Press Releases

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 

Berkeley PTA Rally to protest the Governor’s proposed education budget at 3 p.m. at Old City Hall, 2134 MLK Jr Way. 333-6097. 

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.  

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 

Easy Does It Disability Assistance Board Meeting at 6:30 p.m. at 1744A University Ave. All welcome. 845-5513.  

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 

FRIDAY, APRIL 29 

Protest Action: Campus Bay and UC Field Station to demand better oversight of these toxic sites and protection for the community at 7 a.m. at South 47th and Meade Sts., off the Bay View exit, west of 580, in Richmond. Dress warmly. 496-2722. 

City Commons Club Noon Luncheon with Izaly Zemsovsky on “Islam in Russia” 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. 

Celebrating South Berkeley Seniors A presentation of murals in progress, storytelling, food and music at 6 p.m. at South Berkeley Senior Center. Sponsored by the California Council for the Humanities, California Stories Project. 704-0803. 486-8213. www.calhum.org 

Malcolm X Consciousness Conference A 3-day event with speakers, concerts, awards and fashion show at Laney College, Oakland. Tickets are $75. 997-0075. www.unlockyourroots.com 

Alameda County Bike to Work Kick-Off Lunch at noon at the MTC Metrocenter, 101 Eighth St., Oakland. to RSVP call 530-3444. www.511.org 

Berkeley School Volunteers Training workshop for volunteers interested in helping in Berkeley Public schools at 1:30 p.m. at 1835 Allston Way. 644-8833. 

“Exploring Quantum Phenomena” with Cornelia Jarica at 7 p.m. at Unity of Berkeley, 2075 Eunice St. Cost is $15. 528-8844. www.unityberkeley.org 

“Three Beats for Nothing” a small group meeting weekly at 10 a.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center to sing for fun and practice, mostly 16th century harmony. 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. 

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, APRIL 30 

See Our Snakes Meet the resident snakes of Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park at 10:30 a.m. and learn about their behavior. 525-2233. 

Green Home Expo and Energy Symposium from noon to 5:30 p.m. at Civic Center Park. Information on energy conservation, sustainable and non-toxic building products and renewable energy technology. www.GreenHome EXPO.org 

Cinco de Mayo Celebration with BAHIA and the City of Berkeley at 1 p.m. at James Kenney Park, 1720 Eighth St., at Delaware. Health fair, music, children’s games, crafts, and food. 525-1463. 

Berkeley Historical Society Walking Tour of “Holy Hill,” site of the Graduate Theological Union and the Flora Lamson Hewlett Library led by Allen Stross, from 10 a.m. to noon. Cost is $8-$10. 848-0181. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/histsoc/ 

Illuminated Cards Craft Event Make your own illuminated card in the style of the Middle Ages from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave. Free and open to all ages. 526-3700, ext. 17. 

Civil Rights Celebration honoring James Forman, Joanne Grant and Ossie Davis at 6 p.m. at SEIU Local 250, 560 Thomas L. Berkley Way (formerly 20th St.) Between San Pablo and Telegraph Aves. Donation $5-$10. 

International Family Fair sponsored by The New School of Berkeley from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Bonita St. between Cedar and Virginia. Live entertainment, games, food and raffle. Free. 548-9165. www.newschoolofberkeley.org 

Spring Plant Sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the UC Botanical Garden, 200 Centennial Drive. 643-2755. http://botanicalgarden.berkeley.edu 

Berkeley Potters Guild Annual Spring Show Sat. and Sun. from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 731 Jones St. 524-7031. www.berkeleypotters.com 

New Women’s Program Benefit Sale from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the KPFA parking lot on Berkeley Way just east of MLK Way. 527-2784. 

Self Defense for Daughters & Parents from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Julia Morgan Center, 2640 College Ave. Cost is $75 for a parent and child. 845-8542, ext. 302. 

Good Night Little Farm Help with the afternoon feeding, learn about our rare breeds and help tuck the animals in for the night, at 3:30 p.m. at Tilden Little Farm, Tilden Park. 525-2233. 

Choosing the Right Rose and Keeping an Organic Rose Garden with Ken Jose, rose expert, at 10 a.m. at Magic Gardens Nursery, 729 Heinz Ave. 644-2351. www.magicgardens.com 

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 

Drawing and Painting the Birds of the Garden A two day class in the Botanic Garden of Tilden Park. Cost is $90-$95. Registration required. 845-4116. www.nativeplants.org 

“In the Light of Reverence” a documentary with Chief Sisk-Franco of the Winneman-Wintu Tribe on the development of the Shasta Dam at 6 p.m. at the Richmond Main Library. Sponsored by West County Native Americans for Environmental Justice. 236-1631. 

“The Teachings of Light and Sound” with Sri Gary Olsen from 1 to 3:30 p.m. at the Berkeley Public Library, 2090 Kittredge St. www.masterpathpath.org 

Art Deco Society Preservation Ball Dinner, silent auction and entertainment, and presentation of the 2005 Art Deco Preservation Awards at Sweet’s Ballroom, 1933 Broadway, Oakland. Tickets are $85-$100. 415-982-3326. www.artdecosociety.org 

Reel Kids Films Inc. Gala Benefit at Sequoyah Country Club, 4550 Heafey Rd., Oakland. For ticket information and reservations call 978-0002. www.reelkidsfilms.com 

Integral Transformative Practice Workshop Sat. and Sun. at the Northbrae Community Church, 941 The Alameda. Non-strenuous movement, meditation and energy exercises. Cost is $125. For reservations call 415-927-0913. pam_kramer22@yahoo.com  

Living More With Less, A day of conversation about living simpler, slower and smaller from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Oakland, 2501 Harrison St. Cost is $12-$15. 548-2220, ext. 233. www.metafoundation.org/ 

simplicity 

Free Emergency Preparedness Class in Disaster Mental Health from 9 a.m. to noon at 2100 Martin Luther King Jr. Way. To sign up call 981-5605. www. 

ci.berkeley.ca.us/fire/oes.html 

Small Press Distribution Spring Open House from noon to 4 p.m. at 1341 Seventh St., off Gilman, with books, entertainment and guest of honor Andrei Cogrescu. 524-1668. www.spdbooks.org 

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 

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

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. 

Kol Hadash Passover Seder at 6 p.m. at the Albany Community Center. Reservations required. 925-254-0609 or 925-254-1908. greensu@comcast.net  

SUNDAY, MAY 1 

Berkeley Architectural Heritage Spring House Tour of Panoramic Hill from 1 to 5 p.m. Cost is $25-$30. For details and reservations call 841-2242. www.berkeleyheritage.com 

Crowden Music Center’s Anniversary Gala at 5 p.m. in the Rotunda, 300 Frank Ogawa Plaza, Oakland. Honoring Robert Cole and Susan Muscarella. Tickets are $200. 559-6910. www.crowdenmusiccenter.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 

Tibetan Buddhism with Jack Petranker on “Mind in Nature” at 6 p.m. at the Tibetan Nyingma Institute, 1815 Highland Pl. 843-6812. www.nyingmainstitute.com 

May Day Maimouna with Achi ben Shalom at 3 p.m. at 2746 College Ave. 843-3131.  

MONDAY, MAY 2 

National Organization for Women, Oakland East Bay Chapter, meets at 6 p.m. at 1515 Webster St. Renee Walker will discuss Abstinence-Only Education in Bay Area Public Schools. 287-8948. 

“History of Local Creek Restoration” A slide show sponsored by Friends of Five Creeks in obeservation of California Watersheds Month, at 7 p.m. at Albany Community Center, 1249 Marin Ave. 848 9358. www.fivecreeks.org 

Iraq War Veteran and Resister Camilo Mejia speaks at 7 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Oakland, 2501 Harrison St. at 27th. Tickets are $5 - $15 sliding scale, no one turned away. Benefits Veterans for Peace. 415-255-7331. www.veteransforpeace.org 

World Affairs/Politics Discussion Group for people 60 years and over meets at 10:15 a.m. at the Albany Senior Center, 846 Masonic Ave. 524-9122. 

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

Trivia Cafe at 6:30 p.m. at Ristorante Raphael 2132 Center St. 644-9500. 

ONGOING 

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/ 

Medical Care for Your Pet at the Berkeley East Bay Humane Society low-cost veterinary clinic. 2700 Ninth St. For appointments call 845-3633. www.berkeleyhumane.org 

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 

Zoning Adjustments Board meets Thurs., April 28, at 7 p.m., in City Council Chambers. Mark Rhoades, 981-7410. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/zoningw