Press Releases

Berkeley This Week

Tuesday April 19, 2005

TUESDAY, APRIL 19 

Early Morning Bird Walk Meet at 7 a.m. at Inspiration Point, Tilden Park, to look for Seaview Trail species, including nuthatches, warblers and sparrows. 525-2233. 

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

Mini-Rangers at Tilden Park Join us for an afternoon of nature study, conservation and rambling through the woods and water. Dress to get dirty, and bring a healthy snack to share. For children age 8-12, unaccompanied by their partents. Cost is $6-$8. Registration required. 636-1684. 

Berkeley Garden Club Spring Tea and “Natural Flower Arranging” at 1 p.m. at Epworth Methodist Church, 1953 Hopkins St. Cost is $8. 524-4374. 

Kayaking 101 Learn about safety and places to paddle at 7 p.m. at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. 527-4140. 

“Freeing a Superpower’s Slaves” The story of the first great human rights campaign with Adam Hochchild at 7:30 p.m. in Buttner Auditorium, College Prep School, 6100 Broadway. Cost is $5-$10. 658-5202. 

American Red Cross Blood Services Volunteer Orientation at 6 p.m. at 6230 Claremont Ave, Oakland. Advance sign-up needed. 594-5165. 

Berkeley Salon Discussion Group meets to discuss The Draft and the Military 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.     

Shakespeare’s Birthday Celebration “All About Hamlet” at 7 p.m. at the Northbrae Community Church, 941 The Alameda. For reservations call 843-6798. yogikuby@earthlink.net 

“Community Resources for Better Health” with Donna Schempp, LCSW, at 4 p.m. at Jewish Family & Children’s Services, 828 San Pablo Ave., Suite 104, Albany. To register call 558-7800. 

Clarity Breathwork with Maggie Ostara, Ph.D. and Susan Chettle at 7 p.m. at Belldonna, 2436 Sacramento St. Cost is $30-$35. 883-0600. www.belladonna.ws 

Vision Screening for Toddlers at 10 a.m. at Habitot, 2065 Kittredge St. Cost is $5-$6. 647-1111. www.habitot.org 

Introductory Buddhist Meditation Class at 7 p.m. at Dzalandhara Buddhist Center, in Berkeley. Suggested donation $7-$10. For directions call 559-8183.www.kadampas.org 

Raging Grannies meet to sing for peace and justice at 2 p.m. at Berkeley Gray Panthers, 1403 Addison St. 548-9696. 

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

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20 

Tilden Explorers An after school nature adventure for 5-7 year olds who may be accompanied by an adult. No younger siblings please. We’ll learn about plant secrets. From 3:15 to 4:45 p.m. Cost is $6-$8. Registration required. 636-1684. 

“Mountain Bike Racers in Berkeley?” Come meet the Berkeley High team and the founder of the NorCal Mountain Bike High School League at 8 p.m., at the Hillside Club, 2286 Cedar St. Sponsored by Grizzly Peak Cyclists and open to all. Wheelchair accessible. 527-0450. 

“Concerned About Teacher Contract Negotiations?” Join the Berkeley Federation of Teachers in a community forum, at 7 p.m. at Longfellow School Auditorium, 1500 Derby St. Childcare provided. Wheelchair accessible,. Traduccíon al Español disponible. 549-2307. 

Direct from Chiapas with Gustavo Castro at 7:30 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $5-$10 sliding scale. Benefit for Chiapas Support Committee. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

A Conversation with Alice Walker and Sue Hoya Sellars at 6 p.m. at Belladonna, 2436 Sacramento St. Tickets are $20. 883-0600. www.belladonna.ws 

“Saving Social Security” with Deb Androsa of Global Exchange at 7 p.m. at Berkeley Gray Panthers, 1403 Addison St. Light supper served. 548-9696. 

The Berkeley Lawn Bowling Club provides free instruction every Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. at 2270 Action St. 841-2174.  

Taoist Tai Chi Beginning Level Class at 7 p.m. in the Large Assembly Room of the First Congregational Church, 2345 Channing Way. Affordable monthly donation requested. 415-864-0899. www.taichicalifornia.org 

Walk Berkeley for Seniors meets at 9:30 a.m. at the Sea Breeze Market, just west of the I-80 overpass. Everyone is welcome. 548-9840. 

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. 

Berkeley Peace Walk and Vigil at 6:30 p.m. at the Berkeley BART Station.www.geocities.com/vigil4peace/vigil 

THURSDAY, APRIL 21 

Protest Against Military Recruiters at 10:30 a.m. at the fountain on Sproul Plaza, UC Campus. Sponsored by UC Berkeley Berkeley Stop the War Coalition, member of the Campus Anti-war Network. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ucbstopthewar/ 

Downtown Parking Workshop at 7 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Sponsored by the City of Berkeley Transportation Commission. 981-7010. 

LeConte Neighborhood Assn. Meeting at 7:30 p.m. at the Le Conte School. The agenda will include traffic concerns, LeConte School Relandscaping, cars parked on front lawns and swimming pool closures. 843-2602. KarlReeh@aol.com  

Sustainable Solutions Caravan A reportback on the vegetable oil alternative fuel caravan from California to Costa Rica, at 7 p.m. at the Ecology Center, 2530 San Pablo Ave. 548-2220, ext. 233. 

“Where Have All the Fishes Gone?” A lecture on disappearing marine life with John McCosker, acting director of the Steinhart Aquarium at 12:30 p.m. at the Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak Sts. Admission is $5-$8. 238-2200. www.museumca.org 

Earth Week Strawberry Creek Cleanup Volunteers are needed for the Creek Cleanup from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the natural amphitheater just east of Sather Gate, UC Campus. Trash bags and gloves provided. 642-6568. stevemar@berkeley.edu  

Golden Gate Audubon Society presents Director of Conservation Arthur Feinsteinn on the challenges and rare successes of wetland restoration, featuring slides of the MLK Regional Shoreline Park, at 7:30 p.m. at the Northbrae Community Church, 941 The Alameda. 843-2222. www.goldengateaudubon.org  

Health and Justice Fair with healthy food, music, art making, massage and information from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at St. Mary’s Center, 635 22nd St., Oakland. 

BUSD West Campus Site Planning Meeting on “Preferred Alternatives” at 7 p.m. in the cafeteria, 1222 University Ave. 644-6066. 

“Healthy Cities and Smart Growth” a conference sponsored by the Center for Civic Partnerships at the Doubletree, Berkeley Marina. Cost is $250. For information call 916-646-8680. www.civicpartnerships.org 

“21MST March to Brazilia” a doumentary on the Brazilian Landless Workers Movement at 7:30 p.m. at La Pena, 3105 Shattuck Ave. Donation $5-$10. 849-2568. 

“Cuba’s Political and Judicial System” with Isaac Saney, Prof. International Studies in Halifax, Nova Scotia, at 2 p.m. in Dwinelle Hall, Room 3335, UC Campus. 835-7110.  

“History of Police Violence in America” with Kristian Williams, Katya Komisaruk, Mesha Monge-Irizzary, and Andrea Prichett at 7 p.m. at AK Press Warehouse, 674-A 23rd. St., Oakland. 208-1700. 

Cutting Back Car Usage at the Simplicy Forum, at 6:30 p.m at the Berkeley Library, Claremont Branch, 2940 Benvenue. 549-3509. www.simpleliving.net 

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. 

“Adaptations for Safety at Home” at 4 p.m. at Jewish Family & Children’s Services, 828 San Pablo Ave., Suite 104, Albany. To register call 558-7800. 

FRIDAY, APRIL 22 

City Commons Club Noon Luncheon with Victor Perez-Mendez on “The Biggest Volcanic Explosion” Luncheon at 11:45 a.m. for $13, speech at 12:30 p.m., at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant St. 526-2925.  

Youth Alcohol Awareness Day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Civic Center Park. Sponsored by the City of Berkeley. 981-5806. 

Rep. Cynthia McKinney “From Attica to Abu Ghraib” at 6 p.m. at St. Joseph the Worker Church, 1640 Addison St. Donation $5-$25. 593-3956. www.attica2abughraib.com 

Amy Goodman “See No Evil: Media in a Time of War” at 8 p.m. at Florence Schwinley Little Theater at Berkeley High. Tickets are $15 and benefit Berkeley Community Media and Berkeley High’s Communication Arts and Sciences Program. 848-2288, ext. 11. 

“Democracy and Global Islam” a conference from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the Lipman Room, Barrows Hall, UC Campus. for details see http://igov.berkeley.edu/conferences/Islamconfdescription.doc 

“The Future of Food” a documentary film on genetically modified foods, followed by a discussion with Mollie Katzen, Michael Pollen, Koons Garcia, and Ignacio Chapela, at 6:15 p.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave. Tickets are $10-$20 sliding scale. 923-0505. 

Kulture Kulcha An evening of food, song and dance for the South Asian LGBT community at the California Ballroom, 1736 Franklin St. at 19th, Oakland. http://trikone.org 

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” meets at 10 a.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center to sing for fun and practice. 655-8863. 

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, APRIL 23 

Earth Day in Berkeley from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Civic Center Park. 548-2220, ext. 233. 

Earth Day Cleanup at Eastshore State Park Volunteers will assist with shoreline cleanup and invasive species removal from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. Meet behind the Sea Breeze Deli off of University Ave. and West Frontage Rd. Volunteers should bring gloves, sturdy shoes, sunscreen and a shovel or pick for plant removal. 544-2515. 

Earth Day Cleanup in Richmond Volunteers will participate in a bay trail cleanup off Rydin Ave.from 10 a.m. to noon. Participants should bring gloves, sunscreen and water. For more information, contact the California State Parks Foundation at 888-98-PARKS. 

What Happened to the Komodo Dragon? Since the renovation of the EEC at Tilden Park, many have inquired about our former, famous resident. Come learn about the lives of these giant monitor lizards at 11 a.m. at Tilden Nature Center. 525-2233. 

Wildflower Trading Cards Color and cut your own set of wildflower trading cards to take home. We will also look for blooms on a short walk. For ages 7 and up at 2 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. Cost is $3-$5. Registration required. 525-2233. 

Propagation of Native Plants Through the Seasons from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Visitor Center, Botanical Garden, Tilden Park. Cost is $30-$35. Reservations required. 845-4116. www.nativeplants.org 

Botanizing California A series of local and overnight field trips to highlight California’s plant communities. Cost is $80-$95. Registration required. 845-4116. www.nativeplants.org 

Designs for a Small Garden Using a Variety of Hardscape at 10 a.m. at Magic Gardens Nursery, 729 Heinz Ave. 644-2351. www.magicgardens.com 

Waterwise Workshop: Gardening Where You Are A presentation on biodiversity, healthy soil and plant selection from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at UC Botanical Garden, 200 Centennial Drive. Registration required. 643-2755. http://botanicalgarden.berkeley.edu 

John Muir Society celebrates the 167th anniversary of the birth of “the man who celebrated the earth” from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the John Muir Historic Site, 4204 Alhambra, off Highway 4, Martinez. www.johnmuir.org 

“From Attica to Abu Ghraib” A conference on Human Rights, Torture and Resistance from 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Dwinelle Hall, UC Campus. 593-3956. www.attica2abughraib.com 

Albany YMCA Spring Garage Sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 921 Kains Ave. Featuring everything from books, clothing and children’s toys to household and office items and lots of wonderful treasures. 525-1130.  

Crowden Music Center’s Community Music Day with performances by ensembles and students, from noon to 5 p.m. at Crowden Center, 1475 Rose St., at Sacramento. www.crowdenmusiccenter.org 

“Healing the Spiritual Way” with Franz Gringinger, M.D. at 7 p.m. at Vara Healing Arts Center, 850 Talbot Ave., Albany. Free. 415-279-5293. 

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 

Nepalese Cultural Night Benefit for a school in Nepal with music and dance performances, followed by dinner. At 5:30 p.m. at Yogakula, 1700 Shattuck Ave. 2nd floor. Tickets are $25. www.yogakula.com 

“International Tour Directing” from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Vista Community College. 2020 Milvia St. Cost is $13. RSVP to 981-2931. 

Moments Notice A monthly salon devoted to improvised music, dance & theater at 8 p.m. at Western Sky Studio 2525 8th St., at Dwight. Tickets are $8-$10. 415-831-5592. katarinaeriksson@aol.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, APRIL 24 

People's Park 36th Anniversary Celebration from noon to 6 p.m. Free and open to all.  

What Has Happened to Ferns and Flowers? A great re-alignment of ferns and flowering plants has been made by botanists. Learn what is new, and walk in the garden to see examples, from 10 a.m. to noon at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. 525-2233. 

A Lot of Galls! Insects and other organisms cause swellings on plant parts that serve as homes for offspring. We’ll look for these growths and learn thier history, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. 525-2233. 

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 

“The Ghosts of Rwanda” A screening of the Frontline special on the genocide in Rwanda, followed by conversations with Africa activists at 3 p.m. at the Parkway Theater, 1834 Park Blvd., Oakland. Cost is $7. Sponsored by Priority Africa Network. 527-3917. 

Visual Arts-Language Arts Anniversary Gala from 1 to 5 p.m. at Café de la Paz, 1600 Shattuck Ave at Cedar. A benefit for the arts and literature programs in public schools. Tickets are $25. 845-9610. www.valaproject.org 

“Whither a Buddhist Golden Age?” the History of the Burmese in Northern Thailand, a colloquim at 12:15 p.m. at IEAS Conference Room, 2233 Fulton St., 6th flr. 643-6492. http://buddhiststudies.berkeley.edu 

Berkeley City Club free tour from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Tours are sponsored by the Berkeley City Club and the Landmark Heritage Foundation. Donations welcome. The Berkeley City Club is located at 2315 Durant Ave. For group reservations or more information, call 848-7800 or 883-9710. 

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 

House Rabbit Society Benefit with Pizza and Poetry and announcing the winners of the “Dare to Care for a Hare” Poetry Contest, at 1 p.m. at House Rabbit Society National Headquarters, 148 Broadway, Richmond. Donation $10. 970-7575. www.rabbit.org 

“From Ike to Mao and Beyond: My Journey from Mainstream America to Revolutionary Communist” a memoir by Bob Avakian, book launching party at 1 p.m. at Longfellow Auditorium, 1500 Derby St. 467-3426.  

Tibetan Buddhism with Jack van der Meulen on “Healing through Tibetan Yoga” at 6 p.m. at the Tibetan Nyingma Institute, 1815 Highland Pl. 843-6812. www.nyingmainstitute.com 

CITY MEETINGS 

City Council meets Tues., April 19, at 7 p.m in City Council Chambers. 981-6900. www.ci. 

berkeley.ca.us/citycouncil 

Berkeley Housing Authority meets Tues., April 19 at 6:30 p.m. in City Council Chambers. 981-6900. ww.ci.berkeley.ca. 

us/commissions/housingauthority 

Citizens Humane Commission meets Wed., April 20, 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. April 20, 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., April 20, at 6:45 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Delfina M. Geiken, 981-7550. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/labor 

Human Welfare and Community Action Commission meets Wed., April 20, at 7 p.m., at the South Berkeley Senior Center. Kristen Lee, 981-5427. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/welfare 

Design Review Committee meets Thurs., April 21, at 7:30 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Anne Burns, 981-7415. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/designreview  

Transportation Commission meets Thurs., April 21, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Peter Hillier, 981-7000. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/transportationª