Press Releases

TUESDAY, JAN. 18 

Bird Walk in Wildcat Canyon Meet at 7:30 a.m. at the end of Rifle Range Road to look for birds of the forest and creek-side. 525-2233. 

Tilden Mini-Rangers Join us for an active afternoon of nature study, conservation, and rambling through woods and waters. Dress to get dirty; bring a healthy snack to share. Girls and boys ages 8-12, unaccompanied by their parents. From 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at Tilden Nature Area. Cost is $6-$8. Reservations required. 636-1684. 

Berkeley Garden Club “Care and Culture of Orchids,” potting demonstration, orchids for show and sale, by Sue Fordyce, grower at Orchids Ranch. Meeting at 1 p.m., program at 2 p.m. at Epworth Methodist Church, 1953 Hopkins St. 524-4374. 

Great Snowshoe Destinations in California Slide presentation at 7 p.m. with Michael White, author of Wilderness Press guidebooks at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. 527-4140. 

Marin Avenue Reconfiguration Public Hearing at 7 p.m. at Berkeley City Council Chambers, 2134 Martin Luther King Jr. Way. 981-7062. 

Fitness Tests for people 50 and over from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. at the South Berkeley Senior Center. Free. You will receive personalized scores and tips on how to maintain or improve your fitness. 981-5367. 

School Age Storytime for ages 5 and up at 7 p.m. at the Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave. 526-3720, ext.17.  

Brainstormer Weekly Pub Quiz every Tuesday from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Pyramid Alehouse Brewery, 901 Gilman St. 528-9880. 

American Red Cross Blood Services Volunteer Orientation at 6 p.m. at 6230 Claremont Ave., Oakland. Advance sign-up needed, 594-5165.  

Get Organized for the New Year, with Eve Abbott, author and personal productivity consultant, at 7 p.m. at El Cerrito Library, 6510 Stockton Ave., 526-7512.  

“Getting Along with Your Adult Children” a participatory workshop at 7:30 p.m. at the BRJCC, 1414 Walnut St. Cost is $35-$40. 848-0327, ext. 110. www.brjcc.org 

“Tu B, Shuvat: A Meeting Point between Cyclical and Linear Time” with Avital Plan at 7:30 p.m. at the BRJCC, 1414 Walnut St. Cost is $5. 848-0327, ext. 110. www.brjcc.org 

Berkeley Salon Discussion Group meets to discuss “O.J., Peterson and The Death Penalty” 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. 

Organic Produce at low prices sold at the corner of Sacramento and Oregon Streets every Tuesday from 3 to 6 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. 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. 

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 

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 19 

Berkeley Communicators Toastmasters meets the first and third Wednesdays of the month at 7:15 a.m. at Au Cocolait, 200 University Ave. at Milvia. For information call Robert Flammia 524-3765. 

Mini-Farmers in Tilden A farm exploration program, from 10 to 11 a.m. for ages 4-6 years, accompanied by an adult. We will explore the Little Farm, care for animals, do crafts and farm chores. Wear boots and dress to get dirty! Fee is $3-$5. Registration required. 525-2233. 

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

Grizzly Peak Cyclists at 8 p.m. at the Hillside Club, 2268 Cedar St. David Milne Smith, Ph.D., adventurer, author, and leadership trainer, will speak about “The Aging Athlete: How To Turn Each Moment into an Adventure.” 527-0450. 

“The Doors” Oliver Stone film of Jim Morrison’s self destruction at 7 p.m. at Humanist Hall, 390 27th St., Oakland. Free, $5 donations accepted. 393-5685. 

Health and Sexuality for the Mature Woman A lecturesponsored by the Alexander Foundation at 6:15 p.m. at the Claremont Resort, 41 Tunnel Rd. Cost is $10-$15. 527-3010. www.afwh.org/about/claremontlectures.htm 

Artify Ashby Muralist Group meets every Wed. from 5 to 8 p.m. at the South Berkeley Senior Center, to plan a new mural. New artists are welcome. Call Bonnie at 704-0803. 

Tap Into It Jazz and Rhythm Tap classes at Montclair Recreation Center, 6300 Moraga Ave., Oakland. Experienced at 6:30 p.m., beginners at 7:30 p.m. 482-7812. 

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 

Stitch ‘n Bitch Bring your knitting, crocheting and other handcrafts from 6 to 9 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave. 548-5198. 

Fun with Acting Class every Wednesday 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. Sing for Peace at 6:30 p.m. Peace Walk at 7 p.m. www. 

geocities.com/vigil4peace/vigil 

THURSDAY, JAN. 20 

Inauguration Protest “Let America Be America Again” at 9 a.m. at the Downtown Berkeley BART Station. The rally to read the Langston Hughes poem “Let America Be America Again” will start at the very moment the oath of office is being administered in Washington D.C. Everyone will have an opportunity to join in. www.artistsandwritersforpeace.org 

“Stop the War: Fight the Right” on GW’s inaguration at 5 p.m. at Civic Center, San Francisco. 415-821-6545. www.internationalanswer.org, www.actionsf.org 

“The Future of Energy: Transitioning from Fossil Fuels to Renewables” A panel discussion moderated by former PUC Commissioner Loretta Lynch at 7 p.m. at the Ecology Center, 2530 San Pablo Ave. Cost is $5-$15, sliding scale. 548-2220, ext. 233. www.ecologycenter.org 

Berkeley City Club Anniversary Events from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. including tours of the historic Julia Morgan building and dinner. Cost is $15-$25. For reservations call 848-7800. 

Simplicity Forum on “Removing Anxiety to Simplify Your Life” at 6:30 p.m. at Berkeley Public Library, Claremont Branch, 2940 Benvenue Ave. 526-6596. www.simpleliving.net 

Berkeley School Volunteers Training workshop for volunteers interested in helping in Berkeley Public schools at 3 p.m. at 1835 Allston Way. 644-8833. 

WriterCoach Connection Volunteer Training Help students improve their writing and critical thinking skills. Training session from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. To register call 524-2319. Other Trainings on Feb. 9, 16, Mar. 8, 15. www.writercoachconnection.org 

Montclair Safety & Improvement Council Public Meeting at 7 p.m. at the Montera Middle School, 5555 Ascot Dr. Presentations include Emergency Preparedness, Crime Prevention, Pedestrian & Traffic Safety, and Beautification. www.montclairsic.org 

“Krill: Constant Currency in the Fluctuating Oceanic Economy” with Dr. Baldo Marinovic at 12:30 p.m. at the Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak Sts. 238-2200. www.museum.ca.org 

FRIDAY, JAN. 21 

City Commons Club Noon Luncheon with Ludmilla Kutsak on “The Fabergé Egg.” 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.  

San Francisco Bay Flyway Festival Fri. through Sun. on Mare Island in Vallejo, celebrating the annual migration along the Pacific Flyway of hawks, shorebirds, ducks and geese and even monarch butterflies. 707-649-WING(9464) www.sfbayflywayfestival.com 

“Until When...” a documentary by and about Palestinians, refugees in their own land, at 8 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Dr. Jess Ghannam, one of the film’s producers, will answer questions. Cost is $8. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Parent Equity Forum: “Leading My Child to Excellence and Equity” with Enid Lee, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Alameda County Office of Education, 313 W. Winton Ave., Room 142, Hayward. Free to parents in Alameda County. 670-4163. www.acoe.k12.ca.us 

Family Literacy Night Celebrate Dr. King’s Dream with Daaimah Waqia reading her book “A Different Kind of Beautiful,” at 7 p.m. at the Berkeley YMCA, 2001 Allston Way. 665-3271. 

Berkeley Chess Club meets Fridays at 7:15 p.m. at the East Bay Chess Club, 1940 Virginia St. Players at all levels are welcome. 845-1041. 

“Three Beats for Nothing” meets to sing 16th century harmony for fun and practice at 10 a.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 655-8863, 843-7610. 

Women in Black Vigil, from noon to 1 p.m. at UC Berkeley, Bancroft at Telegraph. 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 

SATURDAY, JAN. 22 

Dog Walk for Mud Puppies Bring your canine friend for a hike along South Park Drive. Bring a leash and baggies. Meet at 2 p.m. at the closed gate at the bottom of the South Park Drive near Botanic Garden. 525-2233. 

Ohlone Dog Park Clean-Up from 10 a.m. to noon at Grant St. and Hearst Ave. Sponsored by the Ohone Dog Park Assoc. www.ohlonedogpark.org 

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. 

Pt. Molate Walk with Berkeley Path Wanderers Explore Richmond’s historic and surprisingly wild Pt. Molate, with beaches, native grasslands, and a former Chinese fishing community, whaling station, and the world’s largest winery. Meet at 10 a.m. Take the Pt. Molate exit from I-580 (last exit before Richmond Bridge). Where the road divides in three, take the middle road; in about a mile park at the abandoned visitors center on the right, across from very large buildings. Easy walk, but dress for cold, wind, or rain. Bring water; lunch may be purchased at the diner at quaint San Pablo Yacht Harbor. 549-2908. zemeralds@aol.com 

Junior Rangers of Tilden meets Sat. mornings at Tilden Nature Center. For more information call 525-2233. 

Rose Pruning at 10 a.m. at Magic Gardens Nursery, 729 Heinz Ave. 644-2351. www.magicgardens.com 

Emergency Response Training Class on “Responding to Terrorism” from 9 a.m. to noon at the Public Safety building, 2100 Martin Luther King Jr. Way. To register call 981-5606. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/fire/oes.html 

“Playing to Learn” An educational conference on floor time and drama therapy with Barbara Kalmanson, Ph.D. and Charla Cunningham, RDT, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Ave. Cost is $135, some scholarships available. 845-8542. www.juliamorgan.org 

Celebrate Jewish Earth Day Tu B'Shvat Seder led by Rabbi Michael Lerner from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 1027 Cragmont Ave. Please bring a main course vegetarian dish to share with 12-14 people. RSVP required, 528-6250. 

Auditions for the San Francisco Boys Chorus from 1:30 to 3 p.m. at the Interstake Center, 4780 Lincoln Ave., Oakland. To schedule an audition call 415-861-7464. 

Pre-School Storytime for ages 3-5 at 11 a.m. at the Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave. 526-3720, ext.17.  

SUNDAY, JAN. 23 

Dynamite History Walk Explore Pt. Pinole’s explosive and peaceful past on this flat, easy-paced walk from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Reservations required. 525-2233. 

Feeder for Feathered Friends Learn to make different feeders to hang in your garden for over-wintering birds. From 2 to 4 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. 525-2233. 

“Winter Blooms!” Free garden tours at Regional Parks Botanic Garden in Tilden Park at 2 pm. 845-4116. www.nativeplants.org 

War Tax Resistance Information Find out more about this form of conscientious objection. Potluck and discussion at 4 p.m., basic information about war tax resistance at 5 p.m. at 2311 Russell St. Donations accepted, not required. 843-9877.  

Sister Helen Prejean, author of “Dead Man Walking,” will introduce her new book, “The Death of Innocents: An Eyewitness Account of Wrongful Executions” at 7 p.m. at King Middle School, 1781 Rose. St. Tickets are $10-$12. Benfits Pace e Bene and KPFA. www.kpfa.org 

“Another World Is Possible” a documentary of the 2002 World Social Forum along with protest films documenting the last two years of resistance in the Bay Area. From 3 to 5 p.m. at the Parkway Theater, 1834 Park Blvd., Oakland. Free. 601-8000. www.picturepubpizza.com/special-events/sunday_salon.html 

“A Beautiful Blend: Mixed Race in America” a documentary about Swirl, a national organization providing support to mixed race people, at 3 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Berkeley Cybersalon, with Jay Harman, founder and CEO of PAX Scientific on “Alternative Energy,” from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Hillside Club, 2286 Cedar, between Spruce and Arch. Cost is $10. 

Lake Merritt Neighbors Organized for Peace Peace walk around the lake every Sun. Meet at 3 p.m. at the colonnade at the NE end of the lake. 763-8712. lmno4p.org 

Tibetan Buddhism with Bob Byrne on “Longchenpa: Master of the Nyingma Lineage” at 6 p.m. at the Tibetan Nyingma Institute, 1815 Highland Pl. 843-6812. www.nyingmainstitute.com 

Personal Theology Seminar with Cathleen Cox Burneo on “Jesus, A Peasant with Attitude” at 9:30 a.m. at Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley, 1 Lawson Rd., Kensington. 525-0302. 

MONDAY, JAN. 24 

Tea and Hike 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 

“A Conversation about Creeks and Culverted Creeks” hosted by the Friends of Strawberry Creek from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Berkeley Central Library Community Meeting Room. jennifermaryphd@hotmail.com or caroleschem@hotmail.com 

“Service Learning and the Development of Volunteerism in Chile” with Sebastián Zulueta, director of the Service Learning Center at the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, at noon in the CLAS Conference Room, 2334 Bowditch St. 642-2088. 

“At the Wizard’s Table: Shaman’s Altars in Peru” lecture and slide show by Douglas Sharon, director of the Phoebe Hearst Museum, at 3:30 p.m. at Pacific School of Religion, Chapel Room 6, 1798 Scenic Ave. 849-8201. 

Berkeley High School Site Council meets from 4:30 to 6 p.m. in the school library. On the agenda are a report on recycling and a proposal by the Academic Choice Program. bhs.berkeleypta.org/ssc  

Tu B,Shvat Seder with Rabbi Yehuda Ferris with song and stories at 7:30 p.m. at Redwood Gardens, 2951 Derby St. Cost is $8-$10. 540-5824. 

El Cerrrito Library Book Club meets to discuss “Cold Mountain” by Charles Frazier at 7 p.m. at the El Cerrito Library, 6510 Stockton Ave. 526-7512. www.ccclib.org 

World Affairs/Politics Discussion Group for people 60 years and over meets at 9:15 a.m. at the Albany Senior Center, 846 Masonic Ave. 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. 

ONGOING 

Albany Berkeley Girls Softball League is looking for girls in grades 1-8 to play girls softball. Season runs March 5-June 4. Scholarships available. To register call 869-4277.  

Youth Speaks Winter Workshops in writing and spoken word begin Jan. 24 in Berkeley and Oakland. For more information call 415-255-9035. www.youthspeaks.org 

“Half Pint Library” Book Drive Donate children’s books to benefit Children’s Hospital and Research Center Oakland. Donations accepted at 1849 Solano Ave. through March 31. 

CITY MEETINGS 

City Council meets Tues., Jan. 18, at 7 p.m in City Council Chambers. 981-6900. www. 

ci.berkeley.ca.us/citycouncil 

Berkeley Housing Authority meets Tues., Jan. 18, at 6:30 p.m. in City Council Chambers. 981-6900. ww.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/housingauthority   

Citizens Humane Commission meets Wed., Jan. 19, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Katherine O’Connor, 981-6601. www.ci.berkeley.ca. us/commissions/humane 

Commission on Labor meets Wed., Jan. 19, at 6:45 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Delfina M. Geiken, 981-7550. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/labor 

Berkeley Rent Stabilization Board meets Thurs. Jan. 20, at 7 p.m. in City Council Chambers, Pam Wyche, 644-6128 ext. 113. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/rent 

Housing Advisory Commission meets Thurs., Jan. 20, at 7:30 p.m., at the South Berkeley Senior Center. Oscar Sung, 981-5400. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/housing 

Transportation Commission meets Thurs., Jan. 20, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Peter Hillier, 981-7000. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/transportation?