TUESDAY, MARCH 25 

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 the Eastshore State Park, Berkeley Meadow. Call for meeting place and if you need to borrow binoculars. 525-2233. 

National Nutrition Month, with cooking demonstrations, free samples and free recipes, at the Berkeley Farmers’ Market from 2 to 6 p.m. at Derby St. and Martin Luther King Jr. Way. 548-3333.  

El Cerrito Democratic Club Meet the Candidates Night with candidates for Assembly District 14, State Senate Districts 7 and 9, at 7:30 p.m. at El Cerrito United Methodist Church, 6830 Stockton St., near Richmond Ave. Childcare provided, call 375-5647. www.ecsclub.org 

“Adventuring Around the World on a Budget” with Dan and Emily Schaffer-Kling, at 7 p.m. at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. 527-4140. 

Docent Training for Tilden Nature Area Learn to assist the naturalists in providing interpretive programs at the Little Farm and nature area gardens, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Fee is $35. Application required. For information call 544-3260. 

Seniors Against Investment Fraud A free workshop to help older adults avoid fraud, identity theft, and questionable investment offers, at 12:15 p.m. at St. Jarlath's Catholic Church, 2620 Pleasant St., corner of Fruitvale, Oakland. 452-0868.  

“Speed of Flight” A workshop for children to make parachutes, paper airplanes and kites from noon to 2 p.m. at Lawrence Hall of Science, Centennial Drive. Cost is $6-$9. 642-5132. 

Community Conversation on CEDAW/CERD: The United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave. 259-3871. 

Parents’ Book Discussion Group on Frances O’Roark Dowell’s “Chicken Boy” at 6 p.m. at the Family Resource Center, 435 Goodling Way, Bldg. 123, Apt. 456, University Village, Albany. Sponsored by the Albany Library. 526-3720, ext. 17. 

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. 

Berkeley School Volunteers Orientation from 4 to 5 p.m. at 1835 Allston Way. Come learn about volunteer opportunities. 644-8833. 

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

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

Sing-A-Long Group from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Albany Senior Center, 846 Masoni Ave., Albany. 524-9122. 

Street Level Cycles Community Bike Program Come use our tools as well as receive help with performing repairs free of charge. Youth classes available. Tues., Thurs., and Sat. from 2 to 6 p.m. at at 84 Bolivar Dr., Aquatic Park. 644-2577. www.watersideworkshops.org 

Berkeley PC Users Group meets at 7 p.m. at 1145 Walnut St. 527-2177. 

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

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

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26 

“Getting Rich off War: Blackwater and Halliburton” with Nancy Mencias of Global Exchange and Mary Magill, Gray Panther at the Berkeley-East Bay Gray Panthers meeting at 1:30 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst, corner of MLK. 527-0659. 

Radical Movie Night: “Bandit Queen” A film biography of Phoolan Devi at 8:30 p.m. at the Long Haul, 3124 Shattuck Ave. 540-0751. 

“Bush Family Fortunes” A documentary by Greg Palast on the connections between the Bush family and the Saudi Royal family at 7:30 p.m. at Humanist Hall, 390 27th St., Oakland. Donation $5. www.Humanist Hall.org 

Walk Berkeley for Seniors meets every Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. at the Sea Breeze Market, just west of the I-80 overpass. Everyone is welcome, wear comfortable shoes and a warm hat. 548-9840. 

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

geocities.com/vigil4peace/vigil 

Teen Chess Club from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the North Branch Library, 1170 The Alameda at Hopkins. 981-6133. 

Theraputic Recreation at the Berkeley Warm Pool, Wed. at 3:30 p.m. and Sat. at 10 a.m. at the Berkeley Warm Pool, 2245 Milvia St. Cost is $4-$5. Bring a towel. 632-9369. 

Morning Meditation Every Mon., Wed., and Fri. at 7:45 a.m. at Rudramandir, 830 Bancroft Way at 6th. 486-8700. 

After-School Program Homework help, drama and music for children ages 8 to 18, every Wed. from 4 to 7:15 p.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave. Cost is $5 per week. 845-6830. 

Stitch ‘n Bitch at 6:30 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave., at Dwight. 548-5198.  

THURSDAY, MARCH 27 

“Sustainable Stewardship: Historic Preservation’s Essential Role in Fighting Climate Change” with Richard Moe, President of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, at 7:30 p.m. at First Church of Christ, Scientist, 2619 Dwight Way. Jon Carroll, San Francisco Chronicle columnist, will also speak. Suggested donation $20; free admission for students with ID. A reception will follow the address. Proceeds go to the preservation work at the Church. For further information, contact Berkeley Architectural Heritage Association at 841-2242. http://berkeleyheritage.com 

Tilden Explorers An after-school nature adventure program for 5-7 year olds. We will hunt for amphibians from 3:15 to 4:15 p.m. Cost is $6-$8. Registration required. 1-888-327-2757. 

Tilden Tots Join a nature adventure program for 3 and 4 year olds, each accompanied by an adult (grandparents welcome)! We’ll look for amphibians from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. Cost is $6-$8. Registration required. 1-888-EBPARKS. 

“Under the Sea” A workshop for children to learn about how animals adapt to waves and predators, and how tide pool animals survive, from noon to 2 p.m. at Lawrence Hall of Science, Centennial Drive. Cost is $6-$9. 642-5132. 

Immigration Forum: A discussion on issues and implications for the community at 7 p.m. at Richmond Public Library’s Madeline F. Whittlesey Community Room, 325 Civic Center Plaza, Richmond. Sponsored by the Richmond Public Library and the ACLU. 620-6561. 

Berkeley Democratic Club’s Endorsement Meeting for State Senate (9th SD) and for the 14th Assembly District at 7 p.m. at Northbrae Community Church, 941 The Alameda. 

East Bay Association for Women in Science “Careers in Clinical Research and Regulatory Affairs” with Gladys Ingle, Genentech; Miki Yamamoto, Genentec, and Peih F. Chiang, at 7 p.m., light supper at 6:30 p.m. at Novartis, Building 4, Room 104, 5300 Chiron Way, Emeryville. Check-in at the guard station on 53rd St. at Chiron Way prior to parking. Suggested donations of $5-$10. ebawis_secretary@yahoo.com 

Easy Does It Board of Directors’ Meeting at 6:30 p.m. at 1636 University Ave. 845-5513. edi@easyland.org  

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

Fitness Class for 55+ at 9:15 a.m. at Jewish Community Center, 1414 Walnut St. 848-0237. 

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

FRIDAY, MARCH 28 

City Commons Club Noon Luncheon with Wolfgang Homburger, Inst. of Transport Studies, UCB, on “The Past and Future of Transportation in the Bay Area” 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.  

“How to Enter an Iris Show” A hands-on demonstration by a panel of experienced iris growers, at 8 p.m. at Lakeside Park Garden Center, 666 Bellevue Ave., Oakland. Sponsored by the Sydney B.Mitchell Iris Society. Free. http://bayareairis.org 

“Friendly Persuasions” A film about Quaker life in Indiana during the harsh realities of the Civil War at 7:30 p.m. at Berkeley Friends Church, Sacramento and Cedar St. berkeleyfriendschurch.org 

“Phoenix Dance” A new film by Karina Epperlein on a journey from loss to faith, trust at 7 p.m. at Berkeley Fellowship Unitarian Universalists Hall, 1924 Cedar St. Discussion follows.  

Radical Eco-Feminist West Coast Spring Tour A two hour presentation on radical eco-feminism and environmental ethics at 7 p.m. at Long Haul Infoshop, 3124 Shattuck Ave. 540-0751. www.risingtidenorthamerica.org 

Friday Films for Teens at 3:30 pm. at the Berkeley Puplic Library, 2090 Kittredge St. For details call 981-6121. 

Circle Dancing, simple folk dancing with instruction at 8 p.m. at Hillside Community Church, 1422 Navellier St., El Cerrito. Pot luck at 7 p.m. Donation of $5 requested. 528-4253. www.circledancing.com 

Kol Hadash Humanistic Shabbat at 7:30 p.m. at the ALbany Community Center, 1249 Marin Ave. 428-1492. 

SATURDAY, MARCH 29 

Winks and Wags: A Singles Event for Pet Lovers with music and activities for humans and dogs from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Just Pet Me Country Club, 2545 Broadway, Oakland. Tickets are $20-$25. Benefits the Berkeley-East Bay Humane Society. 845-7735, ext. 19. www.berkeleyhumane.org 

National Nutrition Month, with cooking demonstrations, free samples and free recipes, at the Berkeley Farmers’ Market from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Center St. and Martin Luther King Jr. Way. Compost give-away from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., bring your own container. 548-3333. www.ecologycenter.org 

Memorial Service to Celebrate the Life of Dr. John Dillenberger, theologian, author, and founding President of the Graduate Theological Union at 3 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Berkeley, 2345 Channing Way. Reception to follow in the church’s Large Assembly Room. 

Sprouts Gardening Project Help out in the Kids’ Garden from 10 a.m. to noon at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. For ages three and up. 525-2233. 

Compost Give-Away at the Berkeley Farmers’ Market Bring your own container-two buckets are suggested or large garbage bags. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Berkeley Farmers’ Market, Center St. at MLK Jr. Way. For backyard amateur gardeners only. Sponsored by the Berkeley Community Gardening Collaborative. 548-3333. www.ecologycenter.org/bcgc 

Groundbreaking for New Community Garden in Richmond at noon at Richmond Public Library, 325 Civic Center Plaza, off Macdonald Ave. Activities include a baking contest, garden hat decorating contest and stories for children at 11 am. in the library. 620-6561. 

Ocean View Community Garden Opening Albany residents interested in a garden plot will be assigned one by lottery. Priority given to apartment dwellers. Lottery tickets distributed beginning at 11 a.m., lottery begins at noon at 900 Buchanan St., behind the Teen Center and tennis courts. Annual fee $50. 559-9283. 

Vernal Vistas Hike in Claremont Canyon A steep 1.5 mile hike with panaoramic vistas at the end. From 3 to 4:30 p.m. Bring water and a snack to share. For information on meeting place call 525-2233. 

“Lewis and Clark, the Corps of Discovery: A 200-Year Retrospective” The history and biology of the Lewis and Clark voyage with a focus on the 176 plants they discovered. From 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Tilden Park Botanic Garden. Cost is $10-$20. Registration required. 841-8732. www.nativeplanets.org 

Vegetarian Cooking Class: Demystifying Tofu and Tempeh From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the First Unitarian Church of Oakland, 685 14th St. at Castro. Cost is $49, in advance, plus $5 food/materials fee, due on day of class. Registration required. 531-COOK. www.compassionatecooks.com  

“The Anza Trail and the Settling of California” with author Vladimir Guerrero at 1 p.m. at Lakeview Library, 550 El Embarcadero, Oakland. 238-7344. 

Common Agenda Regional Network Meeting on reordering federal priorities from the military to human and environmental needs, at 2 p.m. at Peace Action West, 2800 Adeline at Stuart. 524-6071. 

Community Plant Exchange from noon to 4 p.m. at 3811 Lakeshore Ave., Oakland. Bring plants that need pruning or dividing. For more nformation or if you need help digging up a plant call 866-8482. plantexchange@hotmail.com 

“Accent Plants for the Garden” at 10 a.m. at Magic Gardens, 729 Heinz Ave., off 7th St. 644-2351. 

Radical Eco-Feminism Workshop with Portland Animal Defense League, Rising TIde North America and Stumptown Earth First at 7 p.m. at the Long Haul, 3124 Shattuck Ave. stephanie@ 

RisingTideNorthAmerica.org 

Dharma Realm Buddhist Young Adults Spring Conference on Insight & Happiness on the Buddhist Path, Sat. and Sun. at the Berkeley Buddhist Monastery, 2304 McKinley Ave. RSVP to www.drby.net 

“Understanding Chronic Fatigue” at 11 a.m. at Elephant Pharm, 1607 Shattuck Ave. 549-9200. 

39th Annual UC Open Taekwondo Championship with open ceremony at 8:30 am. and competition at 9 a.m. at Walter A. Haas, Jr. Pavilion, UC Campus. Cost is $5-$8. 642-3268. www.ucmap.org 

Teen Knitting Circle at 3 p.m. in the 4th Flr Story Room of the Berkeley Public Library, 2090 Kittredge St. Bring your own needles in size 8. 981-6107. 

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 

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

Oakland Artisans Marketplace Sat. from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sun. from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Jack London Square. 238-4948. 

SUNDAY, MARCH 30 

Hike Around Jewel Lake A good first hike for the young trekker to learn about the lake and its flora and fauna, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. For information on meeting place call 525-2233. 

“Breaking the Silence: Israeli Soldiers Talk about Their Occupation Experiences” at 7 p.m. at Kehilla Community Synagogue, 1300 Grand Ave., Piedmont. Suggested donation $5-$20, no one turned away. 465-1777. 

“Iraqi Civil Resistance” Bill Weinberg reports on Iraqi trade unions, women’s organizations, and neighborhood assemblies opposed to the US occupation at 10 a.m. at Niebyl Proctor Library, 6501 Telegraph Ave. 

“A Taste of Ethiopia” A fundraiser and cultural event to benefit high school construction for The Merit Academy in Addis Ababa, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Berkeley Mills Furniture Showroom, 2830 Seventh St. Cost is $25, sliding scale donations at the door. 415-235-5467. 

Jewish Music Festival “Community Dance Party” with Jewish dance specialist Bruce Bierman at 4 p.m. at JCC East Bay, 1414 Walnut St. Cost is $12-$15. 848-0237. www.jewishmusicfestival.org 

Films for a Future “What Babies Want” at 2 p.m. at the Edith Stone Room, Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave., Albany. Discussion follows. 526-3720, ext. 17. 

Tibetan Buddhism with Tom Morse on “Natural Openness: Direct Knowing” at 6 p.m. at the Tibetan Nyingma Institute, 1815 Highland Pl. 809-1000 www.nyingmainstitute.com 

MONDAY, MARCH 31 

“Berkeley: A City in History” with author Chuck Wollenberg at 7 p.m. at the Berkeley Public Library, 2090 Kittredge. 981-6241. 

Berkeley Housing Authority Annual Plan Public Hearing at 6 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/BHA/default.html 

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

Free Boatbuilding Classes for Youth Mon.-Wed. from 3 to 7 p.m. at Berkeley Boathouse, 84 Bolivar Dr., Aquatic Park. Classes cover woodworking, boatbuilding, and boat repair. 644-2577. www.watersideworkshops.org 

ONGOING 

Find a Loving Animal Companion at the Berkeley-East Bay Humane Society Adoption Center (open from 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday). 2700 Ninth St. 845-7735. www.berkeleyhumane.org  

E-Waste Recycling St. Vincent de Paul of Alameda County accepts electronic waste including computers, dvd players, cell phones, fax machines and many other ewaste products for disposal free of charge at many of its locations throughout Alameda County. Free bulk pick-up available. 638-7600.  

Free Tax Help If your 2007 household income was less than $42,000, you are eligible for free tax preparation from United Way's Earn it! Keep It! Save It! Sites are open now through April 15 in Alameda and Contra Costa counties. To find a site near you, call 800-358-8832. www.EarnItKeepItSaveIt.org 

CITY MEETINGS 

City Council meets Tues., Mar. 25, at 7 p.m in City Council Chambers. 981-6900.  

Civic Arts Commission meets Wed., Mar. 26, at 6:30 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-7533.  

Energy Commission meets Wed., Mar. 26, at 6:30 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-5434.  

Planning Commission meets Wed., Mar. 26, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-7484. 

Police Review Commission meets Wed., Mar. 26, at 7 p.m. at the South Berkeley Senior Center. 981-4950.  

Mental Health Commission meets Thurs., Mar. 27, at 5 p.m. at 2640 MLK Jr. Way, at Derby. 981-5213.  

Zoning Adjustments Board meets Thurs., Mar. 27, at 7 p.m., in City Council Chambers. 981-7410.  

Berkeley Housing Authority Annual Plan Public Hearing Mon. Mar. 31, at 6 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/BHA/default.htm

TUESDAY, MARCH 25 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Ed Coletti and Lynne Knight read their poetry at 7:30 p.m. at Moe’s Books, 2476 Telegraph Ave. 849-2087. 

Eric Alterman describes “Why We Are Liberals: A Political Handbook for Post-Bush America” at 7:30 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Berkeley, 2345 Channing Way. 559-9500. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Kaspar/Sherman Jazz Quartet at 7 p.m. at the Berkeley Public Library, 2090 Kittredge St. 981-6241. 

Jewish Music Festival “Ladder of Gold” with Kaila Flexer and Gari Hegedus, at 7:30 p.m. at First Unitarian Church, 684 14th St., Oakland. 848-0237. www.jewishmusicfestival.org  

Gerard Landry & The Lariats at 8:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cajun dance lesson at 8 p.m. Cost is $10. 525-5054.  

Singers’ Open Mic with Kelly Park at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $5. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

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

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

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Richard Price introduces “Lush Life” a new novel, at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books at 2201 Shattuck, next to the almost open new store. 559-9500.  

Writing Teachers Write at 5 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344.  

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Music for the Spirit with Ron McKean on harpsichord at 12:15 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Oakland, 2619 Broadway. 444-3555. 

Five Play at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $8. 841-JAZZ.  

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

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

Mikie Lee and Amber at 10 p.m. at Beckett’s Irish Pub, 2271 Shattuck Ave. 647-1790.  

Audrey Auld Mezera & Andrew Hardin at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $17.50-$18.50. 548-1761.  

Theatrum Musicum at 7 p.m. at Le Bateau Ivre, 2629 Telegraph Ave. www.lebateauivre.net 

David Sanborn at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square, through Sun. Cost is $35-$40. 238-9200.  

THURSDAY, MARCH 27 

THEATER 

“Amor Cubano” Written and performed by Maceo Cabrera Estevez at 8 p.m. through Sat. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $5-$20. 849-2568.  

READINGS AND LECTURES 

“Sustainable Stewardship: Historic Preservation’s Essential Role in Fighting Climate Change” with Richard Moe, President of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, at 7:30 p.m. at First Church of Christ, Scientist, 2619 Dwight Way. Jon Carroll, San Francisco Chronicle columnist, will also speak. Suggested donation $20; free admission for students with ID. A reception will follow the address. Proceeds go to the preservation work at the Church. 841-2242.  

Jim Hightower “Swim Against the Current: Even a Dead Fish Can Go with the Flow” at 7:30 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Berkeley, 2345 Channing Way. Tickets are $12-$15. www.brownpapertickets.com  

Daniel P. Gregory, lecture and slideshow on “Cliff May and the Modern Ranch House”at 7:30 p.m. at Mrs. Dalloways, 2904 College Ave. 704-8222. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Jewish Music Festival “Chen Zimbalista and Friends” percussion at 7:30 p.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian Church: 2727 College Ave. Tickets are $20-$24. 848-0237.  

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

Rick Vandevivier Trio at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $10. 841-JAZZ.  

Talking Wood, Afro roots, at 7 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave. 548-5198.  

Fred O’dell and the Broken Arrows at 10 p.m. at Beckett’s Irish Pub, 2271 Shattuck Ave. 647-1790.  

FRIDAY, MARCH 28 

THEATER 

Altarena Playhouse “Chicago” Fri. and Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 2 p.m. at Altarena Playhouse, 1409 High St., Alameda, through April 12. Tickets are $17-$20. 523-1553.  

“Amor Cubano” Written and performed by Maceo Cabrera Estevez at 8 p.m. through Sat. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $5-$20. 849-2568.  

Berkeley Rep ”Wishful Drinking” with Carrie Fisher, at the Roda Theater, 2015 Addison St., through March 30. Tickets are $33-$69. 647-2949. 

Masquers Playhouse “Tartuffe” Fri.-Sat. at 8 p.m., some Sun. matinees at 2:30 p.m. at 105 Park Place, Pt. Richmond, through April 26. Tickets are $18. 232-4031. www.masquers.org 

Shotgun Players “Mrs. Warren’s Profession” by George Bernard Shaw. Thurs.-Sat. at 8 p.m., Sun. at 5 p.m., through April 27, at The Ashby Stage, 1901 Ashby Ave. Tickets are $17-$25. 841-6500.  

EXHIBITIONS 

“My Sister, My Sister” A personal response to homelessness, poetry by Zelma Brown, Photography by Meredith Stout. Opening reception at 7 p.m. at the Women’s Cancer Resource Center, 5741 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. Screening of “Walking in My Shoes” at 8 p.m. Show runs to April 25. 601-4040, ext. 111. 

“Peace is Possible” Works by artists who are changing the world through creativity, Wavy Gravy and Carolyna Marks. Reception at 7 p.m. at 4th Street Studio, 1717d 4th St. 527-0600. 

“Pet Art” from Expressions Gallery on display at Just Pet Me Country Club, 2545 Broadway, Oakland to June 30. A portion of the proceeds from art sales with be donated to the Berkeley Humane Society. 500-5595. 

“Beyond the Studio: Community Collaborations” Exhibition of works by students in the Arts and Consciousness program on display to April 5 at Joh F. Kennedy’s University Arts Annex, 2956 San Pablo Ave., 2nd flr. 486-8118. 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Richard Silberg and Thomas Centolella, poets, at 7:30 p.m. at Pegasus Books Downtown, 2349 Shattuck Ave. 649-1320. 

David King Dunaway reads from the revised edition “How Can I Keep From Singing? The Ballad of Pete Seeger” at 7:30 p.m. at Mrs. Dalloways, 2904 College Ave. 704-8222. 

R.Black discusses his art and new book “Futura: L’Art de R.Black” at 7:30 p.m. at Book Zoo 6395 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. 654-BOOK. 

Morton Felix and Stanford Rose, followed by open mic at 7 p.m. at Expressions Gallery, 2035 Ashby Ave. www.expressionsgallery.org 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

Berkeley Opera “L’Elisir d’Amore” at 8 p.m. at Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Ave. Tickets are $10-$44. 925-798-1300.  

Bay Area Classical Harmonies “David Rogers: Guitar and Lute” at 7:30 p.m. at The Pro Arts Gallery, 550 Second St., Oakland. Tickets are $12-$18. 868-0695.  

Thomas Pandolfi, pianist, at 8 p.m. at The Berkeley Hillside Club, 2286 Cedar St. Cost is $10-$15. 845-1350. 

Lisa B Quintet at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $12. 841-JAZZ.  

Sambada, Afro, Brazilian, funk, at 9 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $10-$13. 525-5054.  

Beth Waters at 8 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave., at Dwight. 548-5198.  

House Jacks at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $19.50-$20.50. 548-1761.  

Jessica Rice, Sacred Profanities at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe. 595-5344. 

The Dave Stein Bubhub at 10 p.m. at Beckett’s Irish Pub, 2271 Shattuck Ave. 647-1790.  

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

Julie Dexter, Jordana, R&B, at 8 p.m. at Maxwell’s Lounge, 341 13th St., Oakland. Cost is $10-$15. 839-6169. 

David Sanborn at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square, through Sun. Cost is $35-$40. 238-9200. 

SATURDAY, MARCH 29 

CHILDREN  

East Bay Children’s Theater “The Emperor’s New Clothes” at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. at the Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak St. Cost is $10. 655-7285.  

Los Amiguitos de La Peña with Rafael Manriquez, songs in Spanish, at 10:30 a.m. at La Peña. Cost is $5 for adults, $4 for children. 849-2568.  

Music with Melita and Sarita at 11 a.m. at Studio Grow, 1235 Tenth St. Cost is $7. 526-9888. 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Earth Days” Works by Carrie Lederer, Irene Imfeld and Andrew Kaluzynski, opens at 1 p.m. at Oakopolis, 447 25th St., Oakland. Runs through May 3. 663-6920. 

“Beneath the Surface” Paintings and works on paper by Liz Mamorsky, assemblage sculpture by Paul Baker. Opening reception at 6 p.m. at The Float Center Gallery, 1091 Calcot Place, #116, Oakland. 535-1702. 

Fresh Paint 3.5 Group show closing reception from 2 to 4 p.m. at Montclair Gallery, 1986 Mountain Blvd., Oakland. 339-4286. 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Vladimir Guerrero, author of “The Anza Trail and the Settling of California” will give a presentation on cultural assimilation and the racial make-up of Spanish California at 1 p.m. at Lakeview Library, 550 El Embarcadero, Oakland. 238-7344. 

Elizabeth Rosner, Berkeley author, speaks about writing at 2 p.m. at the Rockridge Library, 5366 College, Ave., Oakland. 597-5017. 

Jodi Picoult reads from “Change of Heart” at 7 p.m. at Cody’s Books at 2201 Shattuck, next to the almost open new store. 559-9500.  

MUSIC AND DANCE 

West Coast Blues Hall of Fame and Awards Show, performances and party, from 7 to 11 p.m. at Oakland Mariott City Center, 1001 Broadway, Oakland. Tickets are $30. 836-2227. www.bayareabluessociety.net 

Tchaikovsky Perm Ballet and Orchestra “Swan Lake” at 2 and 8 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $34-$90. 642-9988.  

Davide Verotta, piano, at 8 p.m. at Trinity Chapel, 2320 Dana St. Tickets are $8-$12. 549-3864.  

The Dry Umbrella Tour with Seattle artists, Carrie Clark and Camille Bloom at 8 p.m. at Epic Arts Studios, 1923 Ashby Ave. Suggested donation $7.  

Ray Obiedo Group at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $14. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

The Unreal Band, The Itchy Mountain Men at 9:30 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $10-$13. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com  

Khe Note at 7:30 p.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344.  

Bill Kirchen at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $20.50-$21.50. 548-1761.  

Zoe Ellis/Maya Kronfeld, swing, jazz, at 9 p.m. at Downtown. 649-3810.  

The Return of The P-PL at 10 p.m. at Beckett’s Irish Pub, 2271 Shattuck Ave. 647-1790. www.beckettsirishpub.com 

Five Eyed Hand at 8 p.m. at Jupiter. 843-8277. 

SUNDAY, MARCH 30 

EXHIBITIONS 

“Beyond the Pattern: The Quintessence of Fashion” celebrating applied handwork, embroidery, and lace. Opening reception at 6 p.m. at Lacis Museum of Lace and Textiles, 3163 Adeline St. 843-7178.  

Enrique Chagoya: Borderlandia Guided tour at 2 p.m. at Berkeley Art Museum. Cost is $5.50-$9.50. 642-0808.  

READINGS AND LECTURES 

Mark Fischer “Where Nature, Science and Art Meet” A presentation on Whalesong Art at 1 p.m. at Expressions Gallery, 2035 Ashby Ave. 644-4930. 

“Contemporary Art in Cuba” with Terry McClain at 2 p.m. at the Berkeley Public Library, 2090 Kittredge St. 981-6100. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

“Our Own Words” The Negro Spirituals Heritage Keepers, Friends of Negro Spirituals will celebrate the release of its Negro Spirituals Oral History DVDs and transcripts to the public at 3 p.m. at Mills College in Lisser Hall, 5000 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland. 869-4359. 

Berkeley Opera “L’Elisir d’Amore” at 2 p.m. at Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Ave. Tickets are $10-$44. 925-798-1300.  

Isadora Duncan’s Legacy With dancer Lois Flood and historian Joanna Harris at 2 p.m. at The Hillside Club, 2286 Cedar St. Suggested donation $15. 843-8982. www.hillsideclub.org 

Susan Matthews, organ, at 4 p.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave. Tickets are $10-$20. 684-7563. 

Oakland Civic Orchestra at 4 p.m. at Lake Merritt United Methodist Church, 1330 Lakeshore Ave., Oakland. Free. 238-7275.  

Berkeley Symphony’s “Under Construction” at 7 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Berkeley. Tickets are $10-$20. 841-2800. www.berkeleysymphony.org  

Tchaikovsky Perm Ballet and Orchestra “Swan Lake” at 8 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $34-$90. 642-9988.  

Junius Courtney Big Band at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $10. 841-JAZZ. www.AnnasJazzIsland.com 

Morris LeGrande at 8 p.m. at Anna’s Jazz Island, 2120 Allston Way. Cost is $10. 841-JAZZ.  

David Grossman & Friends at 11 a.m. at Nomad Cafe, 6500 Shattuck Ave. 595-5344.  

Flamenco with Dani Torres at 5 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave. 548-5198.  

Mamadou & Vanessa, African, at 8 p.m. at Ashkenaz. Cost is $10. 525-5054. www.ashkenaz.com 

Carrie Newcomer, Krista Detor at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage. Cost is $18.50-$19.50. 548-1761. www.freightandsalvage.org 

MONDAY, MARCH 31 

READINGS AND LECTURES 

“Berkeley: A City in History” with author Chuck Wollenberg at 7 p.m. at the Berkeley Public Library, 2090 Kittredge. 981-6241. 

Ernest Bloch Lecture with Steve Mackey on “Whim and Rigor: Rethinking Musical Influence: Rock-tinged Lecture” at 8 p.m. at Hertz Hall, UC Campus. 642-4864. http://music.berkeley.edu 

Poetry Express Open mic theme night on “women role models” at 7 p.m. at Priya Restaurant, 2072 San Pablo Ave. 644-3977. 

MUSIC AND DANCE 

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

Classical at the Freight: Kay Stern & Friends at 8 p.m. at Freight and Salvage Coffee House. Cost is $17.50-$18.50. 548-1761. 

Tia Caroll & Hard Work at 8 and 10 p.m. at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square. Cost is $10. 238-9200. www.yoshis.com 

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the second of a three-part series featuring stories of forgotten Berkeley history excerpted from Richard Schwartz’s book Eccentrics, Heroes, and Cutthroats of Old Berkeley.  

The members of the Berkeley Society for Psychical Research were sure. Their president, Professor Joseph Voyle, and other officers were very sure. On June 21, 1908, the society announced that Voyle had discovered a huge prehistoric ceremonial site buried on the UC Berkeley campus. 

The members of the society were confident in their conclusions. It seemed perfectly logical to them that ancient people would have chosen to honor this place where Strawberry Creek was cloaked by bay, alder, sycamore, and oak trees, its lower banks shrouded in strawberry and watercress plants, where the ancient coast live oaks extended their gnarled limbs over the campus beneath the sheltering hills.  

Here, they would have enjoyed the commanding view of the Bay and Golden Gate, the mild weather, and the abundance of all forms of food. Indeed, many artifacts were found and graves uncovered during the construction of buildings in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries; it is certain that Native Americans lived on and around the UC Berkeley campus.  

Most UC Berkeley professors considered the society’s claims to be a little too fanciful—and totally unsubstantiated. Voyle said that he had discovered a buried grid of an ancient habitation or ceremonial site, claiming that he and his students had used psychic magnetic compasses, or divining rods, to probe the invisible force fields of attractive matter under the ground.  

He claimed that this grid, measuring 1,200 feet in each direction, was one of a system of grids established around Berkeley. The grid under the UC campus, he said, was the only one that was subdivided into 120-foot square plots, making it, according to his thinking, a ceremonial site used during a certain time of year. He believed the smaller grids were privately owned by members of the ancient society. Voyle claimed to have seen similar markings all across the American continent, from Oregon to Florida.  

Voyle’s claims were wild. According to the Berkeley Daily Gazette: 

The ambition of the collectors of antiquities seemed to have been attained when a row of ordinary everyday rocks was reached and made by the fertile brains of the searchers to resemble the walls of a prehistoric North Hall. 

Towards the close of the day Voyle led his disciples back to the university grounds, where he proceeded to make a test that he said proved conclusively that the seat of learning of California today was the prized resort of sun worshipers ages ago. The test consisted of sticking up a pole in the ground at sundown and following the shadow as a base line for observations. In explanation of this, Voyle said: 

“From Arab and Oriental mystics versed in Egyptian lore, I have learned that it was an ancient custom to stick a rod in the ground at sundown of June 21st, the day on which the sun reaches its northernmost point, and that the shadow cast was used as a base line for the observations of the ancient engineers. My compass responds to certain markings I am convinced lie beneath these grounds.” 

Despite the outrageousness of his claims, there was something about this charismatic man Voyle that led a considerable number of people to accept his theories.  

By 1908 he had turned his focus to the Berkeley grid. Voyle contended that the center of the grid was located near UC Berkeley’s Bacon Library, built in 1888, which stood (until it was demolished in 1961) just east of Sather Tower. Voyle claimed that the corners of this buried site were the Harmon Gym, Hearst Hall, the Greek Theatre, and the Hearst Mining Building.  

He believed that the first two campus buildings, North and South Halls, were right within the area of this buried prehistoric square-shaped city. Voyle claimed that the grid was made of some kind of matter laid down by the ancients. He further maintained that disturbances of the “attractive matter” of this prehistoric work were noted in the recent 1908 construction work on the Doe Library and the southwest corner of the Hearst Mining Building. He was sure that the founders of the university were subliminally affected by the buried site.  

According to Voyle, everything in the site was laid out with mathematical accuracy, though its orientation was not in a north-south direction. Rather, the orientation was the same as the one that the Egyptian pyramid builders used-along the line created by the shadow of a pole when the sun set on the summer and winter solstices, when the sun sets at its northernmost point on the western horizon.  

Voyle believed, though he did not yet have exact proof, that these lines ran about thirty degrees north of west. If a pole was placed at the southwest corner of this ancient square on UC campus, which was west of South Hall, the shadow cast by the pole on June 21 would run directly on or very near to the edge of this buried ancient grid.  

While the professor did not claim to have solved the entire mystery of the site, he believed that his speculations could be supported by the location’s incontrovertible beauty:  

What the object of this particular subdivision of this prehistoric square was, I know of no way of deciding: that is purely a matter of speculation, but the natural beauty of the position, the grandeur of the view on all sides, but especially the view of the Golden Gate, the entrance to San Francisco bay where from this well marked prehistoric spot, at certain well known times of the year, the setting sun sinks to rest beyond the Pacific ocean, often in a grand halo of misty golden glory, that would thrill the soul of a sun worshipper to enthusiastic ecstasy, and make the spot, where now stands the University of California a sacred spot for semiannual pilgrimages where each family has its own abiding place on the national ceremonial site is probably as near truth as we can get, until further facts may be discovered.  

While it was fairly easy to poke holes in Voyle’s theories, his ideas about ceremonies occurring near that spot were not entirely unsupported. In fact, early European explorers observed sun ceremonies enacted by Bay Area Indians with much feeling and adoration. According to one explorer’s account of an event he witnessed in the Bay Area, a sun ceremony was performed every day by an entire village, whereby the members would gather and hold hands at sunrise to assist the sun in rising.  

This participation was part of the Indians’ belief in their ability and duty to partake and assist in balancing the forces of their world. To them, waking up together, joining hands, and singing as the sun rose to help it in its daily ascent was their duty and their concern. Indian solstice ceremonies were also recorded by local Spanish missions. The Indians, still performing the duties of their own culture after joining the church, would try to convince the sun to reverse its path northward and keep the world from going dark. Voyle’s speculations show at least some small degree of awareness of these cultural references.  

No University of California professor wanted to address the merits of Voyle’s theories. Voyle claimed to understand their distancing themselves from him. He said that classical truth always laughed at what it did not understand, but that one day they would understand the true nature of this site on UC Berkeley’s campus, and at that point they would give it another name.  

The Sacramento Bee had a field day with this story, poking fun at the students who believed Voyle’s claims The students, armed with divining rods, repeated the demonstration—supposedly finding the same energy lines in the same places, without prodding or instruction. To Voyle, his detractors were simply misguided; he believed they would come around to his way of thinking. The Sacramento Bee commented, “Still the doubters have one comfort. When Isaac Newton discovered the law of gravitation the people wouldn’t believe him, even when he showed them the apple.  

To prove his case, on Monday, June 20, 1908, Voyle took 150 people up into the hills four miles from the UC campus northeast of Vollmer Peak, where he showed them the lines of two long low rock walls. Like a preacher, Voyle boomed: “There lies before you the remnants of the building of a city of the ancients.” The crowd gasped. He then stated that the walls, according to his survey, showed “regularity.” The crowd gasped again, right on cue.  

The next day, Voyle met two hundred people at the north side of the Greek Theatre. The San Francisco Call mocked Voyle and his followers, saying that they were there to be led “away from the conventional archeology, away from the bondage of modern geology to the promised land pointed out by divining rod and psychical compass. Indeed, Voyle led them with the vigor of a mountain goat and the conviction of Moses, losing some of the less devout in the climb. One newspaper noted the division of labor that must have existed in the ancient civilization, as the women on Voyle’s trek were carrying the divining rods and the men the lunch baskets.  

Afterwards, the San Francisco Call satirized the event:  

The scientific world stands agape and palpitates with subdued expectation while Professor Voyle and the psychical society of Berkeley conduct their learned post mortem of the buried cities that underlie the University of California and its classic environs… The Call rejoices in the learned labors of Professor Voyle and his band of psychics. He has found not one defunct metropolis, but a whole covey of buried cities. With the eye of faith he finds them, scorning the vulgar pickax. It is a triumph of mind over matter. The plodding paleontologers and anthropologers of the university, their kitchen middens and their stuffy piles of undisturbed bones, are put to shame by the easy process of psychical divination.  

Voyle’s final address was 2226 Chapel Street in Berkeley. Following an operation at Berkeley’s Roosevelt Hospital in the spring of 1915, people concerned with Voyle’s health placed him in the Berkeley county infirmary. He had no relatives to help take care of him. 

Though Joseph Voyle never earned the recognition of the university or academic community, he was still acknowledged and sometimes touted highly by the greater public. The Oakland Tribune described him thus: “Never a recognized man among the recognized scientists, yet an original investigator of untiring industry, Professor Voyle continued his studies to the day when his illness bade him halt.” 

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the second 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. (The first installment ran Dec. 14, 2007.) 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 the final installment of this series in an upcoming issue.

“Tonight’s forecast: Dark. Increasing darkness, with widely scattered daylight in the morning.” So George Carlin’s stoned weatherman predicted the nocturnal trend in his ’60s stand-up comedy act.  

Will Eno’s Tragedy: A Tragedy, on the Thrust Stage at Berkeley Rep, begins where Carlin’s glib (and succinct) forecaster left off, riffing on a given in broadcasting that’s become a staple of American comedy routines—when there’s nothing to say over the mic or see on camera, just keep talking, all that dead air has to be filled. 

And a lot of mileage has been got from it, ever since Bob & Ray began to milk the laughter implicit in the solipsistic spiel of anchormen, special guests, men in the field and talking heads more than 50 years ago on the radio. 

But Eno’s opus isn’t a brief Saturday Night Live comedy sketch. It’s a 70-minute play by a playwright who’s been nominated for a Pulitzer for his piece Thom Pain (based on nothing). Thomas Jay Ryan plays an actor known for the title role in a noted film, flanked by two journeymen actors (girlish Marguerite Stimpson, laconic Max Gordon Moore) as other correspondents, with yet another as anchor (warm, avuncular David Cromwell) at his desk behind. They all face out over the audience, as if gazing at the horizon or encroaching destiny, as did Carl Dreyer’s characters in his final film masterpiece, Gertrud. 

The newsmen talk. They talk to the invisible eye of the camera, to the presumed viewers beyond it, to each other, to themselves. Trying to come to grips with—or at least articulate—some vast catastrophe that everybody feels, is aware of, but which leaves no visible or audible trace (unless the absence of commotion, of activity, is such a trace), they can only mouth big, vague words like “night,” “darkness,” “world,” while going on about what they see, what they feel, how they’re breaking down ... all equally vague, spectacularly banal. In fact, they are the spectacle, like proverbial actors reciting from the phone book, albeit with an underpinning of chagrin. 

Is it an apocalypse strictly from Zeno’s Paradox? Is it the long-awaited triumph of entropy, ushered in by the langueurs of media professionals? Or is it just the media itself, without content, with whatever event jerked off-camera, while the talent fidgets and twitches like marionettes whose strings are being snipped? 

Rep Artistic Director Tony Taccone warns, “to say that Tragedy: A Tragedy is a satire on the self-satirizing media is like saying that Waiting for Godot is about life on the road. It doesn’t even begin to capture what’s really going on ...” 

Eno has been compared to Beckett, of whom he says, “I really think he is great. One of my favorite nights of the last couple of thousand was reading Krapp’s Last Tape to [my friend] Shevaun in bed, while she was knitting. Later, I think we smoked a couple of those Gitanes cigarettes ... one of the most existential cigarette brands, unless they still sell Old Golds.” He’s also been called Existentialist. 

But such comparisons seem misnomers, like the current use of “irony” for a type of sarcasm or flippancy over one thing displacing another. Eno plays with redundancy, oxymoron, tautology, but Tragedy: A Tragedy still comes off as a one-trick pony, cantering around and around the track.  

The cosmic punch line which supposedly goes beyond the obviousness of the set-up of the joke seems to be what Ford Madox Ford averred was the ruination of the arts in Anglo-Saxon societies: the author winking at the audience, like a puppeteer showing his face, so everyone knows it’s all under control, that they’re in on something amusing.  

“Absurdist” drama and the historical avant-garde it drew from didn’t present static tableaux, passive images. Even Found Objects were made artful through montage, mounting dissimilar things together or in dissimilar contexts. That transformative activity was what counted, not an attitude or pose. 

Norman Mailer once satirized another well-known novelist, saying, “A lot of writers go to cocktail parties, and get an idea they talk up after a few drinks, but he’s the only one who goes home and writes it.” There’s an uneasy similarity between Eno’s idea and plays by writers unfamiliar with theater, naively fooling around with conventions new to them, eager to show off a new toy. 

As the newscasters break down, become surrogate family to each other and are praised by a sympathetic bystander, they jump (or decay, in the musical sense) from newstalk to what sounds like academic samples of different narrative styles, cut and pasted in. Another rather naive rendition of a fiction device, a little like William Burrough’s Cut-Up Technique. The overall effect of the play recalls a line from one of Burroughs’ jaded characters: “Why, he’d stand still for Joe Gould’s seagull impression!” 

TRAGEDY: A TRAGEDY 

Through April 13 at Berkeley Repertory  

Theater, 2025 Addison St. 647-2949.