Press Releases

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. 

CandleLight Vigil for Tsunami Victims at 7 p.m. on Upper Sproul Plaza, UC Campus. 501-7995. 

“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 

FRIDAY, FEB. 11 

City Commons Club Noon Luncheon with Robert Scalapino, Prof. emeritus, UCB, on “Developments in Far Eastern Asia, and Challenges.” 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.  

Fundraiser for Tsunami Victims with music and speeches from 5 to 7 p.m. at Lower Sproul Plaza, UC Campus. ahopeforrecovery.org 

“Maestro: Tom Dowd and the Language of Music” a free screening followed by discussion at 7 p.m. at The College Preparatory School, Buttner Auditorium, 6100 Broadway, north. 658-5202. 

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 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. People of all traditions are welcome to join us. Sponsored by the Buddhist Peace Fellowship. 655-6169. www.bpf.org 

SATURDAY, FEB. 12 

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 $5-$7. Registration required. 525-2233. 

Animal Amore! Annual adult only walking tour of the Oakland Zoo to learn the courting and mating habits of the residents. From 9 to 11 a.m. Sat. and Sun. Cost is $10 and registration is required. 632-9525, ext. 142. www.oaklandzoo.org 

Gondwanaland in the Garden Explore the UCBG’s plants from the ancestral range of Gondwanaland, the giant southern landmass which began drifting apart during the Eocene epoch. From 1 to 2 p.m. at the UC Botanical Garden, 200 Centennial Dr. Cost is $8-$12. Registration required. 643-2755. 

The Wonderful World of Camilias with Garth Jacober on planting, care and pruning at 10 a.m. at Magic Gardens Nursery, 729 Heinz Ave. 644-2351. www.magicgardens.com 

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 

Berkeley Public Library Foundation’s 3rd Annual Authors Dinner Reception at 7 p.m. Tickets for reception still available for $125. 981-6115. www.bplf.org/events.html  

Lunar New Year Festival from noon to 4 p.m. at Oakland Asian Cultural Center, 388 9th St., Oakland. www.oacc.cc 

Service Dogs for the Blind and the Deaf A special presentation for all ages at 11 a.m. at the Kensington Library, 61 Arlington Ave. 524-3043. http://ccclib.org  

Tsunami Relief Garage and Bake Sale from 9 a.m. to noon, rain or shine at 1809 Bancroft Ave. at Grant. All proceeds will go to the relief effort. Sponsored by Berkwood Hedge School. 

5K Run for Tsunami Victims at 10 a.m. beginning at Sather Gate, UC Campus. 502-7995. ahopeforrecovery.org 

Emergency Response Training Class on “Light Search and Rescue” from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Fire Dept. Training Center, 997 Cedar St. To register call 981-5606. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/fire/oes.html 

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

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

Winter Color in the Garden at 10 a.m. at Magic Gardens Nursery, 729 Heinz Ave. 644-2351. www.magicgardens.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, FEB. 13 

Valentine’s Day History Hike to look for mating activity at 10 a.m. in Tilden Nature Area. 525-2233. 

See Our Snakes We’ll look at our resident snakes and learn about their behavior at 10:30 a.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. 525-2233. 

Singing Valentine Grams with the UC Choral Ensembles today and Mon. Cost is $20-$50. For information and reservations call 642-3880. 

“More Binding Ties: The Migration Suite” a spoken-word performance by Michael Copeland Sydnor about Bay Area African Americans who worked as Pullman porters and maids at 2 p.m. at the Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak Sts., Oakland. 238-2200. www.museumca.org 

57th Annual Festival of the Oaks, International Folk Dance Festival, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with workshops, open folk dancing and exhibition dancing, at Laney College Gym, 901 Fallon St., Oakland. Donation requested. 527-2177. meldancing@aol.com 

Valentine’s Day Card Workshop Make a card or two and learn about the cultural history of Valentine’s Day. From 2 to 4 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. Materials provided. Cost is $5-$7. 525-2233. 

Celebrate Black History Month with African mask making at Habitot, 2065 Kittredge St. Cost is $5-$6. 647-111. www.habitot.org 

Free Sailboat Rides between 1 and 4 p.m. at the Cal Sailing Club in the Berkeley Marina. Bring warm waterproof clothes. www.cal-sailing.org 

“Follow Me Home” a film exploring race and identity at 3 and 6 p.m. at the Parkway Theater, 1834 Park Blvd., Oakland. Post-screening discussion with Lakota Henderson. Cost is $7. Benefits eighth graders at Melrose Leadership Academy. 967-8799. 

Green Sunday, on steps cities can take to select renewable sources of energy and energy efficiency at 5 p.m. at Niebyl-Proctor Library, 6501 Telegraph Ave. at 65th in North Oakland. 

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 

Family Film Sunday Series “The Love Bug” at 11 a.m. at the Julia Morgan Center for the Arts. Tickets are $5 at the door. 845-8542. www.juliamorgan.org 

“Raising Your Child in an Interfaith Home” at 11:30 a.m. at Temple Sinai, 2808 Summit Street, Oakland. 547-2250. 

Tibetan Buddhism with Sylvia Gretchen on “Using the Mind to Relieve Pain” at 6 p.m. at the Tibetan Nyingma Institute, 1815 Highland Pl. 843-6812. www.nyingmainstitute.com 

MONDAY, FEB. 14 

“Porter! In Our Own Words” a lecture by Dr. P. Christiaan Klieger on the oral histories of members of The Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters at 10:30 a.m. at the Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak Sts., Oakland. 238-2200. www.museumca.org 

Berkeley School Volunteers Training workshop for volunteers interested in helping in Berkeley Public Schools at 5 p.m. at 1835 Allston Way. 644-8833. 

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. 

“Franz Kafka: Exemplary Jewish Writer” meets Mon. through March 21 at BRJCC, 1414 Walnut St. Cost is $20. 845-6420. 

Berkeley CopWatch organizational meeting at 8 p.m. at 2022 Blake St. 548-0425. 

ONGOING 

Bay Interpretive Training Ongoing classes on the Bay, the seashore and environment held at the Shorebird Park Nature Center, 160 University Ave. at the Berkeley Marina. 981-6720. www.cityofberkeley.info/marina 

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 

“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. 

Bike Chain Response is organizing an interfaith bike ride from the Nevada Test Site to Los Alamos National Laboratory, June 19 to July 17, to raise awareness of alternative modes of transportation and the tragedy of the nuclear weapons industry. 505-870-2-ASK. www.lovarchy.org/ride/ 

Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour Seeks Host Gardens The Bringing Back the Natives Garden tour, which will be held in the spring of 2005, will showcase Alameda and Contra Costa County gardens that contain at least 30% native plants, don’t use synthetic pesticides or fertilizers, and provide habitat for wildlife. This tour is sponsored by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Coastal Program, the Urban Creeks Council, and the National Wildlife Federation. To be added to the mailing list, or to receive a host application, contact Kathy Kramer at Kathy@KathyKramerConsulting.net or 236-9558.  

CITY MEETINGS 

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  à