Press Releases

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 

Earth Day Drumming Circle at 7 p.m. at Unity of Berkeley, 2075 Eunice St. Donation $10-$20. 271-8318. www.unityberkeley.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. 981-2931. 

Inspiring Masculine, Unleashing Feminine A workshop from 2:30 to 6 p.m. at Monkey Yoga Shala, 3215 Lakeshore Ave., Oakland. Cost is $29-$35. 415-341-4411. 

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 their 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. 

“Cuba in the World” with Isaac Saney, author of “Cuba: A Revolution in Motion” at 7 p.m. at Casa Cuba Resource Center, 6501 Telegraph Ave., near Alcatraz. 650-367-9183. www.cubaresource.org 

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 colloquium at 12:15 p.m. at IEAS Conference Room, 2233 Fulton St. 643-6492. http://bud 

dhiststudies.berkeley.edu 

Berkeley City Club free tours from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at 2315 Durant Ave. 848-7800. 

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” 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 

MONDAY, APRIL 25 

Hubble Space Telescope 15th Anniversary at 10 a.m. Chabot Space and Science Center, 10000 Skyline Blvd., Oakland. Cost is $12-$15. 336-7373. www.chabotspace.org 

Berkeley High School Site Council meets at 4:30 p.m. in the BHS library. On the agenda are WASC process and Site Plan Action Items; BHS governance model and SSC meeting process; algebra program; and special education program. www.bhs.berkeleypta.org/ssc  

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. Cost is $5-$7, registration required. 525-2233. www.ebparks.org 

Disaster Preparedness for Community Agencies from 3 to 5 p.m. at 11780 San Pablo Ave, Suite D, El Cerrito. 925-313-6744. cmqueen@hsd.co.contra-costa.ca.us 

World’s Largest Ice Cream Cake Social, fundraiser to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation from 5 to 8 p.m. at Cold Stone Creamery, 5609 Bay St. Emeryville.  

“The Toughest Job I’ve Ever Loved: My First Three Years as Director of Peace Corps” with Gaddi H. Vasquez at 1 p.m. at the Golman School of Public Policy, UC Campus. Brown bag lunch.  

Human Rights Advocates Annual Meeting with reports from the recent U.N. Commission on Human Rights meeting in Geneva, at 6 p.m. at the Goldberg Room, Boalt Hall, UC Campus. www.humanrightsadvocates.org 

“Developing Reclaimed Land in Hong Kong” a colloquim at 4 p.m. at IEAS Conference Room, 2223 Fulton St. 642-2809. http://ieas.berkeley.edu 

World Affairs/Politics Discussion Group for people 60 years and over meets Mondays at 10:15 a.m. at the Albany Senior Center, 846 Masonic Ave. Join at any time. Cost is $2.50 with refreshments. 524-9122. 

Berkeley CopWatch organizational meeting at 8 p.m. at 2022 Blake St. Join us to work on current issues around police misconduct. Volunteers needed. For information call 548-0425. 

TUESDAY, APRIL 26 

Early Morning Bird Walk Meet at 7 a.m. at the far parking lot of Bear Creek entrance to Briones to look for warblers and woodpeckers on the Seaborg Trail. 525-2233. 

Return of the Over-the-Hills Gang Hikers 55 years and older who are interested in nature study, history, fitness, and fun are invited to join us on a series of monthly excursions exploring our Regional Parks. Meets at 10 a.m. For information and to register call 525-2233.  

Homeschooling Options Panel Discussion from 7 to 9 p.m. at Epworth United Methodist Church, 1953 Hopkins St. Cost is $5. 877-648-KIDS ext. 86. www.npnonline.org  

“China Digital Times” with Xiao Qiang of the Berkeley China Internet Project at 4 p.m. at IEAS Conference Room, 2223 Fulton St. 642-2809. http://ieas.berkeley.edu 

Berkeley PC Users Group Problem solving and beginners meeting to answer, in simple English, users questions about Windows computers. At 7 p.m. at 1145 Walnut St. corner of Eunice. All welcome, no charge. 527-2177.  

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

Taiko Drum Lessons at Tatsumaki Taiko, 725 Gilman St. fora ges 12 and up. Cost is $12 per class. Class runs for 6 weeks. For information email tatsumaki@email.com  

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 

Trance Drumming Workshop with Sondra Slade at 7 p.m. at Belladonna, 2436 Sacramento St. Cost is $30-$40. www.belladonna.ws 

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. 845-6830. 

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27 

“The Education Crisis in California” with Greg Hodge, Oakland School Board, Terry Doran, Berkeley School Board and Fannie Brown, Oakland Acorn at 1:30 p.m. at North Berkeley Senior Center. Sponsored by Berkeley Gray Panthers. 548-9696. 

Landmarks Preservation Ordinance Proposed Amendments Public Hearing at 7 p.m. at the Planning Commission, North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-7410. 

“Reproductive Rights: Different Views” A panel discussion sponsored by the ACLU at 7 p.m. at Richmond’s Main Public Library, 325 Civic Center Drive. 558-0377. 

Codornices Creek Watershed Restoration Plan Community meeting at 7 p.m. at St. Mary’s College High School, 1294 Albina Ave. 540-6669. www.urbancreeks.org 

Bayswater Book Club meets to discuss “Conspiracy of Fools,” by Kurt Eichenwald at 6:30 p.m. at Barnes and Noble Coffee Shop, El Cerrito Plaza. 433-2911. 

“Urban Futures: Planning for Sustainable Urban Development” with Prof. Raquel Pinderhughes, SFSU, at 7 p.m. at the Ecology Center, 2530 San Pablo Ave. 548-2220, ext. 223. www.ecologycenter.org 

Poison Control with Barbara Cheatham, Alameda County Health Dept. at 11 a.m. at Habitot, 2065 Kittredge St. 647-1111. www.habitot.org 

Study Skills and Organization Workshop for Teens at 7 p.m. at Classroom Matters, 2607 7th Street, Suite E. Free. 540-8646.  

“Work with Meaning, Work with Joy” with Pat Sullivan at 6:30 p.m. at Unity of Berkeley, 2075 Eunice St. Cost is $20. 530-0284. www.unityberkeley.org 

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

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

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

THURSDAY, APRIL 28 

Early Morning Bird Walk Meet at 7 a.m. at the Pack Rat Trail, Tilden Park. 525-2233. 

Green Building 101 covering the basics of building or remodeling a green home, energy and water conservation and air quality issues at 7 p.m. at Albany Community Center, 1249 Marin Ave. To register call 845-5106, ext. 230. www.BuildGreen.Now.org 

Dining Out for Life Over 60 East Bay restaurants will donate 25% of their sales to support the Center of AIDS Services, 5720 Shattuck Ave. Oakland. For a list of participating restaurants call 282-0623. www.diningoutforlife.com 

The First Place Fund for Youth “There’s No Place Like Home” benefit at the Asian Cultural Center, downtown Oakland, from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Tickets are $55. 272-0979, ext. 26. 

Teach-in on Torture Human rights experts, and litigants against the government, and academics will challenge U.S. government sponsorship of torture, from 1:30-9 p.m. at the Thrust Stage, Berkeley Rep, 2025 Addison. www.tortureteachin.org 

Advance Directives What are they, and how can they help you and your loved ones? A panel discussion at Alta Bates Health Education Center, Fontaine Auditorium, 400 Hawthorne St., Oakland. Free, reservations recommended. 869-8276. 

Legal Issues for Relative Caregivers A workshop for grandparents and relatives who are raising grandchildren, nieces and nephews at 7 p.m. at Bananas, 5232 Claremont Ave., Oakland. To register call 658-7353. 

Older People United A discussion group for elders over 75 at 1:30 p.m. at Berkeley Gray Panthers, 1403 Addison St. 548-9696. 

Latino Film Festival: “Sexo con Amor” a comedy from Chile at 7:30 p.m. at La Pena, 3105 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $8. 849-2568. 

Karen Vogel co-creator of the Motherpeace Tarot deck at 7 p.m. at Belladonna, 2436 Sacramento St. www.belladonna.ws 

CITY MEETINGS 

Parks and Recreation Commission meets Mon., April 25, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Virginia Aiello, 981-5158. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/parksandrecreation 

City Council meets Tues. April 26, at 7 p.m in City Council Chambers. 981-6900. www.ci. 

berkeley.ca.us/citycouncil 

Citizens Budget Review Commission meets Wed., April 27, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-7041. www.ci.berkeley.ca. 

us/commissions/budget 

Civic Arts Commission meets Wed., April 27, at 6:30 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Mary Ann Merker, 981-7533. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/ 

commissions/civicarts 

Disaster Council meets Wed., April 27 at 7 p.m., at the Emergency Operations Center, 997 Cedar St. William Greulich, 981-5502. www.ci.berkeley.ca. us/commissions/disaster 

Energy Commission meets Wed., April 27, at 6:30 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Neal De Snoo, 981-5434. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/energy 

Library Board of Trustees meets Wed. April 27, at 7 p.m. at the South Berkeley Senior Center, Jackie Y. Griffin, 981-6195. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/ 

commissions/library  

Planning Commission meets Wed., April 27 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. April 27, at 7:30 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-4950. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/policereview?