Election Section
Berkeley This Week
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 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.
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. 841-8732. 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.
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
5K Run for Tsunami Victims at 10 a.m. beginning at Sather Gate, UC Campus. 502-7995. ahopeforrecovery.org
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.
Valentine’s Day for Your Dog A special salon with a bath, combing and nail trimming for your dog, from noon to 5 p.m. at the Berkeley-East Bay Humane Society, 2700 Ninth St. Benefit for homeless dogs and cats. 845-7735. www.berkeleyhumane.org
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
A Bridge to Babylon: Judeo-Arabic Music in the Middle East workshop with YairDalal at Epic Arts Studios, 1923 Ashby Ave. Tickets are $15. All ages welcome. Advance tickets available through InhouseTickets.com
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.
“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.
TUESDAY, FEB. 15
Early Morning Bird Walk on the Albany Bulb meet at the end of Buchanan St. at 7:30 a.m. 525-2233.
Bird Walk on the Martin Luther King Shoreline from 3 to 5 p.m. Dress for wind and rain. 525-2233.
Berkeley Garden Club “Aesthetic Pruning of Trees and Shrubs” with Bill Castellon, Instructor at Merritt Horticulture Dept. Meeting at 1 p.m., program at 2 p.m. at Epworth MethodistChurch, 1953 Hopkins St. 524-4374.
The Berkeley-East Bay Humane Society Low Cost Spay/Neuter Day, in recognition of the 11th annual Spay Day. Spay/neuter costs are $5-$10. 845-7735. www.berkeleyhumane.org
“What’s Really Happening in Iraq” A report-back from the humanitarian aid mission that delivered over $650,000 in aid to Falluja refugees, at 7 p.m. at Berkeley Fellowship, 1924 Cedar St. at Bonita. Suggested donation $5. 415-255-7296. www.globalexchange.org
Embracing Diversity Films “Not in our Town II” A documentary on positive community solutions to hate violence and the resurgence of Ku Klux Klan activity. At 7 p.m. at Albany High School, 603 Key Route Blvd. Enter through the main doors on Key Route Blvd., turn left and walk down the hall to Room 109 on the right. Please arrive early as space is limited. Admission is free, donations are welcome. Screening will be followed by a facilitated discussion. 527-1328.
“Adventure in Alaska: Climbing Denali & More” with professional photographer Jeff Pfluger at 7 p.m. at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. 527-4140.
American Red Cross Blood Services Volunteer Orientation from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at 6230 Claremont Ave., Oakland. Advance sign-up needed 594-5165.
Black History Celebration with a showing of “Roots” at 1:30 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center.
School Age Storytime for ages 5 and up at 7 p.m. at the Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave. 526-3720, ext.17.
Family Story Time at the Kensington Branch Library, Tues. evenings at 7 p.m. at 61 Arlington Ave. 524-3043.
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 discusses “Love and Sex: A Valentine Special” from 7 to 9 p.m. at the BRJCC, 1414 Walnut St. Please bring snacks and soft drinks to share. No peanuts please. 601-6690.
Teen Book Group meets to discuss “Speak” by Laurie Halse Anderson at 4 p.m. at the Berkeley Public Library, West Branch, 1125 University Ave. 981-6270.
“Healthy Ways to Learn from Emotional Experiences” with Pete Walker, Marriage and Family Therapist, at 7 p.m. at the El Cerrito Library, 6510 Stockton Ave. 526-7512.
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. 548-3991. www.berkeleycameraclub.org
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.
St. John’s Prime Timers meets at 9:30 a.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave. 845-6830.
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 16
Great Decisions 2005: “U.S. Intelligence” with Prof. Emeritus Marshall Windmiller, SF State, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant St. Cost is $5, $40 for the series. The Great Decisions program will meet for eight Wednesdays. Briefing booklets are available. For information and reservations call 526-2925.
“Hands Off Social Security” with the Gray Panthers at 7 p.m. at 1403 Addison St. 548-9696.
“Imaging the Voices of the Past” Using Physics to Restore Early Sound Recordings with Dr. Carl Haber, Senior Scientist, Berkeley Lab Physics Division at 5:30 p.m. at the Berkeley High School Library, Allston Way at Milvia St.
“Making Governments Provide Better Safety and Accessibility for Bicycle Riders” A panel discussion with the directors of all the Bay Area bicycle coalitions at 8:15 p.m. at the Hillside Club, 2286 Cedar St. 527-0450.
“In The Beginning Were Stories, Not Texts,” with Dr. Choan-Seng Song exploring the idea that life begins with stories and that God is both the “story-teller and story-listener” at 7:30 p.m. in the Richard S. Dinner Boardroom, GTU, Hewlett Library, 2400 Ridge Rd. 649-2420.
Women’s Health Lecture on “Mood & Menopause” at 6:15 p.m. at the Claremont Resort, 41 Tunnel Rd. Cost is $10-$15. 527-3010. ww.afwh.org/about/
claremontlectures.htm
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.
Berkeley Communicators Toastmasters meets at 7:15 a.m. at Au Cocolait, 200 University Ave. at Milvia. 524-3765.
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 Mar. 8, 15. www.writercoachconnection.org
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.
Fresh Produce Stand at San Pablo Park from 3 to 6:30 p.m. in the Frances Albrier Community Center. 848-1704. www.ecologycenter.org
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.
Prospective Seminary Students Church Divinity School of the Pacific Open House Feb. 16-18 at 2451 Ridge Rd. To register call 204-0715. www.cdsp.edu
Argosy University Information Sessions for degree programs in Psychology, Education and Business at 6 p.m. at 999-A Canal Blvd., Point Richmond. To RSVP or for directions to the school, call 215-0277.
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.
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, FEB. 17
Berkeley Path Wanderers Susan Schwartz, head of Friends of Five Creeks, shows slides of new and upcoming nature restorations you can explore on city walks, at Berkeley Path Wanderers’ meeting at 7 p.m. at Live Oak Park Recreation Center, 1301 Shattuck Ave. 848-9358. f5creeks@aol.com
School Choices at Berkeley High An informational night on the school and program choices students have. Current 8th-10th graders and families invited. At 7 p.m. in the Berkeley High Community Theater. 644-6320.
“Winemaker’s Dance” a lecture by David G. Howell on the influence of the earth in producing good wine at 12:30 p.m. at the Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak Sts., Oakland. 238-2200. www.museumca.org
Golden Gate Audubon Society “Sights and Sounds of Kenya” Slides and sound recordings with Peter Headland at 7:30 p.m. at Northbrae Community Church, 941 The Alameda, between Marin and Solano. 843-2222.
“Contemporary Brazilian Culture” with Gilberto Gil, Brazilian singer and composer at 7 p.m. at Wheeler Auditorium, UC Campus. Free, but tickets must be picked up at Wheeler box office beginning at 6 p.m. 642-2088. www.clas.berkeley.edu
“Bridge to Babylon” Judeo-Arabic music in the Middle East at 7:30 p.m. at BRJCC, 1414 Walnut St. Cost is $20. 845-6420.
ONGOING
Collect Cleats for All Feet Donate your cleats and other sports equipment to Sports4kids Swap Shop, which works to make sports equipment available to all children who want to play. Donation barrels for cleats at Elephant Pharmacy, 1607 Shattuck Ave. Other locations at www.sports4kids.org
Beginning Tai Chi Class starts Feb. 16 at 7 p.m. in the Large Assembly Room of the First Congregational Church of Berkeley, 2345 Channing Way. 415-864-0899. www.taichicalifornia.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
Creeks Task Force meets every Monday at 7 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center through April 4. Erin Dando, 981-7410.
Council Agenda Committee meets Mon. Feb. 14, at 2:30 p.m., at 2180 Milvia St. 981-6900.
www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/citycouncil/agenda-committee
Zoning Adjustments Board meets Mon. Feb. 14, at 5 p.m., in City Council Chambers. Mark Rhoades, 981-7410. ww.ci.ber
keley.ca.us/commissions/zoning
Berkeley Housing Authority meets Tues., Feb. 15, at 6:30 p.m. in City Council Chambers. 981-6900. ww.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/housingauthority
City Council meets Tues., Feb. 15, at 7 p.m in City Council Chambers. 981-6900. www.ci.
berkeley.ca.us/citycouncil
Citizens Humane Commission meets Wed., Feb. 16, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Katherine O’Connor, 981-6601. www.ci.berkeley.ca. us/commissions/humane
Commission on Aging meets Wed. Feb. 16, at 1:30 p.m., at the South Berkeley Senior Center. William Rogers, 981-5344. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/aging
Commission on Labor meets Wed., Feb. 16, at 6:45 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Delfina M. Geiken, 981-7550. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/labor
Fair Campaign Practices Commission meets Thurs., Feb. 17, at 7:30 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Prasanna Rasaih, 981-6950. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/faircampaign
Homeless Commission meets Wed. Feb. 16, 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. 16, at 7 p.m., at the South Berkeley Senior Center. Kristen Lee, 981-5427. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/welfare
Transportation Commission meets Thurs., Feb. 17, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Peter Hillier, 981-7000. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/transportation™