Events Listings

Community Calendar

Thursday February 04, 2010 - 08:41:00 AM

THURSDAY, FEB. 4 

An Evening with Tim Wise, anti-racism author and activist on “Colorblindness and its Consequences: How Ignoring Race Deepens the Racial Divide” at 7 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Oakland, 2501 Harrison St., Oakland. Cost is $15-$20, $5 youth 17 & under. 601-0182 ext. 302. www.speakoutnow.org 

“Why Is Haiti Poor? Politics, Disaster and the Predatory State” with Mark Danner at 6 p.m. in the Geballe Room, 220 Stephens Hall, UC campus. Free. 642-2088. 

Science Cafe Compare science notes with Jamie Paglia and Colin Ferguson of SyFy TV’s EUReKA, at 7 p.m. at The David Brower Center, Goldman Theater, 2150 Allston St. Seating is available on a first-come, first served basis. 486-7292.  

Walden Center and School Benefit with soul music, dancing, silent auction at 7 p.m. at Gaia Arts Center, 2120 Allston Way. Tickets are $50-$60. 841-7248. www.walden-school.net 

Senior Driving Safety Learn what you can do to maintain your driving skills as you age, from 1:30 to 3 p.m. at the Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave., Albany. 526-3720. 

Job Seeker Information Session for Berkeley residents receiving unemployment insurance at 10 a.m. at North Cities One Stop Career Center, 1918 Bonita Ave. 982-7128.  

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

Free Drop-in Beginning Computer Class, Mon. at 6 p.m. and Thurs. at 10 a.m. at Berkeley Public Library, 3rd flr., 2090 Kittredge St. 981-6148. 

FRIDAY, FEB. 5 

“Behind the Wall” Emerging Strategies of Palestinian Nonviolent Resistance with Carol Sanders of Jewish Voice for Peace at 7 p.m. at St. Joseph the Worker Church Chapel. 499-0537. 

Richmond Youth for Haiti Basketball Series, through Sat. at 7 p.m. at the Richmond PAL Arena, 2200 Macdonald Ave., Richmond. Tickets are $10-$25. 621-1221. www.rpal.org 

Bay Area Funeral Society Presentation Learn how to avoid being taken advantage of by the funeral industry at 2 p.m. in the Community Room of Sacramento Senior Apts., 1501 Blake St. at Sacramento. 647-3624. 

Center for Elders Independence Information about helping seniors to stay in their own homes as long as possible at 3 p.m. in the Community Room of Sacramento Senior Apts., 1501 Blake St. at Sacramento. 318-7142. 

Circle Dancing, simple folk dancing with instruction at 8 p.m. at Finnish Brotherhood Hall, 1970 Chestnut St. at University. Donation of $5 requested. 528-4253.  

Berkeley Women in Black weekly vigil from noon to 1 p.m. at Bancroft and Telegraph. Our focus is human rights in Palestine. 548-6310. 

Stand With Us Stand for Peace Stand with Israel vigil every Friday from noon to 1 p.m. at Bancroft and Telegraph. www.sfvoiceforisrael.org 

SATURDAY, FEB. 6 

Open Space Improvement Plan for Berkeley’s Downtown to discuss plaza options, landscaping, bike lanes, street trees and watersheds at 10:30 a.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst Ave. 981-7487. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/SOSIP/ 

West Branch Library Project update on the conceptual design at a special meeting of the Board of Library Trustees at noon at West Branch Library, 1125 University Ave. 981-6195.  

Birding on the Bay Join a naturalist for a walk along the shore to spot birds feeding on the newly created mud flats, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at Middle Harbor Shoreline Park. 272-4802. 

Xeriscaping Learn how to garden with less water, fertilizer and maintenance, at 10 a.m. at Magic Gardens Nursery, 729 Heinz Ave. www.magicgardens.com 

Saint Mary’s College High School Crab Feed and Silent Auction Silent Auction 5:30 p.m., dinner at 7:30 p.m., music and dancing to 11 p.m. in the school gymnasium, 1294 Albina Ave. Tickets are $40. Advance paid reservations required. 832-2453.  

Global Montessori International School Open House from 10 a.m. to noon for Early Childhood program ages 2-6 and Elementary ages 6-12, at the corner of Durant Ave. and Ellsworth St. 845-6969. globalmontessori@sbcglobal.net  

Friends of the Albany Library Book Sale from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Edith Stone Room of the Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave, Albany. To volunteer, or for more information, call 526-3720 ext. 5. 

“The Obama Presidency One Year Later: Marxist and Other Observations” at 2 p.m. at Niebyl-Proctor Library, 6501 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. 595-7417. www.marxistlibr.org 

Pinball Tournament at Playland-Not-At-The-Beach Sat. and Sun. from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 10979 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito. Cost is $10-$15. 932-8966.  

Valentine’s Week at Habitot Make heart-themed art Mon.-Thurs. 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Fri. to 4:30 at 2065 Kittredge St. Cost is $8.50. 647-1111. 

Free Garden Tours at Regional Parks Botanic Garden Sat. at 2 p.m. and Sun. at 11 a.m. and 2 pm. Regional Parks Botanic Garden, Tilden Park. Call to confirm. 841-8732. www.nativeplants.org 

Lawn Bowling on the green at the corner of Acton St. and Bancroft Way at 10 a.m. for ages 12 and up. Wear flat soled shoes, no heels. 841-2174.  

SUNDAY, FEB. 7 

Family Art Workshop: Chinese New Year Make lanterns, dragon puppets and tiger hats from 1 to 3 p.m. at Museum of Children’s Art, 538 Ninth St., Oakland. Cost is $3 for adults, $7 for children. 465-8770.  

Medicinal Plants of the Bay Area: A Bioregional Exporation from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve. Cost is $25. To register call 428-1810. bluewindbmc@gmail.com 

Free Hands-on Bicycle Clinic Learn how to repair a flat, from 11 a.m. to noon at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. Bring your bike and tools. 527-4140. 

“Keep Green with Untapped Water” from 10 a.m .to 1 p.m. at Building Education Center, 812 Page St. Cost is $45. 525-7610. 

Personal Theology Seminars with “Jesus, the Jewish Sage” with Rabbi Harry Manhoff at 10 a.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley, 1 Lawson Rd., Kensington. 525-0302, ext. 306. 

MONDAY, FEB. 8 

Claremont Elmwood Neighborhood Association Membership Meeting at 7 p.m. at St John's Presbyterian Church, Fireside Room, 2727 College Ave. Topics include UC Police and neighborhood safety, funding for neighborhood projects, Tunnel Rd/Ashby Ave. Improvements, Safeway at College/ 

Claremont expansion update and proposed Sunshine Ordinance & Open Government. 

Free Drop-in Beginning Computer Class, Mon. at 6 p.m. and Thurs. at 10 a.m. at Berkeley Public Library, 3rd flr., 2090 Kittredge St. 981-6148. 

East Bay Track Club for ages 3-14 meets at 6 p.m. at the running track of Berkeley High School. For more information call Coach Walker at 776-7451. 

TUESDAY, FEB. 9 

“Sustainable Agriculture in the Peace Corps” Learn about serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer in one of 70+ countries around the world, including programs in sustainable agriculture at 7:30 p.m. at Common Circle Education, 2130 Center St. 452-8444. www.peacecorps.gov 

War Tax Resistance Workshop Learn where your tax money goes and how to redirect your taxes, with a new video “Death & Taxes” from 1 to 3 p.m. at 2921 Adeline St. 842-6124. www.nowartax.org 

“Code Switching: How to Talk So Men Will Listen” with author Audrey Nelson at 7 p.m. at Lokey Graduate School of Business, Mills College, 5000 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland 

Family Storytime, for ages preschool and up, at 7 p.m. at the Kensington Library, 61 Arlington Ave., Kensington. 524-3043 

Job Seeker Information Session for Berkeley residents receiving unemployment insurance at 10 a.m. at North Cities One Stop Career Center, 1918 Bonita Ave. 982-7128. www.eastbayworks.com 

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

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. 

Homework Help at the Albany Library for students in grades 2 - 6, Tues. and Thurs. from 3:15 to 5:15 p.m. at the Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave. Emphasis on math and writing skills. No registration is required. For more information, call 526-3720. 

Homework Help Program at the Richmond Public Library Tues. and Thurs. from 3 to 5:30 p.m. at 325 Civic Center Plaza. For more information or to enroll, call 620-6557. 

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., Sat. and Sun. from 2 to 6 p.m. at at 84 Bolivar Dr., Aquatic Park. 644-2577.  

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. 845-6830. 

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 10 

Update on Claremont Branch and South Branch Library Projects Architects will discuss the design plans at the Board of Library Trustees meetings at 6:30 p.m. at South Branch Library, 1901 Russell St. 981-6195. 

“Blended Nation: Portraits & Interviews of Mixed-Race America” An interactive discussion, slide show, question and answer session with the authors in collaboration with the Geek Out series and RACE Exhibit at 7:30pm at Lawrence Hall of Science, Centennial Drive. Tickets are $8-$10. 642-5132. http://lawrencehallofscience.org 

“Raw Video from Palestine” and “Dawn, After the Bombs” at 7:30 p.m. at Humanist Hall, 390 27th St., Oakland. Donation $5. www.Humanist Hall.org 

Red Cross Blood Drive from noon to 6 p.m. at West Pauley Ballroom, MLK Student Union, UC campus. To schedule an appointment go to www.helpsavealife.org 

“Stress, Human Body and Nutrition” at 6:15 p.m. at Alta Bates Summit Medical Center, Markstein Services, 3100 Summit St., Oakland. Free, but registration requested. 869-8833. 

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. 

THURSDAY, FEB. 11 

Berkeley Path Wanderers: Winter Power Walk A vigorous walk to Kensington Circle, around some of the Kensington paths and return via Visalia. A fast-paced walk with some steep hills. No dogs please. Meet at 10 a.m. at Great Stoneface Park, Thousand Oaks & San Fernando, at picnic table. For information call 520-3876. www.berkeleypaths.org 

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

“Who Profits from the Israeli Occupation?” with Dalit Baum, PhD, teacher at Haifa University and Beit Berl College in Israel at 7 pm. at Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists, 1924 Cedar St. Cost is $5-$20, no one turned away. bfuu.blogspot.com/  

Job Seeker Information Session for Berkeley residents receiving unemployment insurance at 10 a.m. at North Cities One Stop Career Center, 1918 Bonita Ave. 982-7128. www.eastbayworks.com 

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

Berkeley School Volunteers, New Volunteer Orientation from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. at 1835 Allston Way. Bring a photo ID and two references to the orientation. Returning volunteers do not need to attend. 644-8833. 

FRIDAY, FEB. 12 

Annual Great Backyard Bird Count All are welcome to count birds from Fri. through Mon. For counting guidelines and information contact the Golden Gate Audubon Society 843-9374. www.goldengateaudubon.org 

City Commons Club Noon Luncheon with Sue Reynolds on “Understanding Native American People” Luncheon at 11:45 a.m. for $15, speech at 12:30 p.m., at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant St. For information call 527-2173.  

Womensong Circle An evening of participatory singing for women, at 7:15 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Berkeley, small assembly room, 2345 Channing Way. Suggested donatono $15-$20. betsy@betsyrosemusic.org 

Circle Dancing, simple folk dancing with instruction at 8 p.m. at Finnish Brotherhood Hall, 1970 Chestnut St. at University. Donation of $5 requested. 528-4253.  

Berkeley Women in Black weekly vigil from noon to 1 p.m. at Bancroft and Telegraph. Our focus is human rights in Palestine. 548-6310. 

Stand With Us Stand for Peace Stand with Israel vigil every Friday from noon to 1 p.m. at Bancroft and Telegraph. www.sfvoiceforisrael.org 

SATURDAY, FEB. 13 

Toxic Triangle Hearings: Environmental Justice for Oakland, San Francisco, and Richmond From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Allen Temple Baptist Church, 8501 International Avenue, Oakland. For information contact Rev. Daniel Buford 544-8923. 

Fundraiser for Africa Matters with African Buffet, live Marimba music by Kuganza of Santa Cruz, silent auction of Zimbabwe crafts at 5:30 p.m. at Marrion Zimmer Auditorium, Oakland Zoo. Cost is $80. For information and reservations call 655-4528.  

Rabbits Are So Sweet Adoption Fair Make valentines for your pets, and meet the bunnies, from 2 to 4 p.m. at RabbitEars, 377 Colusa, Kensington. 525-6155. 

Kenney Cottage Garden Fundraiser Yard Sale, Sat. and Sun. from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 1629 Fifth St. 

Peralta Hacienda Historical Park Family tour and embroidery exhibit at 2 p.m. at Antonia Peralta house, 2465 34th Ave., Oakland. Free. 532-9142. www.peraltahacienda.org 

East Bay Chapter of The Great War Society meets to discuss “The AEF & Music & My Uncles in WWI” at 10:30 a.m. at Albany Veterans Hall, 1325 Portland Ave., Albany. 527-7118. 

Game Day at the Albany Library with board and Wii games from 1 to 4 p.m. at The Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave., Albany. 526-3720. 

Red Cross Blood Drive from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Church of Latter Day Saints, Cultural Hall, 1501 Walnut St. To schedule an appointment go to www.helpsavealife.org 

Valentine’s at Playland-Not-At-The-Beach Sat. through Mon. from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 10979 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito. Cost is $10-$15. 932-8966.  

Lawn Bowling on the green at the corner of Acton St. and Bancroft Way every Wed. and Sat. at 10 a.m. for ages 12 and up. Wear flat soled shoes, no heels. Free lessons. 841-2174.  

SUNDAY, FEB. 14 

Sunday Strolls: Sibley Volcanic Reserve from 10 a.m. to noon. Moderate 2.6 mile hike. Dogs welcome. 544-3187.  

Family Art Workshop: Art Hearts Stamp, print and glue unique Valentine cards from 1 to 3 p.m. at Museum of Children’s Art, 538 Ninth St., Oakland. Cost is $3 for adults, $7 for children. 465-8770.  

Small Critter Adoption Day with information on caring for small animals, from 2 to 4 p.m. at RabbitEars, 377 Colusa, Kensington. 525-6155. 

Old Time Radio East Bay Collectors and listeners gather to enjoy shows together at 4 p.m. at a private home in Berkeley.  For more information please email DavidinBerkeley at Yahoo. 

“Feng Shui” A seminar with Nadine Oei from 10 a.m .to 1 p.m. at Building Education Center, 812 Page St. Cost is $45. 525-7610. 

Personal Theology Seminars with “Parables and Midrash—Are the they Same?” with Rabbi Harry Manhoff, at 10 a.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley, 1 Lawson Rd., Kensington. 525-0302. 

Kol Hadash Bagel Brunch with Prof. Eric Meikle from the National Center for Science Education at 10 a.m. at Albany Community Center, 1249 Marin Ave. Cost is $7.50-$10. www.kolhadash.org 

Free Garden Tours at Regional Parks Botanic Garden in Tilden Park Sat. at 2 p.m. and Sun. at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Call to confirm. 841-8732. www.nativeplants.org 

CITY MEETINGS 

Landmarks Preservation Commission meets Thurs., Feb. 4, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-7429.  

Open Space Improvement Plan for Berkeley’s Downtown to discuss plaza options, landscaping, bike lanes, street trees and watersheds, Sat., Feb. 6, at 10:30 a.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst Ave. 981-7487.  

City Council meets Tues., Feb. 9, at 7 p.m in City Council Chambers. 981-6900.  

Homeless Commission meets Wed., Feb. 10, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-5431. 

Planning Commission meets Wed., Feb. 10, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-7416. 

Waterfront Commission meets Wed., Feb. 10, at 7 p.m., at 201 University Ave. 981-6737.  

West Berkeley Project Area Committee meets at 7 p.m. at the James Kenney Rec. Center, 1720 Eighth St. 981-7418. 

Zoning Adjustments Board meets Thurs., Feb. 11 , at 7 p.m., in City Council Chambers. 981-7430. 

ONGOING 

Berkeley High Registration Incoming 9th graders from non BUSD schools must register by Feb. 12. For complete information on how to register, please go to http://bhs.berkeley.net and click on Prospective Families. Students currently enrolled in a district middle school do not have to enroll at Berkeley High School. 

Princess Project Donate your gently used prom dresses and accessories to benefit Bay Area high school girls, from Feb. 8 to Feb. 19 at Tootsies in Oakland, 5525 College Ave. For details see www.princessproject.org