Press Releases

TUESDAY, JAN. 25 

Bird Walk in Tilden Meet at 7:30 a.m. at the Little Train parking lot, Lomas Cantadas and Grizzly Peak Blvd. to look for birds of the grassland and great views. 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 Sobrante Ridge to explore this ecosystem and visit a rare stand of Alameda manzanita. Registration required. 525-2233.  

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 10 p.m. at the Building Education Center 812 Page St. Cost is $35. To register, call 525-7610.  

“The Future of Education Funding in California” with Ken Hall, Chairman, School Services of California at 7 p.m. in the Berkeley High Library, corner of Addison and Milvia. 644-8549. www.berkeley.k12.ca.us 

Best Ski Tours in the Sierra and Beyond with Marcus Libkind, founder of Snowlands Networks, at 7 p.m. at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. 527-4140. 

“Epiphany West 2005: Truth and Dialogue” a conference with theologians exploring issues facing the Episcopal Church today, through Jan. 29, at Church Divinity School of the Pacific, 2451 Ridge Rd. 204-0720. www.cdsp.edu 

Ralph Nader, Matt Gonzales and Guests “End the Iraq War and Occupation” at 5 p.m. at St. Marks Church, 2300 Bancroft Way. Cost is $5-$10. 213-1569. 

Mills College MBA Open House at 7 p.m. at Reinhardt Hall, Mills College. For information call 430-3173. 

Sing-A-Long every Tues. from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. at the Albany Senior Center, 846 Masonic. All ages welcome. 524-9122. 

“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 

Berkeley PC Users Group Problem solving and beginners meeting to answer, in simple English, users questions about Windows computers. At 7 p.m. at 1145 Walnut St., near corner of Eunice St. All welcome, no charge. 527-2177.  

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. 

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

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. 

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. 

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 26 

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. 

“Children of the Dirt” and “The Tour, Baby!” Special screening of two great bicycling films at 7 p.m. at Berkeley High School Community Theater, enter on Allston Way across from Civic Center Park. Cost is $10, proceeds benefit the NorCal High School Mountain Biking League. 325-6502. www.norcalmtb.org 

“The Downside: No State Money, Crumbling Cities” with Terri Waller, Research Coordinator, Assemblywoman Loni Hancock’s office and Phil Kamlarz, Berkeley City Manager at 1:30 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Sponsored by the Berkeley Gray Panthers. 548-9696. 

“Radical Islamist Thoelogy: What Does it Mean for the Jews” with Yitzhak Santis of the Jewish Community Relations Council at 7:30 p.m. at the BRJCC, 1414 Walnut St. 839-2900, ext. 211. 

Berkeley School Volunteers Training workshop for volunteers interested in helping in Berkeley Public schools at 7 p.m. at 1835 Allston Way. 644-8833. 

“Dead Man” Jim Jarmusch film of an accountant on a spiritual quest at 7 p.m. at Humanist Hall, 390 27th St., Oakland. Free, $5 donations accepted. 393-5685. 

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. 

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. 

Gelateria Naia Blood Drive from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. at 2106 Shattuck Ave. To make an appointment, stop by the store or call 883-1568.  

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. 

“Radical Islamist Ideology: What Does it Mean for the Jews” with Yitzhak Santis at 7:30 p.m. at the BRJCC, 1414 Walnut St. Cost is $5. 848-0327, ext. 110. www.brjcc.org 

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, JAN. 27 

“The Death Penalty on Trial” with Cold Case Files executive producer and American Justice anchor Bill Kurtis, author of the new book “The Death Penalty on Trial” and UCB law professor Frank Zimring, author of “The Contradiction of American Capital Punishment,” at 6:30 p.m. at The Independent Institute, 100 Swan Way, Oakland. Cost is $15 for non-members. Reservations required. 632-1366. 

Black August Organizing Committee Fundraiser with Fred Hampton Jr., Chairman of the Chicago Chapter of the POCC, and Tarika Lewis, the first woman to join the Black Panthers, at 6 p.m. at Humanist Hall, 390 27th St., Oakland. 658-7079. 

Berkeley Gray Panthers Older People United discussion group for elders over 75, at 1:30 p.m. at 103 Addison St. 548-9696. 

“The Legacy of the Pinochet Case” with Judge Carlos Castresana Fernández of the Central Prosecution Service Against Corruption in the Attorney General’s Office in Spain, at 4 p.m. in the Geballe Room, 220 Stephens Hall, UC Campus. 642-2088. 

“Seeds of Learning: Creating a Biblical Garden” with Shirley Pinchev Sidell at 7:30 p.m. at the BRJCC, 1414 Walnut St. Cost is $5. 848-0327, ext. 110. www.brjcc.org 

FRIDAY, JAN. 28 

City Commons Club Noon Luncheon with Leslie Michael on “OSHA.” 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. 

“Sierra Birds: A Hiker’s Guide” Dinner, lecture and slide show with author Jack Laws at 7 p.m. at the Berkeley Yacht Club, One Seawall Drive. Tickets are $20, benefits the Sierra Club. For reservations, call 526-2494. 

“The Pinochet Case” a film directed by Patricio Guzmán at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. in the CLAS Conference Room, 2334 Bowditch St. 642-3260. www.clas.berkeley.edu 

Ice Cream Social and Family Fun Night at the Berkeley YMCA from 7 to 9 p.m. to raise funds for Save the Children and World Vision for tsunami relief. Sponsored jointly by Berkeley Organizing Congregations for Action and Berkeley Youth United in Action. 658-2467. 

What Kind of State Are You Livin’ In? anarchist hip hop propaganda at 7 p.m. at the AK Press Warehouse, 674-A 23rd. St., Oakland. 208-1700. www.akpress.org 

African American Health Summit Health Expo Public nutrition and exercise health fair, free, everyone invited. From 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Oakland Marriott City Center. 

Literary Friends meets at 1:30 p.m. at the North Berkeley enior Center to discuss Limericks. 549-1879. 

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” a group that meets to sing, mostly 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. 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 

Shabbat with Kol Hadash at 7:30 p.m. at the Albany Community Center, 1249 Marin Ave. info@kolhadash.org 

SATURDAY, JAN. 29 

“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 

Wetland Planting with Save The Bay Winter restoration activities include planting native seedlings, non-native plant removal, site monitoring, and shoreline clean-up. From 9 a.m. to noon at Martin Luther King, Jr. Regional Shoreline, Oakland. 452-9261, ext. 109. dshea@savesfbay.org 

Tour and Restoration of Rheem Creek in North Richmond from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. meeting at Parchester Village Community Center, 900 Williams Drive, Richmond. Reservations requested. 644-2900, ext 109. 

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

Human Rights in Haiti with Fr. G´rard Jean-Juste, a freed Haitian political prisoner at 7:30 p.m. at St. Joseph the Worker Church, 1640 Addison St. Suggested donation $5-$15. 558-9010. 

Emergency Response Training Class on “Shelter Operations” from 9 a.m. to noon at the Fire Dept. Training Center, 997 Cedar St. To register call 981-5606. www.ci.berkeley.ca. 

us/fire/oes.html 

“Conscious Cabaret” Awakening Consciousness through Comedy Theater with Errol & Rochelle Alicia Strider at 8 p.m. at Unity of Berkeley, 2075 Eunice St. Cost is $15, or two for $25. 528-8844. www.unityberkeley.org 

Community Sing and Lighting of the Abalone Altar with the Threshold Choir at 7 p.m. at Grace North Church, 2138 Cedar St. The Threshold Choir is composed of Bay Area women who sing at the bedsides of those who are dying. Suggested donation $10, benefit for Tsunami Relief. http://thresholdchoir.org 

“Pola’s March” with filmmaker Jonathan Gruber and Pola Susswein, with dinner and Havdalah at 6:45 p.m. at Congregation Beth El, 2301 Vine St. at Arch. Donation $10, call for reservations 848-3988, ext. 11. 

“The Cahokia Native Indians of North America” lecture at 7:30 p.m. at New Acropolis Cultural Association, 1700 Dwight Way. 665-3740. guy@acropolis.org 

Design and Build Workshop Learn the details of a successful remodeling project. From 9 a.m. to noon at Truitt and White Conference Center, 1817 2nd St. Cost is $25-$30, registration required. 558-8030. 

Pre-School Storytime for ages 3-5 at 11 a.m. at the Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave. 526-3720, ext.17. Ends Feb 19 

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, JAN. 30 

Newt Walk Join the (almost) annual trek to Sindicich Lagoons, breeding grounds for the California newt. Hike is about five miles up and over the Briones Crest. Children age 8 and up welcome. Bring lunch and liquids. Meet at 10 a.m. in the upper parking lot at the Bear Creek Rd. entrance. 525-2233. 

The Hidden World of Cryptogamic Plants An introduction to mosses, lichens, liverworts, and ferns. We will learn how to identify them, then take a walk in the garden. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Visitor Center, Regional Parks Botanic Garden, Tilden Park. Cost is $40 members/$45 nonmembers. 845-4116. 

“Ralph Bunche and the Evolution of Human Rights” an address by Charles P. Henry, Prof. of African American Studies, UCB, at 3:25 p.m. at Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Hall, 1924 Cedar at Bonita. Free. www.unaeastbay.org 

Conscientious Objection in the 21st Century Worried about the draft, military recruiters, or militarism in our schools? Berkeley Quakers invite you to presentations by Dan Seeger, plaintiff in the U.S. landmark CO decision, and Steve Morse, of Central Committee for Conscientious Objectors, at 1 p.m., at Berkeley Friends Meetinghouse, corner of Vine and Walnut. 525-2390. 

Lunar New Year Celebration for the whole family with lion dancing, Taiko drumming, mochi pounding and hands-on arts activities from noon to 4 p.m. at the Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak Sts., Oakland. www.museumca.org 

Family Mardi Gras Art Afternoon from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at Arlington Community Church, United Church of Christ, 52 Arlington Ave., Kensington. Come make a mask and learn some of the history of Mardi Gras. Free, but reservations requested. 526-9146. 

White Elephant Preview Sale from noon to 4 p.m. at the WES warehouse, 333 Lancaster St. at Glasscock, Oakland. Benefit for the Oakland Museum. Tickets are $12.50 in advance, $15 at the door. 238-2200. www.museum.ca.org 

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 

“The Last Sephardic Jew” a film about a young rabbi who takes a journey back into history at 2 p.m. at the BRJCC, 1414 Walnut St. Cost is $5. 848-0327, ext. 110. www.brjcc.org 

Tibetan Buddhism with Abbe Blum on “What is Knowledge of Freedom?” at 6 p.m. at the Tibetan Nyingma Institute, 1815 Highland Pl. 843-6812. www.nyingmainstitute.com 

MONDAY, JAN. 31 

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. 

“Approaches to Adequacy: What Are Essential Elements of Schools?” with David Conley, Associate Professor, University of Oregon, at 7 p.m. in the Berkeley High Library, corner of Addison and Milvia Sts. 644-8549. www.berkeley.k12.ca.us 

Mystical Music, Poetry, and the Sufi Zikr at 7 p.m. at the M.T.O. Center, 2855 Telegraph Ave., Suite 101. Free but please call to reserve a seat. 704-1888.  

World Affairs/Politics Discussion Group for people 60 years and over meets Mondays at 9:15 a.m. at the Albany Senior Center, 846 Masonic Ave. Join at any time. Cost is $2.50 with refreshments. 524-9122. 

Bayswater Book Club meets to discuss “Rabbi Paul” by Bruce Chilton at 6:30 p.m. at Barnes and Noble Coffee Shop, El Cerrito Plaza. 433-2911. 

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. 

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.  

Dance Access & Dance Access/KIDS! offers creative dance classes for children and teens with and without physical disabilities. All classes are held at Eighth Street Studios, 2525 Eighth St. Pre- registration is required. 625-0110. alisa@axisdance.org  

Docent Training for the Magnes Museum for those interested in Jewish culture, history and art. Classes will be held on Thurs. evenings starting Feb. 3, at the Museum, 2911 Russell St. For more information contact Faith Powell at 549-6933. 

“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. 

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  

Berkeley Rhino Rugby Club is are seeking new high school age players for the Spring 2005 season. No experience required. Practices are Tues. and Thurs. 5 to 7 p.m. at San Pablo Park. 466-5113. 

CITY MEETINGS 

City Council meets Tues., Jan. 25, at 7 p.m in City Council Chambers. 981-6900. www.ci. 

berkeley.ca.us/citycouncil 

Civic Arts Commission meets Wed., Jan. 26, at 6:30 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Mary Ann Merker, 981-7533. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/ 

commissions/civicarts 

Disaster Council meets Wed. Jan. 26, at 7 p.m., at the Emergency Operations Center, 997 Cedar St. William Greulich, 981-5502. www.ci.berkeley.ca. us/commissions/disaster 

Energy Commission meets Wed., Jan. 26, at 6:30 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Neal De Snoo, 981-5434. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/energy 

Planning Commission meets Wed., Jan. 26 at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Janet Homrighausen, 981-7484. www.ci.berkeley. ca.us/commissions/planning 

Housing Advisory Commission meets Thurs., Jan. 27, at 7:30 p.m., at the South Berkeley Senior Center. Oscar Sung, 981-5400. www.ci.berkeley. 

ca.us/commissions/housing