Election Section
Berkeley This Week
TUESDAY, DEC. 7
Mid-Day Meander from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. at Pt. Isabel. Meet at the parking lot at the end of Rydin Rd. Canine companions welcome. 525-2233.
Snowcamping 101 A training session and slide lecture with Jodi Bailey and Kalle Hoffman at 7 p.m. at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. 527-4140.
“Water Follies: The Environmental Consequences of Groundwater Pumping” with Robert Glennon, Morris K. Udall Prof. of Law & Public Policy, Univ. of Arizona, at 5:30 p.m. in 10 Evans Hall, UC Campus. Sponsored by the Water Resources Center Archives. 642-2666.
Red Cross Mobile Blood Drive from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Berkeley Repertory Theater, 2025 Addison St. 1-800-GIVE-LIFE. www.BeADonor.com
Open House for Wu-Wei Acupuncture and Healing Center from 3 to 5 p.m. Learn about Chinese medicine. 520-7835. www.wuwei-acupuncture.com
Family Story Time at the Kensington Branch Library, Tues. evenings at 7 p.m. at 61 Arlington Ave. 524-3043.
Berkeley Salon Discussion Group meets to discuss “Why Should We Explore Outer Space” from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Berkeley Richmond Jewish Community Center, 1414 Walnut St. Please bring snacks and soft drinks to share. No peanuts please. 601-6690.
Berkeley Camera Club meets at 7:30 p.m., at the Northbrae Community Church, 941 The Alameda. 548-3991. www.berkeleycameraclub.org
Cantabile Choral Guild Auditions at 7 p.m. at All Souls Episcopal Church, 2220 Cedar St. To schedule an audition time call 650-424-1410.
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.
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 8
Community Workshop on Lanmarks Preservation and Zoning Ordinance Amendments at 7 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Sponsored by the Planning Commission. 981-7419.
Holiday Wreath Making Class from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Botanical Garden, 200 Centennial Dr. Cost is $25-$30. Registration required. 643-2755.
“Ethical and Racial Diversity in the Jewish Community” with Booker Holton, Ph.D, at 11:30 a.m. at the BRJCC, 1414 Walnut St. Cost is $5. 848-0237.
Life Line Screening for stroke at University Inn, 920 University Ave. Appointments begin at 9 a.m. Cost is $125. For information or to schedule an appointment call 1-800-697-9721.
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 An ongoing group focused on issues of craft. Novices welcome. Community sponsored, no fee. Meets Wed. at 7 p.m. at the Berkeley Jewish Community Center, 1414 Walnut St. 524-3034. georgeporter@earthlink.net
Poetry Writing Workshop, led by Alison Seevak, every second Wed. at 7 p.m. at the Albany Library, Edith Stone Room, 1247 Marin Ave. Registration required. 526-3700, ext. 20.
Berkeley Peace Walk and Vigil at the Berkeley BART Station, corner of Shattuck and Center. Sing for Peace at 6:30 p.m. followed by Peace Walk at 7 p.m. www.geocities.com/vigil4peace/vigil
THURSDAY, DEC. 9
“Death of a Shaman” a film about the Mien people who came as refugees from Southeast Asia to Kansas, at 6:30 p.m. at the Ellen Driscoll Theater, Frank Havens Elementary School, 325 Highland Ave., Piedmont. Sponsored by the Appreciating Diversity Film Committee. 599-9227. www.diversityworks.org
Going Local: The Power of Growing Food Locally A panel discussion with three food policy experts and activists who will explore the power of supporting locally grown food in the face of mounting industrialization of the world’s food system. At 7 p.m. at the Ecology Center, 2530 San Pablo Ave. 548-2220, ext. 233.
West Berkeley Holiday Party from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Wells Fargo Bank, 1095 University Ave. at San Pablo. Sponsored by the West Berkeley Neighborhood Development Corporation. 845-4106.
Community Menorah Lighting with music, clown, fire-juggler, dreidels and Chanukah gelt at 5 p.m. at Cody’s Books, 1730 Fourth St.
Red Cross Mobile Blood Drive from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Pauley Ballroom, UC Campus. 1-800-GIVE-LIFE. www.BeADonor.com
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. http://ebmug.org, www.expression.edu
FRIDAY, DEC. 10
Human Rights Day with Michael Nagler and The Search for a Nonviolent Future at 7 p.m. at the Ecology Center, 2530 San Pablo Ave. 548-2220, ext. 233.
City Commons Club Noon Luncheon with Purnima Jka on the “Status of Women’s Rights” Luncheon at 11:45 a.m. for $13, speech at 12:30 p.m., at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant St. For information and reservations call 526-2925 or 665-9020.
Berkeley Design Advocates Design Awards to acknowledge significant projects completed within the past two years, at 5:30 p.m. at the Berkeley Art Center, 1275 Walnut St. Admission is free, with recommended donation of $5. berkeleydesignadvocates@yahoo.com
Opera Piccola’s Holiday Benefit Party at 7 p.m. at U-Turn New and Recycled Clothing, 5251 Broadway, corner of Broadway and College Ave., Oakland. Tickets are $30 for adults, $5 for children age 9 and up, and are free to children through age 8. All proceeds will benefit Opera Piccola’s arts and education programs in underserved communities. 658-0967. www.opera-piccola.org
Family Literacy Night and Scholastic Book Fair at 7 p.m. at the Downtown Berkeley YMCA, 2001 Allston Way. Winnie the Pooh will be the special guest. 665-3271.
Not Your Mother’s Craft Sale and Party from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak Sts. 238-2200. www.museumca.org
Holiday Wreath Making Class from 10 a.m. to noon at the Botanical Garden, 200 Centennial Dr. Cost is $25-$30. Registration required. 643-2755.
“Alive in Limbo” a documentary on the Palestinian right of return at 8 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck Ave.Cost is $6-$8 sliding scale. 849-2568. www.lapena.org
“So How’d You Become an Activist?” with Peter Phillips, director of Project Censored and Alli Starr, co-founder, Art & Revolution, at 7 p.m. at Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists, 1924 Cedar St., at Bonita. Donation $5. 528-5403.
Free Fitness Tests for people 50 and over at 12:30 p.m. at the South Berkeley Senior Center. You will receive a personalized scores and tips on how to maintain or improve your fitness. 981-5367.
Literary Friends meets at 1:30 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center for a Haiku poetry workshop with Connie Andersen. 549-1879.
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 Fridays at 7:15 p.m. at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave. Players at all levels are welcome. 652-5324.
Celebrate a Humanistic Chanukah with Kol Hadash, the Bay Area’s only Jewish Humanistic Congregation, with a pot luck dinner and party with music by the Klezhumanists, 6 p.m. at the Albany Community Center, 1249 Marin Ave. To RSVP call 428-1492.
Women in Black Vigil noon to 1 p.m. at UC Berkeley, Bancroft at Telegraph. 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
SATURDAY, DEC. 11
“The Commune: Histories, Legacies and Prospects in Northern California” A free workshop open to the public. Urban and rural communards, with some intact memories, especially welcome. From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 223 Moses Hall, UC Campus. 642-2472.
Berkeley Path Wanderers Walk exploring “Creeks, Paths, and History” with Friends of Five Creeks president Susan Schwartz. Meet at 10 a.m. at the main entrance of Live Oak Park Recreation Center, 1301 Shattuck. 848-9358. www.berkeleypaths.org, f5creeks@aol.com
Kids Garden Club For children 7-12 years old to explore the world of gardening. We plant, harvest, build, make crafts, cook and get dirty! From 2 to 4 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. Cost is $5-$6, registration required. 525-2233.
“Winter Blooms!” Free garden tours at Regional Parks Botanic Garden. Sat. and Sun. at 2 pm. Regional Parks Botanic Garden, Tilden Park. 845-4116. www.nativeplants.org
Holiday Decorations - Naturally Create wreaths and garlands using natural materials. Bring a pair of small hand clippers, a bag lunch, and a large flat box to take home your creations. From noon to 3:30 p.m. at Tilden Nature Area, Tilden Park. For adults and children 8 and over. Cost is $30-$61. Reservations required. 636-1684.
East Bay Sanctuary Covenant’s Annual Craft Sale from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sat. and Sun. at First Congregational Church, 2345 Channing Way. Handcrafted items from indigenous co-ops in Central America, Haiti, Nepal, Afghanistan, Africa and other places at reasonable prices. Proceeds benefit Women’s Cooperatives all over the world. 527-0324.
Berkeley Potters Guild Sale from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sat. and Sun. through Dec. 19. 731 Jones St. 524-7031. www.berkeleypotters.com
Holiday Crafts Fair from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Berkeley Farmers’ Market, Martin Luther King, Jr. Civic Center Park. 548-3333. www.ecologycenter.org
Telegraph Avenue Holiday Street Fair, with over 200 street artists, merchants, community groups, musicians and other entertainers, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sat. and Sun. to Dec. 19, and Thurs. and Fri. Dec. 23 and 24.
Berkeley Artisans Holiday Open Studios Sat and Sun. from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. For map see www.berkeleyartisans.com
Albany Community Arts Show from noon to 6 p.m. at the Albany Community Center, 1249 Marin Ave., Albany. 14 Albany artists will display paintings, prints, ceramics and jewelry. Work will be available for sale. The event is free and wheelchair accessible.
Junior Rangers of Tilden meets Sat. mornings at Tilden Nature Center. For more information call 525-2233.
Introduction to Permaculture Design A workshop on ecological landscape design basics from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Ecology Center, 2530 San Pablo Ave, near Dwight Way. Cost is $10-$15. 548-2220, ext. 233. www.ecologycenter.org
Cape Ivy Removal in Joaquin Miller Park from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Free plant raffle during a break in the activities. Friends of Native Plants will have a propagation session from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Directions: from Hwy. 13 take Joaquin Miller exit and turn east up the hill. Park along Joaquin Miller near Sanborn Rd. and walk to the northeast corner (up hill left) of the intersection. greensatwork@yahoo.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.
SUNDAY, DEC. 12
Early Morning Bird Walk Meet at 8 am. at Tilden Nature Center to walk around the mixed feeding flocks and discuss the ecology of these seasonal assemblages. 525-2233.
Help Clean Up Castro Creek and its tributaries. Learn about the Dumping Abatement and Pollution Reduction Program and the trash assessment monitoring tool as we remove harmful trash. Refreshments, tools, and gloves provided. Call for meeting place. Sponsored by The Watershed Project. 231-9566. Elizabeth@thewatershedproject.org
Decorate the “Lorax” Way Make holiday gift wrap and decorations from recycled materials. From 12:30 to 2 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. 525-2233.
Festivals of Light Explore festivals of the season with saffron buns, jelly donuts, marzipan pigs, poems, riddles, games and songs. From 2 to 4 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. Cost is $5-$7, registration required. 525-2233.
Chanukah Celebration Presented by Chabad of the East Bay from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the BRJCC, 1414 Walnut St. 540-5824. www.chabadberkeley.com
“Weapons of Mass Deception” with Ruth Rosen, S.F. Chronicle columnist at Women for Peace lunch, at noon at Café Venizia, 1799 University Ave. Cost is $37. For reservations call 849-3020.
Acupuncture & Integrative Medicine College Open House from 6 to 8 p.m. at 2550 Shattuck Ave. Learn about how you can become a licensed acupuncturist. RSVP to 666-8248, ext. 106.
Chanukah Fair from 12:30 to 4 p.m. at the Berkeley Richmond Jewish Community Center 1414 Walnut St.
MONDAY, DEC. 13
Tea at Four Taste some of the finest teas from the Pacific Rim and South Asia and learn their natural and cultural history, followed by a short nature walk. At 4 p.m. at Tilden Nature Area, in Tilden Park. Cost is $5-$7, registration required. 525-2233. www.ebparks.org
World Affairs/Politics Discussion Group for people 60 years and over meets Mondays at 10:15 a.m. at the Albany Senior Center, 846 Masonic Ave. Join at any time. 524-9122.
Berkeley CopWatch organizational meeting at 8 p.m. at 2022 Blake St. Join us to work on current issues around police misconduct. 548-0425.
TUESDAY, DEC. 14
Morning Bird Walk “Some Gulls I Know” Meet at the Berkeley Municipal Pier at 7:30 a.m. 525-2233.
Return of the Over-the-Hills Gang Hikers 55 years and older who are interested in nature study, history, fitness, and fun are invited to join us on a series of monthly excursions exploring our Regional Parks. Meet at 10 a.m. at Tilden’s Inspiration Point to walk the scenic ridge lands. Registration required. 525-2233.
“Exploring Pt. Reyes and Beyond,” a slide presentation by photographer-writer team Richard Blair and Kathleen Goodwin at 7 p.m. at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. 527-4140.
Berkeley High School Site Council meets at 4:30 p.m. in the school library. Agenda items include athletic eligibility requirements, report of the Positive Minds program, and data on student achievement. bhs.berkeleypta.org/ssc, bhssitecouncil@berkeley.k12.ca.us
The Alexander Foundation for Women’s Health lecture on “Sexual Desire: From Romance to Physiology” at 6:15 p.m. at the Claremont Resort, 41 Tunnel Rd. Cost is $10-$15. 527-3010. www.afwh.org/about/
claremontlectures.htm
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.
Berkeley Camera Club meets at 7:30 p.m., at the Northbrae Community Church, 941 The Alameda. 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. Dr. Robert Greer will speak about macular degeneration at 11 a.m. 845-6830.
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. For more information call 444-4755. www.stagebridge.org
HOW TO HELP
Alameda County Community Food Bank’s Annual Food Drive accepts donations of non-perishable food in the red barrel at any Safeway or Albertson’s. 834-3663. www.accfb.org
Firefighters Toy Drive Donate new, unwrapped toys and canned food to any Berkeley fire station. For information call 981-5506.
Find a Loving Animal Companion at the Berkeley-East Bay Humane Society Adoption Center, 2700 Ninth St. 845-7735. www.berkeleyhumane.org
United Way Bay Area is recruiting volunteer tax preparers and greeters/interpreters in Alameda County to assist low-income families who are eligible for free tax assistance and refunds. No previous tax preparation experience is necessary. There is a special need for volunteers who can speak Spanish, Chinese, and Vietnamese. Training sessions begin Jan. 8. Register now by calling 800-273-6222. www.earnitkeepitsaveit.org
CITY MEETINGS
City Council meets Tues., Dec. 7, at 7 p.m in City Council Chambers. 981-6900. www.ci.
berkeley.ca.us/citycouncil
Commission on Disability meets Wed., Dec. 8, at 6:30 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Don Brown, 981-6346. TDD: 981-6345. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/disability
Energy Commission meets Wed., Dec. 8, at 6:30 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Neal De Snoo, 981-5434. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/energy
Library Board of Trustees meets Thurs. Dec. 8, at 7 p.m. at 1125 University Ave., Jackie Y. Griffin, 981-6195. www.ci.ber
keley.ca.us/commissions/library
Planning Commission meets Wed., Dec. 8, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Janet Homrighausen, 981-7484. www.ci.berkeley. ca.us/
commissions/planning
Waterfront Commission meets Wed., Dec. 8, 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., Dec. 9, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Angellique De Cloud, 981-5428. www.ci.berkeley. ca.us/commissions/earlychildhoodeducation
Community Health Commission meets Thurs, Dec. 9, at 6:45 p.m. at the South Berkeley Senior Center. William Rogers, 981-5344. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/health
Housing Advisory Commission meets Thurs., Dec. 9, at 7 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., Dec. 9, at 7 p.m., at the West Berkeley Senior Center. Iris Starr, 981-7520. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/westberkeley
Zoning Adjustments Board meets Thurs., Dec. 9, at 7 p.m., in City Council Chambers. Mark Rhoades, 981-7410. www.ci.ber-
eley.ca.us/commissions/zoning™