TUESDAY, NOV. 28 

Tuesday is for the Birds An early morning walk for birders through Bay Area parklands. Bring water, sunscreen, binoculars and a snack. This week we will visit the Crockett Hills. For meeting location or to borrow binoculars, call 525-2233.  

Anti-Torture Teach-in and Vigil with Gregory Wood at 12:30 p.m. at Boalt Hall, School of Law, UC Campus. 649-0663. 

Save the Oaks at the Stadium will hold an emergency protest at 6 p.m. before the city council meeting. Meet in front of Old City Hall, at the corner of Martin Luther King, Jr. Way and Allston Way. Bring signs. Stand up for the oaks! 841-3493. 

Self-Acupressure Techniques for holiday stress relief at 7 p.m. at Elephant Pharmacy, 1607 Shattuck Ave. 549-9200. 

Center for African Studies, Graduate Student Fall Lecture at 4 p.m. at 652 Barrows Hall, UC Campus. 642-8338. 

ASUC Benefit Art Sale from noon to 5 p.m. at ASUC Art Studio, Lower Sproul Plaza, UC Campus, through Dec. 2. 642-3065. 

Family Storytime at 7 p.m. at the Kensington Library, 61 Arlington Ave. 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. 

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, NOV. 29 

“We Voted! Now What?” with State Assemblywoman Loni Hancock, at 1:30 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst. Sponsored by the Gray Panthers. 548-9696. 

“Sikh-Americans and 9/11: Five Years Forward, a Hundred Years Back” with Jaideep Singh of the Sikh American Legal Defense Fund at 2 p.m. at the Bade Museum, Holbrook Bldg., Pacific School of Religion, 1798 Scenic Ave. 849-8244. 

Woman’s Snowshoe Workshop at 7 p.m. at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. 527-4140. 

New to DVD “An Inconvenient Truth” at 7 p.m. at the JCCEB, 1414 Walnut St. 848-0237. 

Video Games for Grandmas and Grandchildren Sponsored by the American Association of University Women at 7 p.m. at Claremont House, 500 Gilbert St., Claremont Ave., Oakland. 531-4275. 

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

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

Dream Workshop at 1 p.m. at Elephant Pharmacy, 1607 Shattuck Ave. 549-9200. 

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 

Berkeley Peace Walk and Vigil at the Berkeley BART Station, corner of Shattuck and Center. Sing for Peace at 6:30 p.m. followed by Peace Walk at 7 p.m. www.geocities.com/ 

vigil4peace/vigil 

THURSDAY, NOV. 30 

“Indigenizing the Museum” with Majel Boxer, UC doctoral candidate and member of the Sisseton/Wahpeton Dakota at 7 p.m. at the Phoebe A. Hearst Museum, UC Campus. 643-7649. 

“Indies under Fire” A doumentary about independent bookstores, followed by a conversation with the director, Jacob Bricca, at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698. www.blackoakbooks.com 

Best Of The New Way Media Fest Films & Videos With Michael Rhodes at 7 p.m. at PSR Chapel at the Pacific School of Religion, 1798 Scenic Ave. 707-836-9586. 

“Military Build-up in Guam” A report on issues of cultural preservation, environment, indigenous rights, self-determination, and efforts to address how US military realignment and corporate globalization schemes impede attempts to decolonize, at 7:30 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck Ave.Cost is $5-$10. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Project BUILD Holiday Party to support youth empowerment in under-resourced communities at 5:30 p.m. at Sequyah Country Club, 4550 Heafey Rd., Oakland. RSVP to 650-688-5846. 

Parenting the Highly Sensitive Child at 6 p.m. at Habitot Children’s Museum. Registration required. 647-1111, ext. 14. 

Natural Holiday Gift Wrapping Bring a small gift in a box and learn how to wrap without tape, at 7 p.m. at Elephant Pharmacy, 1607 Shattuck Ave. 549-9200. 

FRIDAY, DEC. 1 

Impeachment Banner Fridays at 6:45 to 8 a.m. on the Berkeley Pedestrian bridge between Seabreeze Market and the Berkeley Aquatic Park, ongoing on Fridays until impeachment is realized. www. Impeachbush-cheney.com 

“Hasta Cuando?” The Other Face of Mexico” with singer, stroyteller and activist Francisco Herrera at 7 p.m. at St. Joseph the Worker School, Marian Hall, 2nd flr., 2125 Jefferson St. (Not wheelchair accessible). 845-4740. 

Berkeley Theater Troup “Pirate Winter Fest” at 7 p.m. at Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists, 1924 Cedar St. at Bonita. Tickets are $15-$25. Fundraiser for the January musical. 647-5268. 

“The Motorcycle Diaries” at 7:30 p.m. at Humanist Hall, 390 27th St., between Broadway and Telegraph, Oakland. Cost is $5. www.HumanistHall.net 

Bay Area Green Health Care Awards at 7:30 p.m. at McKinnon Institute, 2940 Webster St., Oakland. Tickets are $15. RSVP to 558-7285. 

ASUC Benefit Art Sale from noon to 5 p.m. at ASUC Art Studio, Lower Sproul Plaza, UC Campus, through Dec. 2. 642-3065. 

Bay Area Homeschoolers’ Craft Fair from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Grace North Church, 2138 Cedar St. Donation of $3 and up goes to the Daytime Women’s Drop In Shelter. 

SATURDAY, DEC. 2 

Help Restore Cerrito Creek Plant natives and help to control erosion. Meet at 10 a.m. at Creekside Park, south end of Santa Clara St., El Cerrito. Wear clothes that can get dirty and shoes with good traction. Heavy rain cancels. 848-9358.  

Berkeley Farmers’ Market Holiday Crafts Fair from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Center St. at Martin Luther King Jr. Way with local craftspepole, live music and prepared food. Benefits the Ecology Center. 548-3333.  

East Bay Sanctuary Covenant’s Crafts Fair Sat. and Sun. from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the First Congregational Church, 2345 Channing Way. Proceeds benefit local refugee work, women’s coops in Central America, Africa and Asia, and street children in Haiti. 540-5907. 

Palestinian Handicraft Sale From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Berkeley Friends' Meeting, 2151 Vine, with embroidery, olive oil, olive woodcrafts, hand blown glass and ceramics, soaps, honey, textiles and more. 548-0542. 

Fungus Fair, a celebration of wild mushrooms from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak Sts. Cost is $5-$8. 238-2200.  

Berkeley Historical Society Walking Tour “Historic Claremont Hotel and Gardens” at 10 a.m. Cost is $8-$10. To register and learn meeting place call 848-0181. www.cityofberkeley.info/histsoc/ 

“How to Prune and Divide Perennials” With Aerin Moore at 10 a.m. at Magic Gardens, 729 Heinz Ave., off Seventh St. 644-2351. 

“Lead Safety for Remodeling, Repair, and Painting” This class leads to a Notice of Completion in training and meets the minimum training requirements for some federally assisted housing including Section 8. From 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Alameda County Lead Poisoning Prevention Program Main Office, 2000 Embarcadero, #300, Oakland. Call for cost and to register. 567-8280. www.aclppp.org/ledtrain.shtml 

Sick Plant Clinic Dr. Robert Raabe, plant pathologist, and Dr. Nick Mills, entomologist, will diagnose plant illnesses and recommend remedies. Bring a piece of the plant in a securely sealed container. A zipperlock bag is ideal. From 9 a.m. to noon at Botanical Garden, 200 Centennial Dr. 643-2755. 

Small Press Distribution Open House from noon to 4 p.m. with music and author readings and book sale, 1341 7th St. at GIlman. 524-1668. 

Healing Circle for Animals at 4 p.m. at RabbitEars, 303 Arlington Ave., Kensington. Cost is $25. 525-6155. 

Produce Stand at Spiral Gardens Food Security Project from 1 to 6 p.m. at the corner of Sacramento and Oregon St. 

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

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.  

Around the World Tour of Plants at 1:30 p.m., Thurs., Sat. and Sun. at UC Botanical Garden, 200 Centennial Drive. 643-2755.  

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, DEC. 3 

Richmond Art Center Holiday Arts Festival with silent art auction, art and craft sale, art activities for children and more, from noon to 5 p.m. at the Richmond Art Center, 2540 Barrett Ave. at 25th St. 620-6772. www.richmondartcenter.org 

Fungus Fair, a celebration of wild mushrooms from noon to 5 p.m. at the Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak Sts. Cost is $5-$8. 238-2200.  

Recycled Craft Sale sponsored by The Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Ecology Center, 2530 San Pablo Ave., near Dwight Way. 548-3402.  

Benefit for Bay Area Coalition for Headwaters with live music and buffet at 6 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center, 1305 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $8. 548-3113. 

People’s Weekly World/Nuestro Mundo Banquet honoring organizations and leaders for peace, equality, labor and immigrant rights, at 2 p.m. at the Snow Building, 9777 Golf Links Rd., Oakland. Cost is $40, reservations required. 251-1050.  

“The Divine Feminine in the World’s Religions: Hinduism and Buddhism” with Anna Matt of the GTU at 9:30 a.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley, One Lawson Rd., Kensington. 525-0302, ext. 306. 

Tibetan Buddhism with Lama Palzang and Pema Gellek on “Sacred Tibet” at 6 p.m. at the Tibetan Nyingma Institute, 1815 Highland Pl. 843-6812. www.nyingmainstitute.com 

MONDAY, DEC. 4 

“Corte Madera Watershed” with Charles Kennard at the Friends of Five Creeks meeting at 7 p.m. at the Albany Community Center, 1249 Marin Ave. Free and open to all. 848-9358. www.fivecreeks.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. 

Sleep Soundly Seminar at 6:30 p.m. at Oakland Public Library, Lakeview Branch, 550 El Embarcadero.  

ONGOING 

UN Association’s UNICEF & Fair Trade Gift Center Closing Sale, Tues.-Sat. noon to 5 p.m. to Dec. 16, 1403 Addison St. 849-1752. 

Holiday Food Drive Sponsor a Food Drive at your business, school, place of worship or community center. Help the Food Bank reach its goal of collecting food for families in need during the holiday season. 635-3663, ext. 318. www.accfb.org  

Magnes Museum Docent Training Open to all interested in Jewish art and history. Classes begin Jan. 18th. For information contact cultural.arts@sbcglobal.net 

CITY MEETINGS 

City Council meets Tues., Nov. 28, at 7 p.m in City Council Chambers. 981-6900.  

Planning Commission meets Wed., Nov. 29, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Janet Homrighausen, 981-7484. 

TUESDAY, NOV. 28 

CHILDREN 

First Stage Children’s Theater, “The Month Maker’s Magic” at 7:30 p.m. at Julia Morgan Center for the Arts. Cost is $5 at the door. www.juiamorgan.org 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Burning Man” Photographs and artifacts on display at the Berkeley Public Library, 2090 Kittredge St. to Dec. 26. 981-6100. 

“Honors Show” at the Worth Ryder Gallery in Kroeber Hall, UC Campus. Reception at 4 p.m.. Runs to Dec. 7. Gallery hours are Tues.-Fri. 1 to 4 p.m.  

FILM 

“Ici et ailleurs” with film curator Akram Zaatari in person at 7:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808.  

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Sarah Katherine Lewis talks about “Indecent: How I Make It and Fake It as a Girl for Hire” at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698.  

Emily Gottreich on “Mellah of Marrakesh: Jewish and Muslim Space in Morocco’s Red City” at 5:30 p.m. at University Press Books, 2430 Bancroft Way. 548-0585.  

“Korean Painting: Its Aesthetics and Technique” with Min Pak at 4 p.m. at the IEAS Conference Room, 6th Flr., 2223 Fulton St. 642-2809. 

Freight and Salvage Open Mic at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $4.50-$5.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

CZ and the Bob Vivants at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cajun dance lesson at 8 p.m. Cost is $9. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Singers’ Open Mic with Ellen Hoffman at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Taj Mahal Trio at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square, through Sun. Cost is $22-$26. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

Jazzschool Tuesdays, a weekly showcase of up-and-coming ensembles from Berkeley Jazzschool at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 29 

THEATER 

Azeem’s “Rude Boy” Wed.-Thurs. at 8 p.m. at The Marsh, 2120 Allston Way, through Dec. 14. Tickets are $15-$22. 415-826-5750. www.themarsh.org 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Don Halnon Johnson presents “Everyday Hopes, Utopian Dreams” at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698. www.blackoakbooks.com 

Stanley H. Brandes describes “Skulls of the Living, Bread to the Dead: The Day of the Dead in Mexico and Beyond” at 5:30 p.m. at University Press Books, 2430 Bancroft Way. 548-0585. 

Bob Perelman and Mia You, poets, at 6:30 p.m. in the Maude Fife Room, 315 Wheeler Hall, UC Campus. holloway.english.berkeley.edu 

Poetry Flash with Janine M. Dresser, Stewart Florshein and Marc Hofstadter at 7:30 p.m. at Berkeley City College Auditorium, 2050 Center St. 525-5476. 

Berkeley Poetry Slam with host Charles Ellik and Three Blind Mice, at 8:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $5-$7. 841-2082.  

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Wednesday Noon Concert, with Javanese Gamelan at Hertz Hall, UC Campus. Free. 642-4864. http://music.berkeley.edu 

U.C. Jazz Ensembles at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $6. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Orquestra Universal at 9:30 p.m. at Shattuck Down Low, 2284 Shattuck Ave. Salsa dance lessons at 8 p.m. Cost is $5-$10. 548-1159.  

Joshua Eden at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

THURSDAY, NOV. 30 

EXHIBITIONS 

Semina Culture: Wallace Berman and His Circle Guided tour at 12:15 and 5:30 p.m. in Gallery 2, Berkeley Art Museum, 2626 Bancroft Way. 642-0808. 

FILM 

“Indies under Fire” A doumentary about independent bookstores, followed by a conversation with the director, Jacob Bricca, at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698.  

“Best of the Fest Films & Videos with Michael Rhodes” at 7 p.m. in the Chapel at the Pacific School of Religion,1798 Scenic Ave. Free. 707-836-9586. 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Mitchell Schwarzer introduces “Architecture of the San Francisco Bay Area: A History & Guide” at 7:30 p.m. at Builders Booksource, 1817 Fourth St. 845-6874. 

Dylan Schaffer on “Life, Death & Bialys: A Father/Son Baking Story” at 6:30 p.m. at the Magnes Museum, 2911 Russell St. Cost is $10-$12. 549-6950. 

Georgina Kleege discusses “Blind Rage: Letters to Helen Keller” at 7:30 p.m. at Mrs. Dalloways, 2904 College Ave. 704-8222. 

Spoken Word Swap Meet at 7 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344.  

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Tom Russell, roots country troubadour at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $20.50-$21.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Christy Dana Quartet at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $10. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Kingsbury/English, modern folk, rock at 7 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave., at Dwight. 548-5198.  

R & D, Joseph’s Bones at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $6. 841-2082. 

Steve Taylor-Ramírez at 7:30 p.m. at Prism Café, 1918 Park Blvd., Oakland. Donation $2-$5. 251-1453.  

Taj Mahal Trio at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square, through Sun. Cost is $22-$26. 238-9200.  

FRIDAY, DEC. 1 

THEATER 

Altarena Playhouse “ The Man Who Saved Christmas” at holiday family musical Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m. at 1409 High St., Alameda, through Dec. 17. Tickets are $15-$18. 523-1553. www.altarena.org 

Aurora Theatre “Ice Glen” Wed.-Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 and 7 p.m. at 2081 Addison St., through Dec. 10. Tickets are $38. 843-4822.  

Berkeley Theater Troup “Pirate Winter Fest” at 7 p.m. at Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists, 1924 Cedar St. at Bonita. Tickets are $15-$25. Fundraiser for the January musical. 647-5268. 

Berkeley Rep “All Wear Bowlers” at the Roda Theater, 2015 Addison St. through Dec. 23. Tickets are $45-$61. 647-2949. 

Berkeley Rep “Passing Strange” at the Thrust Stage, 2025 Addison St. through Dec. 3. Tickets are $45-$61. 645-2949. www.berkeleyrep.org 

Contra Costa Civic Theater, “And Then There Were None” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m. Sun. at 2 p.m. at 951 Pomona Ave., at Moeser, El Cerrito, through Dec. 9. Tickets are $11-$18. 524-9132.  

Impact Theater “Jukebox Stories” Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m. at La Val’s Subterranean, 1834 Euclid Ave., through Dec. 10. Tickets are $10-$15. 464-4468.  

Masquers Playhouse “Company” by Stephen Sondheim and George Furth, Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2:30 p.m. at 105 Park Place, Point Richmond, through Dec. 16.. Tickets are $18. 232-4031. www.masquers.org  

Naked Masks “Far Away” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m. Sun. at 7 p.m. at Berkeley City Club. Tickets are $10-$20. Runs through Dec. 17. 883-9872. www.nakedmasks.org 

Shotgun Players “The Forest War” Thurs.-Sun. at 8 p.m. at the Ashby Stage, 1901 Ashby Ave., through Jan 14. Sliding scale $15-$30. 841-6500. www.shotgunplayers.org 

EXHIBITIONS 

“The 99 Cent Show” Reception at 7 p.m. at Boontling Gallery, 4224 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. 295-8881. 

“Small Works: A Members’ Show” opens at 6 p.m. at Mercury 20 Gallery, 25 Grand Ave. at Broadway, Oakland.  

FILM 

Janus Films: “The Rules of the Game” at 7 p.m. and “Samurai Rebellion” at 9:10 at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

“Blue Collar Poems-Journeyman Songs” with Armando Garcia-Davila and David Madgalene, bilingual poetry and prose, at 7:30 p.m. at PSR Chapel, Pacific School fo Religion, 1798 Scenic Ave. 707-836-9586. 

“California as Muse: The Art of Arthur & Lucia Mathews” A walk through the exhibition with curator Harvey L. Jones at 7 p.m. at the Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak Sts. Cost is $5-$8. 238-2200. www.museumca.org 

“How We Almost Lost the Marais” A slide-show with Leonard Pitt on the historic district of Paris, at 7:30 p.m. at Mrs. Dalloways, 2904 College Ave. 704-8222. 

Jennifer Abrahamson will discuss her new book, “Sweet Relief: The Story of Marla Ruzicka” the human rights activist who was killed by a road-side bomb in Iraq, at 7:30 p.m. at Hillside Club, 2286 Cedar St. Tickets are $10-$12 at independent bookstores. 415-255-7296 ext. 253. www.globalexchange.org  

Sabrina Orah Mark and Susan Maxwell, poets at 7:30 p.m. at Pegasus Books Downtown, 2349 Shattuck Ave. 649-1320. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

The Berkeley High School Jazz Ensemble Fall Concert at 7:30 p.m. at the Florence Schwimley Little Theater, Berkeley High School campus. Tickets are $3-$7, available only at the door, Free for BHS students and staff. 528-4074.  

Tallis Scholars at 8 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 2345 Channing Way Pre-performance talk at 7 p.m. Tickets are $46. 642-9988. www.calperfs.berkeley.edu 

“Hasta Cuando?” The Other Face of Mexico” with singer, stroyteller and activist Francisco Herrera at 7 p.m. at St. Joseph the Worker School, Marian Hall, 2nd flr., 2125 Jefferson St. (Not wheelchair accessible). 845-4740. 

Young Musicians Program Sing-Along Messiah at 7:30 p.m. at Hertz Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $15. 642-2686. 

Carne Cruda at 9 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $5-$7. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Jim Ryan in Trio at 8 p.m. at 1510 8th St., Oakland. Donation $5-$15. sfjazzmusic@yahoo.com 

Culture Shock and Miss Kim’s World Hip-Hop Showcase at 8 p.m. at Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Ave. Tickets are $12-$18. 800-521-8311. 

John Santos Quartet “Standards the Latin Way” at 8 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $10. 845-5373. www.jazzschool.com 

Kenny Washington & His Trio at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $10. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Albany Music Fun Benefit with Rhythm Bound and Albany High School Jazz Band at 8 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $15. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Patrick Landeza, Hawaiian Christmas celebration at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

The Ravines and Stevie Barsotti at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344. www.nomadcafe.net 

Chow Nasty, The Dead Hensons at 9 p.m. at the Uptown Nightclub, 1928 Telegraph, Oakland. Cost is $5. 451-8100. www.uptownnightclub.com 

Nels Cline Singers, Rova Saxaphone Quartet at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $8. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com 

Taj Mahal Trio at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square, through Sun. Cost is $22-$26. 238-9200.  

SATURDAY, DEC. 2 

CHILDREN  

Los Amiguitos de La Peña with Los Mapaches, traditional songs from the Andes, at 10:30 a.m. at La Peña. Cost is $4 for adults, $3 for children. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Fratello Marionettes “The North Pole Review” at 2 p.m. at Oakland Public Library, Montclair Branch, 1687 Mountain Blvd. 482-7810. 

“Little Nemo in Circusland” at 2 p.m. at Julia Morgan Center for the Arts. Tickets are $8-$14. 925-798-1300. www.juiamorgan.org 

Elmwood Theater Matinee Benefit for local schools showing “Sponge Bob Square Pants” at 10 a.m. and noon, and noon on Sun. Cost is $2. Sponsored by Elmwood merchants. 843-3794. 

Andy Z with musical pirates, squirrels, dinosaurs and more at 11 a.m. at Studio Grow, 1235 10th St. Cost is $6. 526-9888. 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Winter Bright” ceramic sculptures by Elizabeth Orleans, and acrylic paintings by Rosalie Cassell and Diane Rusnak. Reception at 4 p.m. at the Community Art Gallery, Alta Bates Summit Medical Center, 2450 Ashby Ave. Exhibit runs through Jan. 5. 204-1667.  

THEATER 

Living Arts Playback Theater at 8 p.m. at Live Oak Theater, 1301 Shattuck Ave. Sliding scale $12-$18. Reservations recommended. 655-5186, ext. 25. 

FILM 

Janus Films: “Beauty and the Beast” at 5 p.m. and Jacques Rivette “La belle noiseuse” at 7 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Lisa Robertson, Stephen Ratcliffe, Marvin White and others read at 2 p..m. at Small Press Distribution Open House 1341 7th St. at GIlman. 524-1668. 

Bay Area Poets Coalition open reading at 3 p.m. at Strawberry Creek Lodge dining hall, 1320 Addison St.Park on the street, not in Lodge parking lot. 527-9905. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

The Dulcimates, dulcimer music at 3 p.m. at Chapel of the Chimes, 4499 Piedmont Ave. Free. 228-3218.  

Berkeley Community Chorus and Orchestra presents Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms, Copland’s “American Songs” and others at 8 p.m. at St. Joseph the Worker Church, 1640 Addison St. Free, donations welcome. www.bcco.org 

The Maybeck Trio, Roy Zajac, clarinet, Elaine Kreston, ‘cello, Jerome Kuderna, piano, at 8 p.m. at Trinity Chapel, 2320 Dana St. TIckets are $8-$12. 549-3864 www.trinitychamberconcerts.com 

Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra performs Bach’s complete “Christmas Oratorio” at 7:30 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 2345 Channing Way. Tickets are $29-$67. 415-392-4400. www.philharmonia.org 

Parranda Navideña, with the Venezuelan Music Project at 8 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $13-$15. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Zoe & Dave Ellis at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $12. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Anoush’s Last Farewell Dance with Brass Menazheri at 9 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Balkan dance lesson at 8 p.m. Cost is $11-$13. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com  

Culture Shock and Miss Kim’s World Hip-Hop Showcase at 7:30 p.m. at Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Ave. Tickets are $12-$18. 800-521-8311. 

Sotaque Baiano, Brazilian, at 8 p.m. at Shattuck Down Low, 2284 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $10. 548-1159. www.shattuckdownlow.com 

David Serotkin and Brad “The Dudeboy” Rogers at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344. www.nomadcafe.net 

Fishtank Ensemble at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Kenny Washington Quartet at 8 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $12-$18. 845-5373. www.jazzschool.com 

Ben Adams Jazz Group at 9 p.m. at Albatross, 1822 San Pablo Ave. Cost is $3. 843-2473. www.albatrosspub.com 

Mirthkon, Kids & Hearts at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $6. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com 

Jean White and Friends, folk, blues, at 8 p.m. at Spuds Pizza, 3290 Adeline St. Cost is $7-$10. 558-0881. 

Dekoiz, The Abuse, 2nd Class Citizen, Violation at 8 p.m. at 924 Gilman St., an all-ages, member-run, no alcohol, no drugs, no violence club. Cost is $5. 525-9926. 

SUNDAY, DEC. 3 

CHILDREN 

“Little Nemo in Circusland” at 2 p.m. at Julia Morgan Center for the Arts. Tickets are $8-$14. 925-798-1300. www.juiamorgan.org 

Freddi Zeiler introduces “A Kid’s Guide to Giving” at 4 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500. 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Los Hilos de la Vida: Threads of Life” Latina themed folkloric story quilts by women and children from Anderson Valley opens with a reception at noon at Women’s Cancer Resource Center Gallery, 5741 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. 601-4040, ext. 111. 

“Generations in Wood” Art Exhibition at Addison Street Windows Gallery, 2018 Addison St. Sidewalk reception at 4 p.m. Exhibition runs to Jan. 14. 981-7541.  

“The Gift of Art” Group show of small art works through Jan. 7 at Cecile Moochnek Gallery, 1809-D Fourth St. www.cecilemoochnek.com 

Semina Culture: Wallace Berman and His Circle Guided tour at 1 and 3 p.m. in Gallery 2, Berkeley Art Museum, 2626 Bancroft Way. 642-0808. 

FILM 

Beat-Era Cinema “Tarzan and Jane Regained ... Sort Of” at 2 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

Yiddish Films “Mamele” at 3 p.m. and “Kitka and Davka in Concert” at 4 p.m. at the JCC, 1414 Walnut St. 848-0237. 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Pen Oakland-Josephine Miles National Literary Awards, hosted by Tennessee Reed and Lucha Corpi, at 2 p.m. at Oakland Public Library, West Auditorium, 125 14th St. Free. 228-6775. 

Aurora Script Club with Paul Heller and Lauren Grace on Chekov’s “The Seagull” at 7:30 p.m. at The Aurora Theater. 843-4822. 

“Ira Nowinski’s San Francisco” a panel discussion with Jack Hirschman, Malcom Margolin and Ira Nowinski at 3 p.m. at Berkeley Art Museum, 2626 Bancroft Way. 642-0808. 

Readings of New Books from Zeitgeist Press at 7:30 p.m. at Moe’s Books, 2476 Telegraph Ave. 849-2087. 

Poetry Flash with Jennifer K. Sweeney and Clare Rossini at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698. www.blackoakbooks.com 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Berkeley Community Chorus and Orchestra presents Bernstein’s “Chichester Psalms,” Copland’s “American Songs” and others at 4:30 p.m. at St. Joseph the Worker Church, 1640 Addison St. Free, donations welcome. www.bcco.org 

The Temescal Trio “Music for Marfan” Benefit Concert, chamber music at 3 p.m. at St. John's Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave. 415-665-7244. 

Sorelle, woman’s vocal ensemble performs choral selections at 3 p.m. at Chapel of the Chimes, 4499 Piedmont Ave. Free. 228-3218.  

California Bach Society “ In Dulci Jubilo” at 4 p.m. at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 2300 Bancroft Way. TIckets are $10-$35. Receptionfollows. 415-262-0272;. www.calbach.org  

Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra performs Bach’s complete “Christmas Oratorio” at 7 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 2345 Channing Way. Tickets are $29-$67. 415-392-4400. www.philharmonia.org 

Voci Women’s Vocal Ensemble “Voices in Peace” music from the Americas at 3 p.m. at Lake Merritt United Methodist Church, Oakland. Tickets are $15-$20. 531-8714. www.vocisings.com 

Cantare Con Vivo performs Bach, Gabrieli, Boito and Grieg at 3 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 27th and Broadway, Oakland. Tickets are $10-$32. 925-798-1300. 

The Takacs Quartet at 3 p.m. at Hertz Hall, UC Campus. Pre-performance talk at 2 p.m. Tickets are $42. 642-9988. www.calperfs.berkeley.edu 

Handel’s “Messiah” Sing Along at 6 p.m. at Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley, 1 Lawson Rd., Kensington. Suggested donation $10. 525-0302. www.uucb.org 

Mercury Dimes, Pat Nevin and others in a benefit for the Bay Area Coalition for Headwaters at 6 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center, 1305 Shattuc Ave. Cost is $8. 548-3113. 

Twang Cafe featuring Brian Joseph and Lila Nelson at 7:30 p.m. at Epic Arts, 1923 Ashby Ave. Cost is $5-$10, all ages welcome. www.twangcafe.com 

The Bills at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $17.50-$18.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Bill Jackman Trio at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $8. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Jeannie Cheatham at 4:30 at the Jazzschool. Cost is $15. 845-5373. www.jazzschool.com 

Boots Riley, Ise Lyfe, Ras Mo and others at 7 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $7-$10. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Sam Misner & Megan Smith at 11 a.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344. www.nomadcafe.net 

MONDAY, DEC. 4 

EXHIBITIONS 

“The Quarterly at Latham Square” Work by Raymond Haywood, in the lobby at Latham Square, 1611 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. Open weekdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 763-9425. 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Gregory M. Franzwa on the transcontinetal road from Manhattan to San Francisco “The Lincoln Highway” at 7 p.m. at the Rockridge Branch of the Oakland Public Library, 5366 College Ave. 597-5017. 

Actors Reading Writers “Christmas Past,” works by Truman Capote and Dylan Thomas at 7:30 p.m. at Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave. 

Amy Gorman will talk about “Aging Artfully: 12 Profiles: Visual and Performing Women Artist Aged 85-105” at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698. www.blackoakbooks.com 

Last Word Poetry Series with Janell Moon, Jeanne Wagner and Alice Templeton at 7 p.m. at Pegasus Books Downtown, 2349 Shattuck Ave. 649-1320. 

Poetry Express with Hassan Jones-Bay and Jamie K at 7 p.m., at Priya Restaurant, 2072 San Pablo Ave. berkeleypoetryexpress@yahoo.com 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Guinga at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $10-$16. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

MUSIC FROM THREE GREAT COMPOSERS 

The Berkeley Community Chorus and Orchestra will present Leonard Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms, Aaron Copland’s American Songs and the world premiere of Julian White’s She Walks in Beauty, as well as excerpts from The Children’s Hour and Five Parables, at 8 p.m. Saturday at St. Joseph the Worker Church, 1640 Addison St. Admission is free, but donations are welcome. www.bcco.org. 

BAY AREA ARCHITECTURE 

Author Mitchell Schwarzer will discuss his new book, Architecture of the San Francisco Bay Are: A History and Guide, at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Builders Booksource, 1817 Fourth St. 845-6874. 

CLASSICS IN EL CERRITO 

The Cerrito Theater continues its series of weekend classics with Gene Kelly’s Singin’ in the Rain (1952) at 6 p.m. Saturday and 5 p.m. Sunday. All ages welcome. 10070 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito. www.picturepubpizza.com. 

INDY BOOKSTORES 

‘UNDER FIRE’ 

A documentary about the plight of independent bookstores, Indies Under Fire, will be screened and followed by a discussion with director Jacob Bricca, at 7:30 p.m. Thursday Nov. 30 at Black Oak Books. The film tells the stories of three stores fighting for survival: In Capitola, a developer’s plans for a new Borders prompts fierce debate; in Palo Alto, the closing of Printers Inc. Bookstore prompts a local citizen to mortgage his house to save the store, and in Santa Cruz, protests and vandalism ensue when a new Borders moves into town. 1491 Shattuck Ave. 486-0698. 

As the holidays begin, so do the special performances that feature the kinds of song associated with the season, and other musical events that accent its profundity. This coming Sunday, Dec. 3, is Advent Sunday; many concerts are scheduled, some spilling over into the following week. All are an antidote to the canned Christmas music that provides a soundtrack to the rounds of shopping. 

If you’re a singer, and Davies Hall is too vast, the Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley, 1 Lawson Road, is hosting their Messiah Sing-A-Long this Sunday evening at 6 p.m., something of a local tradition. Led by musical director Brian Baker, who oversees a distinguished music program throughout the year, with orchestra and new organist Chris Nordwall accompanying, the church invites all to join in an ensemble to sing Handel’s masterwork. Bring scores or borrow them at the Sing-A-Long for this more intimate local event that also features plenty of free parking.  

East Bay favorite Cantare Con Vivo will combine two children’s choirs from their after-school musical programs with their Chamber Ensemble and 40-voice chorale, accompanied by full orchestra, at 3 p.m. on Sunday at the First Presbyterian Church, 27th Street and Broadway, Oakland, and at 7:30 p.m. Monday, at the Walnut Creek Presbyterian Church, in a program including Gabrieli’s “Jubilate Deo,” Bach’s “Singet dem Herrn,” The Credo from Robert Ray’s “Gospel Mass,” selections from Grieg, Howells, Poulenc, Rutter, Carol Jennings, Mervyn Walter and others--and, by popular demand, a repeat performance of last year’s “A Musicological Journey through the Twelve Days of Christmas.” And the audience is invited to join choirs, orchestra and organ in singing carols and other seasonal songs. 

The other towering monument of choral music for Christmas, rivalling Handel’s “Messiah,” Bach’s “Passion According To St. Matthew,” will be the basis for the Philharmonia Baroque’s “A Bach Christmas,” featuring the Bay Area’s premiere early music ensemble playing period instruments, conducted by artistic director Nicholas McGegan, with the Philharmonia Chorale, directed by Bruce LaMott, Saturday and Sunday Dec. 2 and 3. 7 p.m., at the First Congregational Church, 2345 Channing Way, with soloists Suzanne Ryden (soprano), Elizabeth Turnbull (mezzo-soprano), Michael Colvin (tenor, The Evangelist), Thomas Cooley (tenor), and Nathaniel Watson (baritone). 

The California Bach Society will present In Dulci Jubilo, music by Charpentier and Buxtehude, English carols, French noels and German Wemachtslieder, Sunday at 4 p.m. at St. Marks, 2330 Bancroft Way. Conducted by artistic director Paul Flight, the program features Marc-Antoine Charpentier’s “Mess de Minuit pour Noel,” based on noels. 

Voci Women’s Vocal Ensemble, conducted by Jude Navari, will perform their sixth annual Voices In Peace, “Music of Passion, Mystery and Joy from the Americas,” on Sunday at 3 at the Lake Merritt United Methodist Church and Friday Dec. 8 at 8 p.m. at St. Mark’s Episcopal, 2330 Bancroft Way, featuring Villa-Lobos’ “Mass in Honor of St. Sebastian,” traditional Latin carols, shape note hymns from North America, and premieres of local composer Gabriela Lena Frank’s newly-arranged “Shouts and Lullabies, American Folk Songs for Christmas.”  

The Takacs Quartet, whose Decca recording of Beethoven’s cycle of quartets was just hailed by Gramophone magazine as “a modern-day benchmark,” will perform Quartet in A Minor, Opus 18, Number 5; Quartet in C Minor, Opus 18, Number 4; and Quartet in A Minor, Opus 132, at 3 p.m. Sunday in Hertz Hall on the UC campus, presented by CalPerformances ($42; discounts available. 642-9988 or calperfs@uc.berkeley.edu). Founded by students of the Franz Liszt Academy in Hungary in 1975, the Quartet has been in residence at the University of Colorado at Boulder since 1983, and presently features cofounders Karoly Schran (violin) and Andras Fejer (cello), as well as Edward Dusinberre (violin) and, newly appointed on viola, Geraldine Walter, long principal with the San Francisco Symphony. 

Temescal Trio—Madeline Prager (viola), Karen Wells (clarinet), John Burke (piano)—will perform a benefit, Music For Marfan, Sun. Dec. 3, 3:15 p.m. at St. John’s Church, 2727 College Ave., with selections from Shostakovich, Brahms and Mozart, followed by a dessert buffet. Marfan is an inheritable condition that affects the connective tissue in one in five Americans. Admission for concert and buffet, $20. (415) 665-7244. 

Altarena Playhouse on High St. in Alameda is presenting an unusual Christmas musical, The Man Who Saved Christmas, Fridays-Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 3 p.m. through Dec. 17. With book, music and lyrics by Ron Lytle, who wrote last year’s local smash hit, Oh My Godmother!, The Man Who Saved Christmas tells of toy baron A. C. Gilbert, who manufactured Tinker Toys and Lincoln Logs, and his crusade against a World War One government ban on toy sales. (Tickets $15-18. 523-1553.) 

The second weekend of Advent, Dec. 8-10, features the California Revels at the Oakland Scottish Rite Theater by Lake Merritt, with a program featuring song and dance of 19th century Quebec, and the Revels’ popular singalong and line dancing. The Berkeley Ballet Theater presents The Nutcracker Dec. 8-10 at The Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Ave.  

And in San Francisco, Other Minds, founded by former KPFA programmer Charles Amirkhanian, presents their 12th Festival of New Music at the Jewish Community Center, featuring Emeryville composer Daniel David Feinsmith, as well as composers from Australia, Scandinavia and France, and instrumentalists and ensembles from the Bay Area (Del Sol String Quartet, Feinsmith Quartet) and around the world. For more information, see www.otherminds.org or call (415) 292-1233. 

Photograph Courtesy of Voci Women’s Vocal Ensemble  

Members of the Voci Women’s Vocal Ensemble preparing for the Voices In Peace holiday concert this Sunday at the Lake Merritt United Methodist Church and on Friday, Dec. 8, at St. Mark’s Episcopal in Berkeley. 

PEN Oakland’s 16th Annual Josephine Miles Literary Awards and 10th Annual Literary Censorship Award will be presented this Sunday at the Oakland Public Library. 

The event, hosted by authors Tennessee Reed and Lucha Corpi, is free and includes reception and booksigning with the authors.  

In addition to the literary awards, a lifetime achievement award will be given to Joyce Jenkins, publisher of the Bay Area’s Poetry Flash, and a Censorship Award to author and television news journalist Bill Moyers. 

“We started these awards because we noticed that many of the literary awards were not multi-cultural and mainly were given to men, and we wanted our awards to represent the Bay Area,” said Kim McMillon, PEN Oakland board member. “Some of the best writing talent in the world comes out of the Bay Area, and especially Oakland, with Jack London, Ishmael Reed, Gertrude Stein and many other women writers and people of color.” 

The award-winning authors, who come from various parts of the country, were chosen by the PEN Oakland board. 

This year’s award winners include four books of poems: 

• Mona Lisa Saloy’s Red Beans and Ricely Yours, which chronicles the author’s life in the 7th Ward in downtown New Orleans; 

• Jennifer Bishop’s Remain; 

• Richard Silberg’s Deconstruction of the Blues, and; 

• A.D. Winans’ This Land is Not My Land, which presents a soldier’s-eye view of American imperialism in Panama. 

“There is a real strong emphasis on poetry this year,” McMillon said. “You always go to the bookstores and try to find poetry and hear that poetry doesn’t sell. We wanted to focus on poetry because it’s not about selling, it about representing American literature and the excellence of multi-cultural literature. It is about looking at what is happening in America and our place in the world. It is a really wonderful opportunity to say hello to a lot of different genres and look at how we feel about life here.” 

Other award winners this year include: 

• Dave Hilliard’s Spirit of the Panther, which examines the life of the cofounder and leader of the Black Panther Party, Huey P. Newton; 

•Gerald Haslam’s Valley, which explores racism and environmental issues in California’s Central Valley; 

• Mike Madison’s, Blithe Tomato, which offers a view of the food industry from the viewpoint of a small-scale farmer in the Sacramento Valley; 

• Eric Gansworth’s Mending Skins, a novel. 

Joyce Jenkins will be honored with the group’s first ever Pen Oakland Lifetime Achievement Award for her work on behalf of the local and national literary community through Poetry Flash.  

“I’ve known Joyce Jenkins for 12 years and I know how hard Poetry Flash struggles,” McMillon said. “It’s in our backyard and it’s the best place we have to know what’s going on in the poetry scene. It’s a beautiful publication and it’s a shame that something so beautiful has to struggle so hard.” 

PBS television journalist Bill Moyers will receive the PEN Oakland Censorship Award for his work through attacks on his objectivity on the PBS program “NOW with Bill Moyers.” 

PEN Oakland, a Bay Area Chapter of the International Organization of Poets, Essayists, and Novelists was founded in 1989. Josephine Miles, in whose honor organization’s literary awards are presented, was poet, critic, and professor of English at the UC Berkeley.  

PEN Oakland’s 16th Annual Josephine Miles Literary Awards and 10th Annual Literary Censorship Award will be presented Sunday, Dec. 3, from 2 p.m.–5 p.m. at the Oakland Public Library Main Auditorium, 125 14th St., Oakland. 

FOR DADDY V 

By Mona Lisa Saloy 

My Daddy 

loved three families 

ours was the second. 

He outlived two wives, 

buried them in a flow of 

tears and beer 

long as the Mississippi. 

Mostly, I remember lots of 

hugs and kisses, snuggling 

next to Daddy during the  

nightly news on TV after 

dinner daily, or him 

dancing with my dark chocolate Mother 

all night at the Autocrat Club 

on St. Bernard Avenue. 

On Fridays in season, we had crawfish 

by the pound, oyster loaves, or 

hot sausage sandwiches at Mulés Restaurant 

with draft beer we took home in 

a stainless steel pot that 

sealed like a canning jar. 

Springtime brought cawain, 

and daddy’s expert taking of its head, 

then gently removing the neck gland— 

a purple thing of poison if burst. 

He hung the headless turtle, it still 

kicking for three days on the wooden fence, 

even its head snapped for hours in the grass. 

Never lost a cawain, its 21 meat flavors tasting 

of beef, pork, fish, and then some. 

The turtle eggs, Mother’s favorite, promised 

youth, health, and sexy eyes, Daddy said. 

When he shooed aunts, uncles, and Mother 

out of the kitchen, he blended herbs for 

sauté and his special roux before stewing. 

Big Sunday breakfasts with galait— 

stove-top shortening bread—and homemade 

cocoa, omelets whipped just so, to let Mother  

sleep late 

then wake us for church. he wouldn’t come, 

just said “pray for me, and I’ll get to glory.” 

Go long so. 

From Mona Lisa Saloy’s Red Beans and Ricely Yours, recipient of a 2006 PEN Oakland Josephine Miles Literary Award.