Press Releases

FRIDAY, FEB. 25 

City Commons Club Noon Luncheon with Ludmilla Kutsak on “The Fabergé Egg.” 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. 

“So How’d You Become an Activist?” resecheduled to March 10 with Carolyn Scarr and Dr. Marc Sapir at 7 p.m. at Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists, 1924 Cedar St., at Bonita. Suggested donation $5. 528-5403. 

“The 9/11 Omission Report: What the Commission Didn’t Answer” with John Judge at 7 p.m. at Fellowship of Humanity, 390 27th St., Oakland. Donations requested. 625-1106. 

“Constitutional Actions in Mexico” with Justice José Ramón Cossío Díaz of the Mexican Supreme Court at 4 p.m. in the Faculty Lounge, Boalt Hall, UC Campus. 642-2088.  

Special Character Storytime for children with Arthur the Aardvark, at 10:30 a.m. at Barnes & Noble, 2352 Shattuck Ave. 644-0861. 

Berkeley Youth Alternatives Crab Feed at 7 p.m. at 1255 Allston Way. Cost is $35. Reservations required. 845-9010. www.byaonline.org 

“Three Beats for Nothing” meets at 10 a.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center to sing for fun and practice. No charge. 655-8863, 843-7610.  

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. 

Humanistic Shabbat with Kol Hadash at 7:30 p.m. at the Albany Community Center, 1249 Marin Ave. 428-1492. info@kolhadash.org 

SATURDAY, FEB. 26 

Wet & Wild Come walk in the rain or shine and see who is out in Tilden Park. Meet at 11 a.m. at Tilden Nature Center. 525-2233.  

Giddy for Goats Come meet Lola and Princess and the kids and learn how to care for goats, at 3 p.m. at the Little Farm, Tilden Park. 525-2233.  

Let Worms Eat Your Garbage Learn about the benefits of composting at 10 a.m. at Magic Gardens Nursery, 729 Heinz Ave. 644-2351.  

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.  

“Serving the People - Body and Soul” A Black Panther Party history lecture and video screening with Billy X. Jennings, Richard Aoki, Sister Sheba and James Buford at 2 p.m. at the Berkeley Library Community Room, 2090 Kittredge St. 981-6100.  

“Election Rigging 101” A teach-in on the 2004 election and what we must do to restore democracy, with Bob Fitrakis, Editor, Columbus Free Press and others, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 2501 Harrison St., Oakland. Donation $10. Please bring lunch. www.democraticrenewal.us 

“Harriet Jacobs: A Black Woman’s Fight to Smash Slavery” with Carla Wilson, Spartacist League at 3 p.m. at the YWCA, 1515 Webster St., Oakland. 839-0851. 

“Bringing the Hip Hop Youth into the Struggle for Reparations” a conference with Fred Hampton, Jr. and Pedro Noguera, held in the Valley Life Science Building, UC Campus. struggle4reparations.com  

Emergency Response Training Class on “Basic Personal Preparedness” from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Fire Dept. Training Center, 997 Cedar St. To register call 981-5606. www.ci.berkeley.ca. 

us/fire/oes.html 

Friends of the Albany Library Book Sale from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave, Albany. 536-3720. 

From Tsunami Relief to Creative Rebuilding Performance, silent auction, bake sale at 7 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Oakland, 2501 Harrison St. Tickets are $15-$50. Proceeds benefit Sarvodaya. 444-8511, ext. 15. www.artsfirstoakland.org 

UC Berkeley Asia Business Conference on “Asia’s Global Leadership” from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Haas School of Business, at UC Campus. Cost is $50, $20 students. cochairs@berkeleyabc.org 

California College of the Arts Open House from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 5212 Broadway. Prospective students can tour studios, meet faculty and current students and view student work. 415-703-9523. 

“Ashenazic Jews: History and Culture,” a conference sponsored by Kol Hadash, with visiting Scholar-in-Residence Rabbi Sherwin Wine. From 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Sat. and to 12:30 p.m. on Sun. at the Albany Community Center, 1249 Marin Ave. To register call 428-1492.  

Kol Hadash Chai (18th) Anniversary with a dinner and entertainment at 6:30 p.m. at the Albany Community Center, 1249 Marin Ave. For reservations call 428-1492. info@KolHadash.org 

SUNDAY, FEB. 27 

All Things Fungal Considered from 10 a.m. to noon at Tilden Nature Center. We’ll search for mushrooms and lichens and learn the science of fungi. Bring your lunch. 525-2233. 

Laurel Canyon Cryptogram Slog We’ll look for plants without flowers and learn about their life cycles. Be prepared for lots of mud. Meet at 2 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center. 525-2233. 

“Casinos in your Neighborhood-Good, Bad or What?” A panel discission to hear all sides from 4 to 6 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Sponsored by Berkeley Citizens Action. 

Benefit for the Oakland GI Rights Hotline/CCCO, from 3 to 6:30 p.m. at Humanist Hall, 390 27th St., Oakland. The program will present three decades of anti-war activism, from Vietnam to Iraq. Donations requested, $5 and up. 465-1607. www.girights.org 

Yonatan Shapira, Israeli refuser pilot at 3 p.m. at the BRJCC, 1414 Walnut St. Donation $5. 524-1993 www.refusersolidarity.net 

Songs for the Hard Times The 67th Annual Reunion of the Veterans and Friends of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade with Utah Phillips at 1 p.m. at the Calvin Simmons Theater, 10 Tenth St., Oakland. Tickets are $40. 548-3088. 

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

Analysis of “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie” with Terry Wilson at 6 p.m. at Northbrae Community Church, 941 The Alameda. Supper will be served at 5 p.m. for a $4 donation. 526-3805. 

Celebrate KerBlooms 52nd Issue at a benefit dinner for the Anarchy Magazine Collective. Vegan dinner at 7:30 p.m. and readings at 8:30 p.m. at the Long Haul, 3124 Shattuck Ave. 540-8705. www.thelonghaul.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 TaKeTiNa Rhythm Process A workshop from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Interplayce, 2273 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. Cost is $85-$110. 650-493-8046. www.villageheartbeat.com/registration.php 

“Mysticism and the Inner Path to Enlightenment” Tea and discussion with Mother Clare Watts, a nondemoninational priest, at 1 p.m. at the Rose Garden Inn. Cost is $15. RSVP to 635-4286. 

“The Rise of the Jewish Doctor” with John Efron at 3 p.m. at BRJCC, 1414 Walnut St. 845-6420. 

Tibetan Buddhism with Abbe Blum on “The Tibetan Wheel of Life” at 6 p.m. at the Tibetan Nyingma Institute, 1815 Highland Pl. 843-6812. www.nyingmainstitute.com 

MONDAY, FEB. 28 

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 

Berkeley High School Site Council meets at 4:30 p.m. in the school library to discuss WASC process and the role of the School Site Council, South of Bancroft facilities plan report, and Freshman Seminar report. bhssitecouncil@berkeley.k12.ca.us, bhs.berkeleypta.org/ssc 

BUSD East Campus Planning Meeting at 7 p.m. at Berkeley Alternative High School Multipurpose Room, 2701 MLK Jr. WAy. 644-6066. 

“Critical Viewing” an ongoing group that examines the craft(iness) of short film, TV drama, and commercials. Free. co-sponsored by the Berkeley Adult School and BRJCC. New members always welcome. Mon. from 1 to 3:30 p.m. at the BRJCC, 1414 Walnut St. 848-0237. georgeporter@earthlink.net 

“The Jewish-American World of Philip Roth” at 7:30 p.m. at BRJCC, 1414 Walnut St. Cost is $10. 845-6420. 

TUESDAY, MARCH 1 

“Great Day Hikes in California’s Desert Parks” a slide presentation with Steve Tabor at 7 p.m. at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. 527-4140. 

Mid-Day Meander for budding botany at the Regional Parks Botanic Garden at 2:30 p.m. 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. 

“How and How Not to Fight Terrorism” with Michael Scheuer, “anonymous” author of “Imperial Hubris: Why the West is Losing the War on Terror” at 6:30 p.m. at The Independent Institute, 100 Swan Way, Oakland. Cost is $15-$40. 632-1366. www.independent.org 

“Sustainable Seas: The Vision and the Reality” with Sylvia A. Earle, oceanographer, at 7 p.m. at The College Preparatory School, Buttner Auditorium, 6100 Broadway, north. 658-5202. 

Berkeley Salon Discussion Group meets to discuss “Travel” 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. 

“Thirst” a documentary on water management, at 7:30 p.m. at the BRJCC, 1414 Walnut St. Cost is $5. 848-0237, ext. 110. 

“All Together Now: Building Bridges to Our Future” a fundraiser at 6 p.m. at the Oakland Asian Cultural Center, Pacific Renaissance Plaza, 388 Ninth St., Oakland. Cost is $50. 637-0455. www.oacc.cc 

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. 

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.  

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. 

Berkeley Camera Club meets at 7:30 p.m., at the Northbrae Community Church, 941 The Alameda. 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. Gerry Arko will return to lead us on a bird walk right here in our neighborhood at 10 a.m. 845-6830. 

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2 

Great Decisions 2005: “Outsourcing Jobs” with Ashok Bardhan, Haas School of Business, 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. 

“9/11: The Road to Tyranny” An Axex Jones documentary at at 7 p.m. at Humanist Hall, 390 27th St., Oakland. Free, $5 donations accepted. 393-5685. 

“Pollution in a Promised Land: How Zionism Launched Israel into its Current Environmental Crisis, and How It Can Save It” with Alon Tal, founding director of the Israel Union for Environmental Defense, at 8 p.m. at BRJCC, 1414 Walnut St. 839-2900 ext. 214. 

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. 

Berkeley Communicators Toastmasters meets at 7:15 a.m. at Au Cocolait, 200 University Ave. at Milvia. 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. 

Chanting Circle for Women Wed. at 7 p.m. through April 6, at Belladonna, 2436 Sacramento St. Tuition is $160. For information see www.edgeofwonder.com 

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., Peace Walk at 7 p.m. www.geocities.com/ 

vigil4peace/vigil 

THURSDAY, MARCH 3 

Early Morning Bird Walk to look for early spring arrivals. Meet at 7:30 a.m. at far parking lot of the Bear Creek entrance of Briones. 525-2233. 

Bird Walk along the Martin Luther King Shoreline to see marsh birds at 3:30 p.m. for information call 525-2233. 

“Managing Garden Pests and Diseases” with UC Plant Pathologist Dr. Robert Raabe at 7 p.m. at UC Botanical Garden, 200 Centennial Drive. Cost is $10-$12, registration required. 643-2755. http://botanicalgarden.berkeley.edu 

“The Future of Industry, Artisans, and Crafts in West Berkeley and the Future of the West Berkeley Plan” a public forum on the protection of industrial space through zoning at 7 p.m. at Alliance Graphics, 905 Parker, at 7th St.  

BUSD West Campus Site Planning Meeting at 7 p.m. at 1222 University Ave., in the Cafeteria. 644-6066.  

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., senior attorney, Natural Resources Defense Council, will speak on “Environment, Health and Democracy,” at 7 p.m., Wheeler Auditorium, UC Campus. 

“Cascadia Cob: The Healthiest Housing in the World” A lecture and slide presentation on building housing from earth, at 7 p.m. at the Ecology Center, 2530 San Pablo Ave. 548-2220, ext. 233. 

“Native Land and Water in Jeopardy” A documentary on the Winnemem sacred sites at 7 p.m. at the Grand Lake Theater, Oakland. Tickets are $15. 415-452-3556. 

“Understanding the Israel-Palestine Conflict in Historical Context” with Rosemary Radford Ruether, Prof. GTU, at 7:30 p.m. at St. Joseph the Worker School, 2125 Jefferson St., behind the church. Free. This location is not wheelchair accessible. 482-1062. 

“Confronting Power: A Century of Struggle and Movements” a 3-day Empowering Women of Color Conference at UCB, with workshops, book-signings and cultural performances. 642-2876, ext. 5. ewocc.berkeley.edu 

American Red Cross Mobile Blood Drive from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Berkeley Civic Center, 2180 Milvia St. To reserve a place please call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (1-800-448-3543) or visit www.BeADonor.com 

Creating Harmony in our Lives, a workshop at Changemakers, 6536 Alcatraz, with Bonita Ford to learn to connect to your whole self through movement, artwork and visualization. Cost is $25. No one will be turned away. To register call 286-7915 or email bford@jfku.edu  

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

ONGOING 

Nature Journal Writing with fieldtrips offered at the Downtown Oakland Senior Center, Vets Memorial Building at Grand Ave and Harrison, next to Lake Merritt. Meets Mon., 10 a.m. to noon and Thurs. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Free. To register call 238-3284. 

Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour Seeks Host Gardens The 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. To receive a host application, contact Kathy Kramer at Kathy@KathyKramerConsulting.net or 236-9558.  

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 

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. 

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. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/creeks 

Parks and Recreation Commission meets Mon., Feb. 28, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Virginia Aiello, 981-5158. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/parksandrecreation 

Solid Waste Management Commission Mon., Feb. 28, at 7 p.m., at 1201 Second St. Becky Dowdakin, 981-6357. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/solidwaste 

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

us/commissions/women 

Disaster Council meets Wed., Mar. 2, at 7 p.m., at the Emergency Operations Center, 997 Cedar St. William Greulich, 981-5502. www.ci.berkeley.ca. us/commissions/disaster 

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