Press Releases

TUESDAY, MAY 24 

Morning Bird Walk in Wildcat Canyon Meet at 7 a.m. at the end of Lark Rd. off San Pablo Dam Rd. to look for grasshpper sparrows. 525-2233. 

Tuesday Tilden Walkers Join a few slowpoke seniors at 9:30 a.m. in the parking lot near the Little Farm for an hour or two walk. In case of questionable weather, call around 8 a.m. 215-7672, 524-9992. 

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.  

Bird Walk along the Martin Luther King Shoreline to see the Clapper Rails and the elusive Burrowing Owl at 3:30 p.m. For information call 525-2233. 

“Mount Rainier, the Alaska Range and Rescues” with Mike Gauthier, lead climbing ranger at Mount Rainier National Park, at 7 p.m. at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. Free. 527-4140. 

“Modern History of Tibet: From 1905 to 1959” with Topden Tsering, formerly the editor of Tibetan Bulletin, 6 p.m. at Cornie Barbara Room, adjacent to Fellowship Unitarian Universalists Hall, 1924 Cedar.  

“It’s Payback Time: Strategies for Real Estate Investors” with Adam Weiss at 7 p.m. at Red Oak Realty, 2099 Pleasant Valley Ave., Oakland. Cost is $10, reservations required. 292-2009. 

Berkeley PC Users Group meets at 7 p.m. at 1145 Walnut St. corner of Eunice. All welcome, no charge. 527-2177.  

Small Business Class “Opening a Restaurant” from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Berkeley Public Library, Community Room, 2090 Kittredge St. Sponsored by the Small Businees Network. Free but registration required. 981-6148. 

Kensington Library Renewal Project meeting to discuss the future of the Kensington Library at 7 p.m. at Kendington Library, 61 Arlington Ave. 524-3043.  

Sing-Along every Tues. from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. at the Albany Senior Center, 846 Masonic. All ages welcome. 524-9122. 

Family Storytime at 7 p.m. at Kensington Library, 61 Arlington Ave. 524-3043. 

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 

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. Share your digital images, slides and prints and learn what other photographers are doing. Monthly field trips. 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. We offer ongoing classes in exercise and creative arts, and always welcome new members over 50. 845-6830. 

WEDNESDAY, MAY 25 

Walking Tour of Old Oakland “New Era/New Politics” highlights African-American leaders who have made their mark on Oakland. Meet at 10 a.m. and the African American Museum and Library at 659 14th St. 238-3234. www.oaklandnet.com/walkingtours 

Community Discussion on Diversity at 7 p.m. in the Albany High School Library, 603 Key Route Blvd. Sponsored by Embracing Diversity Films and the Albany High School PTA. 527-1328. 

“Universal Health Care for California: The Next Steps” with Don Bechler on Senate Bill 840, at 1:30 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 548-9696. 

“Drug Policies” a panel discussion with Dale Gieringer of NORML, Sgt. Robert Eastmand of the SF Police Dept. and Allen Hopper, ACLU Drug Law Reform Project at 7 p.m. at the Richmond Main Library Community Room, 325 Civic Center Drive. Sponsored by the ACLU. 558-0377. 

“The Oath” A film on the Kenyan Mau Mau Rebellion at 7:30 p.m., followed by discussion at Humanist Hall, 390 27th St., Oakland. Free, donations accepted.  

“20 Things People with Cancer Want You to Know” with Irene Marcos at 7 p.m. at the Women’s Cancer Resource Center, 5741 Telegraph Ave. Please RSVP to margo@wcrc.org 

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

“Prevention of ADHD” with Bette Lamont at 7 p.m. at Epworth United Methodist Church, 1953 Hopkins St. Donation $10.  

Balinese Music & Dance Workshops Wed. evenings through June 8 at 7:30 p.m. in El Cerrito. Cost is $60 for all five classes, $15 per class. Registration required. Gamelan Sekar Jaya, 6485 Conlon Ave., El Cerrito. 237-6849. www.gsj.org 

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. 548-9840. 

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

Sing-Along every Wed. at 4:30 p.m. at the Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave. 526-3720. 

Berkeley Peace Walk and Vigil at 6:30 p.m. followed by Peace Walk at 7 p.m. www.geocities. 

com/vigil4peace/vigil 

THURSDAY, MAY 26 

Morning Bird Walk in Briones Meet at 7 a.m. at the Bear Creek Rd. entrance to Briones to look for Lazuli Buntings. 525-2233. 

Public Hearing on Cleanup of Lawrence Berkeley Lab, sponsored by the State Dept. of Toxic Substances Control at 6 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-7461.  

“Iraq and the Anti-War Movement” with Medea Benjamin, from Code Pink and Global Exchange, and Lincoln Malik, who was born in Iraq, worked with the resistance against Saddam, but opposed the US invasion at 7:30 p.m. at Humanist Hall, 390 27th St., Oakland. Free, donations accepted. Sponsored by Wellstone Democratic Renewal Club of the East Bay and others.  

“Our Synthetic Sea” a documentary on the pollution of the Pacific Ocean by plastics at 7 p.m. at the Ecology Center, 2530 San Pablo Ave. 548-2220. www.ecologycenter.org 

League of Women Voters Annual Meeting with Kathay Seng on “Rogue Redistricting: A National Redistricting Crisis?” at 4:30 p.m. at the Northbrae Community Church, 941 The Alameda. http://lwvbae.org 

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

“Are Your Children Afraid to Go to the Doctor?” A workshop for parents at 7 p.m. at Bananas, 5232 Claremont Ave. Oakland. To register call 658-7353. 

“Downsizing California: Should We Split Up the State?” with Tim Holt at 2 p.m. in the Community Room, Berkeley Public Library, 2090 Kittredge. 981-6109. 

Lag B’Omer Picnic with Kosher barbeque, archery, astrobounce, from 5 to 9:30 p.m. Sponsored by Chabad of teh East Bay. 540-5824. 

FRIDAY, MAY 27 

Reduced City Services Today Call ahead to ensure programs or services you desire will be available. 981-CITY. www.cityofberkeley.info 

City Commons Club Noon Luncheon with Andrew E. Barshay, “Japanese POWs in the Gulag 1945-56” 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. 

Activism Series: Vital Issues of Our Time with Juliette Beck and Karmyn Johnson at 7 p.m. at Berkeley Fellowship Hall, 1924 Cedar St. Donation $5. 495-5132. 

Radio Camp Build an FM trasmitter and learn the fundamentals of micropower broadcasting in this 4-day workshop in Oakland. Class runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., May 27-30. Cost is $150-$200 sliding scale. For information and to register call 625-0314. www.freeradio.org 

“The Trouble with Music” with Mat Callahan at 7 p.m. AK Press Warehouse, 674A 23rd St. Oakland. 208-1700. www.akpress.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. dann@netwiz.net 

Berkeley Chess Club meets Fridays at 8 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 

“The Making of a Humanistic Rabbi” with Rabbi Jay Heyman at 7:30 p.m. at the Albany Community Center, 1249 Marin Ave. Please bring finger dessert to share for Oneg, and non-perishable food for the needy. Sponsored by Kol Hadash. 428-1492. 

SATURDAY, MAY 28 

Chocolate & Chalk Art Festival from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. along Salono Ave. 527-5358. www.solanoave.org  

Introduction to Residential Solar Learn how photovolactic systems work, what system would be right for your home and cost information. From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Ecology Center, 2530 San Pablo Ave. Cost is $10-$15. 548-2220, ext. 233. 

Town Hall Meeting on Energy with Pratap Chatterjee, Jihan Gearon, Barbara Hale, Randy Hayes and others, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at King Middle School Auditorium, 1781 Rose St. Cost is $10. Sponsored by KPFA. www.kpfa.org 

Vegetarian Cooking Class: Six Quick Meals From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at First Unitarian Church of Oakland, 685 14th St. Cost is $35. To register call 531-2665. www.compassionatecooks.com/reg.htm 

Women’s Poetry Reading at 11 a.m. at Tilden Nature Area. Bring nature poetry of your own, or of others. 525-2233. 

Butterfly Garden Learn to identify the local species of butterflies and the plants that support them at 1 p.m. at Tilden Nature Area. 525-2233. 

Kid’s Garden Club for ages 7-12 to explore the world of gardening, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Tilden Nature Area, Tilden Park. Cost is $5-$7, registration required. 525-2233. 

Walking Tour of Historic Oakland Churches and Temples Meet at 10 a.m. at the front of the First Presbyterian Church at 2619 Broadway. Tour lasts 90 minutes. Reservations can be made by calling 238-3234. www.oaklandnet.com/ 

walkingtours 

Bay Street Beat Arts & Music Festival Sat and Sun. from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Bay St., Emeryville. Arts, crafts, food, music and children’s activity area. 655-4002. 

Power Tool Drag Racing from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Lawrence Hall of Science, Centennial Drive. Cost is $4.50-$8.50. 642-5132. 

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. 

SUNDAY, MAY 29 

Raising Chickens Learn about breeds, housing and eggs, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Cost is $10-$15. Call the Ecology Center for location 548-2220, ext. 233. 

On Membranous Wings Look for, collect, observe and release wasps, bees, ants and others and learn about the ecological roles they play, from 10 a.m. to noon at Tilden Nature Center. 525-2233. 

Laurel Canyon Plant Hike Meet at 2 p.m at Tilden Nature Center for a plant survey. 525-2233. 

Military Voices Against Endless War & Occupation at 6 p.m. at King Middle School, 1781 Rose St. Cost is $9-$15. 800-956-6917, ext. 710. www.notinourname.net/mv/ 

“Peace One Day” a documentary by British filmmaker Jeremy Gilley on meetings with the Dalai Lama, Shimon Peres, Amre Moussa and others at 7 p.m. at the Hillside Club, 2286 Cedar St. Donation $5. 627-0450. www.peaceoneday.org  

Kapla Skyscraper in Progress Watch as this tower is constructed of small building blocks, then demolished at 3:30 p.m. at the Lawrence Hall of Science, Centennial Drive. Cost is $4.50-$8.50. 642-5132. 

“Freaky Friday” the film at 11 a.m. at the Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Ave. Cost is $5 at the door. www.juliamorgan.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 Lama Amdo and Abbe Blum on “The Six Realms of Existence” at 6 p.m. at the Tibetan Nyingma Institute, 1815 Highland Pl. 843-6812. www.nyingmainstitute.com 

MONDAY, MAY 30 

Reduced City Services Today Call ahead to ensure programs or services you desire will be available. 981-CITY. www.cityofberkeley.info 

Memorial Day Open House at Tilden Nature Center. Join us for a day of critters, crafts and creative fun from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. 525-2233. 

Family Pond Study Meet backswimmers, waterboatmen and learn how they breathe, swim and feed underwater. at 3 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. 525-2233. 

“The Weather Underground: History, Politics and Lessons” with Ron Jacobs, Dan Berger and former members, at 7 p.m. AK Press Warehouse, 674A 23rd St., Oakland. 208-1700. www.akpress.org 

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

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, MAY 31 

Morning Bird Walk in Tilden Park Meet at 10 a.m. at the Nature VCenter. 525-2233.  

Berkeley Marina Walk with the Solo Sierrans at 1:30 p.m. For information and reservations call Betsy, 620-9424. 

Tuesday Tilden Walkers Join a few slowpoke seniors at 9:30 a.m. in the parking lot near the Little Farm for an hour or two walk. In case of questionable weather, call around 8 a.m. 215-7672, 524-9992. 

Green City Visions A conference on how to rebuild our human habitat to save the environment from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 1547 Lakeshore Drive, Oakland. Sponsored by Oakland’s Office of the Mayor and Ecocity Builders. http://ecocitybuilders.org/greencity 

Backpacking 101 Review the fundamentals of gear, water purification, bear-proofing food and first aid kit essentials at 7 p.m. at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. Free. 527-4140. 

“Globalize Liberation” an evening of ideas and inspiration with Marina Sitrin, Elizabeth Martinez, and others at 7 p.m. AK Press Warehouse, 674A 23rd St. Oakland. 208-1700. www.akpress.org 

Family Storytime at 7 p.m. at Kensington Library, 61 Arlington Ave. 524-3043. 

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. 

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. Share your digital images, slides and prints and learn what other photographers are doing. Monthly field trips. 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. We offer ongoing classes in exercise and creative arts, and always welcome new members over 50. 845-6830. 

“Shavuot: A Meeting Point between Cyclical and Linear Time” with Avital Plan at 7:30 p.m. at BRJCC, 1414 Walnut St. Cost is $5. 848-0237. 

CITY MEETINGS 

City Council meets Tues., May 24, at 7 p.m in City Council Chambers. 981-6900. www.ci. 

berkeley.ca.us/citycouncil 

Citizens Budget Review Commission meets Wed., May 25, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-7041. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/ 

commissions/budget 

Civic Arts Commission meets Wed., May 25, 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., May 25 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., May 25, at 6:30 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Neal De Snoo, 981-5434. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/energy 

Planning Commission meets Wed., May 25 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., May 25, 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., May 26 at 7 p.m., in City Council Chambers. Mark Rhoades, 981-7410. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/ 

commissions/zoningª