Press Releases

FRIDAY, SEPT. 10 

International Literacy Day celebrated from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. at Martin Luther King Jr. Park. Listen to authors and adult literacy students read their poetry and short stories. 981-6299. 

City Commons Club Noon Luncheon with Anne Butterworth, PhD on “Solar Wind Mission.” At 11: 45 at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant St. For reservations call 526-2925.  

“So How’d You Become an Activist?” with Gloria La Riva, Cuba solidarity activist and union leader and Richard Becker, co-founder, ANSWER coalition, at 7 p.m. at Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists, 1924 Cedar St., at Bonita. Donation $5. 528-5403. 

“The Wild Buffalo of Yellowstone” a discussion with the Buffalo Field Campaign at 7 p.m. at The Ecology Center, 2530 San Pablo Ave. 548-2220, ext. 233. www.ecologycenter.org 

Old Oakland Outdoor Cinema on Washington St., between 9th and 10th Sts. Music at 5 p.m., and film, “Singin’ in the Rain” at 8 p.m. Bring your own chairs and blankets. Sponsored by the City of Oakland and the Old Oakland Historic District. 238-4734. www.filmoakland.com 

Berkeley Critical Mass Bike Ride meets at the Berkeley BART the second Friday of every month at 5:30 p.m. 

Berkeley Chess Club meets at 7:15 p.m. at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave. 652-5324. 

SATURDAY, SEPT. 11 

Mainstreet Moms Oppose Bush Marathon Letter-Writing Party from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at The Common Room at Redwood Gardens, 2951 Derby Street. All materials will be provided. Please bring your own pen. A donation of $5, or more, is requested. For additional information and to RSVP, email bobbie@themmob.com  

Berkeley Path Wanderers Stroll in Miller/Knox Regional Park. Meet at 10 a.m. in the main parking lot of Miller/Knox, off Dornan Drive. For more information call 235-2835. 

Mini Farmers A farm exploration program for children accompanied by an adult. Wear boots and prepare to get dirty. At 9 a.m. at Tilden Nature Area, in Tilden Park. Cost is $3-$5, registration required. 525-2233. www.ebparks.org 

Meet My Tarantula and learn that spiders are essential in our world at 1:30 p.m. at Tilden Nature Area, in Tilden Park. 525-2233. www.ebparks.org 

Educators Academy: Monarchs in the Classroom from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Coyote Hills Regional Park. You will construct and take home your own rearing cage, complete with milkweed and larvae. For grades K through 5. Fee is $45-$51. Registration required. 636-1684. 

California Natives Learn how natives benefit local wildlife, save water and are attractive additions to your garden, at 10 a.m. at Magic Gardens Nursery, 729 Heinz Ave. 644-2351. www.magicgardens.com 

Free Emergency Preparedness Class on Responding to Terrorism from 9 a.m. to noon at 2100 Martin Luther King Jr. Way. 981-5605. www.ci.berkeley.ca. 

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Walking Tour of Oakland City Center Meet at 10 a.m. in front Oakland City Hall at Frank Ogawa Plaza. Tour lasts 90 minutes. Reservations can be made by calling 238-3234. 

Collecting Good Water Quality Data, a workshop with Dr. Revital Katznelson, Environmental Scientist for the State Water Resources Control Board at Merritt College. Cost is $11. For information call 434-3840.  

Community Sing from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at 1216 Solano Ave., Albany. Adults $3, children $2. Sponsored by the Albany YMCA. 525-1130.  

Video Screening of the “Battle of Chile,” Parts 1 & 2, with introductory remarks by author, Roger Burbach at 7:30 p.m. at La Peña, 3105 Shattuck Ave.  

Luna Kids Dance Open House with a free parent/child dance class, at 10 a.m. at Grace North Church, 2138 Cedar St. 644-3629. www.lunakidsdance.com 

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. 

“Traditional Jewish Teachings on Spiritual Healing” the practice of Mussar with Dr. Alan Morinis at 8:45 p.m. at Berkeley Richmond Jewish Community Center, 1414 Walnut St. Cost is $10-$15. To register call 523-7709. 

SUNDAY, SEPT. 12 

Solano Avenue Stroll “A Pearl of a Stroll” from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Solano Avenue in Berkeley and Albany. Parade, entertainment, food, crafts, art and antique cars and Kidtown. 527-5358. www.solanostroll.org 

5K Run for for Kerry at 3 p.m. at the Berkeley Marina. Participants can either run the perimeter of Cesar Chavez Park twice or walk one lap. Race registration costs $20.00 and a check-in table will be open at the Marina at 2 p.m. Dogs, on leash, are welcome. 486-1420. fivekforkerry@hotmail.com  

Butterflies in the Garden Learn how to attract these colorful, delicate insects to your own yard at 11 a.m. at Tilden Nature Area, in Tilden Park. 525-2233. www.ebparks.org 

Monarch Migration Celebration Learn about these amazing butterflies from 1 to 4 p.m. at Tilden Nature Area, in Tilden Park. 525-2233. www.ebparks.org 

Fire Bush! A fundraiser for America Coming Together sposored by the Potter’s Studio, from noon to 6 p.m. at 637 Cedar St. Art auction, music by the BHS Jazz Combo and the Square Peg String Band, poetry, and a firing of Bush in the kiln at 5 p.m. 527-5268. 

Sunday in the Park Without George A concert and benefit for MoveOnPAC to benefit Kerry/Edwards featuring music by Bonnie Raitt and Taj Mahal, food and wine, young spoken word performances by semi-finalists of the San Francisco Poetry Slam, MoveOn founders Joan Blades and Wes Boyd, comedian and political satirist Will Durst. From 3 to 7 p.m. in Coventry Grove. Cost is $1,000. For reservations see www.sundayinthepark.org  

Herb Walk in Strawberry Canyon Learn to identify and use many edible and medicinal plants that grow wild in the Bay Area. Meet at noon at the Strawberry Canyon Fire Trail head, below the UC Berkeley Botanical Gardens on Centennial Drive. Walk lasts about two hours. Cost is $6 to $20 sliding scale. Offered by the Pacific School of Herbal Medicine. 845-4028. www.pshm.org  

Benefit for Habitat for Humanity and Berkeley Food and Housing Project from 2 to 5 p.m. at A New Leaf Gallery, 1286 Gilman St. Wine tasting, live improvisational jazz, food donated by Bay Area restaurants. Cost is $35. 525-7621.  

Appian Creek Clean-Up from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Refreshments, tools, and gloves provided. Meet at Appian Creek behind the Boys & Girls Club, 4660 Appian Way in El Sobrante. Youth under 18 years need signed permission. Contact us for a waiver. Sponsored by The Watershed Project. To register contact Elizabeth O'Shea, 231-9566 or Elizabeth@thewatershedproject.org 

“The Emerging Green Trend in the Political Landscape of Muslim-America,” a primer for Greens and Progressives. At 5 p.m. at Niebyl-Proctor Library, 6501 Telegraph Ave. at 65th, Oakland. 

Huston Smith will speak at 9:30 a.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley, 1 Lawson Rd., Kensington. Part of the Personal Theology Seminars. 525-0302.  

Picnic for Jewish Families and Friends from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Joaquin Miller Park. Music, magician and raffle. www.jfed.org/picnicfest 

Rauda Morcos, Palestinian lesbian activist and poet from Kufar Yassif, Israel at 4 p.m. at Middle East Children’s Alliance. 901 Parker St. at 7th St. Donation $7-$20 sliding scale. 548-0542.  

“Is Israel’s Fence Legal or Necessary?” with attorney Ephraim Margolin at 7:15 p.m. at the BRJCC, 1414 Walnut St. Sponsored by Bridges to Israel-Berkeley and the BRJCC. Donation $10. 848-0237, ext. 110. 

Neighborhood Disaster Training for Sante Fe and Gilman Sts. from 9 a.m. to noon. Sponsored by the City of Berkeley. To register call 981-5506. 

Hands-on Bike Maintenance Class Learn how to perform basic repairs on your bike, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. Cost is $85 REI members, $100 others. Registration required. 527-4140. 

South Asian Bookclub meets to discuss “Lolita” by Vladimir Nabakov at 11:30 a.m. at Barnes and Noble, 2352 Shattuck Ave. 644-0861. 

Traditional Mayan Healing at 6 p.m. at Upaya Center for Wellbeing, 478 Santa Clara Ave., Suite 200, Oakland. Also on Mon. at 7 p.m. 444-8729. www.upayacenter.org 

“The Wisdom of Chakras” at 3 p.m. at Alaya’s, The Shaman Store, 1713 University Ave. Donations requested. 548-4701. 

“Breema: The Art of Being Present” Open House with Jon Schreiber at the Breema Center, 6076 Claremont Ave., at College. Call to schedule first-time Breema bodywork sessions 5:30-6:30, or attend the class at 7 p.m. 428-0937. www.breema.com 

“Dreamtime Rituals” a lecture by author/ritualist Antero Alli at 6 p.m. at Premalaya Books, 1713 University Ave. 548-4701. 

MONDAY, SEPT. 13 

Reclaim Democracy with Joan Blades, Patricia Ellsberg and Ronnie Gilbert at 7 p.m. at the BRJCC, 1414 Walnut St. Cost is $5. 848-0237, ext. 110. 

9/11 Uncensored with a new film “The Great Conspiracy” at 6:30 p.m. at Humanist Hall, 390 27th St. Donation $10-$20, no one will be turned away for lack of funds. 415-453-4023. 

Berkeley Community Garden Meeting at 6 p.m. at Spiral Gardens, 2838 Sacramento St. at Oregon. Potluck dinner and speaker, Rosalie Fanshel on “Growing our own Medicine.” 883-9096. 

Reportback on Haiti at 7:30 p.m. at Berkeley Fellowship, Cedar and Bonita. Please bring snacks and drinks to share. 644-1937. 

Afterschool Center providing tutoring and support for Berkeley students age 5 to 14 at 1255 Allston Way. Cost is $20 per week. Sponsored by Berkeley Youth Alternatives. 845-9066. 

Great Popular Fiction Bookgroup meets to discuss “Sandstorm” by James Rollins at 7 p.m. at Barnes and Noble, 2352 Shattuck Ave. 644-0861. 

Berkeley Community Chorus and Orchestra rehearsals begin at 7 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 2345 Channing at Dana. No auditions, all welcome. 964-0665. www.bcco.org 

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

World Affairs/Politics Discussion Group for people 60 years and over meets at 10:15 a.m. at the Albany Senior Center, 846 Masonic Ave. 524-9122. 

“Ulysses” Discussion Book Group at 7 p.m. at the Long Haul, 3124 Shattuck Ave. We will meet every Mon. night and hope to finish by Bloomsday 2005. 

Berkeley CopWatch organizational meeting at 8 p.m. at 2022 Blake St. 548-0425. 

TUESDAY, SEPT. 14 

“The Unfolding National Tax Disaster” background and options with Prof. Alan Auerbach and Prof. John Ellwood at 7:30 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley, 1 Lawson Rd., Kensington. 525-0302.  

“The Polls: The Battleground States” a panel discussion at 3 p.m. at 109 Moses Hall, UC Campus. Sponsored by the Institute of Geovernmental Studies. http://politics.berkeley.edu 

“Preemptive Peace, Finding Solutions to the War System” with Jonathan Curiel from 7 to 10 p.m. at International House, 2299 Piedmont Ave. Sponsored by the World Federalists of Northern California, the International House and UC Berkeley’s Peace and Conflict Studies. 415-227-4880.  

Furthering the Movement End US colonial occupation of Iraq, presented by James Cosner with Shaka At-Thinnin from the Black August Organizing Committee and Carlos Padilla from Students for Justice at 7 p.m. at Humanist Hall, 390 27th St. Oakland. Donation $5-$10, no one turned away. 419-1405.  

“Saving the Coast: A Job That’s Never Done” with Peter Douglas, Executive Director of the California Coastal Commission, at 5:30 p.m. in 10 Evans Hall, UC Campus. Sponsored by the Water Resources Center Archives. 642-2666. 

Introduction To Sustainable Landscape Design Create an environmentally friendly oasis in your yard using the principles of sustainability. Use of native plants, recycled materials, water conserving techniques and pest control will be discussed. From 7 to 9 p.m. at the Building Education Center, 812 Page St. Cost is $35. To register, call 525-7610. 

“Trail Running” for fun or competition with Ethan Veneklasen at 7 p.m. at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. 527-4140. 

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 Spiral Gardens. 843-1307. 

Solid Waste Management Public Workshop on Organic Materials, residential and commercial services, at 7 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Sponsored by the City of Berkeley Solid Waste Management Commission. 981-6357. 

Berkeley Youth Alternatives Flag Football for boys and girls ages 9 to 11, Tuesdays 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. at 1255 Allston Way. Cost is $10 for residents, $15 for non-residents for 5 weeks. 845-9066. sports@bysonline.org 

Family Story Time at the Kensington Branch Library, Tues. evenings at 7 p.m. 61 Arlington Ave. 524-3043. 

Kurukula Self Defense Classes for girls ages 10-16 at 6:15 p.m. in Albany. Drop in for $15 a class. 847-2400. www.albanykarateforkids.com  

Dance and Visual Arts Classes offered by All Souls Episcopal Parish for middle and high school students. Classes begin Sept. 14. Scholarships available. 848-1755. www.youthartstudio.org 

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. 548-3991. www.berkeleycameraclub.org 

Acting and Storytelling Classes for Seniors offered by Stagebridge, at Arts First Oakland, 2501 Harrison St. Classes are held at 10 a.m. Tues.-Fri. 444-4755. www.stagebridge.org 

St. John’s Prime Timers meets at 9:30 a.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave. 845-6830. 

Phone Banking to ReDefeat Bush 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.  

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 15 

Wednesday Bird Walk Discover the first of the migrants and help us with the monitoring of the shoreline, at 8:30 a.m. at Martin Luther King Jr. Shoreline. Turn into the park off Swan Way, follow the drive to the end and meet at the last parking lot by the observation deck. 525-2233. 

“Alternatives to Greed” a talk by Antonia Jiuhasz, project director of the International Forum on Globalization at the Berkeley Gray Panther’s evening meeting, 7 p.m. 1403 Addison. 548-9696. 

“Against the Grain” and “Genetic Time Bomb” films at 7 p.m. at Humanist Hall, 390 27th St., Oakland. Admission is free. Part of the GMOs and Food series sponsored by GMO Free Alameda County. 527-9898. www.gmofreeac.org 

Walking Tour of Historic Oakland Churches and Temples Meet at 10 a.m. at the front of the First Prebyterian Church at 2619 Broadway. For reservations call 238-3234. www.oaklandnet.com/walkingtours 

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. 

Prose Writers’ Workshop meets at 7 p.m. at the BRJCC, 1414 Walnut St. 524-3034. georgeporter@earthlink.net 

Berkeley Communicators Toastmasters meets at 7:15 a.m. at Mediterraneum Caffe, 2475 Telegraph Ave. 524-3765. 

“Cardiovascular Herbs” How they can save your life at 6 p.m. at Pharmaca, 1744 Solano Ave.  

Celebrate a Humanistic Rosh Hashanah with Kol Hadash, at 7:30 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Hall, 1325 Portland Avenue, Albany. 428-1492.  

THURSDAY, SEPT. 16 

UC Botanical Garden Volunteer Orientation from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at 200 Centennial Drive. Free, but registration required. 643-2755. http://botnaicalgarden.berkeley.edu 

Bridging Zapatismo to Our Communities a teach-in with proceeds supporting the Chiapas Community Mural Project at 8 p.m. at La Peña, 3105 Shattuck Ave. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

“Redefining Agrarian Power” with Nancy Peluso, Dept. of Environmental Science, Policy and Management at 4:10 p.m. at 223 Moses Hall, UC Campus.  

Kairos Youth Choir Open House for boys and girls age 7-15 at 4:30 p.m. For information call 414-1991. www.kairoschoir.org 

CITY MEETINGS 

Council Agenda Committee meets Mon., Sept. 13, at 2:30 p.m., at 2180 Milvia St., Sherry M. Kelly, city clerk, 981-6900. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/citycouncil/agenda-committee 

Landmarks Preservation Commission meets Mon., Sept. 13, at 7:30 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Gisele Sorensen, 981-7419. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/landmarks 

Peace and Justice Commission meets Mon., Sept. 13, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Manuel Hector, 981-5510. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/peaceandjustice 

Public Housing Resident Advisory Board meets on Mon., Sept. 13, at 4 p.m. at Berkeley Housing Authority, 1901 Fairview St. Angellique DeCoud. 981-5475. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/ 

commissions/publichousing 

Citizens Humane Commission meets Wed., Sept. 15, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Katherine O’Connor, 981-6601. www.ci.berkeley.ca. us/commissions/humane 

Commission on Aging meets Wed., Sept. 15, at 1:30 p.m., at the South Berkeley Senior Center. Lisa Ploss, 981-5200. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/aging 

Human Welfare and Community Action Commission meets Wed., Sept. 15, at 7 p.m., at the South Berkeley Senior Center. Marianne Graham, 981-5416. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/welfare 

Fair Campaign Practices Commission meets Thurs., Sept. 16, at 7:30 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Prasanna Rasaih, 981-6950. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/faircampaignC