Columns

FRIDAY, JUNE 3 

City Commons Club Noon Luncheon with Tom Goldstein on “What Journalism Does Right and What it Does Wrong.” Luncheon at 11:45 a.m. for $13, speech at 12:30 p.m., at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant St. 526-2925. 

“The Iraq War: Domestic Costs” with William Rivers Pitt at 7 p.m. at Fellowship Hall, Cedar and Bonita. Cost is $5-$15, no one turned away. 524-4244. 

“Speaking Out Against the War Machine” a discussion with Donna Foley of Pax Christi, and Cathy Orozco of CCCO at 7:30 p.m. at St. Joseph the Worker Church, 1640 Addison St. 482-1062. 

“An Evening with Iyanla Vanzant” at 6:30 p.m. at Black Repertory Theater., Adeline St. 652-2120. www.blackrepertorygroup.com 

Womansong Circle Potluck snacks at 6:45 p.m., music at 7 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 2345 Channing. Suggested donation $8. 525-7082. 

Water Safety Day Learn how to keep your child safe in the water, at 11 a.m. at Habitot, 2065 Kittredge St. Cost is $5-$6. 647-1111. www.habitot.org 

Yoga with Baby Learn stretches and techniques that you can do with your baby. Mats provided. At 6 p.m. at Bananas, 5232 Claremont Ave., Oakland. Registration required. 658-7353. 

Kirtan, improvisational devotional chanting at 7:30 p.m. at 850 Talbot, at Solano, Albany. Donation $10. 526-9642. 

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. 

SATURDAY, JUNE 4 

Family Fun Day at the Berkeley Farmers’ Market from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Civic Center Parrk, with performances, hands-on activities and informational booths. 548-3333. www.ecologycenter.org 

Spring Faire at Washington Elementary School, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 2300 Martin Luther King Jr. Way. Activities for kids, health and education booths, food, raffle and performances. Free. 486-1742. 

Longfellow Middle School Fair from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with a flea market, music, dance, games, food. 883-5258. 

Sacramento Street Community Cleanup, from Oregon St. to Alcatraz. Meet at 9 a.m. at the El Nopal Restaurant parking lot, 3136 Sacramento, to help sweep, weed, pick-up litter and remove graffiti. Bring gloves if you have them. Sponsored by the City of Berkeley Neighborhood Services, 981-7000. 

Bateman and Willard Neighborhood Planning Meeting with City Council member Kriss Worthington to prepare for a City meeting to discuss traffic calming, traffic circles, and proposed Ashby & Hillegass traffic light. At 2 p.m. at the Berkeley Public Library, Benvenue at Ashby. 981-7170. 

National Trails Day Service Project Join REI for a day of trail maintenance in Tilden Park, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. For ages 14 and up. Registration required. 527-4140, ext. 259.  

“Eating Wild Foods” Learn about the edible native plants and common weeds and how to gather and prepare them. From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Ecology Center, 2530 San Pablo Ave. Cost is $10-$15, no one turned away. 548-2220, ext. 233. 

Bird’s Eye View Hike to the top of Wildcat Peak from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bring your lunch and something to drink. For meeting place call 525-2233. 

Build a Pond for Wildlife Learn about the design and features, including native pond plants and maintenance, from 9:30 a.m. to noon at the Visitor Center, Tilden Park. Optional tour to Big Nest Wildlife Pond in Sebastopol from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Cost is $30-$35. Bring your lunch. 841-8732. www.nativeplants.org 

Sick Plant Clinic from 9 a.m. to noon at the UC Botanical Garden, 200 Centennial Dr. 643-2755. 

Nature Survival For Kids from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. For ages 8-12. Learn what to eat, how to make shelter and first aid techniques. Registration required. 525-2233. 

East Bay Atheists meets at 2 p.m. at Berkeley Public Library, 2090 Kittredge St., third Floor meeting room. Burt Bogardus will speak about the separation of religion and government, with particular attention to faith-based initiatives. 222-7580. 

Berkeley Historical Society Walking Tour of the “Square Block” in West Berkeley at 11 a.m. Cost is $8-$10. Call for meeting place. 848-0181. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/histsoc/ 

Walking Tour of Old Oakland around the restored 1870s business district. Meet at 10 a.m. in front of G.B. Ratto’s at 827 Washington St. Tour lasts 90 minutes. Reservations can be made by calling 238-3234. 

“Anti-War Activities in the Bay Area” A forum on the laws, anti-recruitment efforts and Conscientious Objectors from 1 to 3 p.m. at Temescal Library, 5205 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. 601-6456, 525-6105. 

California Writers Club hosts fifth-graders reading their prize-winning work at 10 a.m. at Barnes & Noble, Jack London Square. 482-0265. www.berkeleywritersclub.org 

North Berkeley Block Party from 4 to 8 p.m. on Delaware, between Shattuck and Milvia. Potluck/bbq with music. Benefit for Vitamin Angels. Donation $5. 

Record Show with hard to find LPs, 45s soul, jazz, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 2318 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. Cost is $2. 452-2452. 

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, JUNE 5 

A Taste of Albany: A Small Town Walkabout from 1 to 7 p.m. on Solano and San Pablo Aves. Tastings at 18 restaurants, music and arts and crafts show. Tickets are $20 in advance from participating restaurants. www.albanychamber.org 

Compost Critters An afternoon of exploration for ages five and up. Learn what animals do the dirty work of turning leftovers into rich soil, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Tilden Nature Area, Tilden Park. 525-2233. 

Afternoon in the Garden with Anne Lamott with a reading, silent auction and refreshments, fom 1 to 4 p.m. at 485 Ellita Ave. on Lake Merritt, Oakland. Tickets are $50. Benefit for Jesuit Volunteers. 415-522-1599. www.jesuitvolunteers.org 

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. 

Hands-On Bicycle Clinic from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. Free. 527-4140. 

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 

“Being Gay, Jewish and in an Interfaith Relationship” A discussion with Rabbi Allen Bennett at 11:30 a.m. at Temple Sinai, 2808 Summit St., Oakland. 547-2250. 

Tibetan Buddhism with Sylvia Gretchen on “Transforming Negative Emotions” at 6 p.m. at the Tibetan Nyingma Institute, 1815 Highland Pl. 843-6812. www.nyingmainstitute.com 

MONDAY, JUNE 6 

City of Berkeley Walking Group walks Mon.-Thurs. from 5 to 5:30 p.m. Meet at 830 University Ave. All new participants receive a free pedometer. 981-5131. 

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.  

Charles Ostman, cofounder of Fourth Venture, a company formed to convert former Soviet military technologies into applications for water treatment and alternative energy at 7 p.m. at the Hillside Club, 2286 Cedar St. Non-member donation $5. 527-0450.  

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. 

Claremont Elmwood Neighborhood Membership Meeting with discussion on the Elmwood shopping district, at 7 p.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave. 

Free Women of Spain Anarchism and the Struggle for the Emancipation of Women with Martha Ackelsberg at 7 p.m. at AK Press Warehouse, 674A 23rd St., Oakland. 208-1700. www.akpress.org 

Sufi Teachings and Zikr at 7 p.m. at the MTO Center, 2855 Telegraph Ave., Suite 101. 704-1888. 

Trivia Cafe at 7 p.m. at Ristorante Raphael, 2132 Center St. Cost is $10. 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, JUNE 7 

“Introduction to California Birdlife” a conversation with field biologist Jules Evens and nature photographer Ian Tait, at 5:30 p.m. at University Press Books, 2430 Bancroft Way. 

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. 

Trekking in California with guidebook author Paul Richins at 7 p.m. at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. Free. 527-4140. 

“Police Practices” A panel discussion with Doris Brown, former Richmond Police Commissioner, James Chanin, civil rights attorney, Sgt. Alan Normandy, South SF Police Dept. and Mark Schlosberg, ACLU Police Practices Dept. at 7 p.m. at the Richmond Main Library Community Room, 325 Civic Center Drive. Sponsored by the ACLU. 558-0377. 

Quit Smoking Class meets Tues. evening from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at South Berkeley Senior Center for six evenings. Sponsored by the City of Berkeley. To register call 981-5330. 

Choke Saving Skills Day Learn these important skills at 11 a.m. at Habitot, 2065 Kittredge St. Cost is $5-$6. 647-1111. www.habitot.org 

Mid-Day Meander Meet at 2:30 p.m. at the Alvarado/ 

Wildcat Staging Area off Park Ave. for a history walk to the Belgum Estate. 525-2233. 

Tilden Mini-Rangers Join us for an active afternoon of nature study, conservation, and rambling through woods and waters. Dress to get dirty; bring a healthy snack to share. Girls and boys ages 8-12, unaccompanied by their parents. From 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at Tilden Nature Area. Cost is $6-$8. Reservations required. 636-1684. 

Apartment Building Management For Women A class on Tues. and Thurs. evenings at 6 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Building Education Center Cost is $250 or sliding scale. To register call 525-7610.  

Young Leadership Division Jewish Federation meets at 7 p.m. at Berkeley Hillel. RSVP to 839-2900 ext. 216.  

Family Storytime at 7 p.m. at Kensington Library, 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. Share your digital images, slides and prints and learn what other photographers are doing. Monthly field trips. 548-3991. www.berkeleycameraclub.org 

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. 

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, JUNE 8 

Walking Tour of Old Oakland around Preservation Park to see Victorian architecture. Meet at 10 a.m. in front of Preservation Park at 13th St. and MLK, Jr. Way. Tour lasts 90 minutes. For reservations call 238-3234. www.oaklandnet.com/walkingtours 

GPS Navigation with Steve Wood, REI guide, at 7 p.m. at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. If you own a GPS unit, please bring it. 527-4140. 

“Lolita: Slave to Entertainment” a documentary on our relationship with wildlife at 7:30 p.m. at Humanist Hall, 390 27th St., Oakland. Donation $5. www.HumanistHall.net 

East Bay Gebealogical Society meets at 10 a.m. in the Library Conference Room, Family History Center, 4766 Lincoln Ave., Oakland. Mary Jo Wainwright will speak on the history of the Peralta family. 653-6692. 

“Senior Injury Prevention Project: Falls” at 10:30 a.m. at Summit Campus, Merritt Pavilion, 350 Hawthorne Ave., Oakland. Free for Health Access members, $5 for others. For reservations call 869-6737. 

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

Home Buyer Assistance Information Session at 6 p.m. at 1504 Franklin St., Oakland. Sponsored by the Home Buyer Assistance Center. Reservations required. 832-6925, ext. 100. www.hbac.org 

Poetry Writing Workshop with Alison Seevak at 7 p.m. at the Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave. 526-3720. 

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. 548-9840. 

Fresh Produce Stand at San Pablo Park from 3 to 6:30 p.m. in the Frances Albrier Community Center. Sponsored by the Ecology Center’s Farm Fresh Choice. 848-1704. www.ecologycenter.org 

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. 

THURSDAY, JUNE 9 

Berkeley School Volunteers Training workshop for volunteers interested in helping the public schools during the summer, from 3 to 4:30 p.m. at 1835 Allston Way. 644-8833. 

Hidden Lodges of Berkeley A lecture on Bernard Maybeck’s Great Hall, at 7:30 p.m. at the Faculty Club, UC Campus. Cost is $10. For information contact Berkeley Architectural Heritage at 841-2241. www.berkeleyheritage.com 

“In Rachel’s Name” with the parents of Rachel Corrie at 7 p.m. at the First Congregational Church in Oakland, 2501 Harrison St. Donation $10, no one turned away. 415-255-7296, ext. 261. 

Grizzly Peak Flyfishers meets at 7 p.m. at the Kensington Community Center, 59 Arlington Ave. Jeff Miller will speak on the efforts to restore steelhead to Alameda Creek. 547-8629. 

Caldecott Tunnel Fourth Boor Expansion Project Meeting at 6 p.m. at the Bentley School, 1 Hiller Drive, Oakland. 286-6445. www.dot.ca.gov/dist4/caldecott 

“Juice Fasting and Rejuvenation” with Ed Bauman, Director of Bauman College at 5:30 p.m. at Pharmaca Integrative Pharmacy, 1744 Solano Ave. 527-8929. 

East Bay Mac User Group with Linden Siahaan, Software Design Engineer, Microsoft Corp who will present the Virtual PC at 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Expression Center for New Media, 6601 Shellmound St. www.expression.edu 

Beginning and Intermediate Computer Workshop for all ages, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Long Haul, 3124 Shattuck Ave. Free, but registration required. call after 6 p.m. 540-0751. 

ONGOING 

Summer Camps for Children offered by the City of Berkeley, including swimming, sports and twilight basketball, from June 20 to August 12, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For details call 981-5150, 981-5153. 

Barrington Collection Free Skool holds summer classes in the East Bay. Classes include “Buying Your First Home,” “Beer Brewing,” ”Grant Writing,” “Yoga” and classes for children. http://barringtoncollective.org/FreeSkool 

CITY MEETINGS 

Berkeley Rent Stabilization Board meets Mon. June 6, at 7 p.m. in City Council Chambers, Pam Wyche, 644-6128 ext. 113. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/rent 

Creeks Task Force meets Mon. June 6, at 7 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Erin Dando, 981-7410. www.ci.ber 

keley.ca.us/planning/landuse/Creeks/default.html 

Council Agenda Committee meets Mon., June 6, at 2:30 p.m., at 2180 Milvia St. 981-6900. 

www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/ 

citycouncil/agenda-committee 

Landmarks Preservation Commission meets Mon., June 6, at 7:30 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Gisele Sorensen, 981-7419. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/landmarks 

Peace and Justice Commission meets Mon., June 6, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Manuel Hector, 981-5510. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/peaceandjustice 

Youth Commission meets Mon., June 6, at 6:30 p.m., at 1730 Oregon St. Philip Harper-Cotton, 981-6670. www.ci.ber 

keley.ca.us/commissions/youth 

Commission on Disability meets Wed., June 8, at 6:30 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Don Brown, 981-6346. TDD: 981-6345. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/disability 

Homeless Commission meets Wed., June 8, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Jane Micallef, 981-5426. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/homeless 

Library Board of Trustees meets Wed. June 8, 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., June 8, 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., June 8 at the South Berkeley Senior Center. 981-4950. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/ 

commissions/policereview 

Waterfront Commission meets Wed., June 8, at 7 p.m., at 201 University Ave. Cliff Marchetti, 981-6740. www.ci.berkeley. 

ca.us/commissions/waterfront 

Community Health Commission meets Thurs., June 9, at 6:45 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Kristin Tehrani, 981-5356. www.ci.ber 

keley.ca.us/commissions/health 

West Berkeley Project Area Commission meets Thurs., June 9, at 7 p.m., at the West Berkeley Senior Center. Iris Starr, 981-7520. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/westberkeley  

Zoning Adjustments Board meets Thurs., June 9, at 7 p.m., in City Council Chambers. Mark Rhoades, 981-7410. www.ci.ber 

keley.ca.us/commissions/zoning ?