FRIDAY, DEC. 14 

City Commons Club Noon Luncheon with Christine A. Hastorf, Prof. of Anthropology on “Local Work and World Heritage: How Archeologists Work on the Ground to Learn About the Past as Well as to Protect it for the Future” 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.  

Conscientious Projector Film “Life in Occupied Palestine” at 7 p.m. at Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists, 1924 Cedar at Bonita. Donation $5-10. No one turned away. 528-5403. 

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

SATURDAY, DEC. 15 

Open The Farm Meet and greet the animals at the Little Farm in Tilden Park as you help the farmer with morning chores, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. 525-2233. 

Reptile Rendevous Learn about the reptiles that call Tilden Park home, at 1:30 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. 525-2233. 

Berkeley Farmers’ Market Holiday Crafts Fair at Civic Center Park with live music from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and handmade gifts by local craftspeople. 548-3333 . 

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

Celebrate a Muir Christmas at John Muir National Historic Site, 4202 Alhambra Ave., Martinez. Music from 10 a.m. to noon, 1 to 3 p.m., House tours at 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. and storytelling at noon and 3 p.m. Cost is $3. 925-228-8860. 

Chapel of the Chimes Historical and Botanical Tour at 10 a.m. at 4499 Piedmont Ave. Other events throughout the afternoon. RSVP to 228-3207. 

Create Your Own Card with an Origami Star at 2 p.m. in the Edith Stone Room, Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave., Albany. 526-3720. 

Family Workshop: Wrapping Paper and Gift Cards, Sat and Sun. from 1 to 4 p.m. at Mocha, Museum of Children’s Art, 528 9th St., Oakland. Cost is $7. 465-8770. 

The Phoenix Mars Mission A presentation by NASA educators. Demonstrations at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., lecture at 1 p.m. at Chabot Space and Science Center, 10000 Skyline Blvd., Oakland. Cost is $9-$13. 336-7373. 

SUNDAY, DEC. 16 

Berkeley Hiking Club Hike on Mt. Tamalpais meet at 8:30 a.m. at Berkeley Way and Shattuck. Bring lunch and liquids hike about 8 miles. Rain cancels. 492-0470. 

Women on Common Ground Make decorations for the Women’s Drop-In Center, and some for yourself also. Bring a pair of small hand clippers and a bag lunch if you plan on joining an early winter hike afterwards. From 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. Cost is $15-$17. Registration required. 1-888-EBPARKS. 

Waterside Workshops Sustainable Holiday Event and Toy Making Workshop with hands-on activities, music, food, and fun for people of all ages. Learn how to make your own wooden toy, or sew up a fleece hat to keep your ears warm. All of our materials are from sustainable sources, and non-toxic. From noon to 5 p.m. at 84 Bolivar Dr. in Berkeley’s Aquatic Park. Sliding scale donation is requested. 644-2577.  

Women on Common Ground Early Winter Hike from 2:30 to 5 p.m. from the Tilden Nature Center to Wildcat Peak, returning to the Nature Center for a warm fire and hot cider. Registration required. 525-2233. 

Daniel Ellsberg on “Secrecy, Freedom, and the Spiritual Life” a on his spiritual life and the role of conscience at 10:30 a.m. at Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists, 1924 Cedar St, a block above MLK Jr. Way. 841-4824. 

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

Community Labyrinth Peace Walk at 3 p.m. at Willard Middle School, Telegraph Ave. between Derby and Stuart. Everyone welcome. Wheelchair accessible. Rain cancels. 526-7377. 

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 

“Chimes Winter Starscape” events from 10 to 5 p.m. at Chapel of the Chimes, 4499 Piedmont Ave., Oakland. 228-3207. 

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

Tibetan Buddhism with Jared Baird on “The Value of Spiritual Retreat” at 6 p.m. at the Tibetan Nyingma Institute, 1815 Highland Pl. 809-1000.  

MONDAY, DEC. 17 

Public Hearing for the Helios Energy Research Facility, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory at 6:30 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst St. 486-5183. 

Two-and-a-Quarter-Mile Monday Join a short but strenuous hike from shoreline to ridge in Miller/Knox, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Led by naturalist Meg Platt. Bring lunch, layers, and hiking poles. For meeting place call 525-2233. 

TUESDAY, DEC. 18 

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 Martin Luther King, Arrowhead Marsh. Call for meeting place and if you need to borrow binoculars. 525-2233. 

Cancer Prevention and Survival Cooking Class on Planning Healthy Meals at 8:30 a.m. at Fruitvale Elementary School, 3200 Boston Ave., Oakland. To register call 595-6445. 

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

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. 

Berkeley Camera Club meets at 7:30 p.m., at the Northbrae Community Church, 941 The Alameda. Share your digital images, slides and prints and learn what other photographers are doing. Monthly field trips. 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. 19 

War and Peace Book Group meets to discuss “Saturday” by Ian McEwan at 7 p.m. at Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave. 526-3720, ext. 16. 

Cancer Prevention and Survival Cooking Class on Planning Healthy Meals at 8:30 a.m. at Cesar Chavez, 2825 international Blvd., Oakland. To register call 595-6445. 

Walk Berkeley for Seniors meets 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. Heavy rain cancels. 548-9840. 

Eay Does It Board of Directors Meeting at 6:30 p.m. at 1636 Univestiy Ave. 845-5513. www.easyland.org 

Berkeley Peace Walk and Vigil at at 6:30 p.m. at the Berkeley BART station. www.geocities.com/ 

vigil4peace/vigil 

THURSDAY, DEC. 20 

Winter Solstice Celebration Bring stories, poetry and music to share, and join a short walk to learn the solstice’s cultural history, at 4 p.m. at the Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. For ages 6 and up. Cost is $6-$8. Registration required. 1-888-EBPARKS. 

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

Cancer Prevention and Survival Cooking Class on Planning Healthy Meals at 8:30 a.m. at Jefferson Elementary, 2035 40th Ave., Oakland. To register call 595-6445. 

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

Simplicity Forum meets at 6:30 p.m. at the Claremont Branch of the Berkeley Public Library, 2940 Benvenue Ave. jcecil@chw.edu  

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

Avatar Metaphysical Toastmasters Club meets at 6:45 p.m. at Spud’s Pizza. 3290 Adeline. namaste@avatar.freetoasthost.info  

CITY MEETINGS 

Berkeley Rent Stabilization Board meets Mon., Dec. 17, at 7 p.m. in City Council Chambers. 644-6128 ext. 113.  

City Council meets Tues., Dec. 18, at 7 p.m in City Council Chambers. 981-6900.  

Human Welfare and Community Action Commission meets Wed., Dec. 19, at 7 p.m., at the South Berkeley Senior Center. 981-5427.  

Design Review Committee meets Thurs., Dec. 20, at 7:30 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-7415.  

FRIDAY, DEC. 14 

CHILDREN 

“Alice in Wonderland” puppet show at 2, 4 and 6 p.m. at Children’s Fairyland, 699 Bellevue Ave., off Grand Ave., Oakland. Cost is $6. 452-2259. 

THEATER 

Altarena Playhouse “The Man Who Saved Christmas” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m. at Altarena Playhouse, 1409 High St., Alameda, through Dec. 16. Tickets are $17-$20. 523-1553. www.altarena.org 

Aurora Theatre Company “Sex” Wed.-Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 and 7 p.m. at 2081 Addison St., through Dec. 23. Tickets are $28-$50. 843-4822. www.auroratheatre.org 

BHS Drama and Shift Theatre “Noises Off” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m. at Florence Schwimley Little Theater, Berkeley High Campus. Tickets are $6-$12. 332-1931.  

Berkeley Rep “After the Quake” at the Trust Stage, 2025 Addison St., through Dec. 21. Tickets are $33-$69. 647-2949. www.berkeleyrep.org 

Black Repertory Group “A Rasin in the Sun” at 8 p.m. at 3201 Adeline St., through Dec. 12. Tickets are $10-$20. 652-2120. 

Brookside Repertory Theatre “Hiliday Shorts IV” at noon at The Claremont, 41 Tunnel Rd. Tickets are $65-$75, includes lunch. 549-8512. 

Encore Theatre Company & Shotgun Players “The Shaker Chair” Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 5 p.m., at The Ashby Stage, 1901 Ashby Ave., through Jan. 27. Tickets are pay what you can. 841-6500.  

Impact Theatre “A Very Special Money & Run Winter Season Holiday Special” Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m. at La Val’s Subterranean, 1834 Euclid Ave., through Dec. 22. Tickets are $10-$15. 464-4468.  

Masquers Playhouse “Little Mary Sunshine” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., selected Sun. at 2:30 p.m. at 105 Park Place, Point Richmond, through Dec. 15. Tickets are $18. 232-4031.  

EXHIBITIONS 

Touchable Stories “Richmond: The Story Continues” Fri. at 8 p.m., Sat. at 2 and 6 p.m. at Old Kaiser Cafeteria, Shipyard #3, 1303 Canal Blvd., Richmond. Cost is $6-$12. Reservations required. 619-3675. www.touchablestories.org 

Holiday Arts from 4 to 8 p.m. at ACCI Gallery, 1652 Shattuck Ave. 843-2527. 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

The Best of Actors Reading Writers “Serendipity” at 8 p.m. at Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave. 932-0214. ricaisabella@yahoo.com 

Daniel Marlin and Janell Moon at 7 p.m. at Nefeli Caffe, 1854 Euclid Ave. 644-3977. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Berkeley Ballet Theater “Nutcracker” Fri. at 7 p.m., Sat. at 2 and 7 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m. at Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Ave., through Dec. 16. Tickets are $16-$22. 843-4689. 

The Venezuelan Music Project at 8 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $13-$15. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Mark Morris Dance Group “The Hard Nut” at 7:30 p.m., Sat. at 2 and 8 p.m., Sun. at 3 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $32-$60. 642-9988. www.calperformances.net 

Holiday Gospel Extravaganza with Zoe Ellis, Caitlin Cornwell, Carmen Jones and Ashling Cole at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $14. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Farlow-Kirch Band, David Gans, Pat Nevins at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $12. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

TC Brewitz and Trio at 8 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave., at Dwight. 548-5198.  

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

Jeff Oster plays selections from his new CD “True” at 7:30 p.m. at Sacred Space Yoga Sanctuary at Rudramandir, 830 Bancroft Way. Tickets are $15-$20. 486-8700. 

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

El Capitan, Axton Kincaid, The Whoreshoes, bluegrass and country, at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $7. 841-2082. www.starryploughpub.com 

Lifesavas, Pigeon John at 9 p.m. at Shattuck Down Low, 2284 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $10. 548-1159.  

Broun Fellinis at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 843-8277. 

Chick Corea Elektric Band at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square, through Sun. Cost is $40-$45. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

SATURDAY, DEC. 15 

CHILDREN  

Los Amiguitos de La Peña with Bonnie Lockhart at 10:30 a.m. at La Peña. Cost is $5 for adults, $4 for children. 849-2568. www.lapena.org 

Boswick the Clown at 11 a.m. at Studio Grow, 1235 Tenth St. Cost is $7. 526-9888. 

“Children’s Theater Holiday Program” Sat. and Sun. at 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. at Children’s Fairyland, 699 Bellevue Ave., off Grand Ave., Oakland. Cost is $6. 452-2259.  

Bugs Bunny/Road Runner cartoons at 10 a.m. and noon, Sun. at noon at Elmwood Theater, 2966 College Ave. at Ashby. Benefit for local PTAs. 433-9730. 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Of Ignorance and/or Mystery” A location-inspired project by Ken Fandell opens at Traywick Contemporary, 895 Colusa Ave. 527-1214. www.traywick.com 

“Robots are Art” Art show and contest at 6 p.m. at Float Gallery 1091 Calcott Place #116, Oakland. 535-1702. 

“Elegance and Simplicity” Mixed media group show. Opening reception at 6 p.m. at Expressions Gallery, 2035 Ashby Ave. 644-4930. 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

The Best of Actors Reading Writers “Serendipity” at 8 p.m. at Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave. 932-0214. ricaisabella@yahoo.com 

Wilde Irish Productions “A Joycean Christmas” with readings from James Joyce’s masterpiece “The Dead” at 8 p.m. at Gaia Arts Center. Tickets are $25. 644-9940. 

West Coast Live with James Tipton, Ruth Gnedler and Lemony Snickett and Lisa Brown at 10 a.m. at Freight and Salvage. Tickets are $13-$18. 415-664-9500. www.WCL.org 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Pacific Boychoir Academy “Harmonies of the Season” at 7 p.m. at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 114 Montecito Ave., Oakland. 652-4722. 

Berkeley Ballet Theater “Nutcracker” Fri. at 7 p.m., Sat. at 2 and 7 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m. at Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Ave., through Dec. 16. Tickets are $16-$22. 843-4689. 

Trio Concertino with Amy Likar, flute; Madeline Prager, viola; Miles Graber, piano at 8 p.m. at Trinity Chapel, 2320 Dana St. Tickets are $8-$12. 549-3864. www.trinitychamberconcerts.com 

“Carols Around the World Concert” at 5 p.m. at first United Methodist church, 201 Martina St., corner W. Richmond Ave., Point Richond. 236-0527. 

Sacred and Profane Annual Holiday Concert, traditional and contemporary music for Swedish Lucia, Channukah and Christmas, at 8 p.m. at St. Leo’s Catholic Church, 176 Ridgeway Ave., Piedmont. Tickets are $12-$15. www.sacredprofane.org 

Rebecca Riots at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761.  

The Ravines at noon at Cafe Zeste, 1250 Addison St. at Bonar, in the Strawberry Creek Park complex. 704-9378. 

Brian Andres & the Afro-Cuban Jazz Cartel at 9 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $10-$12. 849-2568.  

Christie McCarthy & Quartet at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $14. 841-JAZZ.  

Pellejo Seco at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cuban salsa dance lesson at 8:30 p.m. Cost is $13. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com  

Gateswingers Jazz Band at 8 p.m. at Central Perk,10086 San Pablo Ave. at Central, El Cerrito, 558-7375. 

Moment’s Notice improvised music, dance and theater at 8 p.m. at Western Sky Studio, 2525 8th St. Tickets are $8-$15. 992-6295. 

Fred Odell and Bob Harp at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344.  

Flowtilla at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 843-8277. 

Dave Gleason, 77 El Deora, The B Stars, alt country, at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $7. 841-2082.  

SUNDAY, DEC. 16 

EXHIBITIONS 

“One Way or Another: Asian American Art Now” Guided tour at 2 p.m. at Berkeley Art Museum, 2626 Bancroft. Cost is $5.50-$9.50. 642-0808. 

Paintings by Julie Ross Opening reception at 2 p.m. at Poulet, Shattuck & Virginia. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Berkeley Community Chorus and Orchestra “Puccini’s Messa di Gloria” at 8 p.m. at St. Joseph the Worker Church, 1640 Addison St. Free, donations appreciated. 

A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols at 5:30 p.m. at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 2300 Bancroft Way at Ellsworth. 845-0888. 

San Francisco Choral Artists “Glorious Sounds of Christmas” at 4 p.m. at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 114 Montecito Ave. www.stpauloakland.org 

Rebecca Rust, ‘cello and Friedrich Edelmann, bassoon at 7:30 p.m. at Berkeley Art Center, 1275 Walnut St. Cost is $10. 644-6893. www.berkeleyartcenter.org 

Al Stewart at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $29.50-$30.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Mamadou Sidibe & Music Mali at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $10. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Tom Huber and Misisipi Mike at 11 a.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344. www.nomadcafe.net 

Pappa Gianni & the North Beach Band at 2 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave., at Dwight. 548-5198. 

MONDAY, DEC. 17 

CHILDREN 

“Alice in Wonderland” puppet show at 2, 4 and 6 p.m. at Children’s Fairyland, 699 Bellevue Ave., off Grand Ave., Oakland. Cost is $6. 452-2259. 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Poetry Express with Jeanne Powell at 7 p.m. at Priya Restaurant, 2072 San Pablo Ave. 644-3977. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Yolanda and Ric, opera and lieder, at 7 p.m. at Le Bateau Ivre, 2629 Telegraph Ave. 849-1100. www.lebateauivre.net 

Trovatore, traditional Italian music, at 7 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave. 548-5198.  

Classical at the Freight with San Francisco Chamber Orchestra at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage Coffee House. Cost is $17.50-$18.50. 548-1761. 

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

TUESDAY, DEC. 18 

CHILDREN 

Arlington Children’s Choir Holiday Concert, suitable for ages 3 and up, at 7 p.m. at Kensington Library, 61 Arlington Ave., Kensington. 524-3043. 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Tell on on Tuesdays Storytelling at 7:30 p.m. at Julia Morgan Center for the Arts. Cost is $8-$12 sliding scale. www.juiamorgan.org 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Tom Rigney & Flambeau at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cajun dance lesson at 8 p.m. Cost is $10. 525-5054.  

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

The Christmas Jug Band at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $19.50-$20.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

Brian Wood Ensemble at 7 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave.. 548-5198.  

African Roots of Jazz, with E.W. Wainwright & Friends at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $10. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

Jazzschool Tuesdays at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 843-8277. 

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 19 

CHILDREN 

“Alice in Wonderland” puppet show at 2, 4 and 6 p.m. at Children’s Fairyland, 699 Bellevue Ave., off Grand Ave., Oakland. Cost is $6. 452-2259. 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

“A Christmas Carol” read by Martin Harris as Charles Dickens at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761.  

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 

Oakland City Center Holiday Concert with West African Highlife Band at noon at 12th and Broadway, Oakland.  

Berkeley Akademie Ensemble Debut performance under direction of Kent Nagano and Stuart Canin at 8 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Berkeley. Tickets are $60. 841-2800. www.berkeleysymphony.org 

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

Balkan Folkdance at 8 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $7. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Ben Graves Quartet at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 843-8277. 

Charlie Hunter at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square, through Sun. Cost is $20-$24. 238-9200.  

THURSDAY, DEC. 20 

CHILDREN 

Music with Bonnie Lockhart for ages 3 to 7 at 7 p.m. at North Berkeley Public Library, 1170 The Alameda. 981-6250. 

EXHIBITIONS 

“One Way or Another: Asian American Art Now” Guided tour at 12:15 and 5:30 p.m. at Berkeley Art Museum, 2626 Bancroft. Cost is $5.50-$9.50. 642-0808. 

Patrick O’Kiersey “Selected Paintings and Drawings” Artist talk at 7 p.m. at the Craft & Cultural Arts Gallery, Atrium, State of California Office Bldg. 1515 Clay St., Oakland. 622-8190. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Lutsinga Musical Ensemble at 9 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $10. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Greenbridge, Celtic trio, at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

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

Triskela at 7 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave., at Dwight. 548-5198.  

Matthew Charles Heulitt Project, The Japonize Elephants at 9:30 p.m. at The Starry Plough. Cost is $10. 841-2082 www.starryploughpub.com 

Dietsnakes at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 843-8277 

Tomas Saraceno is a visionary artist who aspires to bridge the gap between art and science. Knowledgeable about principles of physics, chemistry and architecture, he has made use of high technology to design cities in the air.  

On view at the Berkeley Art Museum are models of Flying Gardens/Air-Port-City, elliptical plastic pillows filled with air and bounded by elastic cords. In his lecture at the museum the Argentine-born artist, who works mostly in his Frankfurt studio, traced his models for aerial cities back to hot air balloons. He had already experimented with the possibilities of passive solar energy and built and flew the largest geodesic balloon ever built. 

For his aerospace vehicles he proposes to use a chemical called “Aerojet,” a gas which is only three times heavier than air and which is already being employed in the aerospace industry.  

There are important precedents to Saraceno’s work: Buckminster Fuller’s pivotal geodesic dome and the Cloud Nine experiments on the 1960s. Paolo Soleri’s Acrosanti buildings minimized the use of land and energy by building very tall self-sufficient structures, which were exhibited at BAM in 1971.  

Ant Farm, shown at BAM in 2004, proposed pneumatic inflatable structures, which were designed to challenge the hierarchies of land-built architecture to provoke users to take charge of the environment. In Germany Frei Otto built lightweight fabric constructions and experimented with pneumatic membranes for his tent-like structures. In England, a group of visionary architects, called Archigram, came forward with hypothetical projects of high tech, low weight structures, which were not bound to the ground.  

The models for Saraceno’s Flying Gardens are evocative sculptural forms, which look great in Mario Ciampi’s open museum space. Elizabeth Thomas, the museum’s Matrix curator, has mounted an exhibition that can motivate the viewer to ponder a new technological utopia. Utopias of a political nature have, as we know, brought about veritable disasters.  

Saraceno’s vision proposes a network of habitable structures that float in the air. Will the social intercourse of humans, we may ask, improve with altitude?  

Tomas Saraceno: Microscale, Macroscale, and Beyond 

Through Feb. 17, 2008 at the Berkeley Art Museum, 2575 Bancroft Way. 642-0808. 

www.bampfa.edu. 

Image: Tomas Saraceno’s installations are on display at the Berkeley Art Museum. 

Brookside Repertory’s Holiday Shorts IV, their annual anthology of short holiday-themed plays by Bay Area playwrights, directed by Robert Hamm in staged readings, will be performed this Sunday afternoon at the Ballroom of the Claremont Resort and Spa. 

“The holidays affect us in many ways, and these plays help set the mood for what we’re about to experience personally as the year draws to a close,” said Mae Ziglin Meidav, founder and artistic director of Brookside Rep. 

Six new plays by local playwrights are joined by two past favorites of Brookside Rep audiences: Tamales on Christmas Eve, by Stephen D. Gutierrez, director of the Cal State-East Bay Creative Writing Dept., and Mae Ziglin Meidav’s Chanukah Is Not the Jewish Christmas. 

The six new plays are Missing Mistletoe by Thomas H. Bryan, New Year’s Eve by Risa Nye, Invitation by Donna LaFlamme (a Berkeley chiropractor who’s taught high school drama in Oakland), Baby New Year by Hillary K. Hann, More Fun than the Battle of Hastings by Nancy Cooper Frank and Apples and Spice by Pam Gutman.  

In More Fun than the Battle of Hastings, set in the year 2007, a century-old bottle of pinot noir has the chance to ignite the forgotten pleasures of the early 21st century in a futuristic couple. Its playwright has been involved with Playwrights’ Cafe at the Gaia Center. 

Mae Ziglin Meidav’s Franz/KAFKA, which Subterranean Shakespeare produced at LaVal’s on the Northside in 1997, will be shown in a revised form this May at the Berkeley City Club. 

Robert Hamm, who directs the afternoon plays, is a well-known East Bay actor, director and playwright, lately artistic director of Alameda’s Altarena Theatre. He has appeared in productions by the Aurora, Wilde Irish and Virago, which has also produced Hamm’s dramatic work. 

The show is coproduced by The Club at the Claremont and has a buffet luncheon from noon-1:30 p.m., with the show from 1:45-4 p.m. Tickets are $75 with buffet (Theatre Bay Area and Club members $65); $30 for show only, validated parking included.  

For reservations, contact Katy Yong at 549-8512; for information e-mail mmeidav@brookside-art.org.

Siddhartha, the Bright Path, The Marsh Youth Theater production about the life of Buddha, which serves as a kind of alternative holiday show on several levels, opening this Saturday and playing through Jan. 6 at The Marsh in San Francisco’s Mission District, is the result of a collaboration set into motion by Berkeley’s Emily Klion, the creative roots of which trace back years ago to Mills College. 

Siddhartha tells the story of the young Indian prince “who had everything and gave it up, in order to find out what made people suffer,” said Klion. “He found it was through attachment to things. That’s a good message for the holiday season. We work at The Marsh Youth Theater with kids from diverse backgrounds, and all somehow feel if they have the newest iPod, the newest sneaker, they’d be content. What Siddhartha discovers is having things doesn’t relieve suffering, but increases it.” 

Told through acting, song and dance with a young cast of 24, ranging in age from 11 to 16 (including veteran of San Francisco Ballet’s Nutcracker Vishnu Balunsat in the title role, Jenna Huxley and Misha Brooks from Berkeley and Audrey Eileo from Oakland), the show incorporates Indian dance and Bollywood-style hip hop from three different choreographers (kathak dancer Joanna Meinl, Antonia Minnecola—wife of tabla drummer Zakir Hussein—for the more theatrical numbers, and Russell Wright of Berkeley’s Walden School for hip hop), and three composers (Klion, Lisa Quoresimo and Klion’s husband, jazz musician George Brooks.) 

Siddhartha was written by Klion, Quoresimo and longtime Bay Area trouper Danny Duncan, directed by Quoresimo with costumes and videography by another Berkeley resident, Susana Aragon.  

Klion spoke of it all going back to her days studying music at Mills with Terry Riley, Pandit Pran Nath and Lou Harrison.  

“I travelled with Lou’s gamelan and puppet show,” Klion recalled, laughing. “Dick Whittington and His Cats—I think I played a cat part! He first showed me how to put on a show, to use music to get something across. Then I went to India for a year on a Watson grant and saw how they used theater, comic books, all kinds of ways to teach their children Indian mythology. I decided I wanted to tell the myths of the world to children, who would enact them. I’ve worked at the Mills Children’s School, the S.F. Day School, Center Stage—and now direct The Marsh Children’s Theater. We started out seven years ago with 10 neighborhood kids, and now have over 250 citywide.”  

Siddhartha was first performed last May with a cast of 40. 

“The houses were overflowing with families and friends,” Klion said. “This time, we wanted to reach out to the community at large, to the general public, so held auditions for the first time. There are so many skilled kids, all with some sort of stage experience, a few from the S.F. School of the Arts. Many have the desire to become artists, and through this can look forward to the time when they’ll appear at The Marsh asadults. We’re a full-service theater place, from two year-olds doing creative movement, on up. We accept everyone, from whatever background and financial situation.” 

The story parallels that of the young Buddha with a Bay Area girl, Chandra, surrounded by gifts at her birthday, “who becomes aware of the suffering on the street around her, and gives away everything—gives up too much, in fact, and realizes, as Siddhartha did, that too much deprivation, like too much attachment, makes you unhappy. She sits down under a tree, which turns out to be the Bodhi tree, under which Buddha was tempted. It’s the one place she and Siddhartha meet. The temptations are shown in a video dance piece. We asked the kids, ‘What tempts you?’—and they all said, Money, computers ... lots of temptations out there to resist.” 

The show moves between “two feelings, Indian dance and Broadway showtunes and video, just as the music itself draws on ancient Indian as well as jazz and gospel. It shifts between two worlds. My husband, George Brooks, also studied with Pandit Pran Nath and Terry Riley, and went to India with me. He’s been involved in jazz fusion with Indian music. He cowrote some of the score, and also sprinkled in some of his own music throughout.” 

Being asked about harnessing the energies of all her collaborators, plus 24 kids “and their parents!” took Klion back to her days at Mills. 

“Learning pipe organ, playing a four-part Bach fugue with all your arms and legs taught me to think on many levels at once,” she said. “It’s been very rewarding work, with a good message for the holiday season—that, whatever your path, each one can change the world through enlightenment. A message of light.” 

SIDDHARTHA: the bright path 

Through Jan. 6, with matinees between Christmas and New Year’s Day. The Marsh, 1062 Valencia Street, San Francisco. Tickets: 800-838-3006, information 415-826-5750. 

Opening Night Benefit on Saturday, Dec. 15: $50-$100 sliding scale. 

Doors open at 6:00 p.m. for Indian hors d'ouvres and Silent Auction. Show begins at 7:30 p.m., followed by wine reception. 

Image: Contributed photo  

A scene from Siddhartha, the Bright Path at the Marsh in San Francisco.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a huge oak tree stood east of Shattuck Avenue near Strawberry Creek in old Berkeley. It was variously known as Gibbet Oak, Vigilante Oak, and Hanging Oak.  

A rumor persisted that in the 1850s a horse thief had been captured by ranchers who, wishing to return to their work and tired of waiting for the judge, tried the man themselves and hanged him from that tree. 

There was certainly a huge oak on that spot, probably hundreds of years old, but no one could confirm the hanging. William Waste, an early Berkeley resident who was the first member of the State Bar of California, a graduate of Hastings Law School, and a member of the State legislature who would become Chief Justice of the California Supreme Court, had never heard of the incident—and he was known as a local history buff.  

Clarence Merrill, son of Berkeley’s first druggist, Berkeley postmaster, and operator of the city’s first telegraph service for 30 years, said he had heard the story, but, from what he gathered as a boy, no one was ever hung there. William Warren Ferrier, a premier Berkeley historian and author, agreed with that conclusion. 

This slate of early Berkeley luminaries clearly disbelieved the story of the hanging. So where did it come from? While the origin of the story is unknown, it appears to have been recounted by one of the great editorialists and working-class heroes of early Berkeley—the expressman known in town as the “Boss Baggage Buster of Beautiful Berkeley,” John E. Boyd. In 1902, the Berkeley Gazette published a story written by Boyd in which Cloromeda Mendoza was hanged on this tree. The Gazette reprinted this story on Jan. 14, 1908. 

Interestingly, Boyd had perpetuated quite another myth about the tree many years earlier. This version of the story appeared on April 2, 1887, in the Berkeley Advocate in a letter to the editor: 

Talking to an old timer on the occasion of the recent trials in East Berkeley he gave me an account of the first trial ever held in what is now the town of Berkeley, and thinking that the story would be interesting to your readers I jotted down the particulars which are as follows: It appears that early in the year ’51 a warrant was issued by Judge Blake against a man named William Harding who resided on San Pablo avenue about where Duffy’s saloon now is [San Pablo Avenue near Folger Street], charging him with stealing hogs. The accused was arrested by a constable named Kellogg, and brought before Judge Blake at his residence in what is now known as the Poinsett house on Shattuck avenue, near Strawberry creek. A jury was quickly found and the court sat under the old oak tree which is still standing on the left of the railroad track. After the court was called to order, the prisoner pleaded “not guilty” and the jury impanneled. One of the jurymen announced that he was as dry as Strawberry creek and the prisoner at once offered to pay for the liquor if any person would go after it. The nearest gin and sugar establishment was at Temescal kept by Smith Bros. and a man known as “Whiskey Jack” volunteered to be the messenger if any one would lend him a “bronco.” The horse was soon ready two demijohns were hung in grain sacks, one on each side and the rider started with “Temescal and whiskey only 3 miles away.” Eager eyes watched for his return and soon a cloud of dust announced the looked for messenger. 

The demijohns were quickly brought forth and all hands took a hearty drink which was soon followed by another. The judge then proposed to proceed when one of the hilarious jurymen proposed that all the liquor be drank up and then they would not be “hankerin” after it. All hands agreed to the suggestion, the liquor was soon disposed of and the court started to resume business when one of the jurymen said that he be hanged if he ever sat on a jury without whiskey and he was not going to begin now. Another adjournment took place and the prisoner handed over seven Mexican dollars and Whiskey Jack was soon riding away for more “juice.” He quickly returned, another drink was taken and the business of the day resumed. Before the evidence was all in Whiskey Jack had made two more trips for supplies and about two o’clock in the afternoon the judge charged the jury who soon retired to deliberate. The jury room was under the other oak tree near the creek, each juryman first rolled his coat up for a pillow and after lighting his pipe lay down to deliberate. The prisoner, constable and spectators all picked out a soft place under the other tree and soon the majority were snoring. At this juncture Mr. Clark (who now and for many years past has been in the employ of Capt. Bowen) gave the prisoner a wink and pointed to the foothills. The prisoner took the hint and not waiting to take a formal adieu, or not liking to disturb the sleeping multitude, quickly crept away through the tall grass. He remained hidden in the hills for about two weeks, his hiding place being near the pile of rocks situated on what is now known as Capt. Boswell’s ranch, and being supplied with provisions by his friend Clark. After remaining in hiding a short time, a boat was procured for him and he made his escape to San Francisco. Many years have passed since the above occurance but I never pass the old oak trees without thinking of the story of the first court in Berkeley as told to me by an old pioneer.  

—John E. Boyd  

One possible explanation for the two differing stories told by the same John E. Boyd is that the later story was published at a time when many residents were attempting to save the tree from developers who planned to chop it down. In 1896, the city culverted Strawberry Creek, which had run down Allston Way, to make Allston Way a real street. The Berkeley chapter of the Native Sons of the Golden West offered to save the tree by donating an ornamental iron fence around it where it stood in the street by the southern curb, near where Eddy’s ice cream parlor later stood. It seems probable the later story was manufactured simply to save the tree. In the end, the developers won the fight. The tree was felled in 1908: 

Acting upon the order of Superintendent of Streets Turner two laborers were at work today cutting down the historic oak tree which has been standing since time immemorial on Allston way, a short distance from Shattuck avenue. This gnarled old tree was standing long before Allston way or even Berkeley was thought of and is the one oak in the uptown district which unites the past with the present. 

Out of a spirit of sentiment the tree has been left standing while all the other trees in the neighborhood have been destroyed. When Allston way was graded care was taken not to injure this tree and it stood unmolested until this morning. Then Turner gave his orders and the tree is now a thing of the past, not even a relic. Improvements are to be made on this street and it was found necessary to destroy this old landmark.  

Aye, cut it down, this old landmark 

Tis but a relic of the past; 

Though for ages it has stood 

The storm king’s wintery blast. 

What though it sprang from mother-earth 

Ere the white man reached this land, 

Before kind earth did yield its gold 

To the grasping Gringo’s hand. 

No matter if an outlaw met his death 

By Judge Lynch’s stern decree— 

No matter if the court was held 

Beneath the old oak tree. 

No matter of the statement made 

By one of Berkeley’s sages, 

No matter if the wise Le Conte 

Said, ’tis a relic of past ages. 

Aye, cut it down, ye ruthless sons 

Of Berkeley’s lovely clime; 

Aye, cut it down and burn it up— 

It has outlived its time. 

— Boyd, the Boss Crank of Berkeley, Berkeley Daily Gazette, Jan. 14, 1908 

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the first of a three-part series featuring stories of forgotten Berkeley history excerpted from Richard Schwartz’s new book Eccentrics, Heroes, and Cutthroats of Old Berkeley. Schwartz has been writing California history books and giving talks for more than 20 years. His other books include The Circle of Stones: An Investigation of the Circle of Stones in Stampede Valley; Sierra County, California; Berkeley 1900: Daily Life at the Turn of the Century and Earthquake Exodus, 1906: Berkeley Responds to the San Francisco Refugees.  

Eccentrics, Heroes and Cutthroats of Old Berkeley is sold at local book stores, lumber yards, hardware stores, gift shops, movie theaters, and other local and online merchants. For a list of the locations where the book is available and information about Schwartz and his other books, see www.RichardSchwartz.info. 

The Planet will publish parts two and three of this series in upcoming issues. 

Image: Courtesy Berkeley Firefighters Association. 

This 1888 photograph of the area just east of Shattuck Avenue and Allston Way shows the hanging oak on the right. Strawberry Creek runs along along the bottom of the image.