Election Section

FRIDAY, FEB. 4 

City Commons Club Noon Luncheon with Debra Pryor, Chief of the Berkeley Fire Dept. 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. 

Outings on Fridays with Berkeley Architectural Heritage Association Tour of the Hearst Memorial Mining Building, UC Campus at 11 a.m. Cost is $15. Reservations required. 841-2242. www.berkeleyheritage.com 

“From Chiapas to California” with Ramon Penate Diaz and Miguel Pickard from Chiapas, in an evening of spoken word and music at 8 p.m. at Humanist Hall, 390 27th St., Oakland. Cost is $10-$15. 654-9587. 

“Dancin’ in the Street: The Influence of Black Music of the Vietnam Era” from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. at the Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak Sts., Oakland. Cost is $15-$20. 238-2200. www.museumca.org 

“The Thursday Club” screening of a new documentary by George Csicery about Oakland police officers and the Black Panthers at 7 p.m. at the Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak Sts., Oakland. 238-2200. www.museumca.org 

“Life and Debt” Stephanie Black’s award winning documentary examines the devastating effects of globalization upon local agriculture and industry in Jamaica. Part of the First Fridays series at 7:30 p.m. at St. Joseph the Worker Church, 1640 Addison St. Free. 482-1062. 

Literacy & Beyond! Lunar New Year Celebration at 7 p.m. at the Berkeley YMCA, 2001 Allston Way. Free. 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. 

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. 655-6169. www.bpf.org 

SATURDAY, FEB. 5 

Sick Plant Clinic UC plant apthologist Dr. Robert Raabe, UC entomologist Dr. Nick Mills, and their team of experts will diagnose what ails your plants from 9 a.m. to noon at the Botanical Garden, 200 Centennial Dr. 643-2755.  

“Pinguicula and Utricularia in the Cloud Forests of Ecuador” hosted by Geoff Wong of the Carnivorous Plant Society, from noon to 4 p.m. at the Botanical Garden, 200 Centennial Dr. 643-2755.  

“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 

Waterfalls of Berkeley Discover the little-known waterfalls of urban Berkeley on the moderately challenging walk. Find three stepped waterfalls tucked away in parks and neighborhoods, and see gardens and historic homes. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Reservations required. For details call 415-255-3233. www.greenbelt.org 

Mushroom Walk in The Redwoods Join Berkeley Path Wanderers for an easy walk in Redwood Regional Park in Oakland, looking for showy mushrooms, enjoying birds, and pondering the lives and histories of redwoods. Meet at the Canyon Meadow Staging Area, the main parking lot farthest into the park from Redwood Gate, the main park entrance on Redwood Rd at 10 a.m. For information contact Robert Mackler, walk leader, 799-6756.  

Tilden Toddlers For ages 2-3 to explore the Nature Area and look for amphibian friends. From 2 to 3 p.m. at Tilden Nature Area. 525-2233. 

Kid’s Garden Club for ages 7-12 to explore the world of gardening, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Tilden Nature Area, Tilden Park. Cost is $5-$7, registration required. 525-2233. 

Magnificent Magnolias and Other Early Blooming Trees at 10 a.m. at Magic Gardens Nursery, 729 Heinz Ave. 644-2351. www.magicgardens.com 

Celebrate Black History Month with Bambara Mud Cloth painting at Habitot, 2065 Kittredge St. Cost is $5-$6. 647-111. www,habitot.org 

“Democracy Matters: Winning the Fight Against Imperialism” with Dr. Cornel West at 1 p.m. at Calvin Simmons Theater, 10 Tenth St., Oakland. Free, donations welcomed. Sponsored by Laney College. 

“Evidence for Global Warming: A Scientific Perspective” from 8:15 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak Sts., Oakland. 238-2200. www.museumca.org 

Progressive Democrats of America organizational meeting to form an East Bay Chapter, at 1 p.m. at Temescal Oakland Library, 5205 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. 

Emergency Response Training Class on “Disaster First Aid” 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 

“Rumi’s Teachings on Global Peace and Harmony” with Dr. Majid Naini at 7:30 p.m. at the Islamic Cultural Center, 1433 Masicon St., Oakland. Tickets are $10-$15. 832-7600. 

Valentine Making from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave. Free and all supplies will be provided. 526-3720, ext. 17. 

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 

SUNDAY, FEB. 6 

Conifers of California from 10 a.m. to noon at the Regional Parks Botanic Garden, Tilden Park. 525-2233. 

Early Bloomers Look for currant leatherwood and trillium from 2 to 4 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. 525-2233. 

Mythical Owls Learn about owls and separate fact from fiction at 3 p.m. at Tilden Nature Area, Tilden Park. 525-2233. 

Healthy Gardening Workshop Learn about basic integrated pest management to keep both garden and gardener healthy from 1 to 3 p.m. at UC Botanical Garden, 200 Centennial Dr. Registration required. 643-2755. 

Alan Rinzler’s Writer’s Workshop at 3 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Telegraph Ave. Seating is first-come, first-served. 845-7852. www.codysbooks.com 

Oakland Tet Festival A celebration of the Vietnamese New Year with music, dance and food, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Clinton Park, 1230 6th Ave., by International/14th St., Oakland  

Institute for World Religions Book Study Group on “Dimensions of Unity” at 2 p.m. at Vara Healing Arts, 850 Talbot, Albany. 548-4517. 

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 Jack ven der Meulen on Tibetan Yoga “Listening to the Heart” at 6 p.m. at the Tibetan Nyingma Institute, 1815 Highland Pl. 843-6812. www.nyingmainstitute.com 

MONDAY, FEB. 7 

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 

Help Find Frogs Learn how to help with Friends of Five Creeks’ every-other-year frog survey at 7 p.m. at the Albany Community Center, 1249 Marin, Albany. Volunteers learn at the meeting to recognize frog calls and then listen at likely spots after sundown. 548-3787. www.fivecreeks.org  

Winter’s Sky at New Moon Time Meet at 6:30 p.m. at Tilden’s Inspiration Point and dress warmly for the evening’s star study. 525-2233. 

National Organization for Women Oakland/East Bay Chapter meets at 6 p.m. at the Oakland YWCA, 1515 Webster St., with speaker Claudette Begin, union activist and former candidate for mayor of San Jose on the Socialist Workers Party ticket. 287-8948. 

“Mesopotamia Endangered: Witnessing the Loss of History” with Joanne Farchakh, Lebanese journalist, at 5:30 p.m. at 370 Dwinelle Hall, UC Campus. Sponsored by The Archaeological Institute of America, San Francisco Society, The Dept. of Near Eastern Studies, UCB. 

An Evening with Roy Campanella, KPFA’s new General Manager at 7:30 p.m. at Berkeley Fellowship, corner of Cedar and Bonita. Bring snacks to share, childcare provided. 

Home Buyer Assistance Information Session for first-time homebuyers at 6 p.m. at 1504 Franklin St., Suite 100, Oakland. Free, but call to reserve a seat. 832-6925, ext. 100. 

TUESDAY, FEB. 8 

Early Morning Bird Walk Meet at 7:30 a.m. at the Botanic Garden parking lot to look for rufous-crowned sparrows and others in the Big Springs area. 525-2233. 

Mini-Rangers for ages 8-12 for an afternoon of nature study, conservation and rambling through the woods and waters. Meet at 3:30 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center. Fee is $6-$8, reservations required. 525-2233. 

Bird Walk at the Martin Luther King Shoreline at 3 p.m. Dress for rain and wind. For more information call 525-2233. 

Extreme Digital Photography with photographer Jonathan Chester at 7 p.m. at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. 527-4140. 

“The Nature of Indian Water Rights” with Olney Patt, Jr., Executive Director, Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission, at 5:30 p.m. in 105 North Gate Hall, UC Campus. Sponsored by the Water Resources Center Archives. 642-2666. 

Live From Death Row with Kevin Cooper via speakerphone from San Quentin Prison at 7 p.m. in Room 30,Wheeler Hall, UC Campus. 333-7966. 

“Islamizing the Berbers” Excavations at Volubilis and the first centuries of the Arab conquest of North Africa with Elizabeth Fentress, Prof., Institute of Archaeology, University College, London, at 7:30 p.m. at 370 Dwinelle Hall, UC Campus.  

Black History Celebration with a showing of “Amistad” at 1:30 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 

“Speaking for the Buddha? Buddhism and the Media” a conference Feb. 8-9 from 1:30 to 6 p.m. in the Lipman Room, Barrows Hall, UC Campus. http://ieas.berkeley.edu/events/speakingforthebuddha” 

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

Organic Produce at low prices sold at the corner of Sacramento and Oregon Sts from 3 to 6 p.m. This is a project of Spiral Gardens. 843-1307. 

“Solomon’s Steps: Applying the Wisdom of Solomon in Resolving Day-to-day Conflicts” Tues. at 7:30 p.m. through Feb. 22, at BRJCC, 1414 Walnut St. Cost is $25-$40. 845-6420. 

Rethinking Age An inter-generational workshop at 7:30 p.m. through March 1, at BRJCC, 1414 Walnut St. Cost is $30. 845-6420. 

Berkeley Camera Club meets at 7:30 p.m., at the Northbrae Community Church, 941 The Alameda. 548-3991. www.berkeleycameraclub.org 

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 9 

“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 

“Stop Martial Law in Oakland and for the African Community Everywhere” with Omali Yeshitela, founder of the Uhuru Soldarity Movement at 7 p.m. at Uhuru House, 7911 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland. 569-9620. 

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. Appointments must be made in advance. 526-3720, ext. 5. 

Chiapas to California Speaking Tour with Ramon Peña Diaz at 7:30 p.m. at La Peña, 3105 Shattuck Ave. Donation $5-$10 sliding scale. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

“Dark Secrets: Inside Bohemian Grove” An Alex Jones Film presented by Erin McCann at 7 p.m. at Humanist Hall, 390 27th St., Oakland. Free, but $5 donations accepted. 910-0696. 

East Bay Genealogical Society with Jeremy Frankel of the UC Library at 10 a.m. at the Family History Center at 4766 Lincoln Ave., Oakland. 635-6692. 

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. 16, Mar. 8, 15. www.writercoachconnection.org 

Poetry Writing Workshop with Alison Seevak at 7 p.m. at the Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave. 526-3720. 

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. 

Winter Walk Berkeley for Seniors 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. 

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 

“The Giants of Assimilation: A Rogue’s Gallery of a Vanishing Jewish Type” with author Mark Cohen at 11:30 a.m. at BRJCC, 1414 Walnut St. Cost is $5. 845-6420. 

“You Can’t Fool Mother Nature” Global Climate Change with Dr. Wil Burns at 7:30 p.m. at BRJCC, 1414 Walnut St. Cost is $5. 845-6420. 

Berkeley Peace Walk and Vigil at the Berkeley BART Station. Vigil at 6:30 p.m. Peace Walk at 7 p.m.  

THURSDAY, FEB. 10 

“Ralph Bunche: An American Oddessey” a documentary narrated by Sidney Poitier, at 7 p.m. at 155 Dwinelle Hall, UC Campus. Discussion follows. Free. www.unaeastbay.org 

“Looking Ahead: The Struggle for Justice, Peace and Equality in Palestine/ 

Israel” with Prof. George Bisharat, UC Hastings College of the Law, at 7:30 p.m. at Fellowship Hall at the Unitarian Church, 1924 Cedar St., at Bonita. Donation $5-$20, no one turned away. 465-1777. 

“History from the Point of View of the African People” with Omali Yeshitela, founder of the Uhuru Soldarity Movement at 7 p.m. at Fellowship of Humanity, 390 27th St., Oakland. 625-1106. 

“The Freedom Radio Project: Supporting the Youth Voice in Palestine” A benefit film screening and concert, at 7 p.m. at Grand Lake Theater, 3200 Grand Ave., Oakland. Co-sponsored by KPFA Radio & The Middle East Children’s Alliance Tickets are $15. 452-3556. 

“Language Communities or Cultural Empires” The Impact of European Languages in Former Colonial Territories, a two day conference, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Lipman Room, 8th flr, Barrows Hall, UC Campus. For information contact hsutton@berkeley.edu 

“Bridge to Babylon” Judeo-Arabic music at 7:30 p.m. at BRJCC, 1414 Walnut St. Cost is $20. 845-6420. 

“Signs Out of Time” A documentary about the life of archaeologist Marija Gimbutas by Donna Read and Starhawk narrated by Olympia Dukakis at 7 p.m. at Belladonna, 2436 Sacramento St. Cost is $5. 883-0600. 

East Bay Mac User Group meets at 6 p.m. at Expression Center for New Media, 6601 Shellmound St. http://ebmug.org 

CITY MEETINGS 

Council Agenda Committee meets Mon., Feb. 7, at 2:30 p.m., at 2180 Milvia St. 981-6900. 

www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/ 

citycouncil/agenda-committee 

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

Landmarks Preservation Commission meets Mon., Feb. 7, 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., Feb. 7, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Manuel Hector, 981-5510. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/peaceandjustice 

Youth Commission meets Mon., Feb. 7, at 6:30 p.m., at 1730 Oregon St. Philip Harper-Cotton, 981-6670. www.ci.ber 

keley.ca.us/commissions/youth 

City Council meets Tues., Feb. 8, at 7 p.m in City Council Chambers. 981-6900. www. ci.berkeley.ca.us/citycouncil 

Commission on Disability meets Wed., Feb. 9, 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 

Homeless Commission meets Wed., Feb. 9, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Jane Micallef, 981-5426. www.ci. 

berkeley.ca.us/commissions/homeless 

Human Welfare and Community Action Commission meets Wed., Feb. 9 at 7 p.m., at the South Berkeley Senior Center. Kristen Lee, 981-5427. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/welfare 

Library Board of Trustees meets Thurs. Feb. 9, at 7 p.m. at 1901 Russell St., Jackie Y. Griffin, 981-6195. www.ci.ber- 

keley.ca.us/commissions/library 

Planning Commission meets Wed., Feb. 9, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Janet Homrighausen, 981-7484. www.ci.berkeley. ca.us/commissions/planning 

Police Review Commission meets Wed., Feb. 9, at 7:30 p.m. at the South Berkeley Senior Center, 981-4950. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/com 

missions/policereview 

Waterfront Commission meets Wed., Feb. 9, at 7 p.m., at 201 University Ave. Cliff Marchetti, 644-6376 ext. 224. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/waterfront 

Community Health Commission meets Thurs, Feb. 10, at 6:45 p.m., at the South Berkeley Senior Center. William Rogers, 981-5344. www.ci.berkeley. 

ca.us/commissions/health 

West Berkeley Project Area Commission meets Thurs., Feb. 10, 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., Feb. 10, at 7 p.m., in City Council Chambers. Mark Rhoades, 981-7410. www.ci.ber 

keley.ca.us/commissions/zoning