Press Releases

FRIDAY, JULY 2 

West Coast Contact Improvisation Dance Festival, with five days of classes, discussions and jams at 8th St. Studios. Cost is $350 for a 5-day pass, or $75 per day. 415-789-7677. www.wccif.com 

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. People of all traditions are welcome to join us. 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. 525-5231. 

SATURDAY, JULY 3 

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

It’s the Bees Knees (and Other Parts) Look at bumblebees and other native Hymenoptera - we'll catch and release! Learn their importance in our local, and urban, ecosystem. This is a drop in program; no registration is required. From 10 a.m. to noon in Tilden Nature Area, in Tilden Park. 525-2233. 

Putting Pollen in its Place Wind, water, bugs, birds and bats all play roles in setting seeds. See a slide show about their work and then visit some flowers yourself on our trails. This is a drop in program; no registration is required. From 2 to 4 p.m. in Tilden Nature Area, in Tilden Park. 525-2233. 

Bake Back the White House A neighborhood bake sale and parking lot cafe to promote a sustainable society and a politics of peace. All proceeds to Moveon PAC. From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Berkeley Cohousing Community, 2220 Sacramento St. 

Walking Tour of Jack London Waterfront Meet at 10 a.m. at the corner of Broadway and Embarcadero. Tour lasts 90 minutes. Reservations can be made by calling 238-3234. www.oaklandnet.com/wallkingtours 

Circus Chimera a family-friendly circus performs on the grounds of Portola Middle School, on Moeser Lane El Cerrito. Tickets are $6 in advance, $10 at the gate; free for children under 2 years old. The schedule is July 3, 4:30 & 7:30 p.m.; July 4, 11 a.m., 2 and 6 p.m.; July 5, 12:30, 3:30 and 6:30 p.m. Advance ticket sales will benefit efforts to renovate the historic Cerrito Theater, an Art Deco-era movie house. Tickets are available from Jenny K, 6927 Stockton Avenue, El Cerrito. 734-3194; Leena’s Café, 10833 San Pablo Avenue, El Cerrito, 237-7409; Albertson's, 1000 El Cerrito Plaza (customer service desk).  

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. 

Car Wash Benefit for Options Recovery Services of Berkeley, held every Sat. from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Lutheran Church, 1744 University Ave. 666-9552. 

SUNDAY, JULY 4 

Fourth of July at the Berkeley Marina from noon to 9:30 p.m. A free-admission, alcohol-free event, with two stages of music, arts & crafts, and activities for children. Fireworks at 9:30 p.m. Sponsored by the City of Berkeley. 548-5335. 

The Fourth in People’s Park with five metal/punk bands and four standup comics, from noon to 6 p.m. http://geocities.com/ 

july4thconcert 

“Military Families Speak Out” a special 10:30 a.m. service with the parents of Sgt. Evan Ashcroft killed in Iraq on July 23, 2003, at 10:30 a.m. in Fellowship Hall, 1924 Cedar St. at Bonita.  

“Palestine and Israel 2004” Karen and Craig Scott describe their visit to the Middle East at 9:30 a.m. at Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley, 1 Lawson Road, Kensington. 525-0302.  

Free Sailboat Rides between 1 and 4 p.m. at the Cal Sailing Club in the Berkeley Marina. Bring warm waterproof clothes. www.cal-sailing.org 

Tibetan Buddhism, with Sylvia Gretchen on “Freeing Emotional Energy” at 6 p.m. at the Tibetan Nyingma Institute, 1815 Highland Pl. 843-6812. www.nyingmainstitute.com 

MONDAY, JULY 5 

Interdependence Day Hike This is a drop in program; no registration is required. From 10 a.m. to noon at Tilden Nature Area, in Tilden Park. 525-2233. 

The Oakland/East Bay Chapter of the National Organization for Women meets at 6 p.m. the first Monday of each month at the Oakland YWCA, 1515 Webster St., Oakland. The executive director of Medical Students for Choice will be the speaker at our July meeting. 287-8948. 

Baby Yoga at 11 a.m. and Yoga and Meditation for Children at 2:45 p.m. at Belladonna, 2436 Sacramento St. 883-0600. www.belladonna.ws 

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. 

TUESDAY, JULY 6 

“Local Transportation Concerns” with Peter Hillier, Transportation Dept., City of Berkeley, at 5:30 p.m. at the Ecology Center, 2530 San Pablo Ave. Bring your list of issues, and food to share. Sponsored by Berkeley Ecological & Safe Transportation Coalition. 

Bamboo Building Strong as steel in tension, timber bamboo can grow three feet in a day, be sustainably harvested every year and uses a small fraction of the land required by trees. We will cover proper tool usage and joinery as well as design ideas that avoid the more difficult, time-consuming joints. From 7 to 10 p.m. at the Building Education Center, 812 Page St. Cost is $35. 525-7610. 

Adventure Racing 101 Learn about mountain biking, running, paddling and the equipment and skills involved, at 7 p.m. at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. 527-4140. 

“The Fourth World War“ A film about a war without end and of those who resist with powerful images from movements in Argentina, Mexico, Genoa, Iraq, New York, Palestine, Quebec City, South Africa and Korea. Benefit for SOUL/ 

Just Cause. At 9:15 p.m. at Parkway Theater, 1834 Park Blvd., Oakland. Cost is $7. vjmWest@yahoo.com  

American Red Cross Blood Services is holding a volunteer orientation from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at 6230 Claremont Ave. Volunteers are needed to support the more than 40 blood drives held each month. Advance sign-up needed. 594-5165. 

Organic Produce at low prices sold at the corner of Sacramento and Oregon Streets every Tuesday from 3 to 7 p.m. This is a project of BOSS Urban Gardening Institute and Spiral Gardens. 843-1307. 

Phone Banking to ReDefeat Bush on Tuesdays from 6 to 9 p.m. at Cafe de la Paz, 1600 Shattuck Ave. Bring your cell phones. Please RSVP if you can join us. 415-336 8736. dan@redefeatbush.com 

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 

St. John’s Prime Timers meets at 9:30 a.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave. 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.  

WEDNESDAY, JULY 7 

Twilight Garden Tour “Don't Water the Natives!” Debunk the “Don't Water the Natives!” and other myths about gardening with California native plants, at 5:30 p.m. at UC Botanical Garden, 200 Centennial Drive. Cost is $12-$17. To register, call 643-2755. http://botanicalgarden.berkeley.edu  

Walk Berkeley for Seniors meets every Wednesday, rain or shine, at 9:30 a.m. at the Sea Breeze market, just west of the I-80 overpass. Everyone is welcome, wear comfortable shoes, sunscreen and a hat. 548-9840. 

Walking Tour of Old Oakland around Preservation Park to see Victorian architecture. Meet at 10 a.m. in front of Preservation Park at 13th St. and MLK, Jr. Way. Tour lasts 90 minutes. Reservations can be made by calling 238-3234. www.oaklandnet.com/wallkingtours 

“The Sixth Sun: Mayan Uprising in Chiapas” an assemblage of orginal and borrowed film footage telling the events of the Zapatista uprising on Jan. 1, 1994, at 7:30 p.m. at Humanist Hall, 390 27th St. in downtown Oakland. 654-9587. 

“A Greener Middle East” Meet Israeli, Palestinian and Jordanian students who are participating in environmental internships in the Bay Area, at 7 p.m. at the Berkeley Richmond Jewish Community Center, 1414 Walnut St. 848-0237, ext. 112. 

Berkeley Communicators Toastmasters meets the first and third Wednesdays of the month at 7:15 a.m. at Mediterraneum Caffe, 2475 Telegraph Ave. 524-3765. 

Fresh Produce Stand at San Pablo Park from 3 to 6:30 p.m. in the Frances Albrier Community Center. Sponsored by the Ecology Center’s Farm Fresh Choice. 848-1704. www.ecologycenter.org 

Fun with Acting Class at 11 a.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Free, all are welcome, no experience necessary.  

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

vigil4peace/vigil 

THURSDAY, JULY 8 

“GMO Free Alameda County” a discussion of genetically-modified organisms and how to keep them out of Alameda County’s ecosystems, with Anuradha Mittal, at 6 p.m. at Café de la Paz, 1600 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $15 and includes a GMO-free dinner. Reservations can be made by calling 843-0662. 

Dahr Jamail, “Direct from Baghdad” at 7 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $10-$15 sliding scale. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

“Pocohontas: Medicine Woman, Spy, Entrepreneur and Diplomat” with Paula unn Allen at 7 p.m. at Belladonna, 2436 Sacramento St. 883-0600. www.belladonna.ws 

Berkeley Farmer’s Market with all organic produce at Elephant Pharmacy parking lot, 1607 Shattuck Ave., at Cedar from 3 to 7 p.m. 548-3333. www.ecologycenter.org 

Grizzly Peak Flyfishers, a group dedicated to furthering the noble 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 Av. in Kensington. 547-8629. 

East Bay Mac User Group meets the 2nd Thursday of every month, from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Expression Center for New Media, 6601 Shellmound St. www.expression.edu 

Tea Dancing and Dance Lessons with Barbara and Jerry August from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Hillside Club, 2286 Cedar St., Cost is $5, includes refreshments. 925-376-6345. 

ONGOING 

Vista College Study Abroad in Mexico Live with a family and learn language skill in a two-week session in July in Guadalajara. For information please call 981-2917 or visit www.peralta.cc.ca.us/interntl/studyabr.htm. 

Berkeley Video and Film Festival is calling for entries. The deadline for last call is July 10. For information please call 843-3699. www.berkeleyvideofilmfest.org 

Luna Kids Dance Summer Camp for ages 9 - 13, from July 12 - 16. For information call 644-3629. www.lunakidsdance.com 

Interesting Backyards Do you have a really cool backyard project or unusual sustainable living practice that you’d like to share with others in the East Bay? Consider becoming a stop on the 5th annual Urban Sustainability Bike Tour on Saturday, July 31. Past sites have included features such as graywater systems, chicken coops, bee hives, solar installations and permaculture gardens. For information call Beck at 548-2220, ext. 233. 

www.ecologycenter.org 

Summer Reading Games at the Albany Public Library, through August 14th. For information call 526-3700. 

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  

Radio Summer Camp, four day sessions through Sept. 6. Learn how to build and operate a community radio station. Sponsored by Radio Free Berkeley. 625-0314. www.freeradio.org 

“Searching Within” A free 9-week course starts on Thursday July 15, 6:30 to 8 p.m. at 2015 Center St. To make reservations call 652-1583. www.mysticweb.org 

Introductory Storytelling Classes for Adults offered by Stagebridge from June 29 through August on Tuesdays, 10 a.m. to noon at Arts First Oakland, 2501 Harrison St., at 27th St. near Lake Merritt. For information call 444-4755. www.stagebridge.org. 

CITY MEETINGS 

Council Agenda Committee meets Tues. July 6, at 2:30 p.m., at 2180 Milvia St., Sherry M. Kelly, city clerk, 981-6900. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/citycouncil/agenda-committee 

Commission on the Status of Women meets Wed., July 7, at 7:30 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Ruby Primus, 981-5106. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/women 

Berkeley Rent Stabilization Board meets Thurs. July 8, at 7 p.m. in City Council Chambers, Pam Wyche 644-6128 ext. 113. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/rent 

Commission on Early Childhood Education meets Thurs., July 8, 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, July 8, at 6:45 p.m., at the South Berkeley Senior Center. William Rogers, 981-5344. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/health 

Two-by-Two Meeting of elected City and School officials to dicuss common concerns, Thurs., July 8, at 8:30 a.m., in the Redwood Room, 6th floor, 2180 Milvia St. 644-6147, 981-7000. 

West Berkeley Project Area Commission meets Thurs., July 8, at 7 p.m., at the West Berkeley Senior Center. 981-7520. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/westberkeley  

Zoning Adjustments Board meets Thurs., July 8, at 7 p.m., in City Council Chambers. Mark Rhoades, 981-7410. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/zoning ª