Sailing Club, a non-profit sailing and windsurfing cooperative, give free rides on a first come, first served bases on the first full weekend of each month. Wear warm clothes and bring a change of clothes in case you get wet. Children must be at least five years old and must be accompanies by an adult.

Visit www.cal-sailing.org

Fruit Tree Pruning

10 a.m. - Noon

Ecology Center Library

2530 San Pablo Ave.

An introductory class for the home fruit grower. Class taught by Greg Peck, owner of an organic landscape and garden design business in the East Bay.

$7.50 - $10

Call 548-2220

Women’s Evening at the Movies

7:30 p.m.

Pacific Center

2712 Telegraph Ave.

“Late Bloomer,” the story of a high school basketball coach who realizes she’s fallen for the school secretary. Women’s Evening at the Movies is the first Saturday of every month.

Visit www.pacificcenter.org

— compiled by

Chason Wainwright

Empyrean Ensemble

4 p.m.

Julia Morgan Theater

2640 College Ave.

Featuring a commissioned piece, “Prosperous Soul, Gregarious Heart,” newly composed by Peter Josheff in honor of his late father.

Call 845-8542

Sunday, Feb. 4

“Under Construction No. 10”

7:30 p.m.

St. John’s Presbyterian Church

2727 College Ave.

Experience the unusual rehearsal-reading format that lets the audience experience the collaboration between conductor, orchestra and composer in the Berkeley Symphony’s unique series presenting new works or works-in-progress by local Bay Area composers.

Call 841-2800

Russian National Orchestra

4 p.m.

Zellerbach Hall

UC Berkeley

On their tenth anniversary tour, the RNO will perform Shostakovich’s symphony No. 5 and Tchaikovsky’s piano concerto No. 2.

$30 - $52

Call 642-9988 or e-mail tickets@calperfs.berkeley.edu

From Flatlands to the Stars

9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Diamond Park

Fruitvale Ave. (at Lyman Rd.)

A hardy hike along Sausal Creek in Oakland’s unexplored Diamond and Joaquin Miller parks. A free hike sponsored by Greenbelt Alliance.

Call 415-255-3233 for reservations or visit www.greenbelt.org

Timbrels & Torahs: Celebrating Wisdom,

Celebrating Age

10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Berkeley Richmond Jewish Community Center

1414 Walnut St.

Miriam Chaya and Judy Montell discuss their Simchat Hochmah ceremony, which celebrates a woman’s transition from mid-life to her eldering years.

Call 848-0237 x127

“A Night In Oakland”

2 & 8 p.m.

Alice Arts Center

1428 Alice St. (at 14th St.)

Oakland

Savage Jazz Dance Company launches their 2001 spring season along with the Marcus Shelby Jazz Orchestra.

$10 - $15

Call 496-6068 or visit www.savagejazz.org

Spiritual & Cultural Context of Mbira

8 p.m.

Shambhala Booksellers

2482 Telegraph Ave.

Berkeley native Erica Azim has played Shona mbira music for 30 years, and is the foremost mbira performer and recording artist in the U.S. The mbira has metal keys which are plucked with two thumbs and one forefinger, “creating relaxing yet invigorating polyphony and polyrhythms.” Free

Call 848-8443

Solving the East Bay Energy Crisis

3 p.m.

Berkeley Fellowship Unitarian Universalists

Fellowship Hall

1924 Cedar (at Bonita)

Barbara George of Women’s Energy Matters and a Utility Reform Network representative, Kris Worthington, Berkeley city council member, Ross Mirkarimi of the Green Party, and others will discuss the past and future of the energy situation in the East Bay, including possibilities of conservation, clean, renewable energy and municipally-owned public utilities.

Call 233-3175

Free Sailboat Rides

1 - 4 p.m.

Cal Sailing Club

Berkeley Marina

Visit www.cal-sailing.org

Meditations for Relieving Pain

6 p.m.

Tibetan Nyingma Institute

1815 Highland Pl.

Sylvia Gretchen presents specific meditations and visualization practices that can help to relieve physical and mental pain. Free

Call 843-6812

Tibetan Nyingma Institute Open House

3 - 5 p.m.

Tibetan Nyingma Institute

1815 Highland Pl.

A free introduction to Tibetan Buddhist culture including a prayer wheel and meditation garden tour and yoga demonstration. Refreshments will be served. Free

Call 843-6812

Monday, Feb. 5

Youth Commission

6 p.m.

Martin Luther King Jr. Youth Center

1730 Oregon St.

Rent Stabalization Board

7 p.m.

2134 MLK Jr. Way

Second Floor Council Chamber

Personnel Board Meeting

7 p.m.

Permit Center

2118 Milvia St.

First Floor Conference Room

Landmarks Preservation Commission

7:30 p.m.

North Berkeley Senior Center

1901 Hearst Ave. (at MLK Jr. Way)

Peace & Justice Commission

7 p.m.

North Berkeley Senior Center

1901 Hearst Ave. (at MLK Jr. Way)

Tuesday, Feb. 6

Berkeley Intelligent Conversation

7 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Jewish Community Center

1414 Walnut Ave. (at Rose)

With no religious affiliation, this twice-monthly group, led informally by former UC Berkeley extension lecturer Robert Berent, seeks to bring people together to have interesting discussions on contemporary topics. This evenings discussion topic is sex, love, dating, and relationships in celebration of Valentine’s Day.

Call 527-5332

Berkeley Camera Club

7:30 p.m.

Northbrae Community Church

941 The Alameda

Share your slides and learn what other photographers are doing. Monthly field trips.

Call Wade, 531-8664

Free! Early Music Group

10 - 11:30 a.m.

North Berkeley Senior Center

1901 Hearst Ave. (at MLK Jr. Way)

A small group who sing madrigals and other voice harmonies. Their objective: To enjoy making music and building musical skills.

Call Ann 655-8863 or e-mail: ann@integratedarts.org

Wednesday, Feb. 7

Stagebridge Free Acting & Storytelling

Classes for Seniors

10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

First Congregational Church

2501 Harrison St.

Oakland

Call 444-4755 or visit www.stagebridge.org

Legacy to Liberation

7 p.m.

Revolution Books

2425 Channing Way

A roundtable discussion by contributors to the recently published anthology “Politics and Culture of Revolutionary Asian Pacific America.” Contributors include Richard Aoki, Yuri Kockiyama, Sun Lee and Dolly Veale.

$2 donation

848-1196

Thursday, Feb. 8

Free “Quit Smoking” Class

5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

South Berkeley Senior Center

2939 Ellis (at Ashby)

Cease your smoking with the help of this free class offered to Berkeley residents and employees.

Call 644-6422 to enroll or e-mail quitnow@ci.berkeley.ca.us

Duomo Readings Open Mic.

6:30 - 9 p.m.

Cafe Firenze

2116 Shattuck Ave.

With featured poet Tom Odegard and host Dale Jensen.

644-0155

Great Mt. Diablo Day Hikes

7 p.m.

Recreational Equipment, Inc.

1338 San Pablo Ave.

Ken Lavin, former president of Mt. Diablo Interpretative Association, for a slide-show of his favorite day hikes in Mt. Diablo State Park.

Call 527-7377

Jam Session

7 p.m.

Maurice’s Cafe

6038 Telegraph

Oakland

Poetry with jazz featuring Jimmy Sands.

Call 653-6775

Exploring Surfaces

7 - 9 p.m.

Hillside Community Church

1422 Navellier St.

El Cerrito

A series of Thursday evenings of conversation “engaging people in discovering the pleasures of an excellent discussion.” Transverse the world’s ecological regions, describing what you know and what you’ve heard.

$10

Friday, Feb. 9

Strong Women - Writers &

Heroes of Literature

1 - 3 p.m.

North Berkeley Senior Center

1901 Hearst Ave. (at MLK Jr. Way)

Taught by Dr. Helen Rippier Wheeler, author of “Women and Aging: A Guide to Literature,” this is a free weekly literature course in the Berkeley Adult School’s Older Adults Program.

Call 549-2970

Stagebridge Free Acting & Storytelling

Classes for Seniors

10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

First Congregational Church

2501 Harrison St.

Oakland

Call 444-4755 or visit www.stagebridge.org

Berkeley PC Users Group

7 p.m.

Vista College

2020 Milvia St., Room 303

E-Mail: meldancing@aol.com

Introducing: Julia Morgan School for Girls

7:30 - 8:30 a.m.

Julia Morgan School for Girls

Holy Names College

Sky Room, Durocher Hall

3510 Mountain Blvd.

Oakland

A select gathering of business and professional women devoted to fostering leadership in the young girls in our community.

Saturday, Feb. 10

Spirits in the Time of AIDS Open Mic.

1 p.m.

Pro Arts Gallery

461 Ninth St.

Oakland

As part of “Consecrations,” the public is invited to see special performances, spoken word, commentary and more.

Call 763-9425

Masters of Persian Classical Music

8 p.m.

Zellerbach Hall

UC Berkeley

Featuring vocalist Mohammad Reza Sharjarian and his son, Homayoun Sharjarian.

$20 - $40

Call 642-9988 or e-mail tickets@calperfs.berkeley.edu

Dreams & Intuition

10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

1502 Tenth St.

Marcia Emery, Ph.D., will discuss how to attune your intuitive dream antenna, intuitively unravel the symbolic message of a dream symbol and apply an intuitive dream interpretation method to the entire dream.

$85

Call 526-5510

“The West Wing Meets the East Bay”

7:30 p.m.

Saint Joseph the Worker Church

1640 Addison St.

A conversation with Martin Sheen. Tickets available at Black Oak Books, Cody’s Books, St. Joseph the Worker Church, and at the door.

$20 donation

525-3787

Sunday, Feb. 11

Ruth Acty Oral History Reception

3 - 5 p.m.

Berkeley Historical Society

Veterans Memorial Building

1931 Center St.

In 1943 Miss Ruth Acty became the first African American teacher to be hired by the Berkeley Unified School District. She taught thousands of students until her retirement in 1985. Oral History Coordinator Therese Pipe interviewed Acty in 1993-94 for the Berkeley Historical Society. Free

Horacio Gutierrez

3 p.m.

Hertz Hall

UC Berkeley

The Cuban-American pianist will perform Berg’s Sonata, Op.1, George Perle’s Nine Bagatelles, Schumann’s Fantasie, Op. 17 and Beethoven’s Sonata No. 29.

$24 - $42

Call 642-9988 or e-mail tickets@calperfs.berkeley.edu

Reimagining Pacific Cities

6 - 8:30 p.m.

New Pacific Studio

1523 Hearst Ave.

“How are Pacific cities reshaping their cultural and environmental institutions to better serve the needs and enhance the present and future quality of life of all segments of their societies?” A series of ten seminars linking the Bay Area, Seattle, Portland, and other pacific cities.

$10 per meeting

Call 849-0217

“From Swastika to Jim Crow”

2 - 4:30 p.m.

Berkeley Richmond Jewish Community Center

1414 Walnut St.

Due to the depression and anti-Semitism in the ‘30s, many Jewish “refugee scholars” found they had difficulty finding jobs and were embraced by black universities. Both students and teachers, in the pre-Civil Rights era, found they shared a common experience of living under oppression and a passion for education. Guest speaker Jim McWilliams.

$2 suggested donation

Call 848-0237 x127

Why Do a Long Retreat?

6 p.m.

Tibetan Nyingma Institute

1815 Highland Pl.

Retreatants from Holland, Brazil, Germany, and other places share how they made the time to participate in two and four month retreats.

Call 843-6812

Tuesday, Feb. 13

“Great Decisions” - U.S. Trade Policy

10 a.m. - Noon

Berkeley City Club

2315 Durant Ave.

The first in a series of eight weekly lectures with the goal of informing the public of current major policy issues. Many of the lectures are presented by specialists in their field and are often from the University of California. Feedback received at these lectures is held in high regard by those in the government responsible for national policy.

$5 single session, $35 entire series for single person, $60 entire series for couple

Call Berton Wilson, 526-2925

Berkeley Camera Club

7:30 p.m.

Northbrae Community Church

941 The Alameda

Share your slides and learn what other photographers are doing. Monthly field trips.

Call Wade, 531-8664

Free! Early Music Group

10 - 11:30 a.m.

North Berkeley Senior Center

1901 Hearst Ave. (at MLK Jr. Way)

A small group who sing madrigals and other voice harmonies. Their objective: To enjoy making music and building musical skills.

Call Ann 655-8863 or e-mail: ann@integratedarts.org

Wednesday, Feb. 14

Stagebridge Free Acting & Storytelling

Classes for Seniors

10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

First Congregational Church

2501 Harrison St.

Oakland

Call 444-4755 or visit www.stagebridge.org

Faye Carol Sings Lady Day

7:30 p.m.

King Middle School

1781 Rose St.

A tribute to Billie Holiday including Lady Day’s most popular songs, including “Strange Fruit,” “Good Morning Heartache,” “God Bless the Child” and “You Let Me Down.” Benefit for KPFA Radio and La Pena Cultural Center.

$15

Call 848-6767 x609 or visit www.kpfa.org

Thursday, Feb. 15

Simplicity Forum

7 - 8:30 p.m.

Berkeley Library

Claremont Branch

2940 Benveue Ave.

Facilitated by Cecile Andrews, author of “Circles of Simplicty,” learn about this movement whose philosophy is “the examined life richly lived.” Work less, consume less, rush less, and build community with friends and family.

Call 549-3509 or visit www.seedsofsimplicity.org

Basics of PCs

9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Lawrence Hall of Science

UC Berkeley

A class for adults that will cover file management, loading software, software management, downloading pages from the Web, and more.

$30 - $35, registration required

Call 642-5134

Free “Quit Smoking” Class

5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

South Berkeley Senior Center

2939 Ellis (at Ashby)

Cease your smoking with the help of this free class offered to Berkeley residents and employees.

Call 644-6422 to enroll or e-mail quitnow@ci.berkeley.ca.us

Natural Conversations

7 - 9 p.m.

Hillside Community Church

1422 Navellier St.

El Cerrito

A series of Thursday evenings of conversation “engaging people in discovering the pleasures of an excellent discussion.” Focus on conversations in nature and explore what they are meant to convey.

$10

Duomo Readings Open Mic.

6:30 - 9 p.m.

Cafe Firenze

2116 Shattuck Ave.

With featured poet Kathleen Lynch and host Mark States.

644-0155

Climbing Mt. Shasta

7 p.m.

Recreational Equipment, Inc.

1338 San Pablo Ave.

Tim Keating of Sierra Wilderness Seminars will give a slide presentation on climbing and skiing this North California peak.

Call 527-7377

Berkeley Metaphysical Toastmasters Club

6:15 - 7:30 p.m.

2515 Hillegass Ave.

Public speaking skills and metaphysics come together. Ongoing first and third Thursdays each month.

Call 869-2547

Friday, Feb. 16

Strong Women - Writers &

Heroes of Literature

1 - 3 p.m.

North Berkeley Senior Center

1901 Hearst Ave. (at MLK Jr. Way)

Taught by Dr. Helen Rippier Wheeler, author of “Women and Aging: A Guide to Literature,” this is a free weekly literature course in the Berkeley Adult School’s Older Adults Program.

Call 549-2970

Stagebridge Free Acting & Storytelling

Classes for Seniors

10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

First Congregational Church

2501 Harrison St.

Oakland

Call 444-4755 or visit www.stagebridge.org

Saturday, Feb. 17

“Go-Go-Go Greenbelt!”

10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Rockridge BART

Oakland

A bike tour on this ride into the rolling East Bay hills. A free ride sponsored by Greenbelt Alliance.

Call 415-255-3233 for reservations or visit www.greenbelt.org

Rockridge Writers

3:30 - 5:30 p.m.

Spasso Coffeehouse

6021 College Ave.

Poets and writers meet to critique each other’s work. “Members’ work tends to be dark, humorous, surreal, or strange.”

e-mail: berkeleysappho@yahoo.com

Valentine’s Dinner Dance Benefit Gala

4:30 p.m. - 10 p.m.

Berkeley Fellowship Unitarian Universalists hall

1924 Cedar (at Bonita)

Dance to the music of Toru Saitu & his band. Benefits BFUU.

$10 donation

Call 849-9508

Sunday, Feb. 18

Waterfalls of Berkeley

10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

North Berkeley BART

Sacramento at Delaware

On this urban waterfall hike, discover three waterfalls along rushing creeks hidden in Berkeley neighborhoods. A free hike sponsored by Greenbelt Alliance.

Call 415-255-3233 for reservations or visit www.greenbelt.org

Kaleidoscope Performances

2 p.m.

Julia Morgan Center for the Arts

2640 College Ave. (at Derby)

Yassir Chadley, traditional Moroccan musician and Sufi storyteller.

$5 - $10

Call 925-798-1300

Tuesday, Feb. 20

“Great Decisions” - China & Taiwan

10 a.m. - Noon

Berkeley City Club

2315 Durant Ave.

$5 single session

Call Berton Wilson, 526-2925

Berkeley Intelligent Conversation

7 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Jewish Community Center

1414 Walnut Ave. (at Rose)

Call 527-9772

Berkeley Camera Club

7:30 p.m.

Northbrae Community Church

941 The Alameda

Share your slides and learn what other photographers are doing. Monthly field trips.

Call Wade, 531-8664

Free! Early Music Group

10 - 11:30 a.m.

North Berkeley Senior Center

1901 Hearst Ave. (at MLK Jr. Way)

A small group who sing madrigals and other voice harmonies. Their objective: To enjoy making music and building musical skills.

Call Ann 655-8863 or e-mail: ann@integratedarts.org

Wednesday, Feb. 21

Stagebridge Free Acting & Storytelling

Classes for Seniors

10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

First Congregational Church

2501 Harrison St.

Oakland

Call 444-4755 or visit www.stagebridge.org

Control Hypertension

6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Summit Medical Center - Summit Campus

Summit South Cafeteria Conference Room

3100 Summit St.

Oakland

Bessanderson McNeil, MPH, and the Ethnic Health Institute, will help attendees take control of their lives. Free

Call 204-3443

Sacred Cinema

7 - 9 p.m.

Pacific School of Religion

1798 Scenic Ave., Chapel Six

Ken Peer has sought to explore sacred themes and to draw attention to the spiritual lives of individuals from the world’s great wisdom traditions. See three of his short films at this free screening.

Call 649-2523

Thursday, Feb. 22

Free “Quit Smoking” Class

5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

South Berkeley Senior Center

2939 Ellis (at Ashby)

Cease your smoking with the help of this free class offered to Berkeley residents and employees.

Call 644-6422 to enroll or e-mail quitnow@ci.berkeley.ca.us

Duomo Readings Open Mic.

6:30 - 9 p.m.

Cafe Firenze

2116 Shattuck Ave.

With featured poet Charles Ellick and host Louis Cuneo.

644-0155

Rivers of the World

7 p.m.

Recreational Equipment, Inc.

1338 San Pablo Ave.

Pamela Michael, writer, educator and river conservationist, will highlight her new anthology “The Gift of Rivers: True Stories of Life on the Water,” showing slides of nearly 100 of the world’s great rivers. Free

Call 527-4140

Growl & Howl of Man & Woman

7 - 9 p.m.

Hillside Community Church

1422 Navellier St.

El Cerrito

A series of Thursday evenings of conversation “engaging people in discovering the pleasures of an excellent discussion.” Bring your favorite gender assumptions and put them to the test.

$10

Friday, Feb. 23

Strong Women - Writers &

Heroes of Literature

1 - 3 p.m.

North Berkeley Senior Center

1901 Hearst Ave. (at MLK Jr. Way)

Taught by Dr. Helen Rippier Wheeler, author of “Women and Aging: A Guide to Literature,” this is a free weekly literature course in the Berkeley Adult School’s Older Adults Program.

Call 549-2970

Stagebridge Free Acting & Storytelling

Classes for Seniors

10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

First Congregational Church

2501 Harrison St.

Oakland

Call 444-4755 or visit www.stagebridge.org

Saturday, Feb. 24

Tibetan New Year’s Celebration

6 - 9 p.m.

Britta Hauenschild gives a flute concert followed by a festive dinner and New Year’s celebration. Proceeds support Nyingma Institute sacred art and education programs.

$30 suggested donation

Call 843-6812

Sunday, Feb. 25

“Imperial San Francisco:

Urban Power, Earthly Ruin”

3 - 5 p.m.

Berkeley History Center

Veterans Memorial Building

1931 Center St.

Gary Brechin speaks on the impact and legacy of the Hearsts and other powerful San Francisco families. Free

Call 848-0181

Reimagining Pacific Cities

6 - 8:30 p.m.

New Pacific Studio

1523 Hearst Ave.

$10 per meeting

Call 849-0217

Authors in the Library: Lois Silverstein

11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Berkeley Richmond Jewish Community Center

1414 Walnut St.

Writer and performer, Silverstein, will read selections from “Oh My Darling Daughter,” “Behind the Stove,” and a work-in-progress, “Family Matters.” Discussion and book signing will follow. Free.

Call 848-0237 x127

Planetary Temples

8 p.m.

Shambhala Booksellers

2482 Telegraph Ave.

Employee Don Frew will show slides of teh ruined city of Harran. Free

Call 848-8443

Tuesday, Feb. 27

“Great Decisions” - Missile Defense

10 a.m. - Noon

Berkeley City Club

2315 Durant Ave.

$5 single session

Call Berton Wilson, 526-2925

Berkeley Camera Club

7:30 p.m.

Northbrae Community Church

941 The Alameda

Share your slides and learn what other photographers are doing. Monthly field trips.

Call Wade, 531-8664

Free! Early Music Group

10 - 11:30 a.m.

North Berkeley Senior Center

1901 Hearst Ave. (at MLK Jr. Way)

A small group who sing madrigals and other voice harmonies. Their objective: To enjoy making music and building musical skills.

Call Ann 655-8863 or e-mail: ann@integratedarts.org

Wednesday, Feb. 28

Stagebridge Free Acting & Storytelling

Classes for Seniors

10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

First Congregational Church

2501 Harrison St.

Oakland

Call 444-4755 or visit www.stagebridge.org

Conversations in Commedia

7:30 p.m.

La Pena Cultural Center

3105 Shattuck Ave. (at Prince)

Mime Troupe founder Ron Davis and icon clown Wavy Gravy give dialogues on satire.

$6 - $8

Call 849-2568

Women in Interfaith Relationships

9:30 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.

Berkeley Richmond Jewish Community Center

1414 Walnut St.

Led by Dawn Kepler, this workshop will explore interfaith relationships on many levels, in relation to culture, religion, and gender. People of all backgrounds and orientations are invited to attend.

$10

848-0237 x127

Thursday, March 1

Duomo Readings Open Mic.

6:30 - 9 p.m.

Cafe Firenze

2116 Shattuck Ave.

With featured poet Eliza Shefler and host Dale Jensen.

644-0155

Berkeley Metaphysical Toastmasters Club

6:15 - 7:30 p.m.

2515 Hillegass Ave.

Public speaking skills and metaphysics come together. Ongoing first and third Thursdays each month.

Call 869-2547

Friday, March 2

Stagebridge Free Acting & Storytelling

Classes for Seniors

10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

First Congregational Church

2501 Harrison St.

Oakland

Call 444-4755 or visit www.stagebridge.org

Strong Women - Writers &

Heroes of Literature

1 - 3 p.m.

North Berkeley Senior Center

1901 Hearst Ave. (at MLK Jr. Way)

Taught by Dr. Helen Rippier Wheeler, author of “Women and Aging: A Guide to Literature,” this is a free weekly literature course in the Berkeley Adult School’s Older Adults Program.

Call 549-2970

Saturday, March 3

Rockridge Writers

3:30 - 5:30 p.m.

Spasso Coffeehouse

6021 College Ave.

Poets and writers meet to critique each other’s work. “Members’ work tends to be dark, humorous, surreal, or strange.”

e-mail: berkeleysappho@yahoo.com

Free Sailboat Rides

1 - 4 p.m.

Cal Sailing Club

Berkeley Marina

Visit www.cal-sailing.org

Sunday, March 4

Free Sailboat Rides

1 - 4 p.m.

Cal Sailing Club

Berkeley Marina

Visit www.cal-sailing.org

Tuesday, March 6

“Great Decisions” - U.S. & Iraq

10 a.m. - Noon

Berkeley City Club

2315 Durant Ave.

$5 single session

Call Berton Wilson, 526-2925

Berkeley Intelligent Conversation

7 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Jewish Community Center

1414 Walnut Ave. (at Rose)

Call 527-5332

Berkeley Camera Club

7:30 p.m.

Northbrae Community Church

941 The Alameda

Share your slides and learn what other photographers are doing. Monthly field trips.

Call Wade, 531-8664

Free! Early Music Group

10 - 11:30 a.m.

North Berkeley Senior Center

1901 Hearst Ave. (at MLK Jr. Way)

A small group who sing madrigals and other voice harmonies. Their objective: To enjoy making music and building musical skills.

Call Ann 655-8863 or e-mail: ann@integratedarts.org

Wednesday, March 7

Stagebridge Free Acting & Storytelling

Classes for Seniors

10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

First Congregational Church

2501 Harrison St.

Oakland

Call 444-4755 or visit www.stagebridge.org

Women in Interfaith Relationships

9:30 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.

Berkeley Richmond Jewish Community Center

1414 Walnut St.

Led by Dawn Kepler, this workshop will explore interfaith relationships on many levels, in relation to culture, religion, and gender. People of all backgrounds and orientations are invited to attend.

$10

848-0237 x127

Thursday, March 8

Duomo Readings Open Mic.

6:30 - 9 p.m.

Cafe Firenze

2116 Shattuck Ave.

With featured poet Judy Wells and host Dale Jensen.

644-0155

Friday, March 9

Stagebridge Free Acting & Storytelling

Classes for Seniors

10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

First Congregational Church

2501 Harrison St.

Oakland

Call 444-4755 or visit www.stagebridge.org

Strong Women - Writers &

Heroes of Literature

1 - 3 p.m.

North Berkeley Senior Center

1901 Hearst Ave. (at MLK Jr. Way)

Taught by Dr. Helen Rippier Wheeler, author of “Women and Aging: A Guide to Literature,” this is a free weekly literature course in the Berkeley Adult School’s Older Adults Program.

Call 549-2970

Berkeley PC Users Group

7 p.m.

Vista College

2020 Milvia St., Room 303

E-Mail: meldancing@aol.com

Saturday, March 10

The Secrets of Sacred Cinema

10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Pacific School of Religion

1798 Scenic Ave., Mudd 103

Kevin Peer, a documentary film maker for the past 25 years, gives a two-day intensive for people interested in exploring documentary filmmaking. No equipment or prior experience required.

$200 per person and registration is required

Call 486-1480

Sunday, March 11

Reimagining Pacific Cities

6 - 8:30 p.m.

New Pacific Studio

1523 Hearst Ave.

$10 per meeting

Call 849-0217

Myths & Realities of the International House

3 -