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FRIDAY, MARCH 5 

The Oakland Bird Club open meeting with Robert Hewitt who is involved in planning birding festivals at 7:30 p.m. at Oakland Public Library, Rockridge Branch, Upstairs Meeting Room, 5366 College Ave. 444-0355.  

“Tales of the San Joaquin: A River Journey” A documentary on the San Joaquin River and its role in the statewide water system at 7 p.m. at the Oakland Museum of CA, 1000 Oak St. at 10th St, Oakland. 238-2200.  

City Commons Club Noon Luncheon with John Gjerde, Prof. History, UCB, “Immigration.” Luncheon 11:45 a.m. $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. 

“Karate for Kids” a free introductory class with Dara Connolly at 5:30 p.m. at Elephant Pharmacy, 1607 Shattuck Ave., for ages 4 and up. 847-2400. 

Shambhala Buddhist Workshop on “A Life in Consort: Integrating Feminine and Masculine Principles” at 7:30 p.m. and continuing throughout the weekend at the Berkeley Shambhala Center, 2288 Fulton St. First lecture is $20, full weekend fee is $120. 841-3242. www.bayarea.shambhala.org 

American Social Gospel Lecture with Chris Evans on “Retrieving the Legacies of Walter Rauchenbusch” at 3:30 p.m. at the Bade Museum, Pacific School of Religion, 1798 Senic Ave. 849-8221. 

“The Under-reported Human Tragedy of Chechnya” a session on Humanitarian Aid at 3 p.m. and “Stories from the Front Line” at 7 p.m. at 159 Mulford Hall, UC Campus. Sponsored by the American Friends Service Committee, the Chechen Advocacy Network, and the Muslim Student Association. For further information contact didishka@yahoo.com 

Anarchist BookfairMovie Night with videographer Jay Finneburgh, at 7 p.m. at AK Press Warehouse, 674A 23rd St., Oakland. Donation $5. 208-1700. www.akpress.org 

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. 655-6169. www.bpf.org 

Overeaters Anonymous meets at 1:30 p.m. at the Northbrae Church at Solano and The Alameda. 525-5231. 

SATURDAY, MARCH 6 

Sick Plant Clinic from 9 a.m. to noon, the first Sat. of every month, UC plant pathologist Dr. Robert Raabe, UC entomologist Dr. Nick Mills, and their team of experts will diagnose what ails your plants. Free. Botanical Garden, 200 Centennial Drive. 643-2755. 

Kids Garden Club Join us as we discover the science of the kitchen and feast on garden goodies. From 2 to 4 p.m. at Tilden Nature Area, Tilden Park. For ages 7 - 10 years. Cost is $3, non-resident $4. Registration required, 525-2233. 

Orchid Collection Tour and Workshop Treat yourself to a behind-the-scenes tour of the Botanical Garden’s orchid collection, normally closed to the public, and a rare sale of unusual orchid species from the Garden collection. Workshop and tour led by Garden horticulturist and orchid expert, Jerry Parsons who will help you gain confidence with the basic skills of orchid ID and culture. Workshop covers the major groups of orchids, how to divide and mount them, and their care and culture. From 9 a.m. to noon at the Botanical Garden, 200 Centennial Drive. Cost is $50, $40 members. To register call 643-2755. http:// 

botanicalgarden.berkeley.edu 

Cerrito Creek Restoration Meet at 10 a.m. at the south edge of El Cerrito Plaza. We’ll re-plant salvaged native plants, plant new, and perhaps spread more chips on the trail. f5creeks@aol.com 

Alameda County Women’s Hall of Fame awards ceremony at the Marriot Hotel, Oakland at 12:30 p.m. 535-7414. 

“In Song and Struggle” An International Women’s Day event featuring Copper Wimmin, Libby Kirkpatrick, Gwen Avery, Rebecca Riots and Rachel Garlin at 7 p.m. at Berkeley Fellowship Hall, 1924 Cedar St. Cost is $10 to $20 sliding scale. A benefit for Berkeley Copwatch. 548-0425. 

“Street Skills for Cyclists” a lecture and discussion from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Rockridge Library, 5366 College Ave. Sponsored by the East Bay Bicycle Coalition. Free, but registration required 433-7433. 

35th Annual UC Open Taekwondo Championship, beginning at 8:30 a.m. at Haas Pavilion. Tickets are $5-$7. 642-3268. www.ucmap.org 

Cal FIT 5K Race/Fun Run/Walk Start/Finish at Sather Gate, check-in starts at 9 a.m., race at 10 a.m. Cost is $10. 847-7633. www.ocf.berkeley.edu/~calfit 

Auditions for Showtime at the Apollo will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Amateur performers and groups wishing to audition may call Laura Abrams at 642-0212 or e-mail apollo@calperfs.berkeley.edu to schedule an audition. 

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. 848-7800. 

SUNDAY, MARCH 7 

Aquatic Park EGRET and the Berkeley Rowing Club will plant coastal wildflowers and native shrubs in the circle at Aquatic Park’s south entrance beginning at 9:30 a.m. 549-0818. 

Breakfast with the Birds from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. Bring your own beverage and we’ll watch what is feathered down at the lake. Cost is $3, $4 non-resident. Registration required. 525-2233. 

“On Her Own Terms: Annie Montague Alexander and the Rise of Science in the American West” with author Barbara Stein at 2 p.m. at the Berkeley History Center, 1931 Center St. 848-0181. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/histsoc 

Dr. Mustafa Barghouti, Palestinian physician and leading human rights activist, at 7 p.m. at King Middle School, 1781 Rose St. Tickets are $20. Benefit for The Middle East Children’s Alliance. 548-0542. www.mecaforpeace.org 

“Dividing Walls” a close-up view of the Israel/Palestine conflict by Chris Brown at 7 p.m. at Fellowship Hall, 1924 Cedar. Sliding scale donation of $5-$15, benefit for the Palestinian program of the Christian Peacemaker Teams. 785-9509. 

Death Penalty Update at 6:30 p.m. at Berkeley Friends Meeting, 2151 Vine Street at Walnut, in the Education Building. Update with Eric Moon, American Friends Service Committee staff person on death penalty and prison issues. Includes short video, “Interview with an Executioner.” All are welcome. 528-7784. 

Non-Violent Communication with Miki Kashtan, Certified NVC Trainer, Social Change and Project Coordinator for the Center for Nonviolent Communication in Berkeley at 8 p.m. at the Long Haul, 3124 Shattuck Ave. Wheelchair accessible. 540-0751. www.thelonghaul.org 

Purim Carnival from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and Dance Party with the Mowtown Megillah at 7 p.m. at Beth-El, 2301 Vine St. Tickets for the dance party are $18 in advance and $25 at the door. Please RSVP to 848-3988, ext. 11. www.bethelberkeley.org 

Tibetan Buddhism, with Robin Canton on “Meditation and Creativity” at 6 p.m. at the Tibetan Nyingma Institute, 1815 Highland Pl. 843-6812. www.nyingmainstitute.com 

MONDAY, MARCH 8 

Tea at Four Enjoy some of the best teas from the other side of the Pacific Rim and learn their cultural and natural history. Then take a walk to see wintering birds and dormant ladybeetles, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at Tilden Nature Area, in Tilden Park. Registration required. Cost is $5 for residents, $7 for non-residents. Wheelchair accessible. 525-2233. 

Forum on “The Passion of Christ,” a Jewish-Christian conversation, hosted by the Graduate Theological Union, at 7 p.m. in the Dinner Boardroom, Hewlett Library, 2400 Ridge Rd. 649-2482. 

“Photography, Melancholy and the Conception of Brazilian Nationalism” with Natalia Brizuela at noon at the Center for Latin American Studies, 2334 Bowditch St.  

Fitness for 55+ A total body workout including aerobics, stretching and strengthening at 1:15 p.m. 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. 

Women’s Cancer Resource Center, volunteer training from 6 to 8 p.m. at 5741 Telegraph Ave. To sign up call Emily at 601-4040, ext. 109.  

TUESDAY, MARCH 9 

“Trekking in Bhutan” a slide presentation with Himalayan guide Peggy Day, at 7 p.m. at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. 527-4140. 

Traditional Regional Foods of Spain, with co-authors of “Cesar: Recipes from a Tapas Bar” James Mellgran and Olivier Said, at 7:30 p.m. at Easy Going Bookstore, 1385 Shattuck Ave at Rose, 843-3533. 

“Rotten Foundations: The Reclamation Act and Urbanization of the West” with Gray Brechin, author and research fellow, Dept. of Geography, UC Berkeley, at 5:30 p.m. in 105 North Gate Hall, UC Campus. Sponsored by the Water Resources Center Archives. 642-2666. 

Writing Workshop on the art of writing imminent fiction with Pamela Cranston and Michael Kurland at 7:30 p.m. at Barnes and Noble, 2352 Shattuck Ave. 644-0861. 

Death Penalty Vigil, from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at the North Berkeley BART station. Sponsored by Berkeley Friends Meeting. 528-7784. 

St. John’s Prime Timers meets at 9:30 a.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave. Blood pressure checks at 10:30 a.m. We offer ongoing classes in exercise and creative arts, and always welcome new members over 50. 845-6830. 

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.  

Berkeley Camera Club meets at 7:30 p.m., at the Northbrae Community Church, 941 The Alameda. Share your slides and prints and learn what other photographers are doing. Monthly field trips. 548-3991. www.berkeleycameraclub.org 

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10 

Great Decisions 2004: “Diversity in Islam” with Prof. John L. Hayes, UCB Dept. of Near Eastern Studies, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant St. For information and reservations call 526-2925.  

“The Patriot Act and Our Civil Liberties” with Jack Newman, Deputy Attorney General, State of California, speaking from his personal viewpoint, at 7 p.m. at the Rockridge Library, 5366 College Ave.  

“Faith and Environmental Injustice” A GTU Faculty Panel Discussion, at 6:30 p.m. at the Dinner Board Room, 2400 Ridge Rd. 649-2560. 

“The House We Live In” A film on how our laws, the courts, customs and real estate practices affect race relations and the accumulation of wealth, at 7 p.m. at Albany High School, Multi-Purpose Room, 603 Key Route Blvd.  

“The Crippling Effects of Landmines” with author John Gray at 7 p.m. at 145 Dwinnelle Hall, UC Campus. The East Bay Chapter of the United Nations Association. Admission is free, donations will go to landmine clearance programs. 540-8017. 

“Renaissance Images of Christ” with Jason van Boom, GTU, at 7:30 p.m. at All Souls Episcopal Parish, 2220 Cedar St. 848-1755. 

“Street Skills for Cyclists” a lecture and discussion from 6 to 10 p.m. at Rockridge Library, 5366 College Ave. Sponsored by the East Bay Bicycle Coalition. Free, but registration required 433-7433. 

Poetry Writing Workshop, led by Danna Zeller, 7 to 9 p.m. in the Edith Stone Room, Albany Public Library, 1247 Marin Ave. 526-3720, ext. 20. 

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

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. www.geocities. 

com/vigil4peace/vigil 

Prose Writers Workshop We’re a serious but lively bunch whose focus is on issues of craft. Novices welcome. Meets 7 to 9 p.m. at the Jewish Community Center, 1414 Walnut, at Rose. For information call 524-3034. 

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

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

Community Dances, traditional English and American dances, 8 p.m. every Wednesday, $9. 7 p.m. first Sunday, $10. Grace North Church, 2138 Cedar St. 233-5065. www.bacds.org 

Free Feldenkrais ATM Classes for adults 55 and older at 10:30 and 11:45 a.m. at the Jewish Community Center, 1414 Walnut St. 848-0237.  

THURSDAY, MARCH 11 

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 at 849-4134 or email Bloomburgh@sbcglobal.net 

“Agriculture Under Occupation: Farming in the West Bank” Local landscaper and compost consultant Jon Bauer has returned from Israel and will share his findings on the ways in which the Occupation of the West Bank affects Palestinian farmers and farming in this fertile land. Accompanied by a slide show. At 7 p.m. at the Ecology Center, 2530 San Pablo Ave, near Dwight Way. $5 donation requested. This is a benefit for the Wheels of Justice Tour. 548-2220, ext. 233. www.ecologycenter.org 

“Dabru Emet (Speaking the Truth): A New Statement on Jews and Christians for Our Time” at 7 p.m. in the Great Hall, Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary, 2770 Marin Ave. 649-2482. 

"The House We Live In” A film on how our laws, the courts, customs and real estate practices affect race relations and the accumulation of wealth, at 7 p.m. at YWCA, 2600 Bancroft Way. 

East Bay Mac User Group for all levels, software demos, tips, presentations. We meet from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Expression Center for New Media, 6601 Shellmound St. www.expression.edu 

Grizzly Peak Flyfishers, a group dedicated to furthering the sport of fly fishing through education and conservation, invites you to its monthly meeting at 7 p.m at the Kensington Community Center, 59 Arlington Ave. in Kensington. 

ONGOING 

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.  

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

Medical Care for Your Pet at the Berkeley East Bay Humane Society low-cost veterinary clinic, 2700 Ninth St. For appointments call 845-3633. www.berkeleyhumane.org  

Spring Bulb Bonanza at the Botanical Garden, 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., March 15 to April 15, 200 Centennial Drive. 643-2755. http://botanical 

garden.berkeley.edu 

CITY MEETINGS 

Council Agenda Committee meets Mon. Mar. 8, at 2:30 p.m., at 2180 Milvia St., Sherry M. Kelly, city clerk, 981-6900. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/citycouncil/agenda-committee 

Public Housing Resident Advisory Board meets on Mon. Mar. 8 at 4 p.m. at Berkeley Housing Authority, 1901 Fairview St. Angellique DeCoud. 981-5475. www.ci.berkeley.ca. 

us/commissions/publichousing 

City Council meets Tues., Mar. 9. , at 7 p.m., with a Special Meeting at 5 p.m. in City Council Chambers, Sherry M. Kelly, city clerk, 981-6900. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/citycouncil 

Commission on Disability meets Wed., Mar. 10, at 6:30 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Paul Church, 981-6342. www.ci.berkeley. 

ca.us/commissions/disability 

Homeless Commission meets Wed., Mar. 10, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Jane Micallef, 981-5426. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/homeless 

Homeless Commission meets Wed., Mar. 10, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Jane Micallef, 981-5426. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/homeless 

Planning Commission meets Wed., Mar. 10, at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Ruth Grimes, 981-7481. www.ci.ber 

keley. ca.us/commissions/planning 

Police Review Commission meets Wed. Mar. 10, at the North Berkeley Senior Center, Barbara Attard, 981-4950. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/policereview 

Waterfront Commission meets Wed., Mar. 10, at 7 p.m., at 201 University Ave. Cliff Marchetti. 644-6376 ext. 224. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/waterfront 

Commission on Early Childhood Education meets Thurs., Mar. 11, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Marianne Graham, 981-5416. www.ci.berkeley. ca.us/commissions/earlychildhoodeducation  

Community Health Commission meets Thurs, Mar. 11, at 6:45 p.m., at the South Berkeley Senior Center. William Rogers, 981-5344. www.ci.ber 

keley.ca.us/commissions/health 

Housing Advisory Commission meets Thurs. Mar. 11 at 7:30 p.m., at the South Berkeley Senior Center. Oscar Sung, 981-5400. www.ci.berkeley. 

ca.us/commissions/housing 

West Berkeley Project Area Commission meets Thurs. Mar. 11, at 7 p.m., at the West Berkeley Senior Center. 981-7520. www.ci.berkeley. 

ca.us/commissions/westberkeley 

Zoning Adjustments Board meets Thurs., Mar. 11, in City Council Chambers. Mark Rhoades, 981-7410. www.ci.ber- 

keley.ca.us/commissions/zoning  

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