Events Listings

FRIDAY, OCT. 12 

Progressive Democrats of the East Bay Picket of the Marine Recruitment Center from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 64 Shattuck, two doors down from Copy Central. 524-3791. 

City Commons Club Noon Luncheon with Regine Spector, on “United States-Russian Relations: A New Cold War?” Luncheon at 11:45 a.m. for $14.50, speech at 12:30 p.m., at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant St. 526-2925.  

“Planet Earth: Pole to Pole, Mountains and Deep Ocean” A Conscientious Projector Film at 7 p.m. at Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists, 1924 Cedar. 841-4824.  

Red Cross Blood Drive from 11:45 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. atUCB Unit 3 Dorms, 2400 Durant Ave. To schedule an appointment go to www.BeADonor.com  

Womensong Circle Participatory singing for women with Betsy Rose, at 7:15 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Berkeley, Small Assembly Room, 2345 Channing Way. Suggested donation $15-$20. 525-7082. 

Circle Dancing, simple folk dancing with instruction at 7:30 p.m. at Finnish Brotherhood Hall, 1970 Chestnut St at University. Donation of $5 requested. 528-4253.  

SATURDAY, OCT. 13 

African People’s Solidarity Day with speakers from South Africa, Sierra Leone and the U.S. on conditions faced by African people around the world. Sat. from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Sun. from 1 to 5:30 p.m. at Beebe Memorial Cathedral, 3900 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. Sliding scale donation $10-$25. 625-1106. www.uhurusolidarity.org 

“Blood Money: Campaign Dollars and Health Care Policy in California” A panel discussion at 10 a.m. at First Congregational Church of Oakland, 2501 Harrison St. at 27th. Sponsored by the California Clean Money Campaign. www.caclean.org 

Walking Tour of Old Oakland uptown to the Lake to discover Art Deco landmarks. Meet at 10 a.m. in front of the Paramount Theater at 2025 Broadway. Tour lasts 90 minutes. Reservations can be made by calling 238-3234. 

Paws on the Square and a Katrina Pet Reunion from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Jack London Square, Oakland. Owner-Dog Look-Alike Contest, trick and costume contests for dogs and cats, and information on adoption and training. Sponsored by Hopalong Animal Rescue. For more informaion see www.jacklondonsquare.com 

“Berkeley in the 1930s” An exhibition exploring the development of transportation, businesses, and industries. Come see how Berkeley fared during The Depression at 3 p.m. at the Berkeley History Center, 1931 Center St. 848-0181. 

The Great War Society meets to discuss “American Volunteers in the Canadian Army-1914-17” by S. Compagno at 10:30 a.m. at 640 Arlington Ave. 527-7118. 

Keep Our Water Clean: Pharmaceutical Take-Back Campaign Bring in your over-the-counter medications and supplements as well as non-controlled prescriptions. Bring medication in original containers with personal information marked out. Bring mercury thermometers in two zipper bags to prevent breaks and spills. From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Whole Foods Market, 3000 Telegraph Ave. For more infomation see www.teleosis.org  

School House Creek Commons Fall Clean Up and Sowing of Wild Flower Seeds at 9 a.m. at Virginia and Curtis streets, at the eastern end of the Berkeley Adult School. If the weather has cooled enough, we also hope to be planting a slope of a hill with plugs of native grasses. There’s a play area for kids, and coffee and snacks will be served. 559-8368. 

Codornices Creek Watershed Tour with different speakers along various points of the creek. Meet at 9 a.m. near the mouth of Codornices Creek at Albany Waterfront Park, where Buchanan St. dead ends north of Golden Gate Fields, west of I-580. There will be a complimentary lunch afterwards. Please bring your own water bottle to save plastic. RSVP required 540-6669.  

Celebrate Cerrito Creek by Making Art Join Friends of Five Creeks and environmental artist Zach Pine making art with natural materials on restored Cerrito Creek from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the south edge of the El Cerrito Plaza parking lot between Cornell and Kains, adjacent to Saturday El Cerrito Plaza Farmers Market. Free, all are welcome. 848-9358. www.fivecreeks.org  

Help Restore San Pablo Creek in El Sobrante from 9 a.m. ato 12:30 p.m. Sponsored by REI and SPAWNERS. Tools provided. To register call 665-3538. www.spawners.org 

“Thirteen Ways to Stop Global Warming and Have a Beautiful Garden” A workshop with Alrie Middlebrook from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Watershed Nursery, 155 Tamalpais Rd. Cost is $25-$45. 548-4714.  

Autumn Arachnids Learn about the mysteries of the spider and then hunt for orb weavers, jumping spiders, wolf spiders and more at 2 p.m. at Tilden Nature Area, Tilden Park. 525-2233. 

Urban FIRE Walk-A-Thon A benefit for fund a Microloan Progam in Oakland. Meet at the Boathouse at Oakland’s Lake Merritt at 9 a.m. Donation $50. 655-1304. www.urbanvoice.org 

Indian Statue Day and Festival from noon to 5 p.m. in downtown Point Richmond. Music, arts and crafts, dress up your dog contest and a tour of the point’s Historic District. South of the Border luncheon from noon to 2 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 201 Martina St. 234-4219. 

Celebrating Indigenous People’s Day at Peralta Hacienda Historical Park with a presentation of Native American arts and music at 2 p.m. at Peralta Hacienda Historical Park, 2465 34th Ave., Oakland. Free. 532-9142. 

“Telling Tales” Storytelling Festival from noon to 5 p.m. at Berkwood Hedge School, 1809 Bancroft Way. Cost is $5, $15 per family. 883-6990. 

NAACP Berkeley Branch meets at 1 p.m. at 2108 Russell St. All are welcome. 

“Wal-Mart: The Face of 21st Century Capitalism” with Prof. Nelson Lichtenstein, UCSB, at 7 p.m. at Alamda Free Library, 1550 Oak St. Alameda. Conference on “Labor, Wal-Mart and China” begins at 1 p.m. Sponsored by California Healthy Communities Network and Alameda Public Affairs Forum. 814-9592.  

Vegetarian Cooking Class “Sensational Soul Food” Learn how to prepare Smokin’ Barbecued Tofu, Hoppin’ John (Black-eyed Peas and Rice) with Sauteed Greens, Spicy Okra Rice Soup, Creamy Vegan Macaroni & Cheese, Sweet Bread Pudding from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at First Unitarian Church of Oakland, 685 14th St. at Castro, Oakland. Cost is $45, plus $5 materials fee. To register call 531-COOK. 

Pancake Breakfast and Tiffany Tour of the Louis Comfort Tiffany glass mosaic mural triptych, “Te Deum Laudamus,” from 8 a.m. to noon at Lake Merritt United Methodist Church, 1330 Lakeshore Ave., Oakland. Cost is $7. 465-4793.  

“Sogetsu Ikebana Flower Show” Demonstration at 1 p.m. at the Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak Sts., Oakland. 238-2022.  

“Strong at the Heart: How it Feels to Heal from Sexual Abuse” with author Carolyn Lehamn at 1 p.m. at Berkeley Public Library, 2090 Kittredge St. 981-6107. 

The Berkeley Lawn Bowling Club provides free instruction every Wed. and Sat. at 10 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.  

SUNDAY, OCT. 14 

Spice of Life Festival in North Berkeley’s gourmet Ghetto, notrh Shattuck Ave., from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. with product demonstrations, a culinary stage and live music. www.spiceoflifefestival.com 

Reptile Rap Meet our resident snake and turtle friends with an interactive talk for the whole family, from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. 525-2233. 

Friends of the Alameda Wildlife Refuge Workday Help us prepare habitat for California Least Terns, which breed at the refuge. Meet at 9 a.m. at the main refuge gate at the northwest corner of former Alameda Naval Air Station, Alameda. Sponsored by Golden Gate Audubon Society. 843-2222. 

STAND Fundraiser and Garden Reception from 4 to 6 p.m. in the garden of a grand 115 year old Queen Anne Victorian in the heart of Temescal, 449 49th St., corner of 49th and Clarke. Speakers are Jeff D. Hoffman, the land-use/environmental attorney representing STAND, and Jeff Norman, Temescal historian. Cost is $25, $40 per couple. 655-3841. 

Free Sailboat Rides from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Cal Sailing Club, Berkeley Marina. Wear warm, waterproof clothing and bring a change of clothes in case you get wet. www.cal-sailing.org 

7th Annual Crabby Chef Challenge benefiting Berkeley Art Museum & Pacific Film Archive from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Spenger's, 1919 Fourth St. Cooking competition begins at 2 p.m. 845-7771. 

The Friends of the Kensington Library Booksale from noon to 4 p.m. in the parking lot behind the library at 59 Arlington Blvd. A silent auction with ‘finds’ for book collectors from noon to 2 p.m. 524-3043.  

“The Revived Peace Process: Opportunities and Pitfalls” with Yossi Alpher, co-editor of bitterlemons, a web-based Israeli-Palestinian political dialogue magazine and columnist for Peace Now, at 7 p.m. at Congregation Netivot Shalom, 1316 University Ave. Donation $10. 525-3582.  

“The Joy of Vegan Baking: Compassionate Cooks’ Traditional Treats & Sinful Sweets” Book party with author Colleen Patrick-Goudreau of Compassionate Cooks at 4:30 p.m. at First Unitarian Church of Oakland, 685 14th St. at Castro, Oakland. 531-2665. 

“Sogetsu Ikebana Flower Show” Demonstration at 2 p.m. at the Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak Sts., Oakland. 238-2022.  

Architecture Tour of the Oakland Museum of California Meet at 1 p.m. at the Admissions Desk, second level, 10th and Oak Sts., Oakland. 238-2022. www.museumca.org 

“China Blue” Film screening and discussion of the conditions of China’s workers at 10 a.m. at Niebyl-Proctor Marxist Library, 6501 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. 595-7417. www.tifcss.org 

“Unitarian Universalism, Why It Matters” with Bill Hamilton-Holway at 10 a.m. at Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley, 1 Lawson Rd., Kensington. 525-0302, ext. 306. 

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

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 

Tibetan Buddhism with Hugh Joswick on “Dream and Illusion” at 6 p.m. at the Tibetan Nyingma Institute, 1815 Highland Pl. 843-6812.  

MONDAY, OCT. 15  

“New Public Policy Perspectives and the Power of Engaged Citizens” with Robert B. Reich, David L. Kirp, and Carol Chetkovich at 6 p.m. at FSM Cafe at Moffitt Library, UC Campus. fsm-info@ 

library.berkeley.edu 

Pumpkin Painting for Children at 3:30 p.m. at Elephant Pharmacy, 1607 Shattuck Ave. 549-9200.  

Playwriting Class with Joshiah Polhemus, Mondays from 1 to 3 p.m. at Arts First Oakland Center, 2501 Harrison St., Oakland. Cost is $40 for 4 weeks. 444-4755. www.stagebridge.org 

Books and Ideas Group discusses “The Poe Shadow” at 1:15 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst. 981-5190. 

Teen Chess Club meets at 3:30 p.m. at the Claremont Branch of the Berkeley Public Library, Benvenue at Ashby. 981-6280. 

Berkeley CopWatch organizational meeting at 8 p.m. at 2022 Blake St. 548-0425. 

TUESDAY, OCT. 16 

Tuesdays for the Birds Tranquil bird walks in local parklands, led by Bethany Facendini, from 7 to 9:30 a.m. Today we will visit Lake Temescal. Call for meeting place and if you need to borrow binoculars. 525-2233. 

The Berkeley Garden Club “Designing with Natives in the Home Garden” presented by Glenn Keator and Alrie Middlebrook at 1:30 p.m. at Epworth United Methodist Church, 1953 Hopkins St. 845-4482. 

Town Hall Meeting on West Berkeley Assessment District with Council Member Darryl Moore and the City of Berkeley Office of Economic Development at 7 p.m. at Rosa Parks Elementary, 920 Allston Way, at 8th St. 981-7120. 

St. Paul’s Episcopal School’s Annual Book Fair from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at 116 Montecito Ave., Oakland. 285-9600.  

Middle School Book Group from 4 to 5 p.m. at the Berkeley Public Library, 4th Floor, Children’s Story Room, 2090 Kittredge Street, Berkeley. 981-6223.  

“Reincarnation and Buddhism” with Rev. Harry Bridge, at 7 p.m. at the Jodo Shinshu Center, 2140 Durant Ave. at Fulton. Donation $20. 809-1460. 

End the Occupation Vigil every Tues. at noon at Oakland Federal Bldg., 1301 Clay St. www.epicalc.org 

Red Cross Blood Services Volunteer Orientation from 6 to 8 p.m. at 6230 Claremont Ave., Oakland. Registration required. 594-5165. 

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

Community Sing-a-Long every Tues, at 2 p.m. at the Albany Senior Center, 846 Masonic Ave. 524-9122.  

Family Storytime at 7 p.m. at Kensington Library. 61 Arlington Ave. 524-3043.  

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

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 17 

Walking Tour of Old Oakland around the restored 1870s business district. Meet at 10 a.m. in front of G.B. Ratto’s at 827 Washington St. Tour lasts 90 minutes. Reservations can be made by calling 238-3234. 

“The Struggle Against Agribusiness in the Americas” with an update on Brazil’s Landless Workers Movement, at 7:30 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Donations accepted. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Civilian War Victim Series “A Civilian War Victim’s Story” with Dr. Brian Gluss at 1 p.m. at Emeryville Senior Center, 4321 Salem, Emeryville. 596-3730. 

“Coconut Revolution” A documentary on the struggle of indigenous people in Bouganivlle, Papua New Guinea, against the Panguna copper mine, at 8 p.m. at Long Haul Infoshop, 3124 Shatttuck Ave. www.thelonghaul.org 

5.6 Mile Wednesday Join naturalist Meg Platt for a moderate hike traversing a steep creek crossing and varied hills in search of native plants beating the heat. Meet at 10:30 a.m. at Bear Creek Staging Area, Newt Hollow Picnic Site, Briones. For information call 525-2233. 

Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning Colloquium with Thomas H. Hahn on “Landscapes of Ritual: China and the Perfromative Body.” Email for time and location laep.ced.berkeley.edu/events/colloquium 

“21st Century Family” A Greater Good magazine panel on how marriage has changed at 3:30 p.m. in the Lipman Room, 8th flr, Barrows Hall, UC Campus. www.greatergoodmag.org 

Computers for Seniors An open and ongoing class covering email, Internet, letter-writing and more. Class meets Wed. a.m. for eight weeks, from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the South Berkeley Senior Center 2939 Ellis St. 981-5170.  

Online Live Homework Help Workshop for students in 4th to 8th grade, from 2:45 to 3:45 p.m. at the Berkeley Public Library, 4th floor, Children’s Story Room, 2090 Kittredge St. 981-6223.  

Berkeley School Volunteers Orientation from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at 1835 Allston Way. Come learn about volunteer opportunities. 644-8833. 

“So Help Me God” The Founding Fathers and the First Great Battle Over Church and State with Rev. Forrest Church at 7 p.m. at The UNitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley, One Lawson Rd., Kensington. Suggested donation $10. 525-0302. 

An Introduction to Marxism, a free class for beginners and students at every level from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at Niebyl-Proctor Marxist Library, 6501 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. 595-7417.  

“Mystic Street: Meditations on a Spiritual Path” with Steve Georgiou at 7 p.m. at Patriarch Athenagoras Orthodox Institute, Graduate Theological Union, 2311 Hearst. 649-2450. 

Walk Berkeley for Seniors meets at 9:30 a.m. at the Sea Breeze Market, just west of the I-80 overpass. Heavy rain cancels. 548-9840. 

THURSDAY, OCT. 18 

“Creating Inclusive Environments for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Families in East Bay Elementary Schools” A forum for parents, school administrators, and teachers at 5:30 p.m. at Chabot Elementary, 6686 Chabot Rd, Oakland. Free child-care is available on site. Please RSVP to Julia at 415-981-1960. 

“Climate Change and Biodiversity Conservation in Northern California” with Dr. Mark Schwartz, UC Davis at 12:30 p.m. at the Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak Sts., Oakland. 238-2022.  

Golden Gate Audubon Society “Endangered Species Big Year at the Golden Gate National Parks” with Brent Plater at 7 p.m. at Northbrae Community Church, 941 The Alameda. 843-2222. 

“The Power of Community: How Cuba Survived Peak Oil” A documentary at 7 p.m., followed by discussion at Green City Gallery, 1950 Shattuck Ave Suggested donation $5-$10. oilindependence@yahoo.com  

Sacramento and Berkeley Legislative Update with Assemblywoman Loni Hancock and Mayor Tom Bates sponsored by the Berkeley Democratic Club at 7:30 p.m at the Northbrae Community Church, in the Chapel, 941 The Alameda, just south of Solano Ave. Refreshments will be served. 849-2554. 

“Facing Death. . . with open eyes” A new documentary by Bay Area filmmaker Dr. Michelle Peticolas at 7:30 p.m. at Chapel of the Chimes, 4499 Piedmont Ave., Oakland. Tickets are $12-$15. 800-838-3006. 

“Avoid Cancer” Booksigning with authors Linda Eldridge and David Borgeson at 7 p.m. at Elephant Pharm Berkeley 1607 Shattuck Ave. 549-9200. 

Babies & Toddlers Storytime at 10:15 and 11:15 a.m. at Kensington Library, 61 Arlington Ave., Kensington. 524-3043. 

CITY MEETINGS 

Council Agenda Committee meets Mon. Oct. 15, at 2:30 p.m., at 2180 Milvia St. 981-6900. 

Commission on Aging meets Wed., Oct. 17, at 1:30 p.m., at the South Berkeley Senior Center. 981-5344.  

Downtown Area Plan Advisory Commission meets Wed. Oct. 17, at 7 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-7487. 

Human Welfare and Community Action Commission meets Wed., Oct. 17, at 7 p.m., at the South Berkeley Senior Center. 981-5427.  

Design Review Committee meets Thurs., Oct. 18 , at 7:30 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-7415.  

Fair Campaign Practices Commission meets Thurs., Oct. 18, at 7:30 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-6950.