TUESDAY, DEC. 5 

UC Regents Meeting in SF to decide the fate of the oak trees in Berkeley. Save the Oaks at the Stadium will arrange carpools to the meeting, scheduled for 4:30 p.m. at UCSF’s Mission Bay campus in the Community Center building, 1675 Owens St. in SF. Contact us for information and to share rides info@saveoaks.com or 841-3493.  

The Future of Lower Codornices Creek is in Your Hands The Codornices Creek Watershed Council is sponsoring a meeting so that the public can learn about restoration plans for the lower portion of Codornices Creek above Frontage Road and I-80 to the Union Pacific railroad tracks. It will include a presentation by Far West Restoration Engineering on restoration designs and land use scenarios for this area. From 7 to 9 p.m. at Four Corners Room, University Village Community Center, 1123 Jackson St., Albany. Enter UC Village from 8th St. 452-0901. 

Anti-Torture Teach-in and Vigil with Carlos Mauricio, survivor of torture by a Salvadoran death squad, at 12:30 p.m. at Boalt Hall, School of Law, UC BCAmpus. 649-0663. 

“Surviving the Next Pandemic: Bird Flu and Other Emerging Infectious Diseases” with Michael Greger, M.D. at 7 p.m. at Humanist Hall, 390 27th St., Oakland. Free, but RSVP requested. 925-487-4419. 

“When the Environment and Politics Collide: Recent Developments in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta” With Mike Taugher, environmental raporter, Contra Costa Times, at 5:30 p.m. at Golman School of Public Policy, Room 250, UC Campus. 642-2666. 

Senior Strength Training at 10 a.m. at the Berkeley YMCA, 2001 Allston Way. Free and open to the public. To register call 848-6834, ext. 502. 

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

Wreath Making Workshop from 7 to 9 p.m. at the UC Botanical Garden, 200 Centennial Drive. Cost is $25-$30. Registration required. 643-2755. 

Discussion Salon on Homeland Security at 7 p.m. at JCC, 1414 Walnut.  

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. 

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

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 6  

“Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill” Benefit screening and discussion with Judy Irving, the film’s producer and Mark Bittner, at 6:30 p.m. at Oakland Zoo, 9777 Golf Links Rd, in Knowland Park, Oakland. Cost is $12-$20 sliding scale, children $5. Proceeds benefit Mickaboo Cockatiel Rescue. 632-9525, ext. 122. www.oaklandzoo.org 

“Liberty and Leviathan” An evening with Robert Higgs discussing his new book “Depression, War and Cold War” and Thomas S. Szasz. Reception at 6:30 p.m., program at 7 p.m. at The Independent Institute, 100 Swan Way, Oakland. Cost is $10-$15. 632-1366.  

“The Role of Petroleum in the International World of High Finance” with Al Goldman at 1 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst Ave. 981-5190. 

Wreath Making Workshop from 7 to 9 p.m. at the UC Botanical Garden, 200 Centennial Drive. Cost is $25-$30. Registration required. 643-2755. 

“Skiing Colorado’s 14ers” with free skier Chris Davenport at 7 p.m. at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. 527-4140. 

New to DVD “40 Up” at 7 p.m. at the JCCEB, 1414 Walnut St. 848-0237. 

“Shadya” a documentary of a young Muslim girl in Israel who becomes a karate champion at 6 p.m. at the Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak Sts. Cost is $5-$8. 238-2200.  

Red Cross Blood Drive from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m at UCB Fiji fraternity, 2395 Piedmont Ave. To schedule an appointment see www.BeADonor.com 

Red Cross Blood Services Volunteer Orientation at 10 a.m. at 6230 Claremont Ave., Oakland. Registration required. 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. 548-9840. 

Fresh Produce Stand at San Pablo Park from 3 to 6:30 p.m. in the Frances Albrier Community Center. 848-1704.  

THURSDAY, DEC. 7 

Rally to Drive Out the Bush Regime and Call for Impeachment at noon at Sproul Plaza, UC Campus. 

Celebration of Human Rights Day and World AIDS Day with spoken word, poetry, dance, drumming and prayer at 7:30 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck Ave. Donation $7. 849-2568. 

Derby Street Athletic Field Community Meeting to discuss plan options at 7 p.m. at Berkeley Technical Academy, formerly Berkeley Alternative High School, 2701 Martin Luther King Jr. Way. 644-6320. 

Returning the Oakland School Oakland School District to Local Control, with Sandre Swanson, Betty Olson-Jones, Dan Siegel and others, at 7 p.m. at OUSD, 1025 Second Ave., Oakland. 272-6060. 

Avatar Metaphysical Toastmasters Club meets at 6:45 p.m. at Spud's Pizza, 3290 Adeline at Alcatraz. namaste@avatar. 

freetoasthost.info 

FRIDAY, DEC. 8 

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 

City Commons Club Noon Luncheon with Michael Sturtz on The Crucible, a non-profit educational colaboration of arts, industry at community. Luncheon at 11:45 a.m. for $14, speech at 12:30 p.m., at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant St. For information and reservations call 526-2925.  

“The Ground Truth” A documentary about soldiers returning home from Iraq at 7 p.m. at Buena Vista United Methodist Church, 2311 Buena Vista Ave., Alameda, followed by a panel discussion. Sponsored by the Lt. Ehren Watada Support Committee. Suggested donation $5. 527-1401. 

Womansong Circle with Betsy Rose “Fertile Darkness, Winter Light” at 7 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Berkeley, 2345 Channing Way at Dana. Cost is $15-$20. 525-7082. 

Chai, Pie and Buy Art Party with artwork donated by local artists to benefit homeless children at the Learning Center and the Ursula Sherman Village, from 5 to 7 p.m. at 1208 Peralta at Gilman. Also Sat. and Sun. from noon to 4 p.m. 649-1930. www.self-sufficiency.org 

“The Heart of the Buddha’s Message: The Middle Way and Other Disputed Concepts in Early Buddhism” with Oliver Firberger of the Univ. of Texas, at 5 p.m. at IEAS Conference Room, 2223 Fulton St., 6th flr., 643-6536. 

Women in Black Vigil, from noon to 1 p.m. at UC Berkeley, Bancroft at Telegraph. wibberkeley@yahoo.com 548-6310, 845-1143. 

SATURDAY, DEC. 9 

Berkeley Hills Path Walk led by Charlie Bowen, head of Berkeley Path Wanderers Assoc.’s path-improvement efforts. Meet at 10 a.m. at the toddler play area at Glendale LaLoma Park. Wear shoes with good traction and bring a walking stick. www.berkeleypaths.org 

“Holiday Sustainability Event” Make new toys out of reclaimed lumber, sew hats and stockings from salvaged fabrics and produce decorative wrapping paper, from noon to 4 p.m. at the Tinkers Workshop, 84 Bolivar Drive alongside Berkeley’s Aquatic Park. Fees for materials will be minimal or by donation. www.tinkersworkshop.org 

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.  

Telegraph Avenue Holiday Fair with more than 200 vendors, music and food, Sat. and Sun. from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

Holiday Fair at California College of the Arts, with live jazz and gifts made by students, alumni and staff, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 5212 Broadway at College Ave., Oakland. 594-3666. 

3rd Annual Albany Community Art Show from 9 a.m. to noon at the Albany Community Center, 1249 Marin Ave., Albany. 524-9283. 

iPride Holiday Craft Celebration with special activities for children, from noon to 5 p.m. at 1581 LeRoy Ave. Benefits iPride’s work with multi-ethnic adopted children. 832-2375. www.ipride.org 

World of Good Development Organization Fundraiser with fair trade handcrafts from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 1380 10th St., near Gilman. www.worldofgood.com 

Folk Art Nativity Exhibit with over 250 creches from 74 countries on display from 5 to 8 p.m., Sat. from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sun. from noon to 4 p.m. at St. Clement’s Episcopal Church, 2837 Claremeont Blvd. Donation of $15 goes to St. James Food Pantry. 843-2678. 

“Afghan Women: Victims of War” with Rahima Haya, co-founder of the Afghan Women's Association International at 2 p.m. at Berkeley City College, 2020 Center St., basement auditorium.  

“The State of Surveillance” Government Monitoring of Political Activity in Northern and Central California” with Mark Schlossberg, Police Practices Policy Director, ACLU, at 7 p.m. at Home of Truth Center, 1300 Grand St., ALameda. www.alamedaforum.org 

“Framing of an Execution” A documentary by Danny Glover on the case of Mumia Abu Jamal at 7 p.m. at Berkeley Unitarian Universalists Hall, 1924 Cedar St. at Bonita. Suggested donation $5-$10, no one turned away. 526-4402. 

Dimond Winter Festival “An Interfaith Celebration” from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Fruitvale Presbyterian Church, 2735 Mac Arthur Blvd. & Coolidge, Oakland. Donation $5. Canned goods appreciated, also. All ages welcome. 336-0105. 

Berkeley Lighted Boat Parade at 6 p.m. at the Berkeley Marina and Pier. 

Tree Trimming Contest from 1 to 6 p.m. at Expression Art Gallery, 2035 Ashby Ave. 644-4930. 

Vegetarian Cooking Class “A Healthful Holiday Feast” from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at First Unitarian Church of Oakland, 685 14th St., at Castro, Oakland. Cost is $50. To register, please call 531-2665. www.compassionatecooks.com 

“Solar Electricity For Your Home” A seminar from 10 a.m to 5 p.m. at Building Education Center, 812 Page St. Cost is $75. 525-7610. 

Wreath Making Workshop from 7 to 9 p.m. at the UC Botanical Garden, 200 Centennial Drive. Cost is $25-$30. Registration required. 643-2755. 

“Temescal Legacies...” with Jeff Norman, Temescal resident and artist at 2 p.m. at Temescal Library, 5205 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. 597-5049. 

“Local Wildlife and Habitat” with naturalist Josiah Clarke at 10 a.m. at Stanford Ave. Natural Habitat Garden, Stanford Ave. and Vallejo St., Oakland. Free, donations accepted. 428-2082. 

Great War Society, East Bay Chapter meets to discuss “Small Arms of WWI” by Terry McGill at 10:30 a.m. at 640 Arlington Ave. 527-7118. 

Community Spelling Bee From 3 to 5 p.m. at 1481 Solano Ave., Albany. Students in all grades welcome. Call to sign up. 558-8179. 

Origami at the Albany Library Learn to make a holiday star at 2 p.m. in the Edith Stone Room, Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave. For all ages. 526-3720, ext. 17. 

Dramatically Speaking Holiday Storytelling Party at 9 a.m. at 1950 Franklin St., Room 2F, Oakland. Admission is free, but RSVP required. 581-8675. 

“Discover Spiritual Keys to Life’s Mysteries” from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. at Preservation Park in Oakland, 660 13th St. 549-2807.  

One on One Animal Communication at 5 p.m. at RabbitEars, 303 Arlington Ave., Kensington. Cost is $25. Appointments required. 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 every Wed. and Sat. 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. www.nativeplants.org 

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

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. 10 

Winter Festival Hands-on activities for the whole family for Christmas, Chanukah and Kwanzaa from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak Sts. 238-2200. www.museumca.org 

Chai, Pie and Buy Art Party with artwork donated by local artists to benefit homeless children at the Learning Center and the Ursula Sherman Village, from noon to 4 p.m. at 1208 Peralta at Gilman. 649-1930. www.self-sufficiency.org 

Architecture Tour of the Oakland Museum of California Meet at the koi pond at 1 p.m. 10th and Oak Sts. 238-2200. www.museumca.org 

Telegraph Avenue Holiday Fair with more than 200 vendors, music and food, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

Kensington Holiday Craft Fair from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Kensington Farmers’ Market, Arlington and Amherst. 

Folk Art Nativity Exhibit with over 250 creches from 74 countries on display from noon to 4 p.m. at St. Clement’s Episcopal Church, 2837 Claremeont Blvd. Donation of $15 goes to St. James Food Pantry. 843-2678. 

Chanukah Fair in the afternoon at the JCC, 1414 Walnut St. For more information call 848-0237, ext. 127. 

Free Sailboat Rides from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Cal Sailing Club in the Berkeley Marina. Bring change of clothes, windbreaker, sneakers. For ages 5 and up. cal-sailing.org  

Holiday Appeal for Class-War Prisoners Benefit party for 16 political prisoners including Mumia Abu-Jamal and Leonard Peltier from 1 to 4 p.m. at the YWCA, 1515 Webster St., Oakland. Donation $5-$10. 839-0852. 

“Landmark Cases Left Out of Your Textbooks” with Ann Fagan Ginger and Abiola Afollyn on the Angela Davis case, the Pentagon Papers case and others at 2 p.m. at Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists, Cedar and Bonita. 848-0599. 

“The Last Abortion Clinic” a documentary at 2 p.m. at Parkway Speakeasy Theater, 1834 Park Blvd., Oakland. 415-864-1278.  

East Bay Atheists Solstice Party at 2:30 pm. at Gionvanni’s Restaurant, 2420 Shattuckk Ave. 222-7580. 

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 

“The Divine Feminine in the World’s Religions: Judaism” 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 Sylvia Gretchen on “Tools for Inner Change” at 6 p.m. at the Tibetan Nyingma Institute, 1815 Highland Pl. 843-6812. www.nyingmainstitute.com 

MONDAY, DEC. 11  

Red Cross Blood Drive from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m at the MLK Student Union, UC Campus. To schedule an appointment see www.BeADonor.com 

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 

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., Dec. 5, at 7 p.m in City Council Chambers. 981-6900. www.ci. 

berkeley.ca.us/citycouncil 

Commission on the Status of Women meets Wed., Dec. 6, at 7:30 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-5190. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/women 

Disaster and Fire Safety Commission meets Wed., Dec. 6, at 7 p.m., at the Emergency Operations Center, 997 Cedar St. Gil Dong, 981-5502. www.ci.berkeley.ca. us/commissions/disaster 

Downtown Area Plan Advisory Commission meets Wed. Dec. 6, at 7 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-7487. 

Library Board of Trustees Special Meeting, Wed. Dec. 6 at 7 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Could not be confirmed at press time, call for further information 981-6195. http://www.berkeleypubliclibrary.org/support/bolt.html 

School Board meets Wed. Dec. 6, at 7:30 p.m., in the City Council Chambers. 644-6320. 

Housing Advisory Commission meets Thurs., Dec. 7, at 7:30 p.m., at the South Berkeley Senior Center. 981-5400. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/housing 

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

The Berkeley Daily Planet lists local community and arts events in our calendars on a space available basis. Preference is given to local non-profits. As we run week-long calendars, we appreciate receiving the information at least two weeks in advance. Please send information in the body of an email, not as an attachment, to calendar@berkeleydailyplanet.com

TUESDAY, DEC. 5 

EXHIBITIONS 

“eARTh MATTERS” A exhibition of environmental art opens with a reception at 4 p.m. at the June Steingart Gallery, Laney College Campus, Tower Bldg, 900 Fallon St. and runs through Dec. 22. 841-0588. 

FILM 

Radical Closure “War: The Visible Signs” at 7:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Piri Thomas reads from “Stories from El Barrio” at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698. www.blackoakbooks.com 

Frank Portman reads from “King Dork” at 7:30 p.m. at Moe’s Books, 2476 Telegraph Ave. 849-2087. 

Janell Moon, poet, and Kaylah Marin, singer/songwriter, at Works in Progress Women’s Open Mic, at 7:30 p.m. at Montclair Women's Cultural Arts Club, 1650 Mountain Blvd., Oakland. Cost is $10. 276-0379. 

Sandor Katz on “The Revolution Will Not Be Microwaved: Inside America’s Underground Food Movements” at 7 p.m. at the Ecology Center, 2530 San Pablo Ave. 548-2220. 

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 

The Canadian Brass at 8 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $24-$48. 642-9988. www.calperfs.berkeley.edu 

Tom Rigney & Flambeau at 9 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cajun/zydeco dance lesson at 8 p.m. Cost is $9. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Ellen Hoffman Trio and Singers’ Open Mic at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $5. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Jazzschool Tuesday at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

Eddie Palmieri y La Perfecta II at 8 and 10 p.m. Yoshi’s at Jack London Square, through Sun. Cost is $22-$26. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 6 

CHILDREN 

Fratello Marionettes “Peter and the Wolf” at 7 p.m.. at Oakland Public Library, Main Library Children’s Room, 125 14th St. 238-3615. 

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 

FILM 

“Shadya” a documentary of a young Muslim girl in Israel who becomes a karate champion at 6 p.m. at the Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak Sts. Cost is $5-$8. 238-2200. www.museumca.org 

“Still Kicking” a documentary on six older women who are still performing at 7:30 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Benefit for the Over 60 Health Center. Donation $10. 849-2568.  

“Switch Off” A documentary on the struggle of Chile’s indigenous people to control their water at 7:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808.  

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Julia Scheeres describes growing up in a Christian fundamentalist family in “Jesus Land” at 7 p.m. at Revolution Books, 2425 Channing Way at Telegraph. 848-1196. 

Richard Abrams discusses “America Transformed: Sixty Years of Revolutionary Change 1941-2001” at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698. www.blackoakbooks.com 

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 www.starryploughpub.com 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Wednesday Noon Concert, with Chamber Chorus and University Chorus “A Child Was Born” at Hertz Hall, UC Campus. Free. 642-4864. http://music.berkeley.edu 

Music for Advent with Ron McKean, organist, at noon at First Presbyterian Church of Oakland, 2619 Broadway. 444-3555. 

WomenSing “Welcome Yule” at 8 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 2345 Channing Way. Tickets are $18-$20. 925-974-9169. www.womensing.org 

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

Whiskey Brothers Old Time and Bluegrass at 9 p.m. at Albatross, 1822 San Pablo Ave. 843-2473. www.albatrosspub.com 

Lost Weekend at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Western swing dance lesson at 7:30 p.m. Cost is $9. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Rumbache, 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.  

Mysterioso, Gypsy and Klezmer tunes, at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

“Music as an Expression of Universal Harmony” Concert and lecture with Chris Caswell and Jon Schreiber at 6 p.m. at the Breema Clinic, 6201 Florio St., Oakland. 428-1234. 

THURSDAY, DEC. 7 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Fresh” New work in a variety of media. Opening reception at 6 p.m. at Kala Art Institute, 1060 Heinz Ave. Runs through Jan. 27. 549-2977. www.kala.org 

“Whitework Embroidery” at Lacis Museum of Lace and Textiles, 2982 Adeline St. Runs through Feb. 5. Hours are Mon.-Sat. noon to 6 p.m. Free. lacismuseum.org 

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. 

Montclair Artists Group Exhibition Opening reception at 6 p.m. at Montclair Gallery, 1986 Mountain Blvd., Oakland. 339-4286. 

THEATER 

Checkov International Theatre “Twelfth Night” at 8 p.m. at Zellerbach Playouse, UC Campus. Tickets are $65. 642-9988. 

FILM 

“Intensive Care” short works from the Middle East on the emotional response to violence and conflict at 5:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Free first Thursday. 642-0808.  

READINGS AND LECTURES 

M. Nevin Smith on “Native Treasures: Gardening with the Plants of California” at 5:30 p.m. at University Press Books, 2430 Bancroft Way. 548-0585.  

Michael Lewis talks about his new novel of football “The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game” at 7:30 p.m. at Mrs. Dalloways, 2904 College Ave. 704-8222. 

Christina Hutchins, poet, at 7 p.m. at the Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave. 526-3720, ext. 17. 

Lunch Poems with Jack Marshall at 12:10 p.m. in the Morrison Library, in the Doe Library, UC Campus. http://lunchpoems.berkeley.edu 

Tom Laird reads from “Story of Tibet: Conversations with the Dalai Lama” at 7:30 p.m. at Black Oak Books. 486-0698. www.blackoakbooks.com 

Nelson Martini’s Laugh-N-Luau Hosted by Bryan Moore at 9 p.m. at Temple Bar Tiki Bar and Grill, 984 University Ave. 524-6403. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

MLK Jr. Middle School Jazz Band and The Potentials Annual Winter Jazz Concert and Fundraiser at 7:30 p.m. at Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School Auditorium, 1781 Rose St. at Grant. Admission is free, donations requested. 

Marlon Asher & The Ganja Farmer, from Trinidad, at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is tba. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Cris Williamson with Teresa Trull and Barbara Higbie at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $22.50-$23.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

The Tarabinis with Yancie Taylor at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $10. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Eddie Palmieri y La Perfecta II at 8 and 10 p.m. Yoshi’s at Jack London Square, through Sun. Cost is $22-$26. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

Voodoo Economics, Plot Against Rachel, Farwell Typwriter at 8:30 p.m. at the Uptown Nightclub, 1928 Telegraph, Oakland. Cost is $5. 451-8100. www.uptownnightclub.com 

Everyday Stranger, Deep Hello at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $5. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com 

FRIDAY, DEC. 8 

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. www.auroratheatre.org 

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

Checkov International Theatre “Twelfth Night” at 8 p.m. Sat. at 2 and 8 p.m., Sun. at 3 and 7 p.m., at Zellerbach Playouse, UC Campus. Tickets are $65. 642-9988. 

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. www.ccct.org 

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. www.impacttheatre.com 

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 

Prophecy Theater, “Broken Moments: What’s Your Pleasure?” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m. at Egypt Theater, 5306 Foothill Blvd., Oakland. Tickets are $15. 1-800-838-3006. 

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 

“Sacred Flame” An exhibition of menorahs, candelabras and votives opens with a reception at 5 p.m. at ACCI Gallery, 1652 Shattuck Ave. 843-2527. 

FILM 

“Burning Man Festival” at 7:30 p.m. in the 3rd Floor Community Room, Berkeley Public Library, 2090 Kittredge St. 981-6100. 

Janus Films: “Il Posto” at 6:30 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808.  

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Berkeley Ballet Theater, “The Nutcracker” at 7 p.m., Sat. at 2 and 7 p.m. and Sun. at 2 p.m. at Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Ave. Tickets are $16-$21. 843-4689. 

Voci Women’s Vocal Ensemble “Voices in Peace” music from the Americas at 8 p.m. at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church. Tickets are $15-$20. 531-8714.  

Bella Musica Chorus and Orchestra Bach’s “Mass in B Minor” at 8 p.m. at Arlington Community Church, 52 Arlington Blvd., Kensington. Suggested dontation $10-$15. 525-5393. www.bellamusica.org 

University Symphony Orchestra at 8 p.m. at Hertz Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $5-$15. 642-4864.  

California Revels “Christmas Revels” Celebrating the stories, songs, dance, and drama of 19th century Quebec, at 7:30 p.m. at Scottish Rite Theater, 1547 Lakeside Drive near Lake Merritt, Oakland. Tickets are $15-$42. 452-3800. www.calrevels.org 

La Familia Son, contemporary Cuban, at 9 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $10. 849-2568. 

Yerbabuena Ballet Flamenco at 8 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $24-$48. 642-9988. www.calperfs.berkeley.edu 

Sacred and Classical Turkish Music Necati Celik on oud and Arif Bicer on ney, with American Sufi musicians at 7:30 p.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave. Tickets are $20-$25 at the door. 707-824-2230. 

SFJazz All-Star High School Ensemble at 8 p.m. at the Jazzschool. Cost is $12. 845-5373. www.jazzschool.com 

Hanif & The Sound Voyagers at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $10. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Tito y su Son de Cuba at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $13. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Cris Williamson with Teresa Trull & Barbara Higbie at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $22.50-$23.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org  

The Nomadics, jazz, at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344. www.nomadcafe.net 

Ragwater Revue, Vermillion Lies, Kira Lynn Cain at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $6. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com 

Iron Age, Cold World, Never Healed at 8 p.m. at 924 Gilman St., an all-ages, member-run, no alcohol, no drugs, no violence club. Cost is $7. 525-9926. 

Les Nubians, Jennifer Johns, Femi at 9 p.m. at Shattuck Down Low, 2284 Shattuck Ave. Tickets are $20 in advance from ticketweb.com . 548-1159.  

Subnautic at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 848-8277. 

Eddie Palmieri y La Perfecta II at 8 and 10 p.m. Yoshi’s at Jack London Square, through Sun. Cost is $22-$26. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

SATURDAY, DEC. 9 

CHILDREN  

Los Amiguitos de La Peña with Colibri, Latin American music for the whole family, at 10:30 a.m. at La Peña. Cost is $4 for adults, $3 for children. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Gris Grimly reads from “Santa Claws” at 4 p.m. at Cody’s Books on Fourth St. 559-9500. 

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

EXHIBITIONS 

3rd Annual Albany Community Art Show & Sale from noon to 6 p.m. at the Albany Community Center, 1249 Marin Ave., Albany. Features the work of many local artists. The event is free and wheelchair accessible. 524-9283. 

THEATER 

Checkov International Theatre “Twelfth Night” at 2 and 8 p.m. at Zellerbach Playouse, UC Campus. Tickets are $65. 642-9988. 

“Wong Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” Solo performance by Kristina Wong at 8 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $10-$12. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Seldom Seen Acting Company of St. Vincent de Paul “Rock Bottom Hope” at 7 p.m. at Oakland Museum's James Moore Theatre, 1000 Oak St., Oakland. Tickets are $20. 812-9421. 

FILM 

“Rare Rockin’ Film Clips” with rock historian Richie Unterberger at 10 p.m. at Fellini Restaurant, 1401 University Ave. Free. 841-5200.  

Janus Films “La strada” at 5 p.m. and “Seven Samurai” at 7:10 p.m. at the Pacific Film Archive. Cost is $4-$8. 642-0808. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Jeff Norman introduces “Temescal Legacies” at 2 p.m. at the Temescal Branch of the Oakland Public Library, 5205 Telegraph Ave. 597-5049. 

John Scharffenberger discusses “The Essence of Chocolate” at 2 p.m. at Mrs. Dalloways, 2904 College Ave. 704-8222. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Berkeley Ballet Theater, “The Nutcracker” at 2 and 7 p.m. and Sun. at 2 p.m. at Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Ave. Tickets are $16-$21. 843-4689. 

Yerbabuena Ballet Flamenco at 8 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $24-$48. 642-9988. www.calperfs.berkeley.edu 

Oakland East Bay Symphony “Messiah” Singalong at 8 p.m. at Paramount Theater, 2025 Broadway, Oakand. Tickets are $15-$28. 625-8497. www.oebs.org 

Oakland-East Bay Gay Men’s Chorus “Pacem” at 8 p.m. at Lakedhore Avenue Baptist Church, 3534 Lakeshore Ave., Oakland. Tickets are $12-$15. www.oebgmc.org 

Kairos Youth Choir “Choose Something Like a Star” at 7 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Auditorium, 1325 Portland St., Albany. Tickets are $10-$12. 704-4479.  

Kensington Symphony performs holiday favorites by Handel, Johann Strauss, (pere and fils), Tchaikovsky, Telemann, others, at 8 p.m. at Northminster Presbyterian Church, 545 Ashbury Ave., El Cerrito. Suggested donation $12-$15, children free. 524-9912. 

California Revels “Christmas Revels” Celebrating the stories, songs, dance, and drama of 19th century Quebec, Sat. and Sun. at 1 and 5 p.m. at Scottish Rite Theater, 1547 Lakeside Drive near Lake Merritt, Oakland. Tickets are $15-$42. 452-3800. www.calrevels.org 

Oakland School for the Arts Concert Ensemble performs carols and gospel music at 3 p.m. at Chapel of the Chimes, 4499 Piedmont Ave., Oakland. Free, donations accepted. 228-3207. 

Rhythm & Muse Open Mic features jazz vocalist Felice York with Eliza Shefler, jazz piano, at 7 p.m. at Berkeley Art Center, 1275 Walnut St., between Eunice & Rose Sts. 644-6893.  

University Symphony Orchestra at 8 p.m. at Hertz Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $5-$15. 642-4864. http://music.berkeley.edu 

La Pena Community Chorus at 7 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $15. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Pete Excovedo & Ray Obiedo with Mambo Caribe at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $15. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Groundation, reggae, at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $15-$18. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com  

Holler Town and Ronnie Cato at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344. www.nomadcafe.net 

THE POLITICS OF WATER 

At 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Pacific Film Archive will screen Manel Mayol’s 2005 documentary Switch Off. The film documents the efforts of the Pehuenche-Mapuche, the indigenous people of Chile’s Ralco Valley, to stop a Spanish hydroelectric firm from constructing one of the world’s largest dams. The Mapuche have resisted all kinds of intruders over the centuries, including the Incas and the Spanish conquistadors, but the battle against Endesa also means battling the Chilean government, which has used its anti-terrorism laws to put down dissent. 87 minutes. $4-$8. 2575 Bancroft Way. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu. 

FRESH at KALA 

“Fresh,” an exhibit at Kala Art Institute opens with a reception Thursday, 6 p.m., 1060 Heinz Ave. More than 50 artists will be exhibiting their work through Jan. 27. Kala Gallery hours are Tuesday-Friday, noon-5:30 p.m., and Saturday, noon-4:30 p.m. For more information, call 549-2977 or see www.kala.org. 

BERKELEY BALLET NUTCRACKER 

Berkeley Ballet Theater presents The Nutcracker Friday, 7 p.m., Saturday, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., Sunday, 2 p.m., at the Julia Morgan Center, 2640 College Ave. Tickets $16-$21. For more information, call 843-4689. 

Wallace Berman was perhaps the last true Bohemian—a denizen of the Beat counterculture, which was Bohemia’s successor. Berman constructed his life and art outside the establishment, and he and his coterie of many friends were in search of an art that confirmed their nonconformist lifestyle. Berman was a man of many talents: poet, draftsman, sculptor and, as we see throughout the exhibition, a fine, rather conventional portrait photographer.  

He is best known as the inventor of Verifax collages in which a hand holds up a transistor radio in which a photograph has been inserted in the place of the speaker. Mysterious images and Hebrew letters were arranged in grids by the artist. The word itself, derived from Latin, suggests “true facts.”  

Between 1955 and 1964 Berman issued nine editions of his loose-leaf journal, Semina. It was printed in editions of a few hundred copies and sent out irregularly and gratis. It published early translations of Herman Hesse’s poems and poems by Jean Cocteau, Charles Baudelaire and Rabindranath Tagore, together with “Beat” poems by Allen Ginsberg, Philip Lamentia, Diane di Prima, David Meltzer, Michael McClure and Jack Hirshman, among others.  

Berman was also involved in the early avant-garde gallery scene in California. He had a solo show at the Ferus Gallery in Los Angeles in 1957 and was an early partner of the Dilexi Gallery when it opened in San Francisco in 1958. He is seen as the link between the anarchist avant-garde in Venice and North Beach. 

The show at the Berkeley Art Museum was organized by the Santa Monica Museum of Art. Berman lived in Santa Monica and produced the first issues of Semina there where his friend Bob Alexander taught him to print. Baza, as Alexander was called, also founded the Temple of Man and ordained those whom he invited. In 1960 Berman moved to a shack in Larkspur after his ill-fated show at the Ferus in Los Angeles in 1957. 

He had exhibited rather esoteric pieces with the motto: “Art is Love is God” in that space, when police officers, who had heard that the show was pornographic, stormed into the gallery. Ironically, they failed to notice an image of coitus hanging on a sculpture called “Cross” (1956-57). There was, however, an erotic, rather weird, but finely drawn picture of a woman having intercourse with a monster. It was made by Cameron {Marjorie Cameron], but the police arrested Berman, who would never again show in a commercial gallery after being brutalized by the LAPD. 

The show at the Berkeley Art Museum is mostly documentary. It includes, however, many notable and some excellent works of art. The above-mentioned Cameron drawing is there, as well as about a hundred items by Berman himself, including the fabulous Verifax collage, “Untitled (A7-Mushroom, D4-Cross),” (1966). 

There is a superb black and white painting by Jay DeFeo, “Temple (for B.C.)” (1980), and there are several works in different media by Bruce Conner himself. George Herms, the other principal assemblage artist is represented with his “Temple of the Sun” (1964), a large old steamer trunk, holding many esoteric objects. In addition to Joan Brown’s famous “Fur Rat” (1962) from the Berkeley Art Museum’s Funk collection, there is the vulnerable “Man on Horseback” (1957). And there are also collages by Los Angeles’ sardonic Llyn Foulkes. 

Fascinating are the many different artifacts and documents of lesser-known artists, poets, choreographers and performers. And there are works by members of the Berman circle who were, or became movie stars: Dean Stockwell has collages and assemblages of the ‘50s and ‘60s in the show, and there are excellent photographs by Dennis Hopper, including a photograph of Berman sitting triumphant on his motorcycle in 1964. Ten years later Wallace Berman was killed in an automobile accident on his 50th birthday, on the day he predicted he would die. 

Photograph: Berman's "Untitled (A7-Mushroom, D4-Cross)" (1966), a 56 -image Verifax collage.

Once again, California Revels celebrates the Winter Solstice holidays with the 21st Christmas Revels: music and song, Morris and step dance, pomp and proclamations, choruses and soloists—as well as the popular participatory sing-along and the line-dance that runs through the entire audience, now a tradition—amid a sumptuous spectacle of holiday customs from other times, other places, all to unfold over the next two weekends at the Oakland Scottish Rite Theater, by Lake Merritt. 

This year the dance, drama, storytelling and “kitchen music” of 19th century Quebec will be celebrated, with guest performers Pierre Chartrand of Montreal, master dancer, dance caller and choreographer, cofounder of Danse Cadence; musician David Cahn of Seattle; and featured dancers Kalia Kliban of Sebastopol and Sarah Brug of Menlo Park (originally Montreal). 

The pageantry will be set in Trois Rivieres, now the province’s second or third largest city, but once a tiny village in the snow-covered forests of the 19th century. “Much of the show is based on a popular folktale, ‘The Flying Canoe,’ or ‘La Chasse galerie,’” said Dirk Burns, California Revels executive director. “There are many versions, but they all entail trappers or lumberjacks far from home, making a deal with the devil to fly their canoe back home in time for the holidays. In our version, there will be a dance-off with the devil to decide the fate of the voyageurs!”  

So join in with the other revelers when the Master of the Revels proclaims that the festivities have begun. 

The California Revels, Dec. 8-10 and 15-17, Fri., 7:30 p.m. and Sat-Sun., 1 and 5 p.m. at the Oakland Scottish Rite Theater, by Lake Merritt, 1547 Lakeside Drive. Tickets: $15-42. 452-3800 or www.calrevels.org

The Other Minds Festival of New Music, now in its 12th year, presents concerts featuring the work of composers and improvisors from Norway, Australia, Canada, Germany, Holland, France—and Emeryville— this Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., with composer panel discussions at 7 p.m., and on Sunday at 2 p.m. (panel at 1 p.m.) in Kanbar Hall at the San Francisco Jewish Community Center, 3200 California St. Tickets are $30 ($20 students) with three show packages at $72, through otherminds.org, (415) 292-1233, or at the SFJCC box office. 

“We have no theme, but try to bring older and younger composers together, those with 50 years composing experience with others just starting their careers,” said Other Minds founder and artistic director Charles Amirkhanian. “We have a four-day retreat at the Djerassi Ranch, which creates an internal mentoring situation. That chemistry’s irreplaceable.” 

This year, the “elder statesmen,” Amirkhanian said, include “the leading composers of their respective countries,” Peter Sculthorpe of Australia (whose “Saibai” for violin and piano will be played Fri. and “String Quartet #16 for Strings, with didjeridu,” Stephen Kent on didjeridu, will premiere Sun.) and Per Norgard of Norway (”Harvest-Timeless,” a string quartet, plays Fri. and “Wie ein Kind” for mixed chorus a capella on Sat.). 

Younger Norwegian composer Maja Radtke’s “Gagaku Variations” for accordion and string quartet plays Friday; on Saturday she performs with fellow Norwegians POING. “She’s a phenomenal performer,” Amirkhanian noted, “doing gymnastics with her voice, producing electronic sounds off her laptop to saxophone, accordion, bass ... yet composes string quartets as well. This is the type of new development we’re seeing in the younger composers.”  

Emeryville’s Daniel David Feinsmith’s Other Minds-commissioned “Elohim” will premier Friday. 

Canadian composer Ronald Bruce Smith’s “String Quartet #2, ‘Nostalgia,’” with material from Ravel and Bill Evans, will be played Sunday by Del Sol Quartet, “the house band,” to whom the piece is dedicated. At intermission Sunday, outside Kanbar Hall, VCS Radio, new music ensemble from Vacaville Christian School, under Ralph Martin’s direction, premieres their “Electrical Resonance Symphony,” to the memory of Nicolai Tesla, plated on conventional instruments, Theremin and Tesla Coil. 

Markus Stockhausen, son of renowned composer Karlheinz Stockhausen, performs “Compositions, improvisations and intuitive music” with Tara Bouman on Sunday as well. The other improvisor on the bill, Joelle Leandre, well-known to free jazz fans as a virtuosic double bassist, will play Sat. with Gunda Gottschalk and Xia Fengxia. Among the eminent international musicians performing during the festival will be Swiss pianist Eva-Maria Zimmerman. 

For more information, see www.otherminds.org.