Press Releases

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 

Free Garden Tours at Regional Parks Botanic Garden, Sat. and Sun. at 2 pm. Regional Parks Botanic Garden, Tilden Park. Call to confirm. 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 

Land Use Forum hosted by Berkeley Alliance of Neighborhood Associations at 1:30 p.m., St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave., Fireside Rm. For further information contact Marie Bowman at mariebowman@pacbell.net 

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 

Jazz Fest 2005 featuring Faye Carrol, Sista Kee, Bandworks in a benefit concert for the King Middle School 8th grade delegation to Washington D.C. at 4 p.m. in the Martin Luther King School Auditorium, 1781 Rose St. Suggested donation $10. 289-4166, 644-4544. 

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 9:45 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. 

TUESDAY, FEB. 1 

Mid-Day Meander to see early blooming schrubs and learn Groundhog Day lore at 2:30 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. 525-2233.  

Bird Walk along the Martin Luther King Shoreline to see marsh birds at 3 p.m. For information call 525-2233. 

“New Era/New Politics” Walking Tour of Oakland highlights African-American leaders who have made their mark on Oakland. Meet at 10 a.m. at the African American Museum and Library at 659 14th St. Tour is free and lasts about 90 minutes. 238-3234. www.oaklandnet.com/walkingtours 

“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 

“A Test of Will: A Climber’s Story of Survival” with Warren MacDonald at 7 p.m. at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. 527-4140. 

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. 

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. 

Berkeley Salon Discussion Group meets to discuss “Political Predictions and the New Administration” 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. 

School Age Storytime for ages 5 and up at 7 p.m. at the Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave. 526-3720, ext.17. Ends March 1 

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

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

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, FEB. 2 

Groundhog Day Wildlife Walk in the Eastshore State Park to see ground squirrels, birds and talk about the ecosystem that supports so much wildlife. Meet at 10 a.m. at Sea Breeze Deli, University Avenue just west of I-80/580. Co-sponsored by Berkeley Path Wanderers, Friends of Five Creeks, Save the Bay, and the City of Berkeley’s Everybody Walks program. 848-9358. www.fivecreeks.org 

Berkeley High Beats Poetry Slam at 7 p.m. in Room G-210, Berkeley High School. Sign up at 6:30 p.m. Donation $1. rayers@berkeley.k12.ca.us 

AARP Free Tax Assistance for taxpayers with middle and low incomes, with special attention to those 60 years and older. From 12:15 to 4:15 p.m. at the Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave. This service will continue through April. Appointments must be made in advance. 526-3720, ext. 5. 

“Matrix of Evil” A documentary with footage from speeches and conversations with Cong. Ron Paul, Col. Craig Roberts, Cong. Cynthia McKinney, Frank Morales, and Alex Jones, at 7 p.m. at Humanist Hall, 390 27th St., Oakland. Free, $5 donations accepted. 393-5685. 

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. 

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. 

American Red Cross Blood Services Volunteer Orientation from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at 6230 Claremont Ave., Oakland. Volunteers are needed to support the more than 40 blood drives held each month.  Advance sign-up needed 594-5165. 

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. 

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. 

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, FEB. 3 

Early Morning Bird Walk in Tilden Park to look for winter residents. Meet at 7:30 a.m. at Tilden Nature Area. 525-2233. 

Painted Dog Project A discussion of the efforts to save these rare canids in Zimbabwe at 7 p.m. in the Marian Zimmer Auditorium, The Oakland Zoo. Cost is $20. 632-9525, ext. 142. www.oaklandzoo.org 

“World Religions and Ecology” with Dr. Mary Evelyn Tucker and Dr. John Grim, both of Bucknell University, at 7 p.m. at the Richard S. Dinner Boardroom, Graduate Theological Union, Hewlett Library, 2400 Ridge Rd. 649-2560. 

“Nonviolent Resistance to U.S. Militarization in Okinawa” A presentation by Suzuyo Takazato, a cofounder and co-coordinator of Okinawan Women Act Against Military Violence at 7 p.m. in Mudd 100, Pacific School of Religion, 1798 Scenic Ave. 849-8244. 

“Brother Outsider: The Life of Bayard Rustin” at 6:30 p.m. at the Ellen Driscoll Theater, Frank Havens School, 325 Highland Ave., Piedmont. Sponsored by the Piedmont Appreciating Diversity Film Series. www.diversityworks.org 

“Kingdom of the West” A video tour by air of Yellowstone, Yosemite & Glacier National Parks at 1:30 p.m. at the Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave., Albany. 526-3720. 

Berkeley School Volunteers Training workshop for volunteers interested in helping in Berkeley Public Schools at 4:30 p.m. at 1835 Allston Way. 644-8833. 

ONGOING 

Pee Wee Basketball for boys and girls ages 6 to 8, begins Sat. Feb. 5, from 10 a.m. to noon, and runs for six weeks. Fee is $25-$35. For information call Berkeley Youth Alternatives, 845-9066. sports@byaonline.org 

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.  

All Net Basketball for boys and girls ages 9 to 11, begins Tues. Mar. 8, from 4:30 to 6 p.m., and runs for five weeks. Fee is $10-$15. For information call Berkeley Youth Alternatives, 845-9066. sports@byaonline.org 

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. 

Taoist Tai Chi Society Beginning Level Class starts Feb. 16 at the First Congregational Church of Berkeley, 2345 Channing Way. New students may register at any time. 415-864-0899 www.taichicalifornia.org 

Berkeley Rhino Rugby Club is 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 

Commission on the Status of Women meets Wed., Feb. 2, at 7:30 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Tasha Tervelon, 981-5347. www.ci.berkeley. 

ca.us/commissions/women 

Fire Safety Commission meets Wed., Feb. 2, at 7:30 p.m. at 997 Cedar St. David Orth, 981-5502. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/firesafety 

Human Welfare and Community Action Commission meets Wed., Feb. 2, at 7 p.m., at the South Berkeley Senior Center. Marianne Graham, 981-5416. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/ 

commissions/welfare 

Commission on Early Childhood Education meets Thurs., Feb. 3, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Angellique De Cloud, 981-5428. www.ci.berkeley. ca.us/commissions/earlychildhoodeducation  

Housing Advisory Commission meets Thurs., Feb. 3, at 7:30 p.m., at the South Berkeley Senior Center. Oscar Sung, 981-5400. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/ 

commissions/housing 

Public Works Commission meets Thurs., Feb. 3, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Jeff Egeberg, 981-6406. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/publicworks 

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