Events Listings

Berkeley This Week

Tuesday December 04, 2007

TUESDAY, DEC. 4 

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 Point Pinole. Call for meeting place and if you need to borrow binoculars. 525-2233. 

Tilden Mini-Rangers Hiking, conservation and nature-based activities for ages 8-12. Dress to ramble and get dirty. From 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. Cost is $6-$8, registration required. 1-888-EBPARKS. 

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. 

Fresh Produce Stand at San Pablo Park from 3 to 6 p.m. in the Frances Albrier Community Center. Sponsored by the Ecology Center’s Farm Fresh Choice. 848-1704. 

Tai Chi for Peace at 1:30 p.m. in front of the Marine Recruiting Station, Shattuck Square. Open Sidewalk Studios at 3 p.m. 524-2776. 

“Mapping Stem Cell Research: Terra Incognita” A doumetary on the work of Dr. Jack Kessler at 6:30 p.m. at the Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak St., Oakland. Cost is $5-$8. 238-2022. 

“Hiking the Torres del Paine National Park in Chilean Patagonia” A slide presentation with Treve Johnson at 7 p.m. at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. 527-4140. 

“A Japanese Religion in Brazilian Religious Milieu: How Brazilians have accepted the Church of World Messianity” with Prof. Hideaki Matsuoka, Shukutoku Univ., at 6:30 p.m. at Jodo Shinshu Center, 2140 Durant Ave. 809-1444. 

Berkeley School Volunteers Orientation from 10 to 11 a.m. at 1835 Allston Way. Come learn about volunteer opportunities. 644-8833. 

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

Train Week at Habitot Children’s Museum with a mini-train exhibit and hands-on activities at 2065 Kittredge St. 647-1111. 

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

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

St. John’s Prime Timers meets at 9:30 a.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave. We always welcome new members over 50. 845-6830. 

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 5 

Indigenous Autonomy and Resistance: A Report from Chiapas and the Indigenous Encuentro in Sonora at 7:30 p.m. at La Peña, 3105 Shattuck Ave. Suggested donation $7-$10. Proceeds Benefit Zapatista Autonomous Health Care in San Manuel. 654-9587. 

Cancer Prevention and Survival Cooking Class on Favoring Fiber at 8:30 a.m. at Bella Vista, 1025 E. 28th St., Oakland. To register call 595-6445. 

“Avalanche Awareness” A lecture at 6:30 p.m. at Marmot Mountain Works, 3049 Adeline St. Cost is $15. 209-753-6556 ext. 1. www.mtadventure.com  

American Red Cross Blood Services is holding a volunteer orientation from 10 a.m. to noon. Various East Bay opportunities available. Advanced sign-up is required; call 594-5165.  

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, DEC. 6 

“It’s the Economy, Stupid: The Growing Anxiety of the Middle Class and the Future of American Politics” with Jacob Hacker, Yale University Political Science, professor and author of “The Great Risk Shift” at 6:30 p.m. at UC Berkeley Labor Center, 2521 Channing Way. 642-6371. andreabuffa@berkeley.edu  

The Homeschool Make-and-Take Craft Fair with handcrafted items, and opportunity to make some; food, entertainment and raffle, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Grace North Church, 2138 Cedar St. Benefits the Women’s Daytime Drop-in Center in Berkeley. www.womensdropin.org 

America’s Current and Impending Wars: From Campus to the Middle East. A teach-in at UC Berkeley at 7 p.m. in 155 Dwinelle. www.btiaw.org 

Teen Book Club meets to discuss post-apocalyptic futures at 4 p.m. at Claremont Branch Library, 2940 Benvenue at Ashby. 981-6121. 

Juggling for Peace Learn juggling and plate spinning at 11:30 a.m. in front of the Marine Recruiting Station, Shattuck Square. 524-2776. 

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

FRIDAY, DEC. 7 

Golden Gate Audubon Society Walk at Jewel Lake in Tilden Park. Meet at 8:30 a.m. at the parking lot at the north end of Central Park Drive. be prepared for muddy paths. Heavy rains cancels. 848-9156. 

City Commons Club Noon Luncheon with Jim Wilson on “Education Finance in California” Luncheon at 11:45 a.m. for $14.50, speech at 12:30 p.m., at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant St. For information and reservations call 526-2925.  

“Fair Trade Fair” Learn about fair trade porducts with Laurie Lyser of TransFair at 7 p.m. at St. Joseph the Worker School, 2125 Jefferson St., 2nd flr (not wheelchair accessible). Fair trade items will be available for purchase. 482-1062. 

“China’s Environment: What Do We Know and How Do We Know It?” A forum on the scientific as well as social, political, economic, public health and cultural aspects, Fri. and Sat. Free and open to the public. http://ieas.berkeley.edu/events/2007.12.07w.html 

Teen Playreaders meets to read “Hamlet” and other plays based on the classic, at 4 p.m. at Claremont Branch Library, 2940 Benvenue at Ashby. 981-6121. 

SATURDAY, DEC. 8 

PEN Oakland-Josephine Miles 17th Annual National Literary Awards & 11th Annual PEN Oakland Censorship Award from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Rockridge Branch Library, 5366 College Ave. Free and open to the public. 228-6775. 

Golden Gate Audubon Society Bike Trip in Coyote Hills via Alameda Creek and Quarry Lakes. Meet at 9 a.m. on the east side of the Fremont BART for an all-day trip, returning to BART at 3 p.m. Total distance is about 24 miles. Bicycle helmet required. Bring lunch and dress in layers. 547-1233. 

Dramatically Speaking Toastmasters with Victor Bogart on “Explore the Undiscovered You” at 9 a.m. at 1950 Franklin St., Oakland. RSVP required. ID required to get into building. 581-8675. 

The East Bay Chapter of The Great War Society meets to discuss “The Military Career of George Patton” by A. Melomet at 10:30 a.m. at the West Berkeley Library, 1125 University Ave. 527-7118. 

“The Care Crisis: How Women Are Bearing the Burden of a National Emergency” with Ruth Rosen, visiting professor of History and Public Policy at UCB at 7 p.m. at Alameda Free Library, Conference Rooms A, 1550 Oak St. at Lincoln, Alameda www.alamedaforum.org  

Oakland Public Conservatory of Music Annual Open House with food, fun and music for the whole family, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sun. from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at 1616 Franklin Ave Oakland. 836-4649. 

Palestinian Bazaar with embroidery, glassware, wood, ceramics, textiles and more, from noon to 6 p.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave. 548-0542. 

Berkeley Farmers’ Market Holiday Crafts Fair from 10 a.m. on with local crafts and live music. 

Berkeley Artisans Open Studios Sat and Sun. from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Dec. 16. 845-2612. www.berkeleyartisans.com 

Oakland Museum of California Community Celebration for differently-abled community members from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 10th and Oak St., Oakland. Cost is $5-$8. 238-2022. 

Berkeley Rent Board Housing Counselling available at 11 a.m. in the Berkeley History Room, second flr, Berkeley Public Library, 2090 Kittredge St. 644-6128, ext. 116. 

Winter Fest Learn about snowshoeing, skiing, snowboarding and more from noon to 4 p.m. at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. 527-4140. 

Program for Adults on Children’s Financial Literacy with Lu Vazquez, Edward Jones Financial Advisor, and John Abrate, Wells Fargo Bank Business Banking Specialist from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Berkeley Public Library Community Meeting Room, 2090 Kittredge. 548-1240. www.berkeleypubliclibrary.org 

Mini-Farmers in Tilden A farm exploration program, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. for ages 4-6 years, accompanied by an adult. We will explore the Little Farm, care for animals, do crafts and farm chores. Wear boots and dress to get dirty! Fee is $6-$8. Registration required. 1-888-EBPARKS. 

Vegetarian Cooking Class “Healthful and Humane Cooking and Baking” featuring savory tofu spread, corn-meal-crusted tempeh, brussel sprouts, chocolate bread pudding, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at First Unitarian Church of Oakland, 685 14th St. at Castro. Cost is $55 plus $5 material fee. to register call 531-COOK. www.compassionatecooks.com 

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.  

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

SUNDAY, DEC. 9 

Progressive Democrats of the East Bay Annual Holiday Gathering, from 4 pm on, at Albatross Pub, 1822 San Pablo Ave. 601-6456. 

Make Natural Holiday Wreaths Learn about fir, bay and other flora and how to use them, from noon to 3:30 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. Please bring a pair of small hand-clippers, a large flat box and a bag lunch. Not appropriate for children under 8. Cost of $25-$34. Registration Required. 1-888-EBPARKS. 

Caffe Mediterraneum 50th Anniversary Party with music at 2, 7:30 and 8:30 p.m., poetry and anecdotes at 4 p.m. at 2475 Telegraph Ave. 549-1128. 

“Building Commons and Community” A book launch party for the late Karl Linn's book at 3 p.m. at Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarion Universalists Hall, Cedar at Bonita. www.KarlLinn.org 

Grow Edible Mushrooms at Home A worksop from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at EcoHouse, 1305 Hopkins St. Enter via garden entrance on Peralta. Bring extra newspaper, cardboard, sawdust, wax, cordless drills, drill bits, and leave with some mushrooms of your own. Cost is $15, sliding scale. 548-2220 ext. 242. 

Berkeley Artisans Open Studios from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Dec. 16. 845-2612. www.berkeleyartisans.com 

Oakland Museum of California Community Celebration for differently-abled community members from noon to 5 p.m. at 10th and Oak St., Oakland. Cost is $5-$8. 238-2022.  

Archecture Tour of the Oakland Museum of California at 1 p.m. at 10th and Oak St., Oakland. Cost is $5-$8. 238-2022. www.museumca.org 

“The Cross-Walk Walk” for war resistance, every Sun. at noon at the corner of Solano and San Pablo. Bring signs, ideas, young people. 

Lake Merritt Neighbors Organized for Peace Peace walk at 3 p.m. at the colonnade at the NE end of the lake. 763-8712. 

Tibetan Buddhism with Sylvia Gretchen on “The Path of Liberation” at 6 p.m. at the Tibetan Nyingma Institute, 1815 Highland Pl. 809-1000.  

MONDAY, DEC. 10  

Berkeley Green Mondays with a presentation on “What Progressives Can Learn from the Disability Movement” with Paul Longmore and Anne Finger, at 7:30 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. 848-4681. 

Human Rights Day 2007 “Update on Burma” with Nyunt Than, head of the Burmese American Democratic Alliance San Francisco, and Ruth Mauricio, educator at 7:30 p.m. at Home Room in International House, 2299 Piedmont Ave. www.unausaeastbay.org