Press Releases

FRIDAY, JULY 29 

Life in Occupied Palestine: Eyewitness Stories and Photographs with Jewish-American activist Anna Pillerat 7:30 p.m. at St. Joseph the Worker Church, 1640 Addison St. 845-4740. 

Youth Writing Festival with students from Mentoring for Academic Success (MAS) at 6 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500. www.codysbooks.com 

Skin Cancer Screening for people with limited or no insurance at Alta Bates, Markstein Campus. Free, but registration required. 869-8833. 

Berkeley Chess Club meets Fridays at 8 p.m. at the East Bay Chess Club, 1940 Virginia St. 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 

Salsa Dancing at “The Beat” Dance Studio at 8:30 p.m. Lessons with Joseph Gallardo. 2560 9th St. at Parker. 472-2393 www.wildsalsanights.com 

SATURDAY, JULY 30 

Breakfast and Birding Walk with Robbie Fischer. Meet at 8 a.m. at RabbitEars, 303 Arlington Ave., Kensington. Cost is $25. Registration required. 525-6155. 

Year of the Estuary at Pt. Isabel Meet at the end of Isabel St. for a walk along the waterfront, marsh, bay and slough, to look for birds in bright plummage, down from their northern breeding grounds. 525-2233. 

Native Plant Society Star Thistle Removal from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. just below the large parking lot at 1150 Skyline Blvd., Oakland. Sponsored by the East Bay Chapter of the California Native Plant Society and the East Bay Regional Parks. 848-6489. 

Berkeley Kite Festival Sat. and Sun. from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Cesar E. Chavez Park in the Berkeley Marina. Activities, kite competitions and demonstrations. 235-5483. 

Potluck on the Picket Line of Berkeley Honda. Bring a dish to share and a picket sign at 2 p.m. at Parker and Shattuck. For information call Judy Shelton, 548-9334. 

Cambio X Change Join the Berkeley Palma Soriano Sister City group for Cuban music and dance, art exhibit, and information on upcoming delegations to Cuba at 6 p.m. at Berkeley Art Center, 1275 Walnut St. 653-1009. 

San Francisco Mime Troupe “Doing Good” at 2 p.m. at Mosswood Park, MacArthur and Broadway, Oakland. 415-285-1717. www.sfmt.org 

Hiroshima Stories, a commemorative event of performances and ritual in observance of the 60th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki at 7:30 p.m. at International House, 2299 Piedmont Ave. Cost is $10. 642-9460. http://ihouse.berkeley.edu  

PortFest World Music & Jazz Festival with Hugh Masekela, Kenny Garrett Quartet, Dave Ellis Quintet, Mo’Rockin Project and others from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Middle Harbor Shoreline Park, at the end of 7th St., Oakland. 627-1111. www.portofoaklandpublicartprogram.com 

Pancrustacea is Not a Dish: Insects and their Surprising Relatives. A realignment of animal groups has brought insects some interesting relatives and removed others from their family tree. At 2 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. 525-2233. 

“The Peaceable Kingdom” will be screened at 7 p.m. at Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists, 1924 Cedar St. 841-4824. 

SpiritWalking at the Berkeley Warm Pool Ability to walk on land not necessary. Sat. from 10 to 11 a.m., to Aug. 11. Cost is $3.50 seniors/disabled, $5.50 others. Bring a towel and deck shoes. 526-0312. well-being@pacbell.net 

Oakland Heritage Alliance Walking Tour of Kaiser Center Roof Garden and the Oakland Museum of California Garden. Cost is $5-$10. For details call 763-9218. www.oaklandheritage.org 

Homeopathy for Animals: Emergency Situations Learn about local holistic vets and homeopathic remedies that can be used in emergency situations, including puncture wounds, ingesting toxins, excessive bleeding, muscle strain, bites and stings, foxtails, and fear of loud noises, at 3:30 p.m. at RabbitEars, 303 Arlington Ave., Kensington. Cost is $45. 525-6155. 

Your Backyard Pond Learn how to keep your backyard pond in balance, at 10 a.m. at Magic Gardens, 729 Heinz Ave. 644-2351. 

Free Help with Computers at the El Cerrito Library to learn about email, searching the web, the library’s online databases, or basic word processing. Workshops held on Sat. a.m. at 6510 Stockton Ave., El Cerrito. Registration required. 526-7512.  

“Guitar: Total Techniques, Scales & Applications” with Mark John Sternal at 2 p.m. at Barnes & Noble, 5604 Bay Street, Emeryville. 547-0905. 

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. 

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, JULY 31 

Bird Walk in Tilden Join Alan Kaplan on his 500th bird walk at 8 a.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. 525-2233. 

Blessing of the Animals at 10:30 a.m. at Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists, 1924 Cedar St. 841-4824. 

Bicycle Crash Skills Clinic Learn how to deal with curbs, gutters, wet weather, pedestrians, dogs and especially car doors, and how to repair your bike and body. From 2 to 6 p.m. at Berkeley Center for Appropriate Transport, 1336 Channing Way. For more information, email bcat_events@yahoo.com 

Music in the Park at Arroyo Viejo Park with Rose Royce at 3 p.m. at 7701 Krause St., Oakland. Sponsored by Councilperson Desley Brooks. 

Oakland Heritage Alliance Walking Tour of Jingletown. Cost is $5-$10. For details call 763-9218. www.oaklandheritage.org 

The New Tree of Life We’ll look for examples of new ways of looking at life in forest, meadow and pond at 2 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center. 525-2233. 

Free Garden Tours at Regional Parks Botanic Garden in Tilden Park Sat. and Sun. at 2 p.m. Call to confirm. 841-8732. www.nativeplants.org 

“U.S. Imperialism and the Counterinsurgency War” with Antonio, a former political prisoner from South America, at 1 p.m. at Humanist Hall, 390 27th St., Oakland. Free, but donation of $5 accepted. 393-5685.  

Social Action Forum with David McPhail on School of the Americas, at 9:30 a.m. at Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley, 1 Lawson Rd., Kensington. 525-0302, ext. 306. 

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 

MONDAY, AUGUST 1 

National Organization for Women Oakland/East Bay Chapter meets at 6 p.m. at the Oakland YWCA, 1515 Webster Street. The speaker will be Joyce Rutledge Starosciak, a member of the San Leandro City Council. Her topic will be “Sandra Day O’Connor: a Woman in the Men’s Club.” 287-8948. 

Wild vs. Hatchery Trout A lecture on the importance of saving wild trout with Mondy Lariz of California Trout’s Lake Merced Campaign at 7 p.m. at the Albany Community Center, 1249 Marin Ave. 848-9358. www.fivecreeks.org 

“RFID: What's It All About?” Berkeley Public Library is holding a Community Informational Forum on Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) to hear both sides of the issue at 6:30 p.m. at at the South Berkeley Senior Center, 2939 Ellis St. Gordon Wozniak will speak on the safety of RFID, and representatives from the ACLU and the Electronic Frontier Foundation will talk about the privacy concerns. For accessibility questions and more information, call 981-6121. 

Berkeley High School Development Group Information Meeting Learn about community building, making grants to BHS programs, clubs and special projects at 7:15 p.m. at the BUSD Annex Building at 1835 Allston Way. shelmrich@aol.com 

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. 

Stress Less with Hypnosis A free seminar at 6:30 p.m. in Oakland. Registration required. 465-2524. 

Vacation Bible School from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Aug. 5 at The Church on the Corner, 1319 Solano Ave., Albany. 243-7410. www.albanyfirstbaptist.org 

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

TUESDAY, AUGUST 2 

“National Night Out” Public safety awareness forum focusing on alcohol and drug fueled crime and violence in Berkeley from a faith-based perspective. From 6 to 9 p.m. at McGee Avenue Baptist Church, 1640 Stuart St. at McGee Ave. 658-2467. www.berkeleyboca.org 

“At Knit’s End : Meditations for Women Who Knit Too Much” with Stephanie Pearl-McPhee at 2 p.m. at Stash Yarns on 1820 Solano Ave. Proceeds from the sale of the book will be donated to Doctors Without Borders. RSVP to 558- YARN. 

Exploring Baja California Hiking, kayaking, mountain biking and more with Trudi Angell at 7 p.m. at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. 527-4140.  

Family Story Time at 7 p.m. at the Kensington Branch Library, 61 Arlington Ave., Kensington. Free, all ages welcome. 524-3043. 

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. 215-7672, 524-9992. 

Berkeley Salon Discussion Group meets to discuss “The Coarseness of Culture” from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Berkeley Richmond Jewish Community Center, 1414 Walnut St. Please bring snacks and soft drinks to share. No peanuts please. 601-6690.  

Healthy Eating Habits and Hypnosis A free seminar at 6:30 p.m. in Oakland. Registration required. 465-2524. 

Brainstormer Weekly Pub Quiz 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. 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, AUGUST 3 

Berkeley Path Wanderers’ Tour of WWII Ship Building History Explore the Exhibits of the Rosie the Riveter National Historic Park on a level three-mile walk on the Bay Trail. Meet at 10 a.m. at Shimada Park, Richmond. 235-2835. For a map see www.ci.richmond.ca.us/trac/ 

“Falluja April 2004” a documentary of the invasion by Toshikuni Doi, at 7:30 p.m. at Humanist Hall, 390 27th St., Oakland. Free, but $5 donations accepted. 

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. Reservations can be made by calling 238-3234. www.oaklandnet.com/walkingtours 

Berkeley Communicators Toastmasters welcomes curious guests & new members. Meets at 7:15 a.m. at Au Coquelet Cafe, 2000 University Ave. at Milvia. 435-5863.  

Bicycle Maintenance 101 Learn how to identify and fix your bike’s simple mechanical problems at 7 p.m. at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. 527-4140.  

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

Sing your Way Home A free sing-a-long at 4:30 p.m. every Wed. at the Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave. 526-3720. 

Red Cross Blood Services Volunteer Orientation at 10 a.m. at 6230 Claremont Ave., Oakland. Volunteers are needed to support the more than 40 blood drives held each month all over the East Bay. Advance sign-up needed 594-5165. 

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. 

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 

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

THURSDAY, AUGUST 4 

Baby Massage for new and expecting parents at 10 a.m. at Bananas, 5232 Claremont Ave., Oakland. To register 658-7353. 

“Statue of Liberty: Enlightening the World” A History Channel video at 1:30 p.m. at the Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave. 526-3720. 

“Globalization, Natural Resource Protection, and the Effects of War” with Silas Siakor, recipient of the Whitley: Sting & Trudie Styler Award for Human Rights & the Environment, at 7 p.m. at the Ecology Center, 2530 San Pablo Ave. 548-2220, ext. 233. 

Nepalese Culture Shekwa Night at 5 p.m. at Taste of the Himalayas, 1700 Shattuck Ave., Suite # A. Free. 849-4983. www.tasteofthehimalayas.com 

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

World of Plants Tours Thurs.-Sun. at 1:30 p.m. at the UC Botanical Garden, 200 Centennial Drive. Cost is $1-$5. 643-2755. http://botanicalgarden. 

berkeley.edu 

FRIDAY, AUGUST 5 

Migrant Trail Walk for Life A video and reports on the trail taken by undocumented workers crossing the border in Arizona, at 7:30 p.m. at St. Joseph the Worker Church, 1640 Addison St. 342-2519, ext. 6215. 

Red Cross Blood Drive from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 2480 Bancroft Way. Sponsored by the Community of South Berkeley. to make an appointment call 1-800-448-3543. www.BeADonor.com 

Berkeley Chess Club 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. 655-6169. www.bpf.org 

SATURDAY, AUGUST 6 

Peace Lantern Ceremony August 6th is the 60th anniversary of the world’s first atomic bombing. Gather to float lanterns in remembrance of the victims of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and all victims of war. Decorate lantern shades, hear Japanese flute and drum performances, from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Aquatic Park, at the west end of Addison Street, two blocks west of Sixth St. and a block south of University Ave. 595-4626. Lanterns2005@progressiveportal.org  

Richmond Centennial Festival from 11 a.m. at Marina Bay Park, Richmond. Vendors, live music, children’s activities and fireworks in the evening. 

Fruitvale Transit Village Family Day Celebration from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Transit Village Plaza, with live music and performances, human scale chess game, and other activities. www.bayennale.com 

Sick Plant Clinic UC plant pathologist Dr. Robert Raabe, UC entomologist Dr. Nick Mills, and their team of experts will diagnose what ails your plants from 9 a.m. to noon at the UC Botanical Garden, 200 Centennial Dr. 643-2755.  

Summer Bird Walk with Dennis Wolff and Chris Carmichael at 9 a.m. at the UC Botanical Garden, 200 Centennial Dr. Cost is $8-$12. Registration required. 643-2755. 

Kids Garden Club For children 7-12 years old to explore the world of gardening. We plant, harvest, build, make crafts, cook and get dirty! From 2 to 4 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. Cost is $5-$7, registration required. 525-2233. 

The Bat Detective Learn about the only mammal that flies, on a hike into the evening. Meet at 7 p.m. at the Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. Cost is $5-$7, registration required. 636-1684. 

“A Traveler’s Guide to the Solar System” A lecture by William K. Hartmann, winner of the first Carl Sagan medal at 7 p.m. at Chabot Space and Science Center. Cost is $6-$7. 336-7373. www.chabotspace.org 

Progressive Democrats of the East Bay Potluck picnic and general meeting on the special election, at 12:30 p.m. at Cordonices Park, Euclid and Eunice across from the Rose Garden. We'll bring the drinks and charcoal. 526-4632. 

Walking Tour of Jack London Waterfront Meet at 10 a.m. at the corner of Broadway and Embarcadero. Tour lasts 90 minutes. Reservations can be made by calling 238-3234. www.oaklandnet.com/walkingtours 

Oakland Heritage Alliance Walking Tour of Uptown Art Deco. Cost is $5-$10. For details call 763-9218. www.oaklandheritage.org 

Free Help with Computers at the El Cerrito Library to learn about email, searching the web, the library’s online databases, or basic word processing. Workshops held on Sat. a.m. One-on-one help is also available. El Cerrito Library, 6510 Stockton Ave., El Cerrito. Registration required. 526-7512. 

“Spiritual Forces of the Universe” with Vovo Anomalia on how to bring harmony into your life at 3 p.m. at Studio Rasa, 933 Parker St. at 8th. Cost is $15. 415-435-2255. 

ONGOING 

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

Free Lunches for Berkeley Children Mon.-Fri., 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Frances Albrier Center, James Kenney Center, MLK, Jr. Youth Services Center, Strawberry Creek, Washington School and Rosa Parks School. 981-5146. ?