Events Listings

Berkeley This Week

Tuesday February 28, 2006

TUESDAY, FEB. 28 

Birdwalk on the MLK Shoreline from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. to see the ducks here for the winter. Beginnners welcome, binoculars available for loan. 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. This month we’ll visit Sindicich Lagoons. Meet at 10 a.m. at the north entrance to Briones Park on Briones Road. For information and to register call 525-2233.  

BHS Site Council meets at 4:30 p.m. at BHS Library to discuss Safety and Attendance Data, Small Schools Data, and Academic Choice update. 525-0124. 

Cragmont Elementary School Afro American Celebration from 6 to 8 p.m. at 830 Regal Rd., with a New Orleans potluck dinner and performances. Free, but donations for Katrina relief welcome. 644-8810. 

“African Roots of Beijing” film screening with director Luke Mines at 7:30 p.m. in the Home Room, International House, 2299 Piedmont Ave. Cost is $5. 642-9460. 

Kalimba Interactive Assembly with Carl Winters on the African thumb piano, in celebration of Black History Month at 7 p.m. at the Oakland Public Library, Rockridge Branch, 5366 College Ave. All ages welcome. 597-5017. 

Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail with Scott Williamson at 7 p.m. at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. 527-4140. 

“Balancing Hormones Naturally” with Dr. Jay Sordean at 7 p.m. at Curves, 701 University Ave. Sponsored by the Doctors Speakers Bureau. 849-1176. 

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.  

“Our Spiritual Crisis: Recovering Human Wisdom in a Time of Violence” with peace scholar and activist, Michael Nagler at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books, 1491 Shattuck Ave. 486-0698. 

Raging Grannies of the East Bay invites new folks to come join us the 2nd and 4th Tues, of each month, from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. to sing (any voice will do), help plan our next gig, or write outrageously political lyrics to old familiar tunes, and have fun at Berkeley Gray Panthers office, 1403 Addison St., in Andronico’s mall. 548-9696. 

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

Yarn Divas Basic Knitting at 7:30 p.m. at Women’s Cancer Resource Center, 5741 Telegraph Ave. Especially, but not exclusively, for women with cancer. Experienced participants are welcome. 420-7900, ext. 111. 

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. 

Free Handbuilding Ceramics Class 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at St. John’s Senior Center, 2727 College Ave. Also, Mon. noon to 4 p.m. at the South Berkeley Senior Center. Materials and firing charges not included. 525-5497. 

Healthy Eating Habits Seminar at 6:30 p.m. at New Moon Opportunities, 378 Jayne Ave., Oakland. Free, but registration required. 465-2524. 

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. 845-6830. 

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1 

“Explore Santa Fe Right of Way” with the Berkeley Path Wanderers on an easy walk covering the history and future of the Santa Fe Right of Way, from beginnings as a faltering narrow-gauge railway to exciting new community efforts. Meet at the north side of the BART station at 10 a.m. Bring water and a snack. 848-9358. www.berkeleypaths.org 

Berkeley Pedestrian Master Plan Open House to identify specific ways to improve our streets for a safe and comfortable walking experience at 7 p.m. at North Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst Ave. 981-7062. 

Great Decisions Foreign Policy Association Lecture “UN Reform” with Richard Sklar, former ambassador to the UN at 10 a.m. at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave. Cost is $40 for the eight lecture series. 526-2925. 

Bookmark Book Group meets to discuss “The Lexus and the Olive Tree” by Thomas L. Friedman at 6:30 p.m. at 721 Washington St., Oakland. The Bookmark is the bookstore for Friends of the Oakland Public Library. 444-0473. 

Berkeley School Volunteers Training workshop for volunteers interested in helping the public schools, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at 1835 Allston Way. 644-8833. 

Berkeley Communicators Toastmasters welcomes curious guests and new members 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. For more information contact JB, 562-9431.  

Meditation and Discussion at 7 p.m. near the El Cerrito Plaza BART station. No commitment to a particular religious or philosophical viewpoint is required. Free. www.heartawake.com 

The Berkeley Lawn Bowling Club provides free instruction every Wed. and Sat. at 10:30 a.m. at 2270 Acton St. 841-2174.  

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. 

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.  

Berkeley Peace Walk and Vigil at the Berkeley BART Station at 6:30 p.m. followed by Peace Walk at 7 p.m. www.geocities.com/vigil4peace/vigil 

THURSDAY, MARCH 2 

Organic Beekeeping with Les Crowder who maintains over 100 hives without chemicals, contraptions or expense. At 7 p.m. at The Ecology Center, 2530 San Pablo Ave. 548-2220, ext. 233. 

Meeting on Burrowing Owl Habitat with the City of Albany Waterfront Committee to review a proposal for a burrowing owl habitat at the Albany Plateau. The plan would result in the creation of a protected area (fenced off) comprising about 10 acres of this approximately 20-acre site. At 7:30 p.m. at Albany City Hall, 1000 San Pablo Ave., Albany. 528-5760.  

“Ecological Gardening: Native Plants = Wildlife Magnets” with Corinne Greenberg at the Oakland Bird Club meeting, at 7:30 p.m. at the Oakland Public Library, Rockridge Branch, 5366 College Ave. 444-0355. 

Seed Paper Making at 4 p.m. at 604 56th St at Shattuck. A Free Skool class. www.barringtoncollective.org 

“Considering Program Choices for Berkeley Schools’ Future” at 6:30 p.m. at Berkeley High School Library, enter on Allston Way, near Milvia St. We will discuss establishing educational priorities and funding for Berkeley Schools Excellence Project (BSEP) Measure and Measure B (the Bridge Measure) which will end in fall 2006. Child care provided. Spanish language translators available. If you cannot attend the meeting and would like to make a comment, please email publicinfo@berkeley.k12.ca.us or call 644-8549. 

Berkeley Public Library’s Teen Services invite teen readers to come and discuss classic and contemporary science fiction and fantasy titles, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at the Claremont Branch Library, 2940 Benvenue (at Ashby). We will discuss L. Frank Baum’s Oz books as political allegory, and debate the distinctions between science fiction and fantasy. 981-6133. 

“The Academy Awards Night with Harry Chotiner” at 7:30 pm. at the College Preparatory School, Buttner Auditorium, 6100 Broadway. Cost is $5-$10. 339-7726. 

“Buddhism and Environment: The Birth of Flood Control Politics, and Disaster Management in the Battle for the National Sanctum of Tibet” with Per Sorensen, Professor, Institute of Central Asian Studies, University of Leipzig, at 5 p.m. at 341 Dwinelle Hall, UC Campus.  

Historical & Current Times Book Group meets on Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Albany Library, 1249 Marin Ave. 548-4517. 

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

FRIDAY, MARCH 3 

City Commons Club Noon Luncheon with Jonathan Kolieb on “The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict” 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 or 665-9020. 

American Red Cross Blood Drive from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at MLK Student Union, 5th Floor Tilden Room, UC Campus. To schedule an appointment call 1-800-GIVELIFE.  

Three Beats for Nothing sings early music for fun and practice at 10 a.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 655-8863. 

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. 

Berkeley Chess School classes for students in grades 1-8 from 5 to 7 p.m. at 1581 LeRoy Ave., room 17. 843-0150. 

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 

Shabbat Across America Shabbat dinner followed by service at 6:30 p.m. at Congregation Beth El, 1301 Oxford St. 848-3988. 

SATURDAY, MARCH 4 

“Empowering Women Of Color” conference including panel discussions, workshops and cultural performances in the Lippman Room, Barrows Hall, UC Campus. 415-731-5627. http://ewocc.berkeley. 

edu/registration.php 

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 $6-$8, registration required. 636-1684. 

7th Annual Seed Swap Meet other local gardeners and trade seed. Bring seed, envelopes and pens or just show up and get seeds with a commitment to bring seed back to the Interchange Library. From 3 to 7 p.m. at the Ecology Center, 2530 San Pablo Ave. 548-2220, ext. 233.  

Early Spring Color in the Garden with Aerin Moore at 10 a.m. at Magic Gardens Landscape Nursey, 729 Heinz Ave. 644-2351. 

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.  

“Heal a Woman, Heal a Child, Heal a Nation” Pampering for women, a 10 a.m. at 5272 Foothill Blvd., Oakland. Donation $8 and up. Benefit for Children’s Hospital. 536-5934. 

Honor the Abraham Lincoln Brigade on the 70th anniversary of its participation in the Spanish Civil War with a film and panel discussion at 2 p.m. at Berkeley Public Library, 2090 Kittredge St. 981-6150. 

White Elephant Sale from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to benefit the Oakland Museum of California, at 333 Lancaster St. at Glascock, Oakland. Free shuttle from the Fruitvale BART Station. 238-2200. www.museumca.org 

Small Business Seminar on Financial Management at 9 a.m. at Vista College, 2075 Allston Way. Cost is $26. To register see www.peralta.cc.ca.us 

Puppet Theater Workshop, for children ages 8 to 11, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave. Free, no registration required. 526-3720, ext. 17. 

Ayurveda & Optimal Wellness A talk with Marc Halpern at 10 a.m. at Elephant Pharmacy, 1607 Shattuck Ave. 549-9200. 

Protest Rally at Berkeley Honda Shattuck and Parker every Thurs. at 4:30 to 6 p.m. and Sat. from 1 to 2 p.m. until the labor dispute is settled.  

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 

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. 

Preschool Storytime for 3-5 year olds at 11 a.m. at the Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave. 526-3720, ext. 17. 

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, MARCH 5 

“Fermenting Berkeley” Lecture and oral history project with Charles Wollenberg and Linda Rosen at 3 p.m. at Berkeley History Center, 1931 Center St. 848-0181. 

March Around the Lake Learn about Jewel Lake in spring and who lives there at 2 p.m. at Tilden Nature Area, Tilden Park.  

Introduction to Compost with Molly Nakahara from noon to 2 p.m. at 604 56th St. at Shattuck. A Free Skool class. www.barringtoncollective.org 

White Elephant Sale from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. to benefit the Oakland Museum of California, at 333 Lancaster St. at Glascock, Oakland. Free shuttle from the Fruitvale BART Station. 238-2200. www.museumca.org 

“Fashion, Faith and Fantasy in the Modern Physical Theory” with Sir Roger Penrose, Prof. of Mathematics, Oxford Univ. at 3 p.m. at Wheeler Auditorium, UC Campus. 642-0143. www.msri.org 

“Are You Good Enough to be Published?” a workshop with Alan Rinzler at 3 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Telegraph Ave. 845-7852. www.codysbooks.com  

Diabetes Treatment with Natural Therapies A talk with Bonnie Levine at 11:30 a.m. at Elephant Pharmacy, 1607 Shattuck Ave. 549-9200. 

“Ritual Triggers” a demonstration of paratheatre techniques with Antero Alli, Nick Walker and Sylvi Alli at 7:30 p.m. at The Finnish Brotherhood Hall, 1970 Chestnut, off University Ave. Cost is $5. 464-4640.  

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 

Yoga and Meditation Every Sun. in March from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at Elephant Pharmacy, 1607 Shattuck Ave. 549-9200. 

“Tibetan Meditation Practices for Spiritual Awakening” Dharma talk by Dzogchen Khenpo Choga Rinpoche at 7 p.m. at Studio Rasa, 933 Parker St. 

Tibetan Buddhism with Robin Caton on “Why Meditate?” at 6 p.m. at the Tibetan Nyingma Institute, 1815 Highland Pl. 843-6812. www.nyingmainstitute.com  

MONDAY, MARCH 6 

National Organization for Women, Oakland/East Bay Chapter meets at 6 p.m. at the Oakland YWCA, 1515 Webster St. Luci Tyndall will discuss The Clean Money Bill, a bill which if passed would give candidates for state offices a more level playing field. 287-8948. 

Parenting Class in Spanish at 7 p.m. at Bananas, 5232 Claremont Ave. To register call 658-7853. www.bananasinc.org  

“Castoffs” The Kensington Library Knitting Group meets at 7 p.m. at 61 Arlington Ave., Kensington. All levels welcome. Meets the first Monday of the month. 524-3043. 

Sing-A-Long from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Albany Senior Center, 846 Masonic Ave. 524-9122.  

Free Business Loan and Business Plan Writing Boot Camp Mon. and Fri. from 9 a.m. to noon at 519 17th St., 2nd Floor, Ste. 200, Oakland, through March 31. 395-6003. 

Beginning Bridge Lessons at 11:10 a.m. at the Albany Senior Center, 846 Masonic Ave. Cost is $1. 524-9122. 

World Affairs Discussion Group for seniors at 10:15 a.m. at the Albany Senior Center. Cost is $2.50.  

McGee Avenue Toastmasters meets on the first and third Mondays of the month at 7:30 p.m. at McGee Ave Baptist Church, 1640 Stuart St. 501-7005. 

Critical Viewing An ongoing group to examine the art/craft(iness) of short films and television productions and its effects on our daily lives, at 1 p.m. at the BRJCC, 1414 Walnut St. Free. 848-0237. georgeporter@earthlink.net 

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. 

ONGOING 

Free Tax Help—United Way’s Earn it! Keep It! Save It! program provides free filing assistance to households that earned less than $38,000 in 2005. To find a free tax site near you, call 800-358-8832 or visit www.EarnitKeepitSaveit.org 

Albany Library Free Drop-in Homework Help for students in third through fifth grades, Mon. - Thurs. from 3 to 5:30 p.m. Emphasis is placed on math and writing skills. No registration is required. 526-3720, ext. 17. 

CITY MEETINGS 

Commission on the Status of Women meets Wed., Mar. 1, at 7:30 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Tasha Tervelon, 981-5190. www.ci.berk 

eley.ca.us/commissions/women 

Community Environmental Advisory Commission meets Thurs. Mar. 2, at 7 p.m., at 2118 Milvia St. Nabil Al-Hadithy, 981-7461. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/ 

commissions/environmentaladvisory 

Public Works Commission meets Thurs., Mar. 2, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Jeff Egeberg, 981-6406. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/publicworks 

Housing Advisory Commission meets Thurs., Mar. 2, at 7:30 p.m., at the South Berkeley Senior Center. Oscar Sung, 981-5400. www.ci.berkeley.ca. 

us/commissions/housing 

Landmarks Preservation Commission meets Thurs. Mar. 2, at 7:30 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Gisele Sorensen, 981-7419. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/landmarks 

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

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

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

commissions/peaceandjustice