Columns

Berkeley This Week

Tuesday October 18, 2005

TUESDAY, OCT. 18 

Mini-Rangers at Tilden Park Join us for an afternoon of nature study, conservation and rambling through the woods and water. Dress to get dirty, and bring a healthy snack to share. For children age 8-12, unaccompanied by their partents. Cost is $6-$8. Registration required. 636-1684. 

Berkeley Garden Club “Creating a World Class Plant Collection in Your Backyard” with Paul Licht, director, UC Botanical Garden, at 1 p.m. at Epworth Methodist Church, 1953 Hopkins St. 527-5641. 

“Compost: Green Waste to Gardener’s Gold” at 4 p.m. at Franklin Elementary School, 915 Foothill Blvd., Oakland. Cost is $20. Sponsored by the Watershed Project. 665-3546. 

Hiking and Backpacking Big Sur, a slide presentation with Analise Elliot at 7 p.m. at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. 527-4140. 

“Our Town” Benefit for Berkeley Historical Society and Berkeley Architectural Heritage Association at 8 p.m. at Berkeley Rep. Tickets are $30. For reservations mention code #100. 647-2949. 

“Ending Hunger and Poverty in the US and Africa” A workshop from 4 to 6 p.m. followed by a dinner fundraiser for the Food First/Institute for Food Development and Policy at Jack London Aquatic Center, 115 Embarcadero. For reservations call 654-4400, ext. 234. www.foodfirst.org 

“Managing HIV/AIDS in Botswana” with Prof. Alinah Segobye, Univ. of Botswana, at 4 p.m. at 652 Barrows Hall, UC Campus. 642-8338. 

“Shrinking Cities and Culture Led Regeneration” with Jasmin Aber, Inst. of Urban and Regional Development, at 7:30 p.m. at International House, 2299 Piedmont Ave. Cost is $5. 642-9460. 

Berkeley Salon Discussion Group meets to discuss “Energy Systems: Ours and Theirs” from 7 to 9 p.m. in a private home. Call for details 527-1022. 

“Do It Yourself Investing” with Marty Schiffenbauer at 7 p.m. in the Community Room, Berkeley Public Library, 2090 Kittredge. 981-6100. 

Feng Shui for a Healthy Home with Nadine Oei of Integrated Spaces for Healthy Living at 7 p.m. at El Cerrito Library, 6510 Stockton Ave. Free. 526-7512.  

American Red Cross Blood Services Volunteer Orientation at 6 p.m. at 6230 Claremont Ave. RSVP to 594-5165. 

“Living with Ones and Twos” with Meg Zweiback, nurse practitioner, at 7 p.m. at Bananas, 5232 Claremont Ave. Registration required. 658-7353. www.bananasinc.org 

Berkeley Walking in Authority, Women’s Missionary Society March begins at 8 a.m. at Old City Hall to St. Paul AME Church, 2024 Ashby Ave. 848-2050. 

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 Camera Club meets at 7:30 p.m., at the Northbrae Community Church, 941 The Alameda. 548-3991.  

St. John’s Prime Timers meets at 9:30 a.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave. 845-6830. 

Healthy Eating Habits Seminar at 6:30 p.m. in Oakland. Free, registration required. 465-2524. 

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 19 

Tilden Tots Join a nature adventure program for 3 and 4 year olds, each accompanied by an adult (grandparents welcome)! We’ll have a treasure hunt from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Cost is $6-$8. Registration required. 636-1684. 

Tilden Explorers An after-school nature adventure program for 5-7 year olds, who may be accompanied by an adult. We will have a nature treasure hunt from 3:15 to 4:45 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. Cost is $6-$8, registration required. 636-1684. 

South Berkeley Community Church Capital Restoration Campaign with speakers on the history of South Berkeley, at 7:30 p.m. at 1802 Fairview St. at Ellis. Sponsored by Berkeley Architectural Heritage Association. Suggested donation of $15 benefits the church’s restoration campaign. 841-2242. www.berkeleyheritage.com 

Berkeley Reads Together Kick-off with free book giveaway of “The House on Mango Street” by Sandra Cisneros at 11:30 a.m. at the West Berkeley Senior Center, 1900 Sixth St., with Mayor Tom Bates and Library Director Jackie Griffin.  

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. 238-3234. 

“Baffled by the Ballot?” A pre-election forum on the November election ballot measures, with Assemblywoman Wilma Chan, Sharon Cornu, head of Alameda County Central Labor Council and Serena Clayton, Executive Director, California School Health Centers Association at 7 p.m. at the Rockridge Library, 5366 College Ave., Oakland. 

“Gaza First or Gaza Last” a lecture with Marcia Freedman, Jewish Alliance for Justice and Peace at 7 p.m. in the Dinner Boardroom, GTU Hewlett Library, 2400 Ridge Rd. 649-2482. 

Home/Office Hazard Reduction Learn about low-cost actions you can take to make your home or office safer at 2:30 p.m. at Easy Does It, 1744A University Ave. Sponsored by Collaborating Agencies Responding to Disaster. 451-3140. 

“Intellegent Design: A Unique View of Globalization and Science” with Dr. Gunther Stent at 7:30 p.m. at International House, 2299 Piedmont Ave. Cost is $5. 642-9460. 

Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine College Open House at 6 p.m. at 2550 Shattuck Ave. Tours and information for prospective students. To RSVP call 666-8248, ext. 106.  

Community Gathering at the Berkeley Drop-In Center from 7 to 8:30 p.m. to meet staff and members and discuss future activities, at 3234 Adeline St. 652-9462. 

Berkeley Public Library Teen Amnesty Week through Sat. Oct. 22. Teens, bring your high school ID, and the Berkeley Public Library will work with you to clear your library record. 981-6135, 548-1240 (TTY). 

“Time for an Oil Change” A lecture on dietary fats at 10:30 a.m. at Alta Bates Summit Merritt Pavilion, Cafeteria Annex B, 350 Hawthorne Ave., Oakland. Cost is $5. RSVP to 869-6737. 

Berkeley Communicators Toastmasters at 7:15 a.m. at Au Coquelet Cafe, 2000 University Ave. at Milvia. 435-5863.  

Entrepreneurs Networking at 8 a.m. at A’Cuppa Tea, 3202 College Ave. at Alcatraz. Cost is $5. 562-9431.  

“American Jewish Films of the 60s and 70s” with Riva Gambert at noon at the BRJCC, 1414 Walnut St. Brown bag lunch. Cost is $5. 848-0237. 

Dishka for Enlightenment and Healing at 7:30 p.m. at Berkwood Hedge School, 1809 Bancroft Way, enter on Grant St. Donation $15-$35. 453-0606. 

THURSDAY, OCT. 20 

Tilden Tots Join a nature adventure program for 3 and 4 year olds, each accompanied by an adult (grandparents welcome)! We’ll have a treasure hunt from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Cost is $6-$8. Registration required. 636-1684. 

“Adventures of a Wildlife Photographer” From Kenya to the Alameda Wildlife Refuge, with Eleanor Bricetti at 7:30 p.m. at the Northbrae Community Church, 941 The Alameda. Sponsored by the Golden Gate Audobon Society. www.goldengateaudobon.org 

Lights On Afterschool Berkeley’s after school programs will be open to the public from 4 to 7 p.m. with student performan- 

ces, special activities, art projects, food and fun. Start at 3 p.m. at Civic Center Park. 883-6146. www.afterschoolalliance.org  

LeConte Neighborhood Association meets at 7:30 p.m. at the LeConte School Cafeteria. Agenda includes Downtown Area Plan, UC Student/Neighbor Relations, Disaster Preparedness, and a report from our Berkeley Police Beat Officer. KarlReeh@aol.com 

Peoples’ Radio Public Forum on the State of KPFA at 7 p.m. at Fellowship of Humanity Hall, 390 27th St/411 28th St., between Broadway and Telegraph in Oakland. Donation of $5 requested, no one turned away for lack of funds. 326-3268.  

Simplicity Forum on Cutting Costs at 6:30 p.m. at Claremont Branch Library, 2940 Benvenue. 549-3509. 

“Mao’s Revolution: What Remains?” with Roderick MacFarquhar and Orville Schell at 7:30 p.m. at Sibley Auditorium, UC Campus.  

“Rumi and Islam: The Mystical Path of Sufism” at 7 p.m. at Starr King School for Ministry, 2441 LeConte Ave. 845-6232.  

FRIDAY, OCT. 21 

City Commons Club Noon Luncheon with Phillip F. Elwood, “Jazz, Recordings and American Social History.” Luncheon at 11:45 a.m. for $13.50, speech at 12:30 p.m., at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant St. For information and reservations call 526-2925.  

Country Faire with homemade crafts and food, from noon to 4 p.m. and Sat. from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 201Martina St., Pt. Richmond. 964-9901. 

Conscientious Projector Film Series “Redemption” The life of Stanley “Tookie” WIlliams at 7 p.m. at Berkeley Fellowship, Cedar at Bonita. Suggested donation $10. 

“China’s Cultural Revolution” with photographer Li Zhensheng, talk at 3 p.m., panel discussion at 6:30 p.m. at North Gate Hall, UC Campus. 

“Osama” A screening of the film followed by a discussion at 7:30 p.m. at Buttner Auditorium, College Prep School, 6100 Boradway, Oakland. Free. www.college-prep.org 

“Demystifying Activism One Breath at a Time” with Holly Near at 8 p.m. at Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley, One Lawson Rd. Suggested donation $20. 525-0302, 306. 

Battle of Trafalgar Victory Ball, sponsored by the Bay Area English Regency Society, at 8 p.m. at Arlington Community Church, 52 Arlington Ave., Kensington. Tickets are $15-20. 650-365-2913. 

French Conversation Night at 6:30 pm at the Alliance Francaise of Berkeley, 2004 Woolsey St. Potluck, bring a dish to share or a bottle of wine. 548-7481.  

Spirit Walking: Chi in Water Class Meets Fri. at noon at Berkeley YMCA, through Dec. 9. Cost is $21-$50. 665-3228. 

Berkeley Chess Club meets at 8 p.m. at the East Bay Chess Club, 1940 Virginia St. 845-1041. 

Women in Black Vigil noon to 1 p.m. at UC Berkeley, Bancroft at Telegraph. 548-6310. 

SATURDAY, OCT. 22 

Where Do All the Leaves Go? Learn about why leaves change color and fall, and other signs of autumn, for ages 7 and up, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. Cost is $5-$7, reservations required. 525-2233. 

Walking Tour of Oakland Chinatown Meet at 10 a.m. at the courtyard fountain in the Pacific Renaissance Plaza at 388 Ninth St. Tour lasts 90 minutes. Reservations can be made by calling 238-3234. www.oaklandnet.com/walkingtours 

Groceries from the Garden A hands-on after-school workshop for educators on how sustainable agriculture and locally grown food benefit the health of students and the environment. From 4 to 6 p.m. at UC Berkeley Richmond Field Station, 1327 South 46th St., Richmond. Cost is $20. Registration required. Sponsored by the Watershed Project. 665-3430. www.thewatershedproject.org 

Dolores Huerta Interviewed by Amy Goodman at 7:30 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 2501 Harrison St. at 27th, Oakland. Tickets are $15 in advance, $18 at the door, $50 for reserved seats and reception. Benefits Pace e Bene Nonviolence Service. 268-8765. www.paceebene.org 

Options for Youth in Times of War A counter-recruitment conference Sat. 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Sun. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Valley Life Sciences Building, UC Campus. Free for youth under 25. Donation $10-$25. 268-9006. www.objector.org/moos-bay.html 

Haiti Action with attoneys representing Haitian political prisoners at 5:30 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church, 2362 Bancroft Way. Cost is $15-$30, includes dinner. RSVP to 548-4141. 

Sports 4 Kids Benefit Yard Sale from 8 a.m. to noon at Rosa Parks School, 920 Allston Way at 8th St . 

Alameda Public Affairs Forum with Peter Schrag, discussing “The California Special Election: What are the Issues?” at 7 p.m. at the Home of Truth Center, 1300 Grand Street, Alameda. www.alamedaforum.org 

NAACP Life Membership Banquet with Belva Davis and Byron Williams at the Elks Lodge in Alameda. Tickets are $50. 232-2171. 865-1151. 

Friends of the Richmond Public Library Booksale from 11 to 3 p.m. in the Community Room adjacent to the Main Library at 525 Civic Center Plaza, Richmond. 

The Misty Redwood Run A 10 K fun run to benefit the Bay Area Coalition for Headwaters. Starts at 8:30 a.m. at Redwood Regional Park, Redwood Gate entrance, 7867 Redwood Rd., Oakland. Cost is $20-$25. Register online at www.theschedule.com 548-3113.  

Brew at the Zoo a benefit for the Oakland Zoo with live music, animal feedings and behind-the-scenes tours from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Oakland Zoo. Tickets are $30. 632-9525.  

Origins of Halloween, Celtic and South American stories at 6 p.m. in Oakland. Cost is $7-$10. Call for location and to reserve a space, New Acropolis Cultural Association, 986-0317. 

Evergreens in the Garden with garden designer Aerin Moore at 10 a.m. at Magic Gardens, 729 Heinz Ave. 644-2351. 

East Bay Genealogical Society with Marston Watson, the direct descendant of sixteen patriots who served in the Revolutionary War, at 10 a.m. in the Library Conference Room of the Family History Center, 4766 Lincoln Ave., Oakland. 635-6692.  

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.  

Spirit Walking Aqua Chi (TM) A gentle water exercise class at 10 a.m. at the Berkeley High Warm Pool. Cost is $3.50 per session. 526-0312. 

SUNDAY, OCT. 23 

Morning Bird Walk to welcome back the Northern Flicker, Kinglets and others, at 9:30 a.m. at Tilden Nature Area, Tilden Park. 525-2233. 

Solo Sierrans Sunrise Hike Meet at 6 a..m. at Inspiration Point in Tilden Park. We’ll start by moonlight, and watch the sun rise from Wildcat Peak and return before noon.Bring warm clothing and flashlight. Rain cancels. 601-1211. 

Halloween Animals Learn the facts and myths about owls and bats from 2 to 4:30 p.m. at Tilden Nature Area, Tilden Park. Cost is $6-$8, registration required. 525-2233. 

Berkeley Historical Society Walking Tour of the transformations around the Old Santa Fe Station, from 10 a.m. to noon. Cost is $8-$10. For information call 848-0181. www.cityofberkeley.info/histsoc 

Days of the Dead Family Festival with craft activities, music, dance, cermonia and mercado, from noon to 4 p.m. at the Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak Sts. 238-2200. www.museumca.org 

House Tour of the Homes of Haddon Hill from 1 to 5 p.m. A self-guided tour of nine beautiful homes and the Cleveland Cascade. Cost is $25-$35. For reservations call 763-9218. www.oaklandheritage.org  

Peace It Together A collaborative art festival for healing and peacemaking from 1 to 5 p.m. at Charlie Dorr Park on Acton St. between Bancroft and Allston.  

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 

East Bay School for Girls Raffle and Auction from 2 to 4 p.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian CHurhc, 2727 College Ave. 849-9444. www.ebsg.org 

International Women’s Writing Group meets to discuss writing about ancestors at 3 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500. 

“In the Shadow of Gaza” a report-back with Wendy Kaufmyn who volunteered with the International Women’s Peace Service at 2 p.m. at Berkeley Public Library, Community Room, 2090 Kittredge St. 981-6100. 

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

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 

MONDAY, OCT. 24 

Flu Shots for Berkeley Residents age 60 or over or “high-risk” from 9 a.m. to noon, and 1 to 2 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-5300. 

Berkeley Reads Together Free copies of “House on Mango Street” by Sandra Cisneros in English and Spanish will be distributed at 2 p.m. at all Berkeley Public Library locations, while supplies last. 981-6100. 

Freedom From Tobacco Class from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the South Berkeley Senior Center. Free acupuncture option. 981-5330. 

AARP Driver Safety Certification Program from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., also on Oct. 31, at Jewish Family & Children’s Services, 828 San Pablo Ave., Albany. To register, call 558-7800. 

Amazon Gathering: Healing Arts of the Rainforest at 7 p.m. at the Teleosis Institute, 1512B Fifth St. Donation $15. RSVP to 558-7285. 

“Contemporary Drug Therapy for Parkinson’s Patients” at 10:30 a.m. at Elephant Pharmacy, 1607 Shattuck Ave.  

Family Storytelling Night with Muriel Johnson telling African folk tales, at 6:30 p.m. at Bananas, 5232 Claremont Ave. Registration required. 658-7353. www.bananasinc.org 

Kensington Book Club meets at 7 p.m. at the Kensington Library, 61 Arlington Ave. 524-3043. 

CITY MEETINGS 

City Council meets Tues., Oct. 18, at 7 p.m in City Council Chambers. 981-6900.  

Board of Library Trustees Special Meeting at 2 p.m. at the Central Library, 4th Flr. Story Room. 981-6195. 

Citizens Humane Commission meets Wed., Oct. 19, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-6601. 

Commission on Aging meets Wed., Oct. 19, at 1:30 p.m., at the South Berkeley Senior Center. William Rogers, 981-5344.  

Commission on Disability meets Wed., Oct. 19, at 6:30 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Don Brown, 981-6346. TDD: 981-6345.  

Planning Commission meets Wed., Oct. 19, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Janet Homrighausen, 981-7484.  

Design Review Committee meets Thurs., Oct. 20, at 7:30 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-7415.  

Fair Campaign Practices Commission meets Thurs., Oct. 20, at 7:30 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Prasanna Rasaih, 981-6950.  

Transportation Commission meets Thurs., Oct. 20, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-7000.