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FRIDAY, FEB. 27 

City Commons Club Noon Luncheon with Eman Assi, Prof. of Architecture, An-Najah National Univ. Nablus, West Bank, “Destruction of Historical Sites in Nablus and Jenin, Palestine” Luncheon at 11:45 a.m. for $11.50 - $12.50, speech at 12:30 p.m., at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant St. For information and reservations call 526-2925 or 665-9020. 

California Steps for Peace At 4:20 p.m. walk from Berkeley City Hall to People’s Park. Part of a 4-day Peace Walk Across America. 

Friends of Willard School Evening of Jazz and Silent Auction at 7 p.m. at the Jazzschool, 2087 Addison. Tickets are $25 available from 845-5373. 

Get Out the Vote a pre-primary evening of political music, humor and discussion at Unitarian Universalists, 1924 Cedar at 7 p.m.  

“Invasion of Iraq: An Eyewitness Account” with Waratah Rose Gillespie, at 6:30 p.m. at AK Press Warehouse, 674A 23rd St., Oakland. 208-1700. www.akpress.org 

“The Evolution from Africa” An African American History lesson given through spoken word, music, song, dance and dialogue by the afterschool students and their families at 7 p.m. at Longfellow Middle School Auditorium, 1500 Derby St. Tickets are $1-$3 at the door. All proceeds go directly to the students and staff of the afterschool program. 

“Academic Freedom After 9/11” A conference exploring how the Bush administration’s legislation has impacted institutions of higher learning, at 8 a.m. at International House, Piedmont at Bancroft Ave. Sponsored by the Center for Middle Eastern Studies. 642-8208. cmes@uclink.berkeley.edu 

“Uncovered: The Whole Truth About the Iraq War” and “Imagine America” will be shown at 7 p.m. at the Kucinich for President office, 3362 Adeline, near Alcatraz. 420-0772. 

“Literacy and Beyond” Celebrate Black History month at the Berkeley YMCA, 2001 Allston Way from 7 to 9 p.m. Books, poetry and art projects. 665-3271. 

Bay Area Children First Open House at 5 p.m. at Shattuck Commons, 1400 Shattuck Ave., Suite 7. Auction, foods and crafts. Keynote speakers will include children’s book author and illustrator Thatcher Hurd. 883-9312, ext. 4. www.baychild.org 

Literary Friends, “How Women Can Effect Social Change” from 1:15 to 3 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 232-1351. 

A Toast to Crew, benefit for the Berkeley Men’s Crew from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the historical Maybeck home of Evelyn Larsen and Bill deCarion. Suggested donation to attend: $35 individual or $50 family. RSVP to Evelyn Larsen erlarsen@arthlink.net 

Berkeley Chess Club meets Fridays at 7:15 p.m. at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave. Players at all levels are welcome. 652-5324. 

Women in Black Vigil, from noon to 1 p.m. at UC Berkeley, Bancroft at Telegraph. wibberkeley@yahoo.com 548-6310, 845-1143. 

Meditation, Peace Vigil and Dialogue, gather at noon on the grass close to the West Entrance to UC Berkeley, on Oxford St. near University Ave. Sponsored by the Buddhist Peace Fellowship. 655-6169. www.bpf.org 

Overeaters Anonymous meets every Friday at 1:30 p.m. at the Northbrae Church at Solano and The Alameda. Parking is free and is handicapped accessible. For information call Katherine, 525-5231. 

SATURDAY, FEB. 28 

Mini-Gardeners: Water We'll learn about the water cycle, give our plants a drink, and make watering cans to take home. For ages 4 to 6. From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Tilden Nature Area, in Tilden Park Cost is $3. Registration required. Wheelchair accessible. 525-2233. tnarea@ebparks.org  

Creating Your Garden Paradise with Aerin Moore. We will provide you with tools for using the elements of design to make your garden your personal expression of creativity. At 10 a.m. at Magic Gardens Nursery, 729 Heinz Ave. 644-2351. 

Saturday Night Sing-Along An evening of campfire classics, silly and serious songs, rounds and movement activities at 7 p.m. at 1216 Solano Ave. at Talbot. Appropriate for all ages. Cost is $3 for adults, $2 for children. Sponsored by the Albany YMCA. 525-1130.  

Free Emergency Preparedness Class on Disaster Mental Health for anyone who lives or works in Berkeley, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Fire Department Training Center, 997 Cedar St. Register on-line at www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/fire/oes or by calling 981-5506. 

Wine Tasting Benefit for Walden School at 7 p.m. at METRO Lighting & Crafts, 2121 San Pablo Ave. Tickets are $35 available from 841-7248, and at the door.  

Get Out the Vote for Kucinich Meet at 10 a.m. at 3362 Adeline for music and precinct walking. 333-7307. 

South Africa: Workers Struggle Against ANC Neo-Apartheid Rule, Spartacist League Black History Month Forum, 2 p.m., Rockridge Branch Library, 5366 College Ave., Oakland (south of Rockridge BART). Free. 839-0851. 

Home Buying Process Workshop offered by the Unity Council, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 1900 Fruitvale Ave. Oakland. This comprehensive workshop will cover all the elements involved in the home buying process, from establishing a budget, how to improve credit, buying power, working with realtors and the approval at the lender’s level. The workshop is free, but registration is requested. 535-6943.  

“How to Buy a Home on a Limited Budget” a fee seminar providing unbiased advice for first-time buyers who aren’t sure if they can afford to buy in the Berkeley area. Held at 180B 4th St. For reservations call 540-7808.  

“The Gifts of Grief” an educational documentary about the transformational power of loss at 7 p.m. at Studio Rasa, 933 Parker St. Donation $20. 547-5004. www.giftsofgrief.com 

California College of the Arts Open House Prospective students can tour studios, meet faculty, and view student work. From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 5212 Broadway, Oakland. 594-3712. 

Yoga for Seniors at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant St., on Saturdays from 10 to 11 a.m. Open to non-members of the club for $8 per class. For further information and to register, call Karen Ray at 848-7800. 

SUNDAY, FEB. 29 

Early Morning Birdwalk at Tilden Nature Area at 8 a.m. Once every four years we get to go birding on this day. Every new bird you see counts double for your life bird list. 525-2233. 

Leap Year at Tilden Nature Area. Learn about the history of Leap Day, with calendar customs and folklore from around the world. From 2 to 4 p.m. 525-2233. 

Save The Bay is seeking volunteers who are passionate about the environment and have some paddling experience in canoes and/or sea kayaks to be volunteer guides for our on-the-water outings program, Discover The Bay. From 10a.m. to 3 p.m. Free. For more information, contact Jessica Parsons, Outings Coordinator, at 452-9261, or jparsons@savesfbay.org  

Sensational Salvias for the Mediterranean Garden at 1 p.m. at UC Botanical Garden, 200 Centennial Drive. Cost is $45, $40 for members. To register call 643-2755. http://botanicalgarden.berkeley.edu 

Fred Lupke: A Celebration of His Life and Work from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the Community Room, Third Floor, Main Branch, Berkeley Public Library, 2090 Kittredge at Shattuck. 

“Patriots Act: Fighting the Good Fight - The Next Generation” Annual Reunion of The Veterans & Friends of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade at 1 p.m. at Calvin Simmons Theater, 10 Tenth St. Oakland. Speakers include Peter Glazer, Medea Benjamin, Bruce Barthol and members of the San Francisco Mime Troupe. Tickets are $30, and are available from 548-3088 or at the door. Proceeds will go to MoveOn.org 

“What is Buddha Nature?” workshop with Dunyu Lamon Dorje Rinpoche from 2:30 at 5:30 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 1 Lawson Rd. $20 donation requested. 527-4931. 

Tibetan Buddhism with Jack van der Meulen on “Kum Nye (Tibetan Yoga) in Theory and Practice” at 6 p.m. at the Tibetan Nyingma Institute, 1815 Highland Pl. 843-6812. www.nyingmainstitute.com  

MONDAY, MARCH 1 

Berkeley Community Gardening Collaborative monthly meeting will feature a slide show on “School Gardens Around the World” at 6 p.m. Potluck dinner, drinks provided. The Ecology Center, 2530 San Pablo Ave. 548-2220, ext. 233. www.ecologycenter.org 

Neighborhood Watch Monthly Meeting at the Public Safety Building, 2100 MLK, Jr. Way from 6:30 to 8 p.m. (Late comers enter through jail door.) Block Captains are especially invited but anyone interested in starting a neighborhood program is welcome. Refreshments will be served. Sponsored by the Berkeley Safe Neighborhoods Committee (BSNC). For more information please call BPD Community Services Bureau at 981-5808. 

“Regional Transportation 101” a presentation sponsored by Berkeley Ecological and Safe Transportation, a 6 p.m. at the Berkeley Main Library, Community Meeting Room, 2090 Kittredge St. 652-9462. 

National Organization for Women, Oakland/East Bay Chapter meets at 6 p.m. the first Monday of each month at the Oakland YWCA, 1515 Webster St. 287-8948.  

Fitness for 55+ A total body workout including aerobics, stretching and strengthing at 1:15 p.m. every Monday at the South Berkeley Senior Center. 981-5170. 

Berkeley CopWatch organizational meeting at 8 p.m. at 2022 Blake St. Join us to work on current issues around police misconduct. Volunteers needed. For information call 548-0425. 

TUESDAY, MARCH 2 

Tuesday Tilden Walkers We are a few slowpoke seniors who walk between a mile or two each Tuesday, meeting at 9:30 a.m. in the Little Farm parking lot. To join us, call 215-7672.  

National Nutrition Month “Eat in Season” from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Berkeley Farmers’ Market, Derby St. at MLK. Cooking demonstrations, recipes and nutrition education. 548-3333. www.ecologycenter.org 

“Wildflowers of the East Bay” with Glenn Keator on Tuesdays to March 30, from 7 to 9 p.m. at UC Botanical Garden, 200 Centennial Drive. Cost for the program is $145, $125 for members. 643-2755. http://botanicalgarden.berkeley.edu 

“Kayaking With Whales Off Vancouver Island” a slide presentation with whale research biologist David Briggs at 7 p.m. at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. 527-4140. 

“Minorities in Israel” with Prof. Zeidan Atashi, an Israeli Druz Arab at 7 p.m. at the Berkeley Richmond Jewish Community Center, 1414 Walnut St. Sponsored by Bridges to Israel.  

St. John’s Prime Timers meets at 9:30 a.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave. The Writing Class will read from thier recent works at 11 a.m. 845-6830. 

Berkeley Camera Club meets at 7:30 p.m., at the Northbrae Community Church, 941 The Alameda. 234-4783. www.berkeleycameraclub.org 

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3 

Great Decisions 2004: “U.S. and Europe” with Prof. Anthony Adamthwaite, History Dept., UCB, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant St. Briefing booklets are available. For information and reservations call 526-2925.  

Refuse and Resist presents a documentary film, “A Life Matters: The Story of an Illegal Abortionist” at 6 p.m. at Rockridge Branch Library, 5366 College Ave. Donations welcome. 704-5293. 

“Free Trade, National Sovereignty, and Environmental Health in the Balance?” Featuring Sheila Foster, Fordham Univ. School of Law, at 12:45 p.m. Vegetarian lunch served. Room 121, 122, or 123 in Boalt Hall, UC Campus. Sponsored by The Boalt Environmental Law Society. sarale@uclink.berkeley.edu 

Post-Primary Meet-up for Howard Dean Join supporters of Howard Dean to discuss next steps in this grassroots campaign to take back our country. At 7 p.m. at Au Coquelet, 2000 University Ave. and Sweet Basil Thai Restaurant, 1736 Solano Ave. For more information contact East Bay for Dean at 267-3796. 

Northbrae Community Church Monthly Dinner, with a presentation on Alaska by the Berkeley Camera Club, at 6 p.m. at 941 The Alameda. Dinner cost is $7.50 for adults, $3.50 for children. For reservations call 526-3805.  

Fun with Acting class meets at 11 a.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Free, all are welcome. 985-0373. 

Prose Writers Workshop Novices welcome. Experienced facilitator. Meets 7 to 9 p.m. at the Jewish Community Center, 1414 Walnut, at Rose. For information call 524-3034. 

Berkeley Peace Walk and Vigil at the Berkeley BART Station, corner of Shattuck and Center. Vigil at 6:30 p.m. followed by Peace Walk at 7 p.m. ww.geocities.com/ 

vigil4peace/vigil 

Berkeley Stop the War Coalition meets every Wednesday at 7 p.m. in 255 Dwinelle, UC Campus. www.berkeleystopthewar.org  

“The Image of Christ Through the Ages” with Fr. Andrew Walmiseley, at 7:30 p.m. at All Souls Episcopal Parish, 2220 Cedar St. 848-1755. 

Buddhist Studies Lecture on “The Concept of Compassion” with Prof. Wakahara of Ryukoku Univ. Kyoto, at 2 p.m. at 2717 Haste St. 650-938-7192. 

“Assassination Tango” video presentation followed by dance presentation with Paulo Araujo from Brazil at 7:30 p.m. at Berkeley Tango Studio. 655-3538. 

Berkeley CopWatch open office hours 7 to 9 p.m. Drop in to file complaints, assistance available. 548-0425. 

Berkeley Communicators Toastmasters meets the first and third Wednesdays of the month at 7:15 a.m. at Hide-A-Way Café, 6430 Telegraph Ave. For information call Fred Garvey, 925-682-1111, ext. 164. 

THURSDAY, MARCH 4 

“Travel to Cuba” a discussion with Fred Burkes, the interpreter and journalist who is challenging the Cuba travel ban, at 6:30 p.m. at the Berkeley Public Library, Community Meeting Room, 2090 Kittredge St. Sponsored by the Berkeley-Palma Soriano Sister City Association. 644-9260. 

Writers’ Room Coach Training is offered from 7 to 9:30 p.m. for volunteers who would like to help students improve their writing and critical thinking skills. To attend please call Terry Bloomburgh at 849-4134 or email Bloomburgh@sbcglobal.net 

“Faith, Work and Justice Forum” at 6:30 p.m. at the GTU Dinner Boardroom, 2400 Ridge Rd. 649-2560. 

“Cidade de Deus/City of God,” the housing project in Rio de Janeiro, with Paulo Lins at 4 p.m. at Geballe Room, 220 Stephens Hall, UC Campus. sponsored by the Center for Latin American Studies. 642-2088. 

Host an International Student Let Europe come to you this summer. SWIFT Student Exchange program is bringing Spanish and French middle and high school students to the Bay Area for 3-4 week stays with Bay Area families. Informational evening, from 6-8 p.m. at the SWIFT office in Oakland. Call 433-0414 for directions and more information. 

Berkeley Liberation Radio 104.1 FM holds public meetings for all interested people first and third Thursdays, 7 p.m. at the Long Haul Info Shop, 3124 Shattuck Ave. 595-0190.  

ONGOING 

Family Activist Resource Center A small group of East Bay parents is meeting monthly to set up a drop-in center where parents and caregivers can come with their children and do their political work while their children are cared for in a creative, respectful and nurturing manner. For information on the next meeting, contact Erica at ericadavid@earthlink.net or call 841-3204. 

Free Income Tax Help is available on Tuesday mornings between 10 a.m. and 12 noon at St. John's Presbyterian Church Prime Timers, 2727 College Ave., Berkeley. Ozzie Olson, AARP trained tax preparer is available by appointment. 845-6830.  

Auditions for Showtime at the Apollo will be held Sat. March 6 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Whether you’re part of a gospel group, a chorus line, a barbershop quartet, or a jazz ensemble; if you’re a magician, a female impersonator or a one-man band; if you’ve dreamed of thousands applauding your talent at the piano, tuba or didgeridoo, you’ll have your shot at the “Big Time.” Amateur performers and groups wishing to audition may call Laura Abrams at 642-0212 or e-mail apollo@calperfs.berkeley.edu to receive an audition application and to schedule an audition. 

Find a Loving Animal Companion at the Berkeley-East Bay Humane Society Adoption Center, open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, 2700 Ninth St. 845-7735. www.berkeleyhumane.org  

Starbucks Grants for Giving is offering $375,000 to local non-profits in Berkeley and other East Bay cities. Eligibility and application information can be obtained from any Northern California Starbucks location, by visiting www.starbucks.com/ 

grantsforgiving or by calling 1-866-535-GIVE.  

CITY MEETINGS 

Council Agenda Committee meets Mon., Mar. 1, at 2:30 p.m., at 2180 Milvia St., Sherry M. Kelly, city clerk, 981-6900. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/citycouncil/agenda-committee 

Berkeley Rent Stabilization Board meets Mon., Mar. 1,  

at 7 p.m., in City Council Chambers, Pam Wyche 644-6128 ext. 113. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/rent 

Landmarks Preservation Commission meets Mon. Mar. 1, 7:30 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Gisele Sorensen, 981-7419. ww.ci.berkeley.ca.us/ 

commissions/landmarks 

Peace and Justice Commission meets Mon., Mar. 1, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Manuel Hector, 981-5510. www.ci.berkeley.ca. 

us/commissions/peaceandjustice 

Youth Commission meets Mon., Mar. 1, at 6:30 p.m., at 1730 Oregon St. Philip Harper-Cotton, 981-6670. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/youth 

Commission on the Status of Women meets Wed., Mar. 3, at 7:30 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Ruby Primus, 981-5106. www.ci.berk 

eley.ca.us/commissions/women 

Community Environmental Advisory Commission meets Thurs., Mar. 4, at 7 p.m., at 2118 Milvia St. Nabil Al-Hadithy, 981-7461. www.ci. 

berkeley.ca.us/commissions/environmentaladvisory 

Public Works Commission meets Thurs., Mar. 4, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Jeff Egeberg, 981-6406. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/publicworksˇ