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Flash: Man Killed in Robbery Attempt near Adeline and Emerson in Berkeley

By Bay City News
Sunday September 12, 2010 - 09:56:00 PM

Police in Berkeley are asking for the public's help identifying a suspect who shot and killed a 35-year-old man walking home with his fiancee after a party in the city early this morning. 

The couple were walking near Adeline and Emerson streets at around 3:40 a.m. when they were approached by two male suspects who tried to rob them, Berkeley police spokeswoman Sgt. Mary Kusmiss said. 

During the crime, one of the suspects shot the victim and punched the victim's fiancee. The woman suffered minor injuries. 

The victim, who had reportedly moved to Berkeley in February, was taken to a trauma center by fire department paramedics and was pronounced dead. 

The suspects got into a two-tone older model sport utility vehicle and drove away, traveling west on Ashby Avenue. 

Police did not release the victim's name pending notification of his family and confirmation of his identity by the Alameda County coroner's bureau. 

The Berkeley Police Department is urging anyone who might have knowledge of the homicide or the suspects to contact the police homicide unit at (510) 981-5741 or the 24-hour police non-emergency number (510) 981-5900. Calls can be made anonymously at (800) 222-TIPS.


Berkeley Police Find Finder of Stolen Wallet at Long Last

By Dan McMenamin (BCN)
Friday September 10, 2010 - 11:23:00 AM

Berkeley police have finally figured out who returned the wallet of a man who was attacked nearly four years ago, leaving him permanently injured. 

Hamed Mirabdal, who is now 23, was stabbed more than 25 times in his neck and chest in the Oct. 15, 2006 attack. 

Miradbal's wallet was stolen during the attack, which has cost him the complete use of his left hand and partial use of his right. 

He is also in perpetual agonizing pain from nerve damage, and one of the injuries he suffered in the attack will eventually require him to have open-heart surgery, according to his father, Ali Mirabdal. 

In July, Mirabdal's mother received a manila envelope at her Orinda home with no return address. Inside was a worn black wallet with her son's old driver's license and a handwritten note. 

"Hamed, found this while gardening on San Lorenzo Avenue in North Berkeley," the note said, and it was signed with an illegible signature. 

Police did not think the person who sent the wallet was involved in the attack, but were seeking its sender to authenticate the item so it could be used at the trial of the two men suspected of the attack, 22-year-old Blake Anthony Mastro and 26-year-old Nicolas Flatbush. 

Mastro and Flatbush are charged with attempted murder and second-degree burglary for the attack. 

At the end of last month, Berkeley police reached out to the community to find out who sent it, and earlier this week a woman contacted homicide detectives to say she had sent the wallet. 

The woman, identified only as a homeowner on San Lorenzo Street in northeast Berkeley, said her friend saw the alert on the Police Department's website and recognized the handwriting on the note. 

The friend contacted her, and she then called police. 

She told police she had not done any gardening or landscaping for years on her property, and came across the wallet while clearing brush and plants from the front garden. 

She told police she was "surprised" that the wallet was connected to such a brutal crime and was "relieved" that it can now be used in the ongoing trials of Mastro and Flatbush. 

The two suspects are due back in Alameda County Superior Court on Nov. 15.


Mothers Seek Information on Hiker’s Release

By Jeff Shuttleworth (BCN)
Thursday September 09, 2010 - 07:21:00 PM

The mothers of three former University of California at Berkeley graduates who have been detained in Iran for more than a year said today they are seeking more information on reports that one of the detainees will be released Saturday. 

Sarah Shourd, Shane Bauer, 27, and Josh Fattal, 27, have been imprisoned in Iran since July 31, 2009. 

The hikers' mothers are Nora Shourd of Oakland, Cindy Hickey of Pine City, Minn., and Laura Fattal of Elkins Park, Penn. 

The hikers' family members and friends say they were detained after they accidentally crossed an unmarked border into Iran while hiking in Iraq's Kurdistan region. But Iran has accused them of espionage and has said that it plans to prosecute them, although no formal charges have been filed. 

In a joint statement, the mothers said, "We have seen the news reports and are urgently seeking further information. We hope and pray that the reports are true and that this signals the end of all three of our children's long and difficult detention." 

The mothers said, "Shane, Sarah and Josh are all innocent and we continue to call for their immediate release, so that they can return home together and be reunited with our families." 

Iran granted visas to the hikers' mothers in May and the mothers were allowed to visit the country for two nights and see their children on two locations. But the mothers returned without their children. 

On May 24, after their return to the U.S., the mothers announced that Shourd and Bauer are engaged to be married and intend to marry soon after they are released. 

Nora Shourd said last month that she's concerned about her daughter's health because her daughter told her that she discovered a lump on her breast. 

U.S. State Department spokeswoman Nicole Thompson said U.S. officials have unable to confirm reports from Iran that one of the detainees will be freed. 

Thompson said, "That's something that's unfolding" and the U.S. is trying to find the source for those reports. 

"We're waiting to see what the Iranians will do," she said. 

Thompson said, "We're calling for the release of all three young Americans."


Memorial for Slain Mountain Lion in Berkeley

By Jeff Shuttleworth (BCN)
Tuesday September 07, 2010 - 12:48:00 PM

A street memorial complete with flowers, incense and emotional messages has been set up near the spot where Berkeley police shot and killed a mountain lion last week after they were unable to chase it out of a residential neighborhood. 

One of the messages at the corner of Cedar Street and Shattuck Avenue reads, "In Honor, Respect and Remembrance of the slain Mountain Lion. May your spirit rest in peace." 

"May we protect our wildlife," the message continues. "If we save them, we save ourselves." 

However, another note defends the actions of Berkeley police, who killed the mountain lion in the driveway of a house at 1630 Walnut St. shortly before 3:30 a.m. on Aug. 31. 

The note reads, "Thank you Berkeley police for all the times - including this one - that you've done the right thing for the safety of Berkeley residents, even when it's dangerous, unpleasant and unpopular with a certain crowd." 

Police said they killed the cat because the public was in danger. They pointed out that there are schools and businesses nearby and homeless people frequent the area. 

The note continued, "To anyone who thinks the police should have dithered around until a zookeeper could show up with a dart gun, what would you say to the family of someone who became the lion's dinner?" 

The writer said, "It's time to get in tough with your common sense Chakra." 

Another person who defended police wrote, "Let's not be naive. We are not talking about a puppy a raccoon or a deer. We're talking about a creature that literally eats people - not often, but not never, either." 

Someone responded to that note by scrawling, "They could have anesthetized it and relocated it." 

Berkeley police spokeswoman Sgt. Mary Kusmiss said police and other city officials have been "inundated" by calls and e-mails about the incident, and that some of the messages involved "a fair amount of verbal abuse." 

Kusmiss said some people even called 911 to complain, which she said is "not appropriate" because it could delay officers from responding to crimes. 

She said people who want to comment on the shooting of the mountain lion should call 311. 

 

By Jeff Shuttleworth (BCN)


City and Campus Police Team Up for Improved Safety on Berkeley’s Southside

By Bay City News
Tuesday September 07, 2010 - 09:20:00 AM

City police and University of California at Berkeley police are joining forces in the name of improving public safety at night in Berkeley’s Southside neighborhoods and after home football games, the university announced last week.  

In the past, some near-campus residents have called both departments separately for assistance, but now, the university said, they will get a joint response from officers regularly assigned to the area and familiar with the community.  

Starting this semester, patrols will take place Thursday through Saturday nights between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m.  

"Student safety, especially at night, is [a student government] priority, and we're pleased that both police departments are working so closely to ensure the safety of Cal students," said Berkeley student Kelly McDonnell, who works as chief of staff for the student government president.  

The joint teams patrolling the neighborhoods near campus will pair one city and one campus police officer in each of two squad cars, according to the university.  

Thanks to an advisory committee comprised on students, neighborhood leaders and senior officials from the campus and the city, the community's call for improved public safety did not fall on deaf ears.  

Both police chiefs - the city's Michael Meehan and the university’s Mitch Celaya - arrived at the idea with the input of the Chancellor’s Advisory Council on Student-Neighbor Relations.  

"This plan responds directly to our community's desire for a safer and more civil Southside neighborhood," said Berkeley resident Vincent Casalaina, a former president of the Willard Neighborhood Association.  

The joint program is a double-edged sword for students. The collaboration will mean students cited by either police force will have their information transferred to the campus' Center for Student Conduct and Community Standards that could enforce additional disciplinary action.  

"Students know that the university's Code of Student Conduct applies on and off campus, and that serious violations can jeopardize their student status," said Assistant Dean Susan Traverse, who directs the center.  

Repeat offenses are expected to drop as a result of the program, but improvements in student-neighbor relations are also anticipated as joint patrols will issue citations for unruly parties and other significant neighborhood disturbances, according to the university.  

"Our focus is on making the Southside safer and more enjoyable for students and longtime residents, who live side by side," said advisory council chair and Associate Chancellor Linda Williams.


Planet Launches "Election Section" This Week

Tuesday September 07, 2010 - 01:18:00 PM

It’s not too easy to find, but the Berkeley City Clerk’s website now lists all candidates’ statements and other information, along with some pretty bad photos, here. Since the city form limits candidate statements to a rather small number of words (and often, of course, weasel words) they don’t tell you much. That’s why the Planet is starting an Election Section this week, to give candidates (and ballot measure commentators) ample room to make themselves perfectly clear. 

We hereby invite any and all candidates to submit as many and as full statements as they want, which we will publish here. We’ll also include notices of election-related events: parties, forums, whatever’s going on. Please send all of these to us either in the body of an email or as Word .doc file attachments, to election@berkeleydailyplanet.com.


Who's Running in Berkeley

Tuesday September 07, 2010 - 01:27:00 PM

Here's the lineup in the contested Berkeley races, with links to the candidate information on the city clerk's site.: 

District 1:Linda Maio ;Anthony Di Donato; Jasper Kingeter; Merrilie Mitchell 

District 4:Jesse Arreguin ;Jim Novosel;Eric Panzer; Bernt Rainer WahlJ; 

District 7:Kriss Worthington; George Beier ;Cecilia Rosales 

District 8:Gordon Wozniak; Stewart Jones; Jacquelyn McCormick 

School Board:(six candidates for three seats) Karen Hemphill,Josh Daniels Norma J F Harrison Julie Holcomb Priscilla Myrick Leah Wilson  

Rent Board:(nine candidates for six seats)Dave Blake; Asa Dodsworth;Katherine Harr;Tamar Larsen;Marcia Levenson;George Perezvelez;Lisa Stephens;Jesse Townley;Pam Webster


Opinion

Editorials

The November Election Starts in October This Year

By Becky O'Malley
Tuesday September 07, 2010 - 09:40:00 AM

Now that Labor Day is behind us, the campaigns have begun in earnest. The next election is less than a month away.

What, you say? I thought the election was in November. Well, not any more. Not just in November. 

Here’s the calendar, as posted by the Alameda County Clerk’s office: 

Important dates: 

 

 

  • First day to mail sample ballots - Thursday, September 23, 2010
  • Early Voting will begin on Monday, October 4, 2010
  • Close of Voter Registration Period - Monday, October 18, 2010
  • Last day to request a Vote By Mail Ballot - Tuesday, October 26, 2010
The candidates have filed their ballot statements, and the various ballot measures with their accompanying propaganda will be at your house on the sample ballot before you know it. 

Unwary voters will be tempted to think they’ve got the whole story in their hands in that one document, but it’s not so simple. 

If you watch television, you’ll be deluged with cleverly produced commercials guaranteed to turn you against the whole idea of voting. 

If you open your mail, you’ll see a stack of slick multicolored paper calculated to make you think that the best funded candidate is The Real Deal. Don’t believe it for a minute. 

It has formerly been customary for the media to endorse candidates and propositions sometime in late October, just prior to the traditional in-person election day. But with the new emphasis on Vote-by-Mail, that’s way too late to make a difference. These days the news media’s endorsements are coming thick and fast. 

At the Planet, the tradition has been for The Paper in all its majesty not to endorse anyone in particular, though I’ve sometimes told readers of this space how I’m personally voting in the final days of a campaign. Not that this open-handed non-endorsement policy has done any good, of course. 

In the last fall election, one particularly pompous and self-righteous staff reporter concluded erroneously that I’d hidden information from her about a candidate she thought I personally favored. In fact, I’d barely met the individual in question at the time, and the information the reporter missed had been emailed to half of Berkeley, but she resigned in an enormous huff, where she presumably dwells to this day. 

So this year we’re doing it differently. I’ve been desperately scrambling to make up my mind what I think about candidates and propositions as fast as I can. I will discuss what I learn with my partner in crime, and then announce the results immediately. This will give anyone who cares what we think the opportunity to contribute time or money to campaigns early enough to make a difference. 

First, of course, we never vote for Republicans around here—no use pretending on that one. Yes, I know that the local Dems running for state office are by and large chosen by a suspiciously machine-like process which offers scant opportunity for citizen participation, but they’re still a cut above the other party. Once in a while we’ll vote for the odd Green or Peace and Freedom candidate just to register a protest, but we’re under no illusions that it makes a difference. 

Local elections are a different matter. They’re still somewhat non-partisan, though the Greens usually make themselves known and it’s assumed that the rest are not Republicans, though occasionally one wonders. 

The machine, such as it is, increasingly works to extend its reach into the Berkeley city council. Independent progressives continue to run despite this, but they have trouble matching the big money poured into Berkeley elections by the construction industry, which has painted a big red bullseye on Berkeley’s downtown center. 

This election the machine is trying hard to knock off independent progressive District 7 Councilmember Kriss Worthington, who has the temerity to occasionally challenge the cozy relationship between the council majority and the University of California administration, which operates to the detriment of both the citizens and the students. Sometimes he even votes against developers. 

For a number of years Kriss has been the smartest, best-prepared person at City Council meetings. Mayor Tom Bates can’t forgive him for that and has endorsed not just one but both of Worthington’s opponents in desperation, as have his allies in state offices. Nor, for that matter, can ex-Mayor Shirley Dean, who’s endorsed at least one of them. My partner and I, like most of Berkeley’s independent progressives, have often in the past endorsed Kriss and contributed to his campaigns, as we have again this year. 

Then there’s District 4. Councilmember Jesse Arreguin won the election to finish the term of beloved Councilmember Dona Spring two years ago, trouncing the machine candidate. Arreguin has given Worthington valuable backup in the brains department, and at 26 he’s decades younger than the other councilmembers to boot, not to mention being Berkeley’s only Latino councilmember. He’s trying for his own four-year term this time against a small passel of opponents, including architect James Novosel, whose clients are the big developers who want to remake downtown Berkeley as Highrise Heaven for fun and profit. Novosel claims to be a preservationist, but those of us with long memories remember that he was part of the ill-advised group that proposed knocking down most of the UC theater to build condos behind its façade, a dumb scheme that (thank goodness) bombed. 

Our home district, District 8, is an unwieldy gerrymander of student housing, beleaguered campus neighbors and posh private residences. Its many-term representative, Gordon Wozniak, is a comfortably-retired UC Labs administrator who has little time for citizens with problems. 

A fellow who’s got some legitimate questions about the city of Berkeley’s contract to subsidize YMCA memberships for city employees forwarded to the Planet Wozniak’s response to an email sent to all councilmembers at their official email address: “Please stop copying on your emails. I do not feel that your dispute with the YMCA serves any useful purpose.” Wozniak seems not to know that it’s the job of councilmembers to listen to citizens who “petition the government for redress of grievances” just like it says in the U.S. Constitution. 

I’ve known one of the new District 8 candidates, Stewart Emmington Jones, since he was shorter than I am, which is a long time ago now. He grew up in District 8 and graduated from Berkeley High and UC. He’s always been avidly interested in civic matters, even as a child, probably because his mother and his grandmother have long been strong advocates for what’s best for Berkeley. 

He’s been going to city council meetings and speaking up when appropriate in the public comment period—I’ve been watching him online and have seen how articulate and intelligent he is. Jesse Arreguin needs another youthful colleague on the council, and the numerous students in District 8 deserve someone else under 30 to speak up for their interests. 

Stewart Jones is my first choice for District 8, but I’m also impressed with Jacqueline McCormick. She’ll be my #2 in the brave new world of ranked choice voting, and I’d be delighted if she won. It’s time for Wozniak to retire, in any event, so I won’t even put him down as #3, in order to give Jones and McCormick a fighting chance, though it’s hard to beat an incumbent’s name recognition advantage. 

I haven’t met all the candidates in District 1 yet, but I have a lot of respect for Merrilie Mitchell’s determined watchdogging of city government. No endorsements yet, however, until I learn more about the rest of the field. 

Berkeley Measure R, a bold-faced scam if ever there was one, deserves its own column, which it will get before the election starts in earnest on October 4. Then there are the statewide races and propositions, not to mention the school board and school funding measures, also to come in future issues—watch this space before filling out your ballot. 


Cartoons

Odd Bodkins: The Lucky Booger

Dan O'Neill
Tuesday September 07, 2010 - 10:51:00 AM

 


Odd Bodkins: The Man in the Moon

Dan O'Neill
Tuesday September 07, 2010 - 10:44:00 AM

 


Public Comment

Letters to the Editor

Tuesday September 07, 2010 - 12:28:00 PM

Innocent Man on Death Row; Religious Communities Support Tolerance; More Firing, More Pay for CEOs; Celebrating the Demise of the BDP; Goodbye and Good Riddance; KPFA; Tea Party Racism; 

 

Innocent Man on Death Row 

Troy Anthony Davis of Georgia is on death row for the 1991 shooting death of police officer Mark McPhail—a murder which I believe Davis did not commit. My understanding is that seven prosecution witnesses in Davis' initial trial later recanted or contradicted their testimony. Many of them have stated in sworn affidavits that they were coerced by police into testifying or signing statements against Davis. No physical evidence links Davis to the crime; the murder weapon was never found. The survivors of the shooting, Michael Cooper and Larry Young, deny knowing who their attacker was. Nine people have signed affidavits implicating another man, Sylvester "Red" Coles, as the culprit. 

Davis’ most recent appeal failed to resolve the doubts regarding his alleged guilt. Sylvester Coles never testified at the appeal. Federal Judge William T. Moore questioned the credibility of the defense witnesses, even though their original testimony put Davis on death row. 

Since 1973, over one hundred people on death row have been exonerated for wrongful convictions; some spent over ten years behind bars. Mistakes and improprieties have occurred before in death penalty cases. I believe they occurred in Davis’ case. He should not be executed for another person’s crimes. 

David B. Mitchell 

*** 

Religious Communities Support Tolerance 

A church in Gainesville, Florida plans to burn Qur’ans on September 11. Other hate crimes against Muslims have been in the news. The proposed mosque and Islamic Community Center in Manhattan has been met with fear and anger. On the weekend of September 11, our congregation will join with many religious communities in Gainesville and across the country in reading in our services from the Qur’an. May quieter voices of religious tolerance, acceptance, and understanding prevail. Peace will only come to the world when people can see and affirm the insights of neighboring religions. 

Revs. Bill and Barbara Hamilton-Holway 

Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley 

*** 

 

More Firing, More Pay for CEOs 

A new study from the Institute of Policy Studies shows that CEOs who fired the most workers during the recession took home the highest pay. According to that study, the CEOs of the fifty corporations responsible for the biggest layoffs were paid an average $12 million—42 percent more than the average pay for the Standard & Poor’s 500. 

One, Mark Hurd at Hewlett-Packard was fired a couple of weeks ago. He was fired because he tried to conceal a relationship with a female contractor. Hurd who has laid off more than 30,000 workers at Hewlett-Packard over the last few years, while earning more than $20 million a year. The real scandal at Hewlett-Packard is they might boost their profits in the short term by cutting all of those costs, but I want to point out that these kinds of layoffs can have very serious long-term costs for the company. 

It is a sad story as Hewlett-Packard has dismantled many things that made the company a cut above. I had the chance to meet Mr. Hewlett as he gave to Project Aid-Siberia in the 1990s. He helped millions of people who were without food. 

From the very beginning, Hewlett-Packard had a way of doing things that was contrary to the prevailing management strategies. A companywide commitment to involvement. It will be sorely missed as profit has taken over. 

Ted Rudow III,MA 

***
Celebrating the Demise of the BDP 

For the record, I was invited to a dinner in Oakland to celebrate the BDP demise. I was unable to attend, but some fifty or so people were invited. There is great joy in the larger Jewish community over not seeing the BDP on the street. Certainly, this is not true of the Jews you know, but even in Berkeley they are on the community's periphery. Perhaps, you should evaluate your obsession with Jews. Your attitude toward Jews reminds me of that of George H. W. Bush, and others who were reared amid the privilege and ethnic isolation of the Protestant establishment. Bush (pere) would never have considered himself an anti-Semite, and the word as applied to him would be harsh. His anti-Semitism was inadvertent, saying and doing things, even in meetings, that derived from a pathetic ignorance rather than from venality. Unintentionally, he made the case for rearing children in an ethnically diverse atmosphere. I guess you too suffer from the same upbringing. You really should give it some thought. We are all products of our socialization. You can take the girl out of the country club, but can you really take the country club out of the woman? 

Abraham H. Miller
Walnut Creek
 

 

[Editor’s Note: For the record, I am not now nor have I ever been a Protestant (some of my best friends are Protestants, but I don’t hold it against them.) I am not now nor have I ever been a member of a country club (but some of my Jewish friends have invited me to theirs on occasion). I lived for much of my childhood in a predominantly Jewish neighborhood, as I do now. I would never live in Walnut Creek—much too whitebread for me, much too lacking in ethnic diversity.] 

Goodbye and Good Riddance 

Dear Ms. O’Malley: 

Here is a copy of a letter which I wrote to Marc Klein of the Jweekly regarding reporter Dan Pine’s column. 

re: Goodbye and Good Riddance: To the print edition of the flagrantly anti-Zionist Berkeley Daily Planet (the web version lives on). This rag still rags on Israel all the time, and its editor doesn’t have the cojones to admit she flat-out hates the Jewish state.] 

Dear Mr. Klein: 

Columnist Dan Pine hit the nail on the head by reporting on the welcome death of the Berkeley Daily Planet which published weekly anti-Israel editorials and letters on a weekly basis. Publisher and editor, Becky O’Malley, is addicted to Israel bashing and the Berkeley residents celebrated by having a champagne party on hearing of the BDP’s demise. 

O’Malley has big cojones! 

Sanne DeWitt 

*** 

KPFA 

Matthew Hallinan distorts the financial situation at Pacifica KPFA radio in his opinion piece of August 25, 2010. 

If you want to hear what Hallinan knows about the Pacifica/KPFA budget, hear him in the recording from the candidate forum last Saturday in San Francisco (online soon or now at pacificaelections2010.org, check the KPFA section.). He admitted there, videotaped, that he knew almost nothing about finances; that he relied on conflicted-of-interest and figures-hiding treasurer Brian Edwards Tiekert for his information. 

One of the distortions Hallinan carries into print never-the-less, despite his acknowledged ignorance, is his forgetting to say that the Pacifica Network whopping chunk of change he notes goes overwhelmingly to pay the benefits of the staff at the various stations such as KPFA's. KPFA has had more paid staff than all the other stations combined, or close to it, since the Concerned Listener/SaveKPFA (name appropriated from those who actually did save it) had a majority on both the local and national boards. Yes, that large Pacifica-held percentage of the dough is the money that pays for the benefits of staff such as Brian Edwards Tiekert. Brian knows that; Hallinan may even know that. 

And to stave off the next lie: NO one credible is calling for an all-volunteer staff, or even to rid the station of long-term staff. We would like them simply to invite in and mentor sparkling new voices on the air, and to support and even create more community connection in these dire times. There's an excellent example of what happens when 2 people control all the news at http://www.robbie.org by longtime staff member Robbie Osman. Please listen to on-air forums (see pacificaelections2010.org for the dates and times) and community forums and hear ALL candidates before you vote. 

Virginia Browning
*** 

Tea Party Racism 

Don't tell me the Tea Party movement has nothing to do with racism. A year and a half ago, before the advent of our first president of color took office, there was no Tea Party. 

We all saw the white Tea Party agitators disrupting the Town Hall meetings. The recent Glen Beck Tea Party rally, preaching values, had an overwhelmingly white crowd. The utter hypocrisy of the Tea Party movement is glaring. 

A recent polling found that 88% of Tea Partiers had a profound dislike for President Obama. Other polls have found there is an all-consuming hatred of Obama among Tea Party members; and another poll found that a large majority (74%) of Tea Partiers consider themselves to be Christian. Aren't Christians the ones who proclaim Jesus is the Lord of love? Did Jesus preach and teach hatred like many of our Tea Party brethren? 

Whose Values?Glen Beck's rally at the Lincoln Memorial was predicated on values. Just whose values are they? Are they values inclusive to all Americans? No! The values at Beck's rally are the mainstay of anti-abortionists, anti-gay and anti-immigration factions. 

Beck and other Tea Party speakers preached restoring honor, a return to times gone by. Mr. Beck claimed the legacy of our forefathers. If they could watch Beck's show they would vomit. 

Restoring honor to who! Honor to the overwhelmingly white crowd; to an out of touch conservative movement; to a 'do nothing' Republican Party; to anti-Muslim bigotry; to a thinly veiled racism that exists in the Tea Party movement. Where was the honor for diversity that is America? Tea Party activists, fringe elements and xenophobes don't express ideals and values for the country, they express a point of view that is limited in scope and reach and to themselves. 

The rally also pressed for "taking back the country." If these are the people who are going to take back the country, we're in deep do-do. 

Ron Lowe


New: Protest Koran-Burning-Christians: Public Reading of Koran at Ohlone Park on Saturday

By Rabbi Michael Lerner
Thursday September 09, 2010 - 10:24:00 PM

On Saturday, September 11, a Florida minister, Terry Jones, together with 50 of his followers, is planning an act of religious hatred and intolerance, the public burning of copies of the Qur'an (the Muslim holy scriptures containing the words of the prophet Muhammad). This hateful act has been widely condemned around the world, and reminds many of us of the infamous burning of Jewish books by the Catholic Church in the Middle Ages (most existing copies of the Talmud were burnt in the 13th century) and of the burning of all Jewish books in Germany under Nazi rule in the 1930s. Thank God both the Church and Germany have evolved a long way since those infamous acts!!! So now we have some extremist Protestants doing this (and of course most Christians reject this kind of hatred, just as most American Moslems reject the hatred spread by some Muslim extremists in the Middle East), and leaders of the Republican Party are declining to condemn them, according to media reports today Sept. 8th. 

 

In response, NSP (our Network of Spiritual Progressives) is calling on all our members and friends to quickly organize reinterfaith public readings of the Qur'an on the same day. Please reach out to members of every religious community, and none, to join with you in doing this act of solidarity with our Muslim brothers and sisters. You may find that other groups in your community have already planned this--so then join with them and let them know that the NSP stands with them. 

 

In the SF Bay Area, we will be reading Koran at an event organized by many local groups which will take place at Ohlone Park, in Berkeley on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2010 at 3:15 PM. Meet at the corner of Sacramento and Delaware at 3:15. We shall all symbolically stand with Muslim Americans and read aloud in English parts of the Qur'an, affirming that we will not stand by silently while others perpetrate un-American acts of hate in the name of patriotism or religion. Unfortunately, because it is Shabbat and I don't ride on the Sabbath, I won't personally be able to be there. But we will read from the Koran at our Rosh Hashanah service as our act of public solidarity (www.beyttikkun.org). 

All people -- of any faith or no faith -- are welcome to join us. We will read and discuss the Qur'an for about 30-45 minutes. The official event will then end, but some of us may choose to stay and share our thoughts and feelings. 

The park has facilities to entertain children while parents take part in the reading and discussion. 

September 11 this year for Jews is Shabbat Shuvah, the Sabbath of returning and renewal between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. September 11th this year is also just after the last day of Ramadan, the Muslim holy month of fasting, prayer, purification, forgiveness and renewal. Materials about Ramadan will also be available for people to learn about this important Muslim observance. Please join us in standing up for religious coexistence and for the celebration of what we all can learn from people of varied faiths. 

Shana Tova u'metuka--a good and sweet year to all. Mubarak Eid. Many blessings! 

 

 



New: Why You Can’t Burn the Qur’an without Burning the Bible

By Gar Smith
Thursday September 09, 2010 - 09:50:00 PM

When World Dove Outreach Center Pastor Terry Jones announced his plans for a “Koran” conflagration, every other low-rent, back-pocket preacher in the Great American Boondocks took heart. A compliant media had let it be known that just the right blend of religious intolerance mixed with a pyrotechnic photo-op was a guaranteed gate-pass to national broadcast celebrity. 

When Pastor Jones declared his intent to “stand up to radical Islam” by staging a Koran Cook-out on the lawn of his 50-member church, the media faithfully flocked to Florida to consecrate his end-of-Ramadan/Anniversary of 9/11 stunt. Thankfully, Pastor Jones has decided to “stand down.” Whether it was God’s (Revised) Word or the attention of the FBI that changed his plans is not yet clear. Unfortunately, there are other provocateurs-of-the-cloth ready to take up torch. 

Jones had insisted that he has a First Amendment right to insult and anger millions of Muslim faithful. If any US soldiers — or American citizens — die as a result, Jones insists it is not his responsibility. But as everyone from the Pope to General Petraeus has cautioned, every right comes with responsibilities. It is clear to Petraeus that Jones’ proposed threat to ignite the Qur’an would be tantamount to yelling “Fire!” in a crowded theater of war. 

When a reporter from NBC Nightly News asked Jones if he had read the Qur’an, the pastor replied that he had only read “parts.” Asked to cite a specific line from the Qur’an that offended him, Jones replied that the Muslim Holy Book did not recognize Jesus Christ as the Son of God and the salvation of mankind. The reporter then pointed out that the Jewish Torah also fails to recognize Jesus of Nazareth as the Messiah. “So, would you burn the Torah?” 

If Jones and the rest of Christian Crusader Chorus of Holy Railers would just take the time to read the Qur’an, they might be surprised to learn that “burning the Koran” would also involve setting fire to many pages in Christianity’s Holy Bible. 

There are many surprising similarities between the Bible and the Qur’an. Here are some revelations: 

The Qur’an includes 50 of the same personalities featured in the Bible, including: Adam and Even (Adam and Hawwaa), Abraham (Ibrahim), Joseph (Yusuf), Moses (Musa), David, Job, Enoch, Ishmael, Saul, Gideon, Miriam, Zechariah, Cain and Abel (Qabil and Habil), Noah (Nuh), Mary (Maryam) and even Jesus (Isa), who is mentioned in Sura 3, 4, 5, 19, 43 and 61. 

The Qur’an also contains the story of David and Goliath, Jonah and the Whale, and Sodom and Gomorrah. The Qur’an recounts the Exodus from Egypt, the parting of the sea, the drowning of the Pharaoh’s armies and the false worship of the Golden Calf. The Qur’an recalls how God called on Abraham to sacrifice his son. The Qur’an recounts how Joseph survived the attack of his jealous brothers and found a new live in Egypt. 

There are some differences. In the Qur’an’s version Lot’s wife is not turned to salt when she dares to glance back at Sodom. In the Qur’an, she remains behind. In the Bible, Abraham is prepared to sacrifice Isaac on God’s altar. The Qur’an does not name Abraham’s son. (Many Muslims believe the sacrifice was to have been Ishmael, Abraham’s oldest son.) 

The similarities continue. The Qur’an and the Bible both celebrate the Creation and the Garden of Eden. In both books, God/Allah creates Adam from clay and draws Eve from his body. In both books, there is a Sacred Tree, a warning not to eat its fruit, a temptation in the form of Satan/a serpent and an expulsion from Paradise. 

Both books teach that humankind was created to follow the moral commands set out by the Creator. Both books call on the faithful to make a pilgrimage to the Holy City. Both require the regular reading and recitation of scripture. Both join the Torah in turning forks-down on pork. 

The Qur’an and the Bible agree that there is only One God who created heaven and earth. (The Qur’an does not muddy these theosophical waters with a Trinity that includes a Son and Holy Ghost.) In both books, the greatest sin is idolatry. 

In the Qur’an, Jesus is shown leading his disciples, healing the blind, and raising the dead. He is identified as the Messiah, a man filled with the Holy Spirit and speaking the word of God. (In this regard, the Qur’an is more “Christian” than the Torah.) In the Qur’an both Jesus and Mary insist that they not be worshipped, that it is God who should be venerated. 

Much has been made of the “brutality of Sharia Law” following the Iranian government’s threat to condemn a married woman to a death by stoning. While the punishment certainly qualifies as “barbaric,” it’s important to remember that stoning was also practiced in Biblical times and is reported in the Bible. When Jesus famously said: “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone,” he was not talking to a mob of Islamic zealots. 

Finally, both the Qur’an and the Bible contain variants on the Lord’s Prayer (“Surah Fatehah” in the Qur’an) and both holy tomes contain the Ten Commandments — and they agree on every point. (The Qur’an actually offers 12 Commandments.) 

This information should well-serve Pastor Jones — and any would-be copycat “Koran cookers.” In our Holy Books, as in all facets of our human experience, there is more that binds us together than separates us. It is the duty of religion to bring people together, in respectful communion. This is clear in the definition of what makes a “good Christian” and a “good Muslim.” The two books are remarkably consistent: 

The Bible: “Trust in the Lord and do good.” (Psalms 37:31) 

The Qur’an: “Those who believe and work righteousness.” (Qur’an 2:25, 2:62, 2:25) 

 

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The Two 10 Commandments 

1: There is no other god beside GOD." (Bible) 

He is the one God; there is no other god beside Him. (Qur’an) 

2: Thou shall make no image of God. (Bible) 

No visions can encompass Him… protect me and my children from worshiping idols. (Qur’an) 

3 Thou shall not use God's name in vain. (Bible) 

Do not subject God’s name to your casual swearing. (Qur’an) 

4 Thou shall honor thy mother and father. (Bible) 

Your parents shall be honored. As long as one or both of them live, you shall never say to them, "Uff" (the slightest gesture of annoyance), nor shall you shout at them. (Qur’an) 

5 Thou shall not steal. (Bible) 

The thief, male or female, you shall mark their hands as a punishment for their crime. (Qur’an) 

6 Thou shall not lie or give false testimony. (Bible) 

Do not withhold any testimony by concealing what you had witnessed. Anyone who withholds a testimony is sinful at heart. (Qur’an) 

7 Thou shall not kill. (Bible) 

You shall not kill any person - for God has made life sacred. (Qur’an) 

8 Thou shall not commit adultery. (Bible) 

You shall not commit adultery; it is a gross sin, and an evil behavior. (Qur’an) 

9 Thou shall not covet thy neighbor’s wife or possessions. (Bible) 

And do not covet what we bestowed upon any other people. Such are temporary ornaments of this life, whereby we put them to the test. What your Lord provides for you is far better, and everlasting. (Qur’an) 

10 Thou shall keep the Sabbath holy. (Bible) 

We are told in the Quran that the Sabbath was only decreed for the Jews. God, however, ordered us to make every effort and drop all businesses to attend the congregational (Friday) prayer. O you who believe, when the Congregational Prayer (Salat Al-Jumu`ah) is announced on Friday, you shall hasten to the commemoration of GOD, and drop all business. (Qur’an) 

 

 


What Bell and Berkeley Have in Common

By Victoria Peirotes
Tuesday September 07, 2010 - 10:57:00 AM

Last month the Los Angeles Times reported that the 38,000, largely impoverished city of Bell, CA, paid its city manager $787,000 and its police chief $457,000. CNN videoed citizens who were “Mad as Hell”. State Attorney-General Jerry Brown descended, suggesting laws may have been broken. And CALPERS, the public employee pension administrator, launched an investigation. As it turns out, the salaries were only the tip of the iceberg. The perks and pensions added up to double the numbers above. What does Bell have to do with Berkeley? As it turns out, we have a lot in common. 

Consider the business model of cities. There are shareholders (the voters) who elect a Board of Directors (mayor and council) who in turn hire a Chief Executive Officer or CEO (the city manager). The Council, entrusted with representing the interests of citizen-shareholders, formulates policy which the CEO-City Manager is charged with implementing. The other prime responsibility of the Board (Council) is to provide oversight of the CEO so that directives are implemented. That’s how it is suppose to work in both business and civic environments and, in theory, it’s a good model.  

But when a Board of Directors skirts its responsibilities of policy-making and oversight and defers, or even colludes with the CEO, then we have an Enron situation. Shareholders become 3rd class and lose their life-savings. In a city, when the mayor and council aid and abet the city manager in pursuing his personal interests and ignore the interests of citizen shareholders, the result is the same. The citizens lose their shirts. This is the Bell, CA situation and, I submit, is also Berkeley’s. 

Bell’s elected representatives failed constituents by ceding their oversight powers of the city manager to the city manager. Does “the fox taking care of the henhouse” ring a bell? How are Berkeley’s mayor and council similarly failing? Over the past 6 years, Berkeley elected officials have neglected their primary policy-formulating and oversight responsibilities and deferred instead to the City Manager, Phil Kamlarz.  

Let’s be specific. In spite of long community activist appeals, the Berkeley City Council has adamantly rejected independent audits of city finances or a true telling of the financial miasma the city faces. Instead, they rely entirely on the city manager’s skewed and fragmented financial reporting, and then relay that verbatim to the community. Bell revisited. Council rejected citizen calls to have professional labor negotiators conduct recent city employee labor contract negotiations. Instead they let the City Manager Kamlarz to do so, thus continuing to set his own salary and perks. Bell revisited. Led by Mayor Bates, Council has “spiked” the City Manager’s salary by over 22% in the past 2 years. Bell, CA, revisited. 

If Berkeley needs an example of how the “Public Servant Cartel” has co-opted citizens, via the council connection, then consider the issue of public swimming pools. In the last election voters rejected Measure C, a $22 million bond to “Save Our Pools”. Why? Not because the community doesn’t support our pools. It’s because the city manager, with council’s approval, crafted the measure so that $10 million of that debt would not serve pools or pool users, but would instead be diverted to sustain city employee salaries, perks and pensions. After Measure C was defeated, the Council and City Manager “punished” the community. They closed Willard Pool, the only public pool serving south Berkeley. Council further announced that Willard would be shut down definitively because it was in such irremediable disrepair. Whose fault is this disrepair? Perhaps because, for years, Berkeley has deferred infrastructure maintenance and improvements in order to maintain city employee salary boosts, pension benefits and perks?  

In late July, at the final council meeting before adjourning for summer break, Mayor Bates and council advertised whom they truly represent. They (1) OK’ed a $231,000 budget item (public taxes) to fund “perk” YMCA membership for city employees, and, in the same session, (2) Indicated that the $13,000 to keep the remaining 2 public pools in Berkeley open over the summer at more useable hours would be found, but likely only by deferring some city infrastructure repairs. Simply put, council endorsed city employee benefits of free swim year-round while the public goes wanting. Bell revisited.  

So “What do Bell and Berkeley Have in Common?” Very much it seems. And Berkeley too should be “Mad as Hell”. “For whom does Bell toll?” In fact, Berkeley, “it tolls for thee”. 

 

 

 


Pacific Steel Casting Pollution Problems Again Before Berkeley City Council

By Janice Schroeder
Tuesday September 07, 2010 - 09:48:00 AM

Pacific Steel Casting Company (PSC) is still emitting toxic pollution into our air. Some community members are still feeling nauseous, getting headaches, having difficulty breathing, and experiencing asthma attacks when the pollution from Pacific Steel Casting Company is in the air. 

PSC was legally forced to release its Odor Management Plan (OMP) this year, but portions were redacted due to a claim of "trade secrets". The portions that were made public showed that there were many deficiencies in this odor management plan. Even Berkeley's Community Environmental Advisory Commission (CEAC) was concerned about PSC's OMP. They wrote a letter to the City Council detailing their concerns. Thanks to the agenda committee, (Mayor Bates and Council member Linda Maio in particular) this agenda item was number 63 of 67 at the last July, 2010 City Council meeting. Needless to say, item 63 was shelved to the next City Council meeting scheduled for September 15th. What item number will it be on the agenda this time? Will members of the public need to wait until 1 a.m. again to be told it is too late to continue the council meeting? The City Council and the Zoning Adjustments Board (ZAB) have put Pacific Steel Casting Company on agendas after midnight on other occasions. Is this merely chance? 

Do you ever smell a burned pot handle, acrid chemical smell? It may be coming from Pacific Steel Casting Company located at 2nd and Gilman Sts. The company is comprised of three large plants which make up the facility. It is the fifth largest steel foundry in the U.S. Walk, bike or drive by the facility. Once you smell the noxious odor, you will remember it. 

Pacific Steel Casting Company had to lay off almost 300 of its workforce last year due to the economic decline, but 150 workers were rehired this past spring. Production is up and the noxious odors from PSC continue. 

The West Berkeley Alliance for Clean Air and Safe Jobs (Alliance) is an all volunteer, grassroots organization dedicated to stopping air pollution and preserving safe jobs. Since 2005 the Alliance has been working hard to get Pacific Steel Casting Company to clean up its operations and stop polluting. Some of our members have been involved in this struggle since 1979.  

Noxious odors are a real nuisance, and health effects from exposure to toxic chemicals are a very serious concern. We don't know what the cumulative impact and synergistic effects are from exposure to multiple sources of pollution in our community, but we have the ability to pressure regulators to protect our community from the toxic pollution emanating from PSC.  

We want to make sure community members know of our existence and of the toxic pollution the community is subjected to from this steel foundry. Pacific Steel Casting Company must be a good neighbor and use best practices, install the most advanced, effective control equipment, stop fugitive emissions, become transparent, involve all stakeholders in decisions and implement a Toxic Use Reduction (TUR) approach. 

What can you do? Whenever you smell PSC's distinctive odor, you can call the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (Air District) hotline to make a complaint. The toll free number is: 1-800-334-6367. You can call the hotline 24/7. Whether your complaint is confirmed by an inspector or not, the complaint is important to show PSC, the City and the Air District that the air pollution problem from PSC continues. You can also write to your council member and mayor regarding your concerns. 

Enforcement action against PSC is dependent upon called in public nuisance/odor complaints from the community. The City of Berkeley and the Air District must take action when odor complaints attributed to PSC are received by the Air District. Hold our officials and regulators accountable! 

For much more information please check out our website at: http://westberkeleyalliance.org/ 

You are also welcome to e-mail us at: westberkeleyalliance@yahoo.com with any questions or concerns. 

Janice Schroeder is a volunteer with West Berkeley Alliance for Clean Air and Safe Jobs.


The Pepper Spray Times

by Grace Underpressure
Tuesday September 07, 2010 - 10:55:00 AM

The Diabetes Epidemic

By Jack Bragen
Tuesday September 07, 2010 - 11:00:00 AM

A couple of decades ago, diabetes was an unusual disease associated with people who were very skinny and who apparently were born with a genetic defect. In the 1980’s, type I diabetes was the most common, and its cousin, brought on in part by poor and excessive diet, had not yet proliferated to engulf a large portion of the population. 

The epidemic of type II diabetes must surely be a giant moneymaker for the pharmaceutical industry. Physicians who are current on their stuff have agreed to treat type II more aggressively in the name of minimizing the damage wreaked upon the various organs in the body. 

One of the great wonder drugs used to treat type II, called Avandia, turned out to cause heart failure. A relative of mine who took it was preemptively taken off of this medication. When the medications that are supposed to help you in turn create additional health problems, the medical establishment stands to gain huge profits. 

The epidemic of diabetes is worse than average among the mentally ill, who are required to take medications that cause weight gain and that raise blood sugar. And yet, diabetes has become extremely common among the entire population of people in the U.S., and why is this? 

One friend, who is a little bit older than I, commented that you can’t buy any food any more that doesn’t have sugar added. He remarked that you can’t even buy salt without sugar in it. 

Let’s review a few facts that were well-known in the 1970’s during the health food fad: Refined sugar is present in a wide variety of foods sold in the U.S., such as jars of spaghetti sauce, salad dressing, snack crackers, peanut butter, a loaf of bread, lunch meats, so-called “healthy” breakfast cereals, catsup, barbeque sauce… and the list goes on. The fast foods that you get at a drive-through, which tend to be less expensive compared to buying healthy ingredients and cooking, are loaded with refined sugar. 

“Cane sugar” is now being marketed as a supposedly healthy ingredient because it isn’t high fructose corn syrup. This is merely an attempt to mess with your mind: cane sugar is a renaming of refined white sugar, and there has never been evidence that it is good for you. This is an example of more confusion tactics employed by the advertising media. For more confusion, you might have seen the television ad claiming that there is no difference between high fructose corn syrup versus cane sugar. While that could be true, it actually means that you ought to avoid both of these; it doesn’t mean that you should go ahead and shovel it in, as the ad suggests you do. 

The human body wasn’t designed to deal with all of this. Refined, concentrated products can overload the human metabolism, as we can see by the huge numbers of people contracting type II diabetes. The pharmaceutical industry and physicians are making a ton of money on this epidemic, and this might be why there hasn’t been more public outcry from doctors. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


An Open Letter to The Ecology Center

From The IWW
Tuesday September 07, 2010 - 11:11:00 AM

To the Board of Directors of the Ecology Center:
 


As you are aware, the Industrial Workers of the World represents the workers at Curbside Recycling, which the Ecology Center operates. Over recent years, we have seen a pattern of behavior of your management team that betrays a strong anti-union attitude and borders on outright union busting. 

 

• During negotiations for a new contract in December of 2007, your negotiation team sought to remove from the contract the clause that permits our members to refuse to cross a picket line. In other words, they sought the power to try to turn our members into strike breakers.  

 

• During the negotiations for a new contract in December of 2008, Ecology Center management held a captive audience meeting with our members. This meeting, intentionally called without informing the union representatives, was an attempt to treat the Union as an unwanted “third party”. This is a standard method of professional union busters. 

 

At present, the IWW is filing for arbitration on behalf of one of its members. We are forced to do so due to flagrant violation of the contract by the Ecology Center management. This violation concerns the disciplining of one of our members.  

 

• Ecology Center management decided this member was guilty before they even held a hearing with him to hear his explanation of events. 

 

• Ecology Center management illegally demoted this member, in violation of the contract, thus saving themselves $7.50 per hour for every hour this member works. 

 

• During the mediation step, the Ecology Center management once again made statements implying that the Union was some outside force, a “third party”. 

 

There are several different avenues that arbitration can take. The Ecology Center management has insisted on taking the most expensive avenue, knowing full well that the IWW is a small union that does not have a large treasury. While we are willing to fight the full length for our members, meaning that we will spend what is necessary, this tactic of the Ecology Center management is not lost upon us, especially in light of their previous actions. Meanwhile, the Ecology Center management team parades behind their “green” and “community oriented” banner while they trample on the rights of their workers and carry on what can only be described as an anti-union policy.


Columns

Dispatches From the Edge: The ‘Uniquely’ Dangerous Lebanon Border

By Conn Hallinan
Tuesday September 07, 2010 - 07:49:00 AM

While the Middle East—indeed, the world—is riveted by the on-going crisis around Iran’s nuclear program, the most immediate danger of a war may be on Israel’s border with Lebanon: “Exceptionally quiet and uniquely dangerous” was how the Independent’s Robert Fisk described it last month. 

That quiet was broken Aug. 3 when the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) got into a firefight over tree trimming that ended up killing one Israeli and three Lebanese. Both sides backed off, but events over the past several months suggest Tel Aviv may be looking for a fight. 

“Israel has to be ready for any sudden provocation or outbreak of hostilities, the same way the 2006 Israel-Lebanon war was triggered over Hezbollah capturing Israeli soldiers,” Dan Dicker from the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs told the Inter Press Service

The IDF has been smarting since Hezbollah fought it to a standstill in the 2006 war. While the Israeli air force inflicted massive damage on Lebanon’s infrastructure during the 34-day conflict, even Israel’s vaunted Golani Brigade could make little headway against Hezbollah’s tough and competent militia fighting on its home turf. 

For the past two years the IDF has been training for a rematch: “Should another war break out—like the one with Hezbollah almost exactly four years ago—the Golani Brigade will not be unprepared,” reads a headline in the Israeli daily, Haaretz. At the Elyakim army base in northern Israel, soldiers are training how to take bunkers and fight in villages. 

The IDF has also made it clear the next war will be vastly more destructive than the 2006 conflict that killed 1200 Lebanese and inflicted $10 to $12 billion in damage. The IDF has instituted the “Dahiya Doctrine,” named after the Shiite quarter of Beirut that the Israeli air force flattened in 2006. According to Amos Harel of Haaretz, the doctrine means the IDF will “respond to rocket fire originating from Shiite villages by unleashing a vast destructive operation.” 

Over the past several months the Israelis—sometimes with Washington’s help— have unleashed a steady stream of accusations that Hezbollah is preparing for war, that Syria is smuggling arms, and that Iran is up to no good. 

Israeli intelligence claims that Hezbollah has up to 40,000 rockets aimed at Israel, and in April Israeli President Shimon Peres charged Syria with supplying the Shiite organization with powerful Scud missiles. Syria vigorously denies the charge, and the United Nations says there is no evidence for the accusation. 

Then the Wall Street Journal reported that a “U.S. defense official” told the newspaper that Iran had deployed” sophisticated” radar in Syria as an early warning device for a possible Israeli attack on Teheran’s nuclear sites. The U.S. State Department’s Philip Crowley chimed in that the radar was a “matter of concern” because of Syria’s relationship with Hezbollah. 

Added to the growing tension on Lebanon’s southern border was the exposure of an extensive Israeli intelligence operation aimed at Hezbollah that had successfully penetrated Lebanon’s telecommunication system. More than 70 suspects have been arrested and some 20 charged with treason. 

According to UPI, intelligence observers say the ring was uncovered because Israel could be gearing up for war and took some chances. “It may have been the Israelis drive to amass intelligence on Hezbollah’s military capabilities ahead of renewed conflict…that prompted the Mossad, Israel’s foreign intelligence service, to pull out all the stops in Lebanon when it did.” 

The tree-trimming incident is an indication of how volatile the Lebanese-Israeli border is. While the Israelis claim they were on their side of the border, the UN only drew that border in 2000, and Beirut has never fully accepted it. While the UN found the tree was on Israel’s side of the border, Lebanon’s Information Minister Tarek Mitri said the section is “Lebanese territory.” 

One reason for Lebanon’s sensitivity over the border is that its placement may have relevance to the enormous natural gas deposits off the coast of Gaza, Israel, Lebanon and Syria. Extended out to sea, a matter of a mile or so in the land border could affect whether Lebanon has a claim on some of the gas. 

The U.S. Geological Service estimates the fields could yield up to 122 trillion cubic feet of gas, and the Israelis have already laid claim to it. When the Lebanese protested, Israel’s Infrastructure Minister Uzi Landau said that Israel “will not hesitate to use force” to defend its claim on the gas field. Nabih Berri, speaker of the Lebanese parliament, responded, “Lebanon’s army, people and the resistance will be ready to thwart any attempts to steal its resources.” 

Added to the tense border, natural gas deposits, and Israel’s cold war with Syria and Iran, is a UN investigation that, according to most reports, will charge Hezbollah with involvement in the 2005 assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri. Hezbollah claims the investigation is an Israeli plot and that Tel Aviv pulled off the hit, butit has yet to produce any evidence to support that charge. 

The UN charge could have a destabilizing effect on Lebanon—Hezbollah is the country’s most important political and military force—and a destabilized Lebanon is in no one’s interest, with the exception of Israel and possibly the U.S. That is why long-time antagonists Saudi Arabia and Syria huddled in Damascus and then flew to Beirut July 30 to confer with the government of Prime Minister Saad Hariri on how to avoid a Lebanese meltdown. 

In the middle of all this, Israel’s supporters in the U.S. Congress decided to stick their finger in the pie and hold up $100 million in military aid to the Lebanese army. “I am concerned that the training and equipment we have provided the LAF for the purposes of counter-terrorism may in fact be used by the LAF against the Israelis,” said House Armed Service Committee chair, Ike Skelton (D-Mo). Skelton went on to say that, since the LAF collaborated with Hezbollah, the latterorganization was an “indirect recipient of our aid.” 

The U.S. started aiding the LAF after the 2005 “Cedar Revolution” put a pro-Washington coalition into power and forced Syria to withdraw following the assassination of Hariri. But the reality of Lebanon’s complex and fractious politics soon reasserted itself and what finally emerged from the last round of elections was a coalition government in which Hezbollah plays a prominent role. Regardless of what the Americans think of the Shiite group, marginalizing the largest ethnic group in the country is not an option. 

That the military aid the U.S. is sending could pose a threat to Israel is simply silly. Most the aid consists of body armor, uniforms and unarmored Humvees. It includes neither warplanes nor anti-aircraft, and the tanks are M41 Walker “Bulldogs” designed for the Korean War. The Walker is an under-armored, gas guzzling light tank that wouldn’t last five minutes against the Israel’s modern armor or anti-tank weapons. Indeed, one military expert remarked that he was surprised there were any M41s—a weapon more “quaint” than threatening—that still ran. 

If a war does break out between Hezbollah and Israel it might spread to Syria, and even Iran. In his recent report to the Council On Foreign Relations entitled “A Third Lebanon War,” former U.S. ambassador Daniel Kurtzer argues that Israel is likely to initiate the war, and that it might “also use the conflict with Hezbollah as a catalyst and cover for an attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities.” The former ambassador said Syria might also be a target. Kurtzer predicts a crisis sometime in the next 12 to 18 months, “but the situation could change or deteriorate rapidly.” 

One explanation for Israel’s unwillingness to escalate the tree-trimming incident was because its antagonists were the LAF, not Hezbollah. Kurtzer—who was a Middle East advisor to President Obama during the last election—says Israel would rather “lure [Hezbollah] into a war.” In the tree trimming crisis the Shiite group stayed on the sidelines. 

“Hezbollah is keen to avoid an escalation,” says Peter Harling of the International Crisis Group, “knowing how tough an all-out confrontation could be to the movement in Lebanon, and more broadly to the region.” 

As analyst Jim Lobe points out, the Obama administration has little ability to prevent a war because it is hamstrung by its refusal to engage with either Iran or Hezbollah, and because it has allowed the Republicans to derail its efforts to improve relations with Syria. 

A uniquely dangerous time, indeed. 

 

*** 

For other writings by Conn Hallinan go to dispatchesfromtheedge.blog.wordpress.com 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 


The Public Eye: Republican Faith-Based Politics: The Dumbing of America

By Bob Burnett
Tuesday September 07, 2010 - 08:53:00 AM

Republican panic about the size of the Federal deficit is wildly inconsistent with their plea to continue Bush-era tax cuts for the rich. Nonetheless they keep harping on both themes. It’s emblematic of Republican faith-based politics; they believe 

For thirty years GOP faith-based ideology has played on a single seductive theme: it’s possible for Americans to have it all – guns and butter; low taxes and robust governmental services; cheap energy and a healthy environment – without paying the tab. Republicans promised the political equivalent of manna from heaven. And the Party faithful bought it. 

The Republican dumbing of America began in the Reagan presidency when conservative economic ideology began to dominate American political discourse. The Reagan hymnal featured three tunes: helping the rich get richer will inevitably help everyone else, “a rising tide lifts all boats;” markets are inherently self correcting and there’s no need for government regulation; and the US does not need an economic strategy because that’s a natural consequence of the free market. The cornerstone notion was that crucial policy choices carry no price tag; there’s no need for sacrifice. Over time, faith supplanted reason. 

The modern apostle of the Republican creed was George W. Bush. At the onset of his “war on terror,” Bush didn’t ask Americans for broad sacrifice: he didn’t ask us to conserve gasoline or to donate blood or do any of the things previous Presidents have requested in time of war; he suggested we go shopping. 

Bush’s disdain for sacrifice and thoughtful discourse warped the American psyche. While the average citizen was keenly aware of Bush’s “war on terror,” they had no role to play when the “threat level” was elevated from yellow to orange or red. Widespread anxiety made voters more malleable and helped Republicans win the 2002 and 2004 elections.  

Republicans infantilized Americans. Conservatives argued that US policy depended upon information that the average citizen didn’t have access to and, if they did, wouldn’t understand. In the process “In God We Trust” became “In Bush We Trust.” Dumb got dumber. 

As US voters regressed, increasing numbers turned to biased information conduits such as FOX NEWS for guidance. Starting in January of 2009, using conservative media outlets and national spokespeople who weren’t afraid to lie Republicans launched a five-part disinformation campaign: 

1. The Federal Government caused the financial crisis. Rather than Wall Street greed and lax Bush-era financial regulations, 2008’s financial meltdown was caused by governmental policies that forced lenders to give money to unqualified venders. 

2. The Obama Administration lavished massive bailouts on financial institutions and the auto industry. Rather than acknowledge that the bailouts occurred at the end of the Bush Administration, Republicans blamed them on Obama. 

3. Obama’s stimulus package accomplished nothing beyond increasing the national debt. Rather than acknowledge that the stimulus package kept the US from sliding into a terrible depression, Republicans pointed to the fact that the unemployment rate was higher than the Obama Administration anticipated and used this as the basis for labeling the stimulus a failure. 

4. Government cannot do anything to solve the unemployment crisis; the solution will have to come from the private sector, businesses have to start hiring. Rather than acknowledge that the Obama Administration saved hundreds of thousands of jobs through the stimulus package and loans to automakers, Republicans claimed there was no impact. 

5. The only way to increase the number of jobs is to reduce taxes. Republicans rejected the positive accomplishments of the stimulus package and lied about the employment impact of tax cuts for the rich. 

While there’s a clear distinction between Republican and Democratic economic policies, many voters continue to sing from the GOP hymnal because they’ve been infantilized. They only truth these citizens know is that preached by FOX NEWS and their local Republican operative. These are the same people who believe Barack Obama is a Muslim, who claim he’s not a citizen, or who don’t believe that Hawaii is a state.. They’re mad as hell and blame the Party in power without understanding the salient details of the debate about US economic policy. 

Republican voters aren’t dumb in the sense that they lack intelligence. They are childlike because they let others – conservative media personalities – do their thinking for them. They accept Republican arguments on faith because they’ve been conditioned to do that. (By the way, white voters who frequently attend church are overwhelmingly Republican; in 2008 74 percent of voters who described themselves as White, Evangelical/Born Again voted for John McCain.) 

So the November 2nd elections aren’t just about which Party should control Congress. Or whether our economic policy should be predicated on government spending or massive tax cuts. Or who is a “true” Christian. It’s an elemental choice between unquestioning faith in FOX NEWS oracles or individual common sense. A choice about how dumb Americans are willing to be. 

Bob Burnett is a Berkeley writer. He can be reached at bobburnett@comcast.net


The Public Eye: No Depression in Heaven

By Bob Burnett
Tuesday September 07, 2010 - 09:05:00 AM

Recent news about the contraction of the economy confirmed what many of us have suspected: the recession has morphed into a depression. Given that so many Americans are dejected and angry, how do Liberals turn this moment into an opportunity? 

In mid-September the financial crisis will have lasted two years, the length of time required for a recession to be defined as a depression. There has not been the hoped-for crisp L-shaped recovery, but one that looks like a limp noodle, where things seemed to get better for a period and then didn’t. The US is stuck with high unemployment, tight money, and low consumer confidence; we’ve entered our third depression 

The two previous depressions were the Long Depression in the nineteenth century and the Great Depression in the 1930’s. During the latter, the Carter Family recorded the classic No Depression in Heaven

I'm going where there's no depression, 

To the lovely land that's free from care. 

I'll leave this world of toil and trouble, 

My home's in Heaven, I'm going there.  

The word “depression” denotes both an economic and a psychological malady. An economic depression is “an economic downturn more severe than a recession.” A psychological depression is a mood disorder characterized by “severe despondency and dejection.” What the US is going through meets both criteria. Consumer confidence is low and sixty percent of Americans feel the country is headed in the wrong direction. Voters are in a foul mood. 

How can Liberals turn the situation around? 

First, it’s important to recognize that many of us, particularly progressive economists like Paul Krugman and Joseph Stiglitz, thought 2009’s stimulus package was too small and there should have been a massive job creation initiative like FDR’s WPA. We advocated this because we thought 2008’s financial crisis has broken the spine of the consumer economy: whereas Americans had typically gone into debt to make purchases, because of the crisis they had begun saving and lowered their consumption, thereby causing businesses to close and workers to lose their jobs. 

In testimony before the House Committee on Financial Services, Economist Richard Koo described our current malaise as a “balance sheet recession”, noting: “ In order to regain their financial health and credit ratings, households and businesses in the private sector are forced to repair their balance sheets by increasing savings or paying down debt, thus reducing aggregate demand.” Based upon his analysis of a similar balance sheet recession in Japan in the nineties, Koo stated, “Fiscal stimulus is… needed to make monetary policy work during a balance sheet recession.” 

To remedy our balance-sheet depression, Liberals must advocate a three-part recovery plan: First, there has to be a second stimulus package that rebuilds the US infrastructure and supports America’s teachers and public safety workers. Most economists now recommend fiscal stimulus over alternatives such as deficit reduction. 

Second, there has to be a massive redistribution of income by increasing taxes on both the wealthy and financial institutions (particularly those that were at the heart of 2008’s economic meltdown). 

Third, the Obama Administration has to take more responsibility for economic policy. The last thirty years has demonstrated that it’s insane to assume the free market will do this. We’ve learned the market follows the path of least resistance and prescribes actions solely based on greed. What are needed now are economic policies that produce decent jobs for average Americans: manufacturing strategy that picks corporate winners and losers; protection of the rights of unions and workers in general; and strict enforcement of trade laws, ensuring that China and India and other trade “partners” honor existing wage and environmental agreements. 

An aggressive Liberal stance on the economic recovery would provide a stark contrast with the vacuous statements made by conservatives, who promise to reduce taxes for the rich, reduce government spending by eliminating programs yet to be specified, and “stand with the American people back home.” So far in 2010, the most complete Republican plan was delivered by House Minority Leader John Boehner His speech contained no job creation ideas but instead consisted of spurious claims that Democrats plan to raise taxes, pass “job-killing” legislation, and increase the Federal bureaucracy. 

The US is stuck in its third depression. What are needed are crisp ideas about job creation. Liberals have these ideas. Conservatives don’t. They’re regurgitating failed ideas, depicting the Bush Administration as a halcyon era where the economy worked for everyone – a golden age American can return to by cutting taxes and reducing the size of government. That’s a lie. During the Bush presidency America got off track. While the rich got richer, working Americans saw their dreams slip away. Democracy morphed into Plutocracy. 

This balance-sheet depression is an opportunity for Liberals because we have answers while Conservatives only have platitudes. Indeed, the most compelling Conservative promise is that there will be no Depression in Heaven. 

 

 

Bob Burnett is a Berkeley writer. He can be reached at bobburnett@comcast.net  


Senior Power: Is There a Senior Culture?

By Helen Rippier Wheeler
Tuesday September 07, 2010 - 09:51:00 AM

Culture : Noun. The word "culture" is commonly used to refer to the set of shared attitudes, values, goals, and practices that characterizes an institution, organization or group, which suggests the possibility of a senior culture. 

In the twentieth century, "culture" emerged as a concept central to anthropology , encompassing all human phenomena that are not purely results of human genetics. Following World War II, the term became important, albeit with different meanings, in such other disciplines as cultural studies, organizational psychology, and management studies. Margaret Morganroth Gullette suggests “age culture;” Berkeley author Theodore Roszak refers to an “elder culture.” 

In some cultures ( Serbian , for example) there are 4 ways to express age: by counting years with or without the current year. For example, it could be said about the same person that he is twenty years old or that she is in the twenty-first year of life. Psychologically, a person in the 20th year perhaps seems older than one who is 19 years old. 

Fame is often perceived as part of the culture. Individuals who became famous in their old age include author Harry Bernstein , who published his first book, The Invisible Wall, at 96; civil rights activists Sadie and Bessie Delany; Ruth Ellis, 101-year-old African-American LGBT activist; Florence Holway, rape survivor and activist; Mary Harris "Mother" Jones, Irish-American labor organizer; Maggie Kuhn, activist and founder of the Gray Panthers; Mae Laborde, who began acting in her 90s; Grandma Moses, American folk artist; Mary Jane Rathbun, nurse and activist arrested for serving marijuana brownies to AIDS patients. 

In 2009 Barbara Morris self-published “No more little old ladies! 15 essential & specific proven anti-aging strategies…” No. 6 cautions: Beware of the senior culture club - Just say no to anything ‘senior.’ Morris, a retirement productivity coach, contends that : the traditional retired senior culture promotes decline; midlife women should focus on being ageless instead of trying to stay young; women should not tell their age; women who want to stay ageless should avoid retirement communities; and choosing to "age gracefully" is a trap that accelerates decline. 

Instead, read Roszak’s The making of an elder culture; Reflections on the future of America’s most audacious generation (especially chapter 4, ‘Elder insurgency;’) Gullette’s Aged by culture (especially chapter 10, ‘Age studies as cultural studies’;) and Jennifer Weiner’s novel, “In her shoes,” available in large or regular size print. 

Maggie retorts defensively to her sister Rose, “It’s a retirement community for active seniors.” Social Security could not provide sufficient income to support the lifestyles enjoyed by the fictional seniors pictured in the motion picture version of “In her shoes.” Their environment provides choices that include independent and assisted living, apartments equipped with guest rooms, tea dances, swimming pool, personal shopper, cars, credit cards, golf, etc. They are shown sharing and doing lots of things, including reading the Wall Street Journal, although not books. Apparently, they are, or would be, self-sexigrated, with no couples visible. Much of “In her shoes” was photographed in Delray Beach, Florida. 

It is, withal, a great movie! Shirley MacLaine (1934- ) received several awards for her portrayal of Ella Hirsh, the sisters’ grandmother. Jerry Adler (Hesh of “The Sopranos”) plays “a widower.” Rex Reed called this "a movie to cherish", arguing that MacLaine has "found her finest role since the Oscar-winning ‘Terms of endearment’ -- funny and poignant, she uses abundant humanity and smart psychology to great advantage, lending her knowledge to the other actors generously." 

Roszak refers to the elder culture that is being improvised all around us. “It may not turn out to be an endless vista of fast-paced economic expansion and technological gadgetry, but it promises to be the road toward a saner, more compassionate, more sustainable world—altogether, a more important turning point than ever presented itself in the 1960s when boomers were coming of age. … The next generation of elders may see le troisieme age, as the French call it, leading on to a fourth age, a stage of life we have failed to notice. Why? Because so few have lived that long enjoying decent health and a degree of independence.” George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950), in Back to Methuselah, proposed a fourth age. But he also contended that “ we don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing. ” 

xxxx 

A new survey report released by AARP occasioned by Social Security’s 75th anniversary shows that 75% of adults age 18+ rely on or plan to rely on Social Security for their retirement income, including a large majority (62%) of younger adults age 18-29. A majority of those polled oppose reducing Social Security benefits for deficit reduction (85%). 

Do you think raising the retirement age is a good idea? The case against raising the retirement age can be accessed at SocialSecurityMatters.org. Reasons for a “no” response recently presented at a briefing included “The Top 5 Social Security myths”:  

#1 Social Security is going broke. 

#2: We have to raise the retirement age because people are living longer. 

#3: Benefit cuts are the only way to fix Social Security. 

#4: The Social Security Trust Fund has been raided and is full of IOUs. 

#5: Social Security adds to the deficit. 

xxxx 

The California Department of Insurance has a Senior Information Center advisory for people who might have questions or problems with life insurance or annuities. The Department of Insurance 1 800 927-HELP or www.insurance.ca.gov

xxxx 

Attention, candidates… Running for election? You are invited to email to Senior Power ( pen136@dslextreme.com ) a statement of your “platform” concerns regarding senior citizens. If you are running for re-election, please describe the h ighlights of your record on issues important to seniors. 

### 

 


Arts & Events

Classical Music-East Bay Through September 19

Tuesday September 07, 2010 - 09:12:00 PM

"A NIGHT AT THE OPERA," -- Sept. 17. Martinez Opera Contra Costa presents tenor Antonio Nagore, soprano Duana Demus, mezzo soprano Jennifer Kosharky and baritone Torlef Borstine. Event takes place at Crow Canyon Country Club, 711 Silver Lake Dr., Danville. 

$65.6:30 p.m.www.mtzo.com.< 

 

BERKELEY CITY CLUB  

"Trio Brillante," Sept. 14, 8 p.m. Performing works by Glinka, Francaix, Mendelssohn and Mozart. $12.50-$25.  

2315 Durant Ave., Berkeley. (510) 848-7800, www.berkeleycityclub.com.

 

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF BERKELEY  

Burke Schuchmann and Brian Ganz, Sept. 10, 8 p.m. Cello and piano, with guest flutist Yael Ronen. Works by Beethoven, Barber, Bruch, Chopin and Haydn. $18-$25. (510) 234-4502. 

2407 Dana St., Berkeley. < 

 

HERTZ HALL AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY  

"Annual Noon Concert Series," Sept. 15, Noon. Angela Arnold, soprano, and Michael Orland, piano, perform works by Mozart, Debussy, Leo Blech, William Grant Still, Adolphus Hailstork and Hall Johnso. Free.  

Bancroft Way and College Ave., Berkeley. (510) 642-4864, www.music.berkeley.edu.

 

LIVERMORE VALLEY OPERA  

"Opera Live!" Sept. 14, Noon. Soprano Jillian Boye and baritone Sascha Joggerst perform a variety of selections at the grand opening of the new Firehouse Arts Center, 4444 Railroad Ave., Pleasanton. Free.  

"Opera Live! At the Livermore Public Library," Sept. 19, 2 p.m. Meet and hear the stars of Livermore Valley Opera's season opening production, "Don Giovanni.'' Concert takes place at the Livermore Library, Civic Center Branch, 1188 S. Livermore Ave., Livermore. Free.  

Livermore Performing Arts Theater, 600 Maple St., Livermore. (925) 960-9210, (925) 417-5070, www.livermorevalleyopera.com.

 

ST. JOHN'S PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH  

Ellen Hargis and Paul O'Dette, Sept. 11, 7:30 p.m. Works from 17th century Venetian and Roman composers. $25-$28.  

2727 College Ave., Berkeley. (510) 845-6830, www.stjohns.presbychurch.net.<


Classical Music-San Francisco Through September 19

Tuesday September 07, 2010 - 09:11:00 PM

GOLDEN GATE PARK MUSIC CONCOURSE  

"Golden Gate Park Band" Sept. 19, 1 p.m. The band performs the work of the great German opera composer Richard Wagner. Free. www.goldengateparkband.org. 

Ninth Avenue and Lincoln Way, San Francisco. < 

 

LEGION OF HONOR MUSEUM DOCENT TOUR PROGRAMS -- Tours of the permanent collections and special exhibitions are offered Tuesday through Sunday. Non-English language tours (Italian, French, Spanish and Russian) are available on different Saturdays of the month at 11:30 a.m. Free with regular museum admission. (415) 750-3638.  

ONGOING CHILDREN'S PROGRAM --  

"Doing and Viewing Art," For ages 7 to 12. Docent-led tours of current exhibitions are followed by studio workshops taught by professional artists/teachers. Students learn about art by seeing and making it. Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to noon; call to confirm class. Free with museum admission. (415) 750-3658. 

ORGAN CONCERTS -- 4 p.m. A weekly concert of organ music on the Legion's restored 1924 Skinner organ. Saturday and Sunday in the Rodin Gallery. Free with museum admission. (415) 750-3624. 

$6-$10; free for children ages 12 and under; free for all visitors on Tuesdays. Tuesday-Sunday, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Lincoln Park, 34th Avenue and Clement Street, San Francisco. (415) 750-3600, (415) 750-3636, www.legionofhonor.org.

 

OLD FIRST CHURCH  

Giacomo Fiore, Sept. 10, 8 p.m. The guitarist performs works by Villa-Lobos, Takemitsu, Harrison, Davies, Brouwer and Britten.  

Bloom Trio, Sept. 12, 4 p.m. Works by Turina, Dvorak and Ravel.  

Rebecca Rust, Friedrich Edelmann and Dmitriy Cogan, Sept. 19, 4 p.m. Performing works by Genzmer, Schaffrath, Beethoven, Mendelssohn and Strauss.  

$14-$17; children 12 and under free. 1751 Sacramento Street, San Francisco. (415) 474-1608, www.oldfirstconcerts.org.

 

SAN FRANCISCO CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC  

"25th Anniversary Chamber Music Celebration," Sept. 12, Noon-6:30 p.m. In collaboration with the San Francisco Friends of Chamber Music, the Conservatory celebrates the 25th anniversary of its chamber music degree program with a day-long festival featuring 31 ensembles performing on three stages. Free.  

"Chanticleer presents Out of This World!" Sept. 17 and Sept. 19, 8 p.m. Fri.; 5 p.m. Sun. The renowned 12 member male chorus performs a concert focusing on music inspired through the ages by the cosmos. $20-$44. www.chanticleer.org. 

$15 to $20 unless otherwise noted. Hellman Hall, 50 Oak St., San Francisco. (415) 864-7326, www.sfcm.edu.

 

SAN FRANCISCO OPERA  

"Opera Ball 2010," Sept. 10, 5 p.m. dinner, 8 p.m. opera performance. The San Francisco Opera Guild kicks off the season with a glamorous event that raises funds for the San Francisco Opera and the Opera Guild's education programs. The event starts at 5 p.m. with a reception and dinner in the rotunda of San Francisco City Hall, followed by a performace of Verdi's "Aida'' at the War Memorial Opera House. $850-$5,000 for complete ball, $25-$320 for performance only.  

OPENING - "Aida" by Giuseppe Verdi,, Sept. 10 through Oct. 6. A bitter love triangle plays itself out against a backdrop of war and cultural oppression in this compelling tale of conflicting loyalties and forbidden passion. Sung in Italian with English supertitles. Sept. 10, 8 p.m.; Sept. 16, 7:30 p.m.; Sept. 19, 2 p.m.; Sept. 24, 8 p.m.; Sept. 29, 7:30 p.m.; Oct. 2, 8 p.m.; Oct. 6, 7:30 p.m. $20-$320.  

"San Francisco Opera In The Park," Sept. 12, 1:30 p.m. San Francisco Opera's opening weekend continues with a free performance in Golden Gate Park's Sharon Meadow, featuring singers from the Company's Fall 2010 season and the San Francisco Opera Orchestra conducted my Maestro Luisotti. The concert ends with a rendition of the drinking song "Libiamo nei'lieti calici'' from Verdi's "La Traviata.'' Free.  

OPENING - "Werther" by Jules Massenet, Sept. 15 through Oct. 1. A new production of the Massenet's strongest and most involving tragedy, with Tenor Ramsn Vargas and mezzo-soprano Alice Coote. Sung in French with English supertitles. Sept. 15, 7:30 p.m.; Sept. 18, 8 p.m.; Sept. 22, 7:30 p.m.; Sept. 26, 2 p.m.; Sept. 28, 8 p.m.; Oct. 1, 8 p.m. $20-$360.  

$25 to $245 unless otherwise noted. War Memorial Opera House, 301 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco. (415) 864-3330, www.sfopera.com.

 

ST. MARY'S CATHEDRAL  

"Sunday Afternoon Recitals," 3:30 p.m., unless otherwise noted. Sept. 5: Travis Baker.  

Sept. 12: Christoph Tietze.  

$5 suggested donation. 1111 Gough St., San Francisco. (415) 567-2020, www.stmarycathedralsf.org.

 

THICK HOUSE  

"Dieci Giorni -- 10 Days," Sept. 10 through Sept. 12 and Sept. 17 through Sept. 12, 8 p.m. Inspired by Giovanni Boccaccio's "Decameron,'' this new collaborative opera is directed by Jim Cave with music composed by Erling Wold, Lisa Scola Prosek, Martha Stoddard and Davide Verotta. $25. (415) 282-5616, www.diccigiorni.org. 

1695 18th St., San Francisco. www.thickhouse.org.<


Galleries-San Francisco Through September 19

Tuesday September 07, 2010 - 09:07:00 PM

ARTHAUS  

"The Back Yard," through Sept. 30. Works by Chris Schiavo.  

Free. Tuesday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. 411 Brannan St., San Francisco. (415) 977-0223, www.arthaus-sf.com.< 

 

BRIAN GROSS FINE ART  

"Airborne," through Sept. 10. Works by Ed Moses.  

Free. Tuesday through Friday, 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. 49 Geary St., San Francisco. (415) 788-1050, www.briangrossfineart.com.

 

GEORGE KREVSKY GALLERY  

"Summer Reading," through Oct. 2. Works by Lawrence Ferlinghetti, Helen Berggruen, Ken Kalman, Rockewell Kent, Clifford Odets, Man Ray, Raymond Saunders, Ben Shahn and others.  

Free. Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. 77 Geary St., San Francisco. (415) 397-9748, www.georgekrevkygallery.com.

 

LOST ART SALON  

OPENING -- "Adine Stix: A Retrospective," through Oct. 31. An extensive survey of paintings from the 1960s.  

245 S. Van Ness Ave., San Francisco. (415) 861-1530, www.lostartsalon.com.

 

TRIANGLE GALLERY  

"49th Anniversary Show -- The Past," through Sept. 11. Works by gallery artists.  

47 Kearny St., San Francisco. (415) 392-1686, www.triangle-sf.com.<


Galleries-East Bay Through September 19

Tuesday September 07, 2010 - 09:07:00 PM

"BAY AREA HEART GALLERY," -- Exhibit consists of photographs of children, youth and families, accompanied by their compelling stories. The joint exhibit opens in the Alameda County Administration Building, 1221 Oak Street, Oakland and at the Eden Area Multi-Service Center, 24100 Amador Way, Hayward. 

8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon. - Fri.< 

 

BEDFORD GALLERY  

"Unbound: A National Exhibition of Book Art," through Sept. 19. Works by Ed Ruscha, Andy Warhol, Sas Colby, Lisa Kokin, Francesca Patine, Maria Porges, Nancy Selvin, Richard Shaw and others.  

$3 general; $2 youth ages 12 through 17; free children ages 12 and under; free Tuesdays. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Sunday, noon-5 p.m.; Thursday-Saturday, noon-5 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Dean Lesher Regional Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek. (925) 295-1417, www.bedfordgallery.org.

 

COMPOUND GALLERY  

"Habitual Homesteaders," through Sept. 19. Works by Gina Tuzzi and Tyler Bewley. Opening reception: August 14, 6-9 p.m.  

1167 65th St., Oakland. (510) 817-4042.< 

 

FLOAT  

"Jabberwocky," through Sept. 18. Works by Cheryl Finfrock and Liz Mamorsky. Opening reception, August 14, 6-9 p.m.  

Free. Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; by appointment. 1091 Calcot Place, Unit 116, Oakland. (510) 535-1702, www.thefloatcenter.com.

 

GALLERY CONCORD  

"Summertime Hues," through Sept. 25. Works by Irene Brydon and Susan Helmer.  

1765 Galindo St., Concord. (925) 691-6140.< 

 

HALL OF PIONEERS GALLERY  

"Oakland Chinatown Pioneers," Twelve showcases, each focusing on historic leaders and personalities of the community.  

Free. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Chinese Garden Building, 275 Seventh St., Oakland. (510) 530-4590.< 

 

HEARST ART GALLERY AT SAINT MARY'S COLLEGE OF CALIFORNIA  

"Superbly Independent," through Sept. 19. Works by Annie Harmon, Mary DeNeale Morgan and Marion Kavanagh Wachtel.  

$3. Wednesday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. 1928 Saint Mary's Road, Moraga. (925) 631-4379, www.gallery.stmarys-ca.edu.< 

 

SUN GALLERY  

"High Art," through Sept. 25. Works by local high school students and high school homeschoolers.  

1015 E. St., Hayward. (510) 581-4050, www.sungallery.org.

 

TRAYWICK CONTEMPORARY  

"2-D/3-D," through Sept. 18. Works by Mari Andrews, Jessica Martin, David McDonald, Aurora Robson and Lucrecia Troncoso.  

895 Colusa Ave., Berkeley. (510) 527-1214.<


Professional Dance Through September 19

Tuesday September 07, 2010 - 08:58:00 PM

COUNTERPULSE  

"2nd Sundays," 2-4 p.m. Sun. Sept. 12: Philein Wang, ZiRu Tiger Productions, Tammy Cheney, Lenora Lee. Free.  

1310 Mission St., San Francisco. (415) 626-2060, www.counterpulse.org.

 

COWELL THEATER AT FORT MASON CENTER  

Zhukov Dance Theatre, Sept. 16 through Sept. 18, 8 p.m. Award-winning choreographer Yuri Zhukov presents new works with dancers including Katja Bjorner, Darren Devaney, Joshua Haines, Allie Papazian and more. $25.  

Buchanan Street and Marina Boulevard, San Francisco. (415) 345-7575, www.fortmason.org.

 

FLORENCE GOULD THEATRE AT THE LEGION OF HONOR MUSEUM  

"Dancing Poetry Festival," Sept. 18, Noon-4 p.m. Featuring international dance companies and poets; a fusion of dance with poetry. $12-$15. www.dancingpoetry.com. 

Lincoln Park, 34th Avenue and Clement Street, San Francisco. (415) 392-4400, www.avedisconcerts.org.

 

PENA PACHAMAMA  

"Flamenco Thursdays" with Carola Zertuche, 8:30 p.m. Thursdays Music and dance with performers of traditional flamenco. $10.  

Brisas de Espana Ballet Flamenco, 6:15 and 7:15 p.m. Sun. $10-$15.  

For ages 21 and older. 1630 Powell St., San Francisco. (415) 646-0018, www.penapachamama.com.

 

JULIA MORGAN CENTER FOR THE ARTS  

"Spirit of Mexico," Sept. 18 and Sept. 19, 8 p.m. Sat.; 2 p.m. Sun. Ballet Folklorico Costa de Oro presents a journey through music, song and dance showcasing Mexico's vibrant culture. $23-$30; children under 3 free. (510) 316-3237, www.bfcostadeoro.com. 

2640 College Ave., Berkeley. (510) 845-8542, www.juliamorgan.org.

 

RHYTHMIX CULTURAL WORKS  

Brass Menazeri Dance Concert, Sept. 10, 8:30-11:30 p.m. $12-$15.  

Tuesday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. 2513 Blanding Ave., Alameda. (510) 845-5060, www.rhythmix.org.<


Popmusic-East Bay Through September 19

Tuesday September 07, 2010 - 08:58:00 PM

"12TH ANNUAL DELTA BLUES FESTIVAL," -- Sept. 18. Featuring EC Scott, Mitch Woods and his Rocket 88s, Pat Wilder and more. Event takes place in the Rivertown District, off 2nd Street between G and I streets, Antioch. 

Free.Noon-7:30 p.m.www.deltabluesfestival.net.< 

 

"BERKELEY OLD TIME MUSIC CONVENTION," -- through Sept. 12. A variety of concerts and dances suitable for the whole family. Events take place at various venues; check website for details. 

www.berkeleyoldtimemusic.org.

 

"POINT RICHMOND MUSIC SUMMER CONCERT SEASON," -- Sept. 10 and Sept. 24. Concerts take place at the corner of Park Place and Washington Avenue in downtown Point Richmond. Sept. 10: Je Conte, Kickin' The Mule, Freddie Hughes.  

Sept. 24: Trio Paz, El Desayuno.  

Free.5:30-7:45 p.m.< 

 

"THE THIRD ANNUAL FALL MUSIC FESTIVAL," -- Sept. 11. Featuring Houston Jones, The Jeff Magidson Blues Band, The Dangerous Martini Quartet, Garageland Rodeo and more. Festival takes place at John Muir Amphitheatre, 115 Tarantino Dr., Martinez. 

$5-$10; Children 11 and under free.11 a.m.-11 p.m.(925) 917-0441.< 

 

924 GILMAN ST. -- All ages welcome. 

Hellbastard, Acephalix, Fix My Head, Psychosomatic, Sept. 10, 7 p.m. $10.  

Eliott Randall and The Deadmen, Sept. 11, 8 p.m. $20.  

$5 unless otherwise noted. Shows start Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m.; Sunday, 5 p.m. unless otherwise noted. 924 Gilman St., Berkeley. (510) 525-9926, www.924gilman.org.

 

ALBATROSS PUB  

Whiskey Brothers, 9 p.m. First and third Wednesdays. Free.  

Free unless otherwise noted. Shows begin Wednesday, 9 p.m.; Saturday, 9:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted. 1822 San Pablo Ave., Berkeley. (510) 843-2473, www.albatrosspub.com.

 

ARMANDO'S  

The Mikie Lee Prasad Band, Sept. 10, 8 p.m. $10.  

The Hopeful Romantics, Sept. 12, 3-6 p.m. $10.  

The Alhambra Valley Band, Sept. 17, 8 p.m. $10.  

Mark Hummel and Rusty Zinn, Sept. 18, 8 p.m. $10.  

707 Marina Vista Ave., Martinez. (925) 228-6985, www.armandosmartinez.com.

 

ASHKENAZ  

Bascenta, Sept. 10, 9:30 p.m. $10-$12.  

Triplett, Prouty & Fitzgibbon, Squirelly String Band, The Stripe, Sept. 11, 8 p.m. $15.  

The Pork Pies, Sept. 12, 3-4:30 p.m. $4-$6.  

Gator Beat, Sept. 14, 8:30 p.m. $10.  

Used Blues Band, Sept. 15, 8:30 p.m. $10.  

Helladelics, Sept. 16, 8:30 p.m. $10.  

Vagabond Opera, Sept. 17, 9 p.m. $12.  

Trio Garufa, Sept. 18, 9 p.m. $12.  

Zaryab Ensemble, Sept. 19, 7:30 p.m. $10.  

1317 San Pablo Ave., Berkeley. (510) 525-5054, www.ashkenaz.com.

 

BANKHEAD THEATER  

Spencer Day, Sept. 10, 8 p.m. $12-$40.  

2400 First Street, Livermore. (925) 373-6800, www.livermoreperformingarts.org.

 

BECKETT'S IRISH PUB  

Hans Larson's Glass Attic, Sept. 10.  

Matt Lucas, Sept. 11.  

Feelosophy, Sept. 16.  

The Rhythm Doctors, Sept. 17.  

D'Giin, Sept. 18.  

Free. Shows at 10 p.m. unless otherwise noted. 2271 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley. (510) 647-1790, www.beckettsirishpub.com.

 

BLAKE'S ON TELEGRAPH  

Agent Orange, Jokes For Feelings, Black Dream, Sept. 10, 9 p.m. 18+.  

For ages 18 and older unless otherwise noted. Music begins at 9:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted. 2367 Telegraph Ave., Berkeley. (510) 848-0886, www.blakesontelegraph.com.

 

FOX THEATER  

Scissor Sisters, Sammy Jo, Casey Spooner, Sept. 12, 8 p.m. $39.50.  

1807 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. (510) 452-0438, www.thefoxoakland.com.

 

FREIGHT AND SALVAGE  

"Freight Open Mic," Tuesdays. $4.50-$5.50.  

Kenny Hall and the Sweets Mill String Band, Bobby McMillon, The Macrae Sisters, Sept. 10, 8 p.m. Part of the Berkeley Old Time Music Convention. $16.50-$17.50.  

Faith Petric, Sept. 11, 8 p.m. $18.50-$19.50.  

David Wilcox, Paul Sprawl, Sept. 12, 8 p.m. $20.50-$21.50.  

Shawn Phillips, Sept. 13. $20.50-$21.50.  

"Bill Monroe Birthday Tribute," Sept. 14. $18.50-$19.50.  

Phil Berkowitz, Sept. 15. $18.50-$19.50.  

Weldon Kekauoha, Sept. 16. $20.50-$21.50.  

Ellis Paul, Old Man Luedecke, Sept. 17. $18.50-$19.50.  

Shay Black, Sept. 18. $24.50-$25.50.  

Jesse Winchester, Sept. 19. $20.50-$21.50.  

Music starts at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted. 2020 Addison St., Berkeley. (510) 548-1761, www.freightandsalvage.org.

 

GREEK THEATRE  

David Gray, Ray LaMontagne, Tift Merritt, Sept. 10, 7 p.m. $39.50-$75.  

Hearst Avenue and Gayley Road, Berkeley. (510) 548-3010, www.apeconcerts.com.

 

JAZZSCHOOL  

Erik Jekabson Quartet, Sept. 10, 8 p.m. $15.  

Jackie Ryan, Sept. 11, 8 p.m. $20.  

Charles Hamilton Sextet, Sept. 12, 4:30 p.m. $15.  

The Dave Haskell Group, Sept. 17, 8 p.m. $12.  

Maria Volonte Tango Passions Trio, Sept. 18, 8 p.m. $15.  

The Aaron Germain Quartet, Sept. 19, 4:30 p.m. $12.  

Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m.; Sunday, 4:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted. 2087 Addison St., Berkeley. (510) 845-5373, www.jazzschool.com.

 

JUPITER  

"Americana Unplugged," 5 p.m. Sundays. A weekly bluegrass and Americana series.  

"Jazzschool Tuesdays," 8 p.m. Tuesdays. Featuring the ensembles from the Berkeley Jazzschool. www.jazzschool.com. 

8 p.m. 2181 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley. (510) 843-8277, www.jupiterbeer.com.

 

KIMBALL'S CARNIVAL  

"Monday Blues Legends Night," 8 p.m.-midnight. Enjoy live blues music every Monday night. Presented by the Bay Area Blues Society and Lothario Lotho Company. $5 donation. (510) 836-2227, www.bayareabluessociety.net. 

522 2nd St., Jack London Square, Oakland. < 

 

ORACLE ARENA  

A.R. Rahman, Sept. 12, 7 p.m. $50-$150.  

Hegenberger Road and Interstate 880, Oakland. (510) 625-8497, (925) 685-8497, (415) 421-8497, www.ticketmaster.com or www.theoaklandarena.com.

 

SHATTUCK DOWN LOW For ages 21 and older. 

"Live Salsa," Wednesdays. An evening of dancing to the music of a live salsa band. Salsa dance lessons from 8-9:30 p.m. $5-$10.  

"Thirsty Thursdays," 9 p.m. Thursdays. Featuring DJ Vickity Slick and Franky Fresh. Free.  

El Nuevo Universal, Sept. 15, 8 p.m. $10.  

Cash'd Out, Sept. 17, 8:30 p.m. $10-$15.  

2284 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley. (510) 548-1159, www.shattuckdownlow.com.

 

SOMAR BAR & LOUNGE --  

Lindy LaFontaine, Sept. 14, 9 p.m. Free.  

1727 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. (415) 693-9565, www.somarbar.com.

 

STARRY PLOUGH PUB  

The Starry Irish Music Session led by Shay Black, Sundays, 8 p.m. Sliding scale.  

Dedicated Maniacs, Sept. 10, 9 p.m.  

INXS-ive, Luv'n Rockets, The Reptile House, Sept. 11, 9:30 p.m. $10.  

Opus Night, Jo Henley, Space Vacation, Sept. 16, 9 p.m. $8.  

Puppet Radio, Ten Ton Chicken, Beercraft, Sept. 17, 9 p.m. $10.  

Amendola vs Blades, Interstellar Grains, Cash Pony, Sept. 18, 9 p.m. $8.  

For ages 21 and over unless otherwise noted. Sunday and Wednesday, 8 p.m.; Thursday-Saturday, 9:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted. 3101 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley. (510) 841-2082, www.starryploughpub.com.

 

TODOS SANTOS PLAZA  

Zydeco Flames, Sept. 16, 6:30-8 p.m. Free.  

Willow Pass Road and Grant Street, Concord. (925) 671-3464.< 

 

UPTOWN NIGHTCLUB  

Helmet, Bison BC, Sept. 10, 9 p.m. $15.  

Shonen Knife, Bam Bam, Kepi Ghoulie, Sept. 11, 9 p.m. $14.  

Oakland Active Orchestra, Sept. 14, 9 p.m. Free.  

The Headcat, Sept. 15, 9 p.m. $20.  

NoMeansNo, Sept. 17, 9 p.m. $15.  

1928 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. (510) 451-8100, www.uptownnightclub.com.

 

WALNUT AVENUE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH  

Extended Roots, Sept. 11, 7:30 p.m. Free.  

260 Walnut Ave., Walnut Creek. www.walnutavenueumc.org.

 

YOSHI'S  

Issac Delgado, Freddy Cole, Sept. 10 through Sept. 12, 8 and 10 p.m. Fri.-Sat.; 2 and 7 p.m. Sun. $5-$30.  

Janis Siegel, Sept. 13, 8 p.m. $18.  

Ambrose Akinmusire, Sept. 14, 8 p.m. $18.  

Rudresh Mahanthappa's Indo-Pak Coalition, Sept. 15, 8 p.m. $20.  

Mingus Amungus, Sept. 16, 8 p.m. $25.  

Les Nubians, Sept. 18 and Sept. 19, 8 and 10 p.m. Sat.; 2 and 7 p.m. Sun.  

$5-$30.  

Shows are Monday through Saturday, 8 and 10 p.m.; Sunday, 2 and 7 p.m., unless otherwise noted. 510 Embarcadero West, Oakland. (510) 238-9200, www.yoshis.com.<


Readings-East Bay Through Septemeber 19

Tuesday September 07, 2010 - 08:57:00 PM

A GREAT GOOD PLACE FOR BOOKS  

Jessica Inclan, Sept. 15, 7 p.m. "Being With Him.''  

Ellen Hopkins, Sept. 16, 7 p.m. "Fall Out.''  

Yiyun Li, Sept. 17, 7 p.m. "Gold Boy, Emerald Girl.''  

6120 LaSalle Ave., Oakland. (510) 339-8210, www.ggpbooks.com.

 

BOOKS INC., BERKELEY  

Linda Watanabe McFerrin, Sept. 13, 7 p.m. "Dead Lover.''  

Yiyun Li, Sept. 15, 7 p.m. "Gold Boy Emerald Girl.''  

Steven Saylor, Sept. 16, 7 p.m. "Empire: The Novel of Imperial Rome.''  

1760 4th Street, Berkeley. (510) 525-7777, www.booksinc.net.

 

DIESEL, A BOOKSTORE  

David Herlihy, Sept. 12, 3 p.m. "The Lost Cyclist.''  

Gwynne Dyer, Sept. 14, 7 p.m. "Climate Wars.''  

Skip Horack, Sept. 16, 7 p.m. "The Eden Hunter.''  

5433 College Avenue, Oakland. (510) 653-9965.< 

 

EASTWIND BOOKS  

Juliet S. Kono, Sept. 10, 6:30 p.m. "Anshu: Dark Sorrow.''  

2066 University Ave., Berkeley. (510) 548-2350.< 

 

MRS. DALLOWAY'S  

Gary Noy and Rick Heide, Sept. 10, 7:30 p.m. "The Illuminated Landscape.''  

Jennie Schacht, Sept. 11, 4 p.m. "Farmers' Market Desserts.''  

Jane Vandenburgh, Sept. 12, 4 p.m. "Architecture of the Novel.''  

Julia Glass, Sept. 14, 7:30 p.m. "A Widower's Tale.''  

Claire Marcus, Sept. 19, 4 p.m. "Iona Dreaming.''  

2904 College Avenue, Berkeley. (510) 704-8222.< 

 

NEFELI CAFI  

Diane Frank, Andrena Zawinkski, Stewart Florsheim, Sept. 10, 7 p.m. The poets read as part of the "Last Word'' series.  

1854 Euclid Avenue, Berkeley. (510) 841-6374.< 

 

OAKLAND MUSEUM OF CALIFORNIA  

ONGOING EVENTS --  

"Art a la Carte," Wednesdays, 12:30 p.m. Art docents offer a variety of specialized tours focusing on one aspect of the museum's permanent collection. Free with museum admission.  

"Online Museum," Thursdays, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Explore the museum's collection on videodisks in the History Department Library.  

Docent Gallery Tours, Saturday and Sunday, 1:30 p.m. 

Laura McCreery, Sept. 10, 5-8 p.m. "Living Landscape.''  

$5-$8; free for children ages 5 and under; free to all on the second Sunday of the month. Special events are free with museum admission unless noted otherwise. Wednesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, noon-5 p.m.; first Friday of the month, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. 1000 Oak St., Oakland. (510) 238-2200, www.museumca.org.

 

OAKLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY, MAIN BRANCH  

Michael Larsen and Elizabeth Pomada, Sept. 19, 2-4 p.m. "Three Ways To Make Yourself Irresistible to Agents and Editors.'' www.cwc-berkeley.com. 

Free. Monday, Tuesday and Saturday, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; Wednesday-Thursday, noon-8 p.m.; Friday, noon-5:30 p.m.; Sunday, 1 p.m.-5 p.m. 125 14th St., Oakland. (510) 238-3134, www.oaklandlibrary.org.

 

UNIVERSITY PRESS BOOKS  

Colleen Cotter, Sept. 14, 6-7:30 p.m. "News Talk: Investigating The Language of Journalism.''  

Laura Nader, Sept. 15, 5:30-7 p.m. "The Energy Reader.''  

2430 Bancroft Way, Berkeley. (510) 548-0585, www.universitypressbooks.com.<


Stage-San Francisco Through September 19

Tuesday September 07, 2010 - 08:55:00 PM

BEACH BLANKET BABYLON This long-running musical follows Snow White as she sings and dances her way around the world in search of her prince. Along the way she encounters many of the personalities in today's headlines, including Nancy Pelosi, Condoleezza Rice, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Harry Potter, Tiger Woods, Oprah Winfrey, Britney Spears, Dianne Feinstein, Barbara Boxer, Hillary Clinton, George and Laura Bush, Michael Jackson, Martha Stewart, Tom Cruise, Angelina, characters from Brokeback Mountain and Paris Hilton. Persons under 21 are not admitted to evening performances, but are welcome to Sunday matinees. 

"Steve Silver's Beach Blanket Babylon," 8 p.m. Wed. - Thurs.; 6:30 and 9:30 p.m. Fri. - Sat.; 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. Sun.  

$25-$78. Club Fugazi, 678 Beach Blanket Babylon Blvd. (formerly Green Street), San Francisco. (415) 421-4222, www.beachblanketbabylon.com.

 

CHANCELLOR HOTEL UNION SQUARE  

"Eccentrics of San Francisco's Barbary Coast," 8 p.m. Fri. -Sat. Audiences gather for a 90-minute show abounding with local anecdotes and lore presented by captivating and consummate conjurers and taletellers. $30.  

433 Powell St., San Francisco. (877) 784-6835, www.chancellorhotel.com.

 

CLIMATE THEATRE  

"The Clown Cabaret at the Climate," 7 and 9 p.m. First Monday of the month. Hailed as San Francisco's hottest ticket in clowning, this show blends rising stars with seasoned professionals on the Climate Theater's intimate stage. $10-$15.  

285 Ninth St., Second Floor, San Francisco. www.climatetheater.com.

 

CURRAN THEATRE  

"Dreamgirls," through Sept. 26, 8 p.m. Tue.- Sat.; 2 p.m. Wed., Sat.- Sun. The Broadway musical sensation comes to San Francisco, based on the book by Tom Eyen, with music and lyrics by Henry Krieger. $30-$99.  

445 Geary St., San Francisco. (415) 512-7770, www.shnsf.com or www.bestofbroadway-sf.com.< 

 

KIMO'S BAR  

"Fauxgirls," 10 p.m. Every third Saturday. Drag cabaret revue features San Francisco's finest female impersonators. Free. (415) 695-1239, www.fauxgirls.com. 

1351 Polk St., San Francisco. (415) 885-4535, www.denkitiger. com/.< 

 

THE MARSH  

"The Mock Cafe," 10 p.m. Saturdays. Stand-up comedy performances. $7.  

"The Monday Night Marsh," 8 p.m. Mondays. An ongoing series of works-in-progress. $7.  

EXTENDED -- "The Real Americans," by Dan Hoyle, through Sept. 25, 8 p.m. Thurs. and Fri.; 5 p.m. Sat.; 3 p.m. Sun. Hoyle connects liberal city life with small-town America. $20-$50.  

1062 Valencia St., San Francisco. (415) 826-5750, www.themarsh.org.

 

SHELTON THEATER  

"Shopping! The Musical," by Morris Bobrow, A quick-paced musical about those obsessed with buying things. Friday-Saturday, 8 p.m. $27-$29. www.shoppingthemusical.com. 

Big City Improv, 10 p.m. Fridays. $20. (510) 595-5597, www.bigcityimprov.com. 

533 Sutter St., San Francisco. (415) 433-1227, www.sheltontheater.com or www.sheltontheater.com.

 

VICTORIA THEATRE  

OPENING -- "Jerry Springer the Opera," Sept. 10 through Oct. 16, 8 p.m. Wed.-Sat. The hilarious and award-winning musical about the outrageous talk show comes to San Francisco. $25-$36. www.jerrysf.com. 

2961 16th St., San Francisco. www.victoriatheatre.org.<


Museums-East Bay Through September 19

Tuesday September 07, 2010 - 09:02:00 PM

AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSEUM AND LIBRARY AT OAKLAND The Oakland Public Library's museum is designed to discover, preserve, interpret and share the cultural and historical experiences of African Americans in California and the West. In addition, a three-panel mural is on permanent display. 

Free. Tuesday-Saturday, noon-5:30 p.m. 659 14th St., Oakland. (510) 637-0200, www.oaklandlibrary.org.

 

ALAMEDA MUSEUM The museum offers permanent displays of Alameda history, the only rotating gallery showcasing local Alameda artists and student artwork, as well as souvenirs, books and videos about the rich history of the Island City. 

Free. Wednesday-Friday and Sunday, 1-4 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. 2324 Alameda Ave., Alameda. (510) 521-1233, www.alamedamuseum.org.

 

BADE MUSEUM AT THE PACIFIC SCHOOL OF RELIGION The museum's collections include the Tell en-Nasbeh Collection, consisting of artifacts excavated from Tell en-Nasbeh in Palestine in 1926 and 1935 by William Badh, and the Howell Bible Collection, featuring approximately 300 rare books (primarily Bibles) dating from the 15th through the 18th centuries. 

"Tell en-Nasbeh," This exhibit is the "heart and soul" of the Bade Museum. It displays a wealth of finds from the excavations at Tell en-Nasbeh, Palestine whose objects span from the Early Bronze Age (3100-2200 BC) through the Iron Age (1200-586 BC) and into the Roman and Hellenistic periods. Highlights of the exhibit include "Tools of the Trade" featuring real archaeological tools used by Badh and his team, an oil lamp typology, a Second Temple period (586 BC-70 AD) limestone ossuary, and a selection of painted Greek pottery.  

"William Frederic Bade: Theologian, Naturalist, and Archaeologist," This exhibit highlights one of PSR's premier educators and innovative scholars. The collection of material on display was chosen with the hopes of representing the truly dynamic and multifaceted character of William F. Badh. He was a family man, a dedicated teacher, a loving friend, and an innovative and passionate archaeologist.  

Free. Tuesday-Thursday, 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Holbrook Hall, Pacific School of Religion, 1798 Scenic Ave., Berkeley. (510) 848-0528, www.bade.psr.edu/bade.< 

 

BERKELEY ART MUSEUM AND PACIFIC FILM ARCHIVE  

"Thom Faulders: BAMscape," through Nov. 30. This commissioned work, a hybrid of sculpture, furniture, and stage, is the new centerpiece of Gallery B, BAM's expansive central atrium. It is part of a new vision of the gallery as a space for interaction, performance, and improvised experiences.  

"Perpetual and furious refrain / MATRIX 232," through Sept. 12. Exhibition features works by Brent Green.  

"Himalayan Pilgrimage," through Dec. 19. Exhibition features sculpture and painting dating from the ninth to the eighteenth centuries and drawn from a private collection on long-term loan to the Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive.  

"Hauntology," through Dec. 5. Drawn primarily from the museum's recent acquisitions of contemporary art, this exhibition explores a wide range of art through the lens of the concept of "hauntology,'' a term coined by the French philosopher Jacques Derrida in 1993 to refer to the study of social, psychological, and cultural conditions in the post-Communist period.  

2626 Bancroft Way, Berkeley. < 

 

BLACKHAWK MUSEUM  

AUTOMOTIVE MUSEUM -- The museum's permanent exhibition of internationally renowned automobiles dated from 1897 to the 1980s. The cars are displayed as works of art with room to walk completely around each car to admire the workmanship. On long-term loan from the Smithsonian Institution is a Long Steam Tricycle; an 1893-94 Duryea, the first Duryea built by the Duryea brothers; and a 1948 Tucker, number 39 of the 51 Tuckers built, which is a Model 48 "Torpedo'' four-door sedan.  

ONGOING EXHIBITS --  

"International Automotive Treasures," An ever-changing exhibit featuring over 90 automobiles.  

"A Journey on Common Ground," An exhibit of moving photographs, video and art objects from around the world exploring the causes of disability and the efforts of the Wheelchair Foundation to provide a wheelchair for every person in need who cannot afford one.  

ONGOING EVENT --  

Free Public Tours, Saturday and Sunday, 2 p.m. Docent-led guided tours of the museum's exhibitions. 

$5-$8; free for children ages 6 and under. Wednesday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 3700 Blackhawk Plaza Circle, Danville. (925) 736-2280, (925) 736-2277, www.blackhawkmuseum.org.

 

CALIFORNIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY  

HISTORY WALKABOUTS -- A series of walking tours that explore the history, lore and architecture of California with veteran tour guide Gary Holloway. Walks are given on specific weekends. There is a different meeting place for each weekend and walks take place rain or shine so dress for the weather. Reservations and prepayment required. Meeting place will be given with confirmation of tour reservation. Call for details.  

678 Mission St., San Francisco. (415) 357-1848, www.californiahistoricalsociety.org.

 

CHABOT SPACE AND SCIENCE CENTER State-of-the-art facility unifying science education activities around astronomy. Enjoy interactive exhibits, hands-on activities, indoor stargazing, outdoor telescope viewing and films. 

"Beyond Blastoff: Surviving in Space," An interactive exhibit that allows you to immerse yourself into the life of an astronaut to experience the mixture of exhilaration, adventure and confinement that is living and working in space.  

"Chabot Observatories: A View to the Stars," Explore the history of the Chabot observatories and how its historic telescopes are used today. Daytime visitors can virtually operate a telescope, experiment with mirrors and lenses to understand how telescopes create images of distant objects and travel through more than a century of Chabot's history via multimedia kiosks, historical images and artifact displays.  

EVENTS --  

"Galaxy Explorers Hands-On Fun," Saturday, noon-4 p.m. The Galaxy Explorers lead a variety of fun, hands-on activities, such as examining real spacesuits, creating galaxy flipbooks, learning about telescopes, minerals and skulls and making your own comet. Free with general admission. 

"Live Daytime Planetarium Show," Saturdays, 2:30 p.m. Ride through real-time constellations, stars and planets with Chabot's full-dome digital projection system. 

"Daytime Telescope Viewing," Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. View the sun, the moon and the planets through the telescopes during the day. Free with general admission. 

Center Admission: $14.95; $10.95 children 3-12; free children under 3; $3 discount for seniors and students. Telescope viewing only: free. Wednesday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; Also open on Tuesdays 10 a.m.-5 p.m. after June 29. 10000 Skyline Blvd., Oakland. (510) 336-7300, www.chabotspace.org.

 

HABITOT CHILDREN'S MUSEUM A museum especially for children ages 7 and under. Highlights include "WaterWorks,'' an area with some unusual water toys, an Infant Tree for babies, a garden especially for toddlers, a child-scale grocery store and cafe, and a costume shop and stage for junior thespians. The museum also features a toy lending library.  

ONGOING EXHIBITS --  

"Waterworks." A water play gallery with rivers, a pumping station and a water table, designed to teach about water.  

"Little Town Grocery and Cafe." Designed to create the ambience of shopping in a grocery store and eating in a restaurant.  

"Infant-Toddler Garden." A picket fence gated indoor area, which includes a carrot patch with wooden carrots to be harvested, a pretend pond and a butterfly mobile to introduce youngsters to the concept of food, gardening and agriculture.  

"Dramatic Arts Stage." Settings, backdrops and costumes coincide with seasonal events and holidays. Children can exercise their dramatic flair here.  

"Wiggle Wall." The floor-to-ceiling "underground'' tunnels give children a worm's eye view of the world. The tunnels are laced with net covered openings and giant optic lenses. 

"Architects at Play," This hands-on, construction-based miniexhibit provides children with the opportunity to create free-form structures, from skyscrapers to bridges, using KEVA planks.  

SPECIAL EXHIBITS --  

$6-$7. Wednesday and Thursday, 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Closed Sunday-Tuesday. 2065 Kittredge St., Berkeley. (510) 647-1111, www.habitot.org.

 

HALL OF HEALTH A community health-education museum and science center promoting wellness and individual responsibility for health. There are hands-on exhibits that teach about the workings of the human body, the value of a healthy diet and exercise, and the destructive effects of smoking and drug abuse. "Kids on the Block'' puppet shows, which use puppets from diverse cultures to teach about and promote acceptance of conditions such as cerebral palsy, Down Syndrome, leukemia, blindness, arthritis and spina bifida, are available by request for community events and groups visiting the Hall on Saturdays.  

ONGOING EXHIBITS --  

"This Is Your Heart!" An interactive exhibit on heart health.  

"Good Nutrition," This exhibit includes models for making balanced meals and an Exercycle for calculating how calories are burned.  

"Draw Your Own Insides," Human-shaped chalkboards and models with removable organs allow visitors to explore the inside of their bodies.  

"Your Cellular Self and Cancer Prevention," An exhibit on understanding how cells become cancerous and how to detect and prevent cancer. 

Suggested $3 donation; free for children under age 3. Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 2230 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley. (510) 549-1564, www.hallofhealth.org.

 

HAYWARD AREA HISTORICAL SOCIETY MUSEUM The museum is located in a former post office and displays memorabilia of early Hayward and southern Alameda County. Some of the features include a restored 1923 Seagrave fire engine and a hand pumper from the Hayward Fire Department, founded in 1865; a Hayward Police Department exhibit; information on city founder William Hayward; and pictures of the old Hayward Hotel. The museum also alternates three exhibits per year, including a Christmas Toys exhibit and a 1950s lifestyle exhibit. 

EVENTS --  

50 cents-$1. Tuesday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. 22701 Main St., Hayward. (510) 581-0223, www.haywardareahistory.org.

 

JUDAH L. MAGNES MUSEUM The museum's permanent collection includes objects of Jewish importance including ceremonial art, film and video, folk art and fine art, paintings, sculptures and prints by contemporary and historical artists. 

"Projections," Multimedia works from the museum's extensive collections of archival, documentary and experimental films. Located at 2911 Russell Street.  

SPECIAL EXHIBITS --  

$4-$6; free for children under age 12. Sunday-Wednesday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Thursday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. CLOSED APRIL 3-4 AND 9-10; MAY 23-24 AND 28; JULY 4; SEPT. 3, 13 AND 27; OCT. 4; NOV. 22; DEC. 24-25 AND 31. 2911 Russell St., Berkeley. (510) 549-6950, www.magnes.org.

 

LAWRENCE HALL OF SCIENCE  

ONGOING EXHIBITS --  

"NanoZone," Discover the science of the super-small: nanotechnology. Through hands-on activities and games, explore this microworld and the scientific discoveries made in this area.  

"Forces That Shape the Bay," A science park that shows and explains why the San Francisco Bay is the way it is, with information on water, erosion, plate tectonics and mountain building. You can ride earthquake simulators, set erosion in motion and look far out into the bay with a powerful telescope from 1,100 feet above sea level. The center of the exhibit is a waterfall that demonstrates how water flows from the Sierra Nevada Mountains to the Bay. Visitors can control where the water goes. There are also hands-on erosion tables, and a 40-foot-long, 6-foothigh, rock compression wall.  

"Real Astronomy Experience," A new exhibit-in-development allowing visitors to use the tools that real astronomers use. Aim a telescope at a virtual sky and operate a remote-controlled telescope to measure a planet.  

"Biology Lab," In the renovated Biology Lab visitors may hold and observe gentle animals. Saturday, Sunday and holidays, 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.  

"The Idea Lab," Experiment with some of the basics of math, science and technology through hands-on activities and demonstrations of magnets, spinning and flying, puzzles and nanotechnology.  

"Math Around the World," Play some of the world's most popular math games, such as Hex, Kalah, Game Sticks and Shongo Networks.  

"Math Rules," Use simple and colorful objects to complete interesting challenges in math through predicting, sorting, comparing, weighing and counting.  

 

"Animal Discovery Room,,' 1:30-4 p.m. Visitors of all ages can hold and touch gentle animals, learn about their behavior and habitats and play with self-guided activities and specimen models.  

"Forces That Shape the Bay," This science park shows and explains why the San Francisco Bay is the way it is, with information on water, erosion, plate tectonics and mountain building.  

"Ingenuity in Action," Summer 2010. Enjoy the best of the Ingenuity Lab. Engage your creative brain and use a variety of materials to design, build and test your own innovations.  

"Kapla," Play with simple, versatile building blocks that can be used to build very large, high and stable structures.  

"KidsLab," This multisensory play area includes larger-than-life blocks, a crawl-through kaleidoscope, the Gravity wall, a puppet theater and a reading area.  

"NanoZone," Discover the science of nanotechnology through handson activities and games.  

"Planetarium," Explore the skies in this interactive planetarium.  

"Science on a Sphere," Catch an out-of-this-world experience with an animated globe. See hurricanes form, tsunamis sweep across the oceans and city lights glow around the planet.  

EVENTS --  

"Scream Machines -- The Science of Roller Coasters, through Jan. 2. This head-spinning, stomach-churning exhibition for thrill-seekers features interactive exhibits, artifacts and images to explore.  

$6-$12; free children ages 2 and under. Daily, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. University of California, Centennial Drive, Berkeley. (510) 642-5132, www.lawrencehallofscience.org.

 

LINDSAY WILDLIFE MUSEUM This is the oldest and largest wildlife rehabilitation center in America, taking in 6,000 injured and orphaned animals yearly and returning 40 percent of them to the wild. The museum offers a wide range of educational programs using non-releasable wild animals to teach children and adults respect for the balance of nature. The museum includes a state-of-the art wildlife hospital which features a permanent exhibit, titled "Living with Nature,'' which houses 75 non-releasable wild animals in learning environments; a 5,000-square-foot Wildlife Hospital complete with treatment rooms, intensive care, quarantine and laboratory facilities; a 1-acre Nature Garden featuring the region's native landscaping and wildlife; and an "Especially For Children'' exhibit.  

WILDLIFE HOSPITAL -- September-March: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The hospital is open daily including holidays to receive injured and orphaned animals. There is no charge for treatment of native wild animals and there are no public viewing areas in the hospital. 

EXHIBITS --  

SPECIAL EVENTS --  

$5-$7; free children under age 2. June 16-Sept. 15: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wed.-Sun.; Sept. 16-June 15: noon.-5 p.m. Wed.-Fri., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat.-Sun. 1931 First Ave., Walnut Creek. (925) 935-1978, www.wildlife-museum.org.< 

 

MEYERS HOUSE AND GARDEN MUSEUM The Meyers House, erected in 1897, is an example of Colonial Revival, an architectural style popular around the turn of the century. Designed by Henry H. Meyers,the house was built by his father, Jacob Meyers, at a cost of $4000.00. 

EXHIBITS --  

$3. Fourth Saturday of every month. 2021 Alameda Ave., Alameda. (510) 521-1247, www.alamedamuseum.org/meyers.html.< 

 

MUSEUM OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN TECHNOLOGY SCIENCE VILLAGE A science museum with an African-American focus promoting science education and awareness for the underrepresented. The science village chronicles the technical achievements of people of African descent from ancient ties to present. There are computer classes at the Internet Cafi, science education activities and seminars. There is also a resource library with a collection of books, periodicals and videotapes. 

$4-$6. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday, noon-6 p.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m.-6 p.m. 630 20th St., Oakland. (510) 893-6426, www.ncalifblackengineers.org.

 

MUSEUM OF CHILDREN'S ART A museum of art for and by children, with activities for children to participate in making their own art.  

ART CAMPS -- Hands-on activities and engaging curriculum for children of different ages, led by professional artists and staff. $60 per day.  

CLASSES -- A Sunday series of classes for children ages 8 to 12, led by Mocha artists. Sundays, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.  

OPEN STUDIOS -- Drop-in art play activities with new themes each week.  

"Big Studio." Guided art projects for children age 6 and older with a Mocha artist. Tuesday through Friday, 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. $5.  

"Little Studio." A hands-on experience that lets young artists age 18 months to 5 years see, touch and manipulate a variety of media. Children can get messy. Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. $5.  

"Family Weekend Studios." Drop-in art activities for the whole family. All ages welcome. Saturday and Sunday, noon to 4 p.m. $5 per child.  

FAMILY EXTRAVAGANZAS -- Special weekend workshops for the entire family.  

"Sunday Workshops with Illustrators," Sundays, 1 p.m. See the artwork and meet the artists who create children's book illustrations. Free. 

EVENTS --  

"Saturday Stories," 1 p.m. For children ages 2-5. Free. 

Free gallery admission. Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, noon-5 p.m. 538 Ninth St., Oakland. (510) 465-8770, www.mocha.org.

 

MUSEUM OF THE SAN RAMON VALLEY The museum features local artifacts, pictures, flags and drawings commemorating the valley's history. It also houses a historical narrative frieze. In addition to a permanent exhibit on the valley's history, the museum sponsors revolving exhibits and several guided tours. The restored railroad depot that houses the museum was built on the San Ramon Branch Line of the Southern Pacific Railroad 108 years ago. 

SPECIAL EXHIBITS --  

Free. August: Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. The Depot, West Prospect and Railroad avenues, Danville. (925) 837-3750, www.museumsrv.org.

 

MUSEUM ON MAIN STREET Located in a former town hall building, this museum is a piece of local history. It has a photo and document archive, collection of artifacts, local history publications for purchase, and a history library. It is supported by the Amador-Livermore Valley Historical Society. 

EXHIBITS --  

$2. Wednesday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sunday, 1 p.m.-4 p.m.; CLOSED DEC. 23-JAN. 8. 603 Main St., Pleasanton. (925) 462-2766, www.museumonmain.org.

 

OAKLAND MUSEUM OF CALIFORNIA  

ONGOING EVENTS --  

"Art a la Carte," Wednesdays, 12:30 p.m. Art docents offer a variety of specialized tours focusing on one aspect of the museum's permanent collection. Free with museum admission.  

"Online Museum," Thursdays, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Explore the museum's collection on videodisks in the History Department Library.  

Docent Gallery Tours, Saturday and Sunday, 1:30 p.m. 

"Explore our New Gallery," through Dec. 2. The new Gallery of California Art showcases more than 800 works from OMCA's collection-one of the largest and most comprehensive holdings of California art in the world.  

"Gallery of California History," through Dec. 2. This new gallery is based on the theme of Coming to California.  

OPENING -- "Pixar: 25 Years of Animation," through Jan. 9. Exhibition presents an unprecedented look at the Emeryville-based animation company.  

$5-$8; free for children ages 5 and under; free to all on the second Sunday of the month. Special events are free with museum admission unless noted otherwise. Wednesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, noon-5 p.m.; first Friday of the month, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. 1000 Oak St., Oakland. (510) 238-2200, www.museumca.org.

 

PARDEE HOME MUSEUM The historic Pardee Mansion, a three-story Italianate villa built in 1868, was home to three generations of the Pardee family who were instrumental in the civic and cultural development of California and Oakland. The home includes the house, grounds, water tower and barn. Reservations recommended. Group tours may be arranged between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Tues.-Sun.  

Private Tours and Teas: Take a private tour followed by tea in the Pardee family dining room (available for 4-12 persons).  

Tour with light tea: $12 per person  

Tour with high tea: $25 per person.  

High tea without tour: $20 per person. 

$5-$25; free children ages 12 and under. House Tours: 10:30 a.m. every Wednesday and second Saturday of each month; 2 p.m. the second Sunday or each month. 672 11th St., Oakland. (510) 444-2187, www.pardeehome.org.

 

SAN LEANDRO HISTORY MUSEUM AND ART GALLERY The museum showcases local and regional history and serves as a centerpiece for community cultural activity. There are exhibits on Ohlone settlements, farms of early settlers, and contributions of Portuguese and other immigrants. There will also be exhibits of the city's agricultural past and the industrial development of the 19th century.  

ONGOING EXHIBIT --  

"Yema/Po Archeological Site at Lake Chabot," An exhibit highlighting artifacts uncovered from a work camp of Chinese laborers, featuring photomurals, cutouts and historical photographs. 

Free. Thursday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. 320 West Estudillo Ave., San Leandro. (510) 577-3990, www.ci.sanleandro. ca.us/sllibrarymuseum.html.< 

 

SHADELANDS RANCH HISTORICAL MUSEUM Built by Walnut Creek pioneer Hiram Penniman, this 1903 redwood-framed house is a showcase for numerous historical artifacts, many of which belonged to the Pennimans. It also houses a rich archive of Contra Costa and Walnut Creek history in its collections of old newspapers, photographs and government records. 

EXHIBITS --  

$1-$3; free-children under age 6. Wednesday and Sunday, 1 p.m.-4 p.m.; Closed in January. 2660 Ygnacio Valley Road, Walnut Creek. (925) 935-7871, www.ci.walnut-creek.ca.us.< 

 

SMITH MUSEUM OF ANTHROPOLOGY AT CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, HAYWARD The museum houses significant collections of archaeological and ethnographic specimens from Africa, Asia and North America and small collections from Central and South America. The museum offers opportunities and materials for student research and internships in archaeology and ethnology. 

SPECIAL EXHIBITS --  

Free. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Meiklejohn Hall, Fourth Floor, 25800 Carlos Bee Blvd., Hayward. (510) 885-3104, (510) 885-7414, www.isis.csuhayward.edu/cesmith/acesmith.html.< 

 

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY HEARST MUSEUM OF ANTHROPOLOGY  

ONGOING EXHIBITS --  

"Native California Cultures," This is an exhibit of some 500 artifacts from the museum's California collections, the largest and most comprehensive collections in the world devoted to California Indian cultures. The exhibit includes a section about Ishi, the famous Indian who lived and worked with the museum, Yana tribal baskets and a 17-foot Yurok canoe carved from a single redwood.  

"Recent Acquisitions," The collection includes Yoruba masks and carvings from Africa, early-20th-century Taiwanese hand puppets, textiles from the Americas and 19th- and 20th-century Tibetan artifacts.  

"From the Maker's Hand: Selections from the Permanent Collection," This exhibit explores human ingenuity in the living and historical cultures of China, Africa, Egypt, Peru, North America and the Meditteranean. 

$1-$4; free for children ages 12 and under; free to all on Thursdays. Wednesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Sunday, noon-4:30 p.m. 103 Kroeber Hall, Bancroft Way and College Avenue, Berkeley. (510) 643-7648, www.hearstmuseum.berkeley.edu.

 

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY MUSEUM OF PALEONTOLOGY  

ONGOING EXHIBITS --  

"Tyrannosaurus Rex," A 20-foot-tall, 40-foot-long replica of the fearsome dinosaur. The replica is made from casts of bones of the most complete T. Rex skeleton yet excavated. When unearthed in Montana, the bones were all lying in place with only a small piece of the tailbone missing.  

"Pteranodon," A suspended skeleton of a flying reptile with a wingspan of 22 to 23 feet. The Pteranodon lived at the same time as the dinosaurs.  

"California Fossils Exhibit," An exhibit of some of the fossils that have been excavated in California. 

Free. During semester sessions, hours generally are: Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-10 p.m.; Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, 1 p.m.-10 p.m. Hours vary during summer and holidays. Lobby, 1101 Valley Life Sciences Building, #4780, University of California, Berkeley. (510) 642-1821, www.ucmp.berkeley.edu.

 

USS HORNET MUSEUM Come aboard this World War II aircraft carrier that has been converted into a floating museum. The Hornet, launched in 1943, is 899 feet long and 27 stories high. During World War II she was never hit by an enemy strike or plane and holds the Navy record for number of enemy planes shot down in a week. In 1969 the Hornet recovered the Apollo 11 space capsule containing the first men to walk on the moon, and later recovered Apollo 12. In 1991 the Hornet was designated a National Historic Landmark and is now docked at the same pier she sailed from in 1944. Today, visitors can tour the massive ship, view World War II-era warplanes and experience a simulated aircraft launch from the carrier's deck. Exhibits are being added on an ongoing basis. Allow two to three hours for a visit. Wear comfortable shoes and be prepared to climb steep stairs or ladders. Dress in layers as the ship can be cold. Arrive no later than 2 p.m. to sign up for the engine room and other docent-led tours. Children under age 12 are not allowed in the Engine Room or the Combat Information Center.  

ONGOING EVENTS --  

"Limited Access Day," Due to ship maintenance, tours of the navigation bridge and the engine room are not available. Tuesdays.  

"Flight Deck Fun," A former Landing Signal Officer will show children how to bring in a fighter plane for a landing on the deck then let them try the signals themselves. Times vary. Free with regular Museum admission.  

"Protestant Divine Services," Hornet chaplain John Berger conducts church services aboard The Hornet in the Wardroom Lounge. Everyone is welcome and refreshments are served immediately following the service. Sundays, 11 a.m. 

"Family Day," Discounted admission for families of four with a further discount for additional family members. Access to some of the areas may be limited due to ship maintenance. Every Tuesday. $20 for family of four; $5 for each additional family member. 

"Family Overnight Experience," Sept. 17 through. Enjoy the ultimate family experience by spending the night onboard the aircraft carrier USS Hornet. Tour the ship at night, hear fascinating ghost stories, sleep in bunks and have fun learning about history! Call for reservations. (510) 521-8448 X280. 

"Flashlight Tour," 8:30 a.m. Receive a special tour of areas aboard the ship that have not yet been opened to the public or that have limited access during the day. $30-$35 per person. 

"Mars Rover Exhibit Opening," Sept. 18 through. Opening of an exhibt featuring Northern California's first chance to see an official Mars Rover exhibtion craft from NASA and JPL. (510) 521-8448. 

"Living Ship Day," Experience an aircraft carrier in action, with simulated flight operations as aircraft is lifted to the flight deck and placed in launch position. Some former crewmembers will be on hand. 

$6-$14; free children age 4 and under with a paying adult. Daily, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Pier 3 (enter on Atlantic Avenue), Alameda Point, Alameda. (510) 521-8448, www.uss-hornet.org.<


Museums-San Francisco Through September 19

Tuesday September 07, 2010 - 09:01:00 PM

ASIAN ART MUSEUM OF SAN FRANCISCO The Asian Art Museum-Chon-Moon Lee Center for Asian Art and Culture recently unveiled its new building in San Francisco's Civic Center. The building, the former San Francisco Public Library, has been completely retrofitted and rebuilt to house San Francisco's significant collection of Asian treasures. The museum offers complimentary audio tours of the museum's collection galleries.  

ONGOING EXHIBIT --  

"In a New Light," There are some 2,500 works displayed in the museum's new galleries. They cover all the major cultures of Asia and include Indian stone sculptures, intricately carved Chinese jades, Korean paintings, Tibetan thanksgas, Cambodian Buddhas, Islamic manuscripts and Japanese basketry and kimonos.  

ONGOING FAMILY PROGRAMS --  

Storytelling, Sundays and the first Saturday of every month, 1 p.m. This event is for children of all ages to enjoy a re-telling of Asian myths and folktales in the galleries. Meet at the Information Desk on the Ground Floor. Free with general admission.  

"Target Tuesday Family Program," first Tuesday of every month. Free with general admission.  

"Family Art Encounter," first Saturday of every month, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Drop in to make art related to the museum's collection. Children must be accompanied by an adult. In the Education Studios. Free with admission.  

DOCENT-LED ART TOURS -- The museum's docents offer two types of tours: a general introduction to the museum's collection and a highlight tour of specific areas of the collection. Free with museum admission.  

ARCHITECTURAL GUIDES -- Tuesday through Sunday at noon and 2:30 p.m., Thursday at 6:30 p.m. Learn about the former Main Library's transformation into the Asian Art Museum on this 40-minute tour. Free with museum admission.  

RESOURCE CENTER -- Tuesday through Sunday, 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Watch a video, or learn more about Asian art with slide packets, activity kits and books. Free with museum admission. 

SPECIAL EVENTS -- Free with general admission unless otherwise noted.  

"Japan's Early Ambassadors to San Francisco, 1860-1927," through Nov. 21. Timed to coincide with the 150th anniversary of the arrival of the ship Kanrin Maru and the first Japanese embassy to the United States, this thematic exhibit focuses on some of the first Japanese diplomats and cultural emissaries in San Francisco, and how they responded to the experience of being in America.  

$7-$12; free children under age 12; $5 Thursday after 5 p.m.; free to all first Sunday of each month. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday through Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Thursday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. 200 Larkin St., San Francisco. (415) 581-3500, www.asianart.org.

 

BEAT MUSEUM Formerly located on the California coast in Monterey, the Beat Museum now sits in historic North Beach. The Museum uses letters, magazines, pictures, first editions and more to explore the lives of leading beat figures such as Jack Kerouac, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, Allen Ginsberg, Neal Cassady and many others. A gift shop and bookstore are open to the public free of charge. 

SPECIAL EVENTS --  

"North Beach Walking Tour,", A 90-minute walking tour of North Beach with Beat Museum curator Jerry Cimimo. See the bars, coffeehouses, homes, and other Beat-related highlights of North Beach. Call for info. $15. 

SPECIAL EXHIBITS --  

$4-$5. Monday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. CLOSED MONDAY. 540 Broadway, San Francisco. (800) KER-OUAC, www.kerouac.com.

 

CABLE CAR MUSEUM The museum is located in the historic Cable Car Barn and Powerhouse. Visitors can see the actual cable winding machinery, grips, track, cable and brakes, as well as three historic cable cars, photo displays and mechanical artifacts. The best way to get to this museum is by cable car; street parking is practically non-existent. 

SPECIAL EVENTS --  

Free. April 1-Sept. 30: daily, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 1-March 31, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 1201 Mason St., San Francisco. (415) 474-1887, www.cablecarmuseum.org.

 

CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES  

"Nightlife," 6 p.m. Thursdays. Every Thursday night, the Academy transforms into a lively venue filled with provocative science, music, mingling and cocktails, as visitors get a chance to explore the museum.  

"Where the Land Meets the Sea," Exhibition features sculpture by Maya Lin.  

BENJAMIN DEAN LECTURE SERIES --  

"Extreme Mammals," through Sept. 12. Exhibition features a far-reaching survey of members of the mammal family.  

$14.95-$24.95. Daily, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Golden Gate Park, San Francisco. (415) 379-8000, www.calacademy.org.

 

CALIFORNIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY  

HISTORY WALKABOUTS -- A series of monthly walking tours that explore the history, lore and architecture of California with veteran tour guide Gary Holloway. Walks take place rain or shine so dress for the weather. Reservations and prepayment required. Meeting place will be given with confirmation of tour reservation. Tour price includes admission to the Museum.  

MUSEUM -- The museum's permanent collection is made up of the Fine Arts Collection, consisting of 5,000 works of art that represent the history of California from pre-Gold Rush days to the early decade of the 20th century; and The Photography Collection, containing nearly a halfmillion images in an array of photographic formats documenting the history of California in both the 19th and 20th centuries. The Library and Research Collection contain material relating to the history of California and the West from early exploration time to the present including texts, maps, and manuscripts.  

"Landscape and Vision: Early California Painters from the Collections of the California Historical Society," open-ended. An exhibit of oil paintings including a large number of early landscapes of California, from the museum's collection.  

"Think California," through Feb. 5. Exhibition features artworks, artifacts and ephemera exploring California's colorful history.  

$1-$3; free children under age 5. Wednesday-Saturday, noon-4:30 p.m. 678 Mission St., San Francisco. (415) 357-1848 X229, www.californiahistoricalsociety.org.

 

CARTOON ART MUSEUM  

ONGOING EXHIBIT --  

"An Exploration of Cartoon Art," This exhibit explores the history of cartoon art including works from the most renowned and creative cartoonists of the last century. The exhibit traces the evolution of cartooning through its many forms including animation, comic strips, comic books, editorial cartoons and underground cartoons.  

CARTOONING CLASSES FOR KIDS -- Saturday, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. For children ages 6 to 14. Call for schedule. Free with admission. 

"60 Years of Beetle Bailey," through Sept. 19. Exhibition showcases the comics of Mort Walker.  

$2-$6; free children ages 5 and under; the first Tuesday of the month is paywhat-you-wish day. Tuesday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. 655 Mission St., San Francisco. (415) 227-8666, www.cartoonart.org.

 

CHINESE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA The CHSA Museum and Learning Center features a permanent exhibition, "The Chinese of America: Toward a More Perfect Union'' in its Main Gallery, and works by Chinese-American visual artists in its Rotating Galleries.  

ONGOING EXHIBIT --  

"Leaders of the Band," An exhibition of the history and development of the Cathay Club Marching Band, the first Chinese American band formed in 1911. 

SPECIAL EXHIBITS --  

$1-$3; free children ages 5 and under; free for all visitors first Thursday of every month. Tuesday-Friday, noon-5 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, noon-4 p.m. 965 Clay St., San Francisco. (415) 391-1188, www.chsa.org.

 

CONTEMPORARY JEWISH MUSEUM The museum, formerly known as the Jewish Museum San Francisco, has a new addition designed by Daniel Libeskind and is dedicated to exploring the richness and diversity of Jewish thought and culture.  

GALLERY TOURS -- Sunday and Wednesday, 12:30 p.m. Free. 

"As It Is Written: Project 304,805," through Oct. 3. Exhibition centers around a soferet (a professionally trained female scribe) who writes out the entire text of the Torah, at the Museum, over the course of a full year. She will be one of the few known women to complete an entire Torah scroll, an accomplishment traditionally exclusive to men.  

"Reinventing Ritual: Contemporary Art and Design for Jewish Life," through Oct. 3. The first major international exhibition to examine the reinvention of Jewish ritual in art and design.  

"Maira Kalman: Various Illuminations (of a Crazy World)," through Oct. 26. The first major museum survey of the award-winning illustrator, author and designer.  

$4-$5; free for children under age 12; free third Monday of every month. Sunday -Thursday, noon-6 p.m. DEC. 25, NOON TO 4 P.M.; CLOSED JAN. 1. 736 Mission St., San Francisco. (415) 655-7800, www.thecjm.org.

 

DE YOUNG MUSEUM The art museum has now reopened in a new facility designed by Swiss architecture firm Herzog and de Meuron and Fong and Chan Architects in San Francisco. It features significant collections of American art from the 17th through the 20th centuries; modern and contemporary art; art from Central and South America, the Pacific and Africa; and an important and diverse collection of textiles. 

ARTIST STUDIO PROGRAM -- 1-5 p.m. Wed.- Sun. A monthly interactive program during which the public can meet and work with a featured artist. Demonstrations take place in the Kimball Education Gallery, which does not require paid admission. (415) 750-7634. 

CHILDREN'S ACTIVITIES --  

"Children's Workshops: Doing and Viewing Art and Big Kids-Little Kids," Saturdays, 10:30 a.m.-noon and 1:30-3 p.m. Family tour and art activity for ages 4-12. 

LECTURES AND SYMPOSIA --  

LECTURES BY DOCENTS -- These lectures are free and are held in the Koret Auditorium unless otherwise noted.  

SPECIAL EVENTS --  

"Poetry Series," 7-8:30 p.m. $8-$12. (415) 750-7634. 

"Friday Nights at the de Young: Cultural Encounters," 5-8:45 p.m. The de Young stays open until 8:45 p.m. each Friday night and hosts special events including live music, dance, film, lectures and artist demonstrations.  

Aug. 22: "Cultural Encounters presents Hot Brazilian Nights.''  

Event features music by Forro for All and art-making for the entire family.  

Aug. 29: "Cultural Encounters.''  

Event features live music by the Scott Amendola Trio. Free with admission. 

"Photo/Synthesis," through Oct. 3. Exhibition highlights the dynamic trend in the field of contemporary photography, collages, assemblages, and other multi-part or composite photo-based projects.  

"Pat Steir: After Hokusai, after Hiroshige," through Jan. 30. Exhibition shows the continued influence of the Japanese print on Western artists into the late twentieth century.  

OPENING -- "To Dye For: A World Saturated in Color," through Jan. 9. Exhibition features over 50 textiles and costumes from the Fine Arts Museums' comprehensive collection of textiles from Africa, Asia and the Americas.  

$6-$10; free for children ages 12 and under; free for all visitors the first Tuesday of every month. Tuesday-Thursday and Saturday-Sunday, 9:30 a.m.-5:15 p.m.; Friday, 9:30 a.m.-8:45 p.m. Golden Gate Park, 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive, San Francisco. (415) 863-3330, www.deyoungmuseum.org.

 

GLBT HISTORICAL SOCIETY AND MUSEUM The museum is a project of the GLBT (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender) Historical Society. 

EVENTS --  

EXHIBITS --  

$2-$4. Tuesday-Saturday, 1-5 p.m. 657 Mission St., Suite 300, San Francisco. (415) 777-5455, www.glbthistory.org.

 

INTERNATIONAL MUSEUM OF WOMEN  

EVENTS --  

101 Howard Street, Suite 480, San Francisco. (415) 543-4669, www.imow.org/home/index.< 

 

LEGION OF HONOR MUSEUM DOCENT TOUR PROGRAMS -- Tours of the permanent collections and special exhibitions are offered Tuesday through Sunday. Non-English language tours (Italian, French, Spanish and Russian) are available on different Saturdays of the month at 11:30 a.m. Free with regular museum admission. (415) 750-3638.  

ONGOING CHILDREN'S PROGRAM --  

"Doing and Viewing Art," For ages 7 to 12. Docent-led tours of current exhibitions are followed by studio workshops taught by professional artists/teachers. Students learn about art by seeing and making it. Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to noon; call to confirm class. Free with museum admission. (415) 750-3658. 

ORGAN CONCERTS -- 4 p.m. A weekly concert of organ music on the Legion's restored 1924 Skinner organ. Saturday and Sunday in the Rodin Gallery. Free with museum admission. (415) 750-3624. 

SPECIAL EVENTS -- In the Gould Theater unless otherwise noted. $4 after museum admission unless otherwise noted. (415) 682-2481. 

"Sunday Jazz Brunch," 11 a.m.-3 p.m. $21-$53. 

"Very Postmortem: Mummies and Medicine," Oct. 31. Exhibition explores the modern scientific examination of mummies providing new insights into the conditions under which the Egyptians lived, bringing us closer to understanding who they were.  

"Impressionist Paris: City of Light," through Sept. 26. Exhibition explores various aspects of life in and around the city in which artists came of age. Visitors to the exhibition are transported to Impressionist Paris as represented in over 150 prints, drawings, photographs, paintings, and illustrated books from the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco and several distinguished private collections.  

$6-$10; free for children ages 12 and under; free for all visitors on Tuesdays. Tuesday-Sunday, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Lincoln Park, 34th Avenue and Clement Street, San Francisco. (415) 750-3600, (415) 750-3636, www.legionofhonor.org.

 

MARKET STREET RAILWAY MUSEUM The museum will permanently display a variety of artifacts telling the story of San Francisco's transportation history, including dash signs, fare boxes, a famed Wiley "birdcage'' traffic signal and more. 

Free. Wednesday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. 77 Steuart St., San Francisco. (415) 956-0472, www.streetcar.org.

 

MEXICAN MUSEUM  

THE MEXICAN MUSEUM GALLERIES AT FORT MASON CENTER ARE CURRENTLY CLOSED --  

The Mexican Museum holds a unique collection of 12,000 objects representing thousands of years of Mexican history and culture within the Americas. The permanent collection, the Museum's most important asset and resource, includes five collecting areas: Pre-Conquest, Colonial, Popular, Modern and Contemporary Mexican and Latino, and Chicano Art. The Museum also has a collection of rare books and a growing collection of Latin American art. 

Fort Mason Center, Building D, Buchanan Street and Marina Boulevard, San Francisco. (415) 202-9700, www.mexicanmuseum.org.

 

MUSEO ITALOAMERICANO The museum, dedicated to the exhibition of art works by Italian and Italian-American artists, has a small permanent collection of paintings, sculptures, photographs and works on paper by such renowned artists as Beniamino Buffano, Sandro Chia, Giorgio de Chirico and Arnaldo Pomodoro.  

DOCENT TOURS -- Wednesdays, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Free. 

$2-$3; free children under age 12; free to all first Wednesday of the month. Wednesday-Sunday, noon -4 p.m.; first Wednesday of the month, noon-7 p.m. Fort Mason Center, Building C, Buchanan Street and Marina Boulevard, San Francisco. (415) 673-2200, www.museoitaloamericano.org.

 

MUSEUM OF ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS AT SAN FRANCISCO STATE UNIVERSITY  

EXHIBITS --  

Free. Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Humanities Building, Room 510, SFSU, Font Boulevard and Tapia Drive, San Francisco. (415) 405-0599, www.sfsu.edu/~museumst/.< 

 

MUSEUM OF PERFORMANCE AND DESIGN  

EXHIBITS --  

Free. Wednesday-Saturday, noon-5 p.m. Veterans Building, 401 Van Ness Avenue at McAllister, 4th Floor, San Francisco. (415) 255-4800, www.mpdsf.org.

 

MUSEUM OF THE AFRICAN DIASPORA A new museum exploring and celebrating the influence of the African Diaspora on global art and culture through interactive, permanent and changing exhibits and special programs. The museum occupies the first three floors of the new St. Regis Hotel at Third and Mission streets.  

PERMANENT EXHIBITS --  

"Celebrations: Rituals and Ceremonies," "Music of the Diaspora,'' "Culinary Traditions,'' 'Adornment,'' "Slavery Passages,'' and "The Freedom Theater.'' 

SPECIAL EVENTS --  

"Urban Kidz Film Series," Noon-3 p.m. An offshoot of the San Francisco Black Film Festival, featuring a striking assemblage of short and feature films designed to spark the imaginations of the 5-to-12-year-old set. $10 adults; children free. (415) 771-9271. 

SPECIAL EXHIBITS --  

$5-$8; free children age 12 and under. Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Thursday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sunday, noon-5 p.m.; CLOSED MARCH 13 THROUGH MARCH 21. 685 Mission St., San Francisco. (415) 358-7200, www.moadsf.org.

 

NATIONAL MARITIME MUSEUM LIBRARY (THE J. PORTER SHAW MARITIME LIBRARY) Closed on federal holidays. The library, part of the San Francisco Maritime National Historic Park, focuses on sail and steam ships on the West Coast and the Pacific Basin from 1520 to the present. The museum library holdings include a premiere collection of maritime history: books, magazines, oral histories, ships' plans and the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park's 250,000 photographs. 

Free. By appointment only, Monday-Friday, 1-4 p.m., and the third Saturday of each month 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Fort Mason Center, Building E, Third Floor, Buchanan Street and Marina Boulevard, San Francisco. (415) 560-7080, (415) 560-7030, www.nps.gov/safr.< 

 

PACIFIC HERITAGE MUSEUM The museum presents rotating exhibits highlighting historical, artistic, cultural and economic achievements from both sides of the Pacific Rim. The museum features a permanent display documenting the history and significance of the Branch Mint and Subtreasury buildings. 

Free. Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 608 Commercial St., San Francisco. (415) 399-1124.< 

 

RANDALL MUSEUM  

ONGOING EXHIBITS --  

"Earthquake Exhibit," Learn about plate tectonics. Make a small quake by jumping on the floor to make a "floor quake'' that registers on the seismometer in the lobby. See the basement seismometer that registers quakes around the world. Walk through a full-size earthquake refugee shack that was used to house San Franciscans after the 1906 earthquake that destroyed so many homes.  

"Creativity and Discovery Hand in Hand," A photography exhibit that gives visitors a look into the wide variety of programs the Museum offers in the way of classes, workshops, school field trips, and special interest clubs.  

"Toddler Treehouse," Toddlers may comfortably climb the carpeted "treehouse'' and make a myriad of discoveries, from the roots to the limbs.  

"Live Animal Exhibit," Visit with more than 100 creatures including small mammals, amphibians, reptiles, raptors and small birds, insects, spiders and tide pool creatures.  

ONGOING EVENTS --  

"Saturdays Are Special at the Museum," Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. A series of drop-in ceramics and art and science workshops. All ages are welcome, though an adult must accompany children under age 8. $3 per child, $5 per parent-child combination.  

"Bufano Sculpture Tours," first and third Saturdays of the month, 10:15 a.m. A tour of the giant animal sculptures of Beniamino Bufano. The sculptures were carved out of stone in the 1930s and include a giant cat and a mother bear nursing her cubs.  

"Animal Room," Visit some of the animals that live at the museum, including reptiles, raptors, tide pool creatures and small mammals.  

"Meet the Animals" Saturdays, 11:15 a.m. to noon. See the Randall's animals close-up and in person.  

"Animal Feeding," Saturdays, noon. Watch the animals take their meals.  

"Golden Gate Model Railroad Exhibit," Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

DROP-IN ART AND SCIENCE WORKSHOPS -- 1-4 p.m. $3-$5.  

SPECIAL EVENTS --  

"Meet the Animals," Saturdays, 11:15 a.m. Learn about the animals that live at the Randall Museum. 

"Animal Feeding," Saturday, noon. 

"Drop-in Family Ceramics Workshop," Saturday, 1:15-2:15 p.m. 

"Golden Gate Model Railroad Exhibit," Saturday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. 

"Drop-in Family Ceramics Workshop," Saturday, 10:15-11:15 a.m. $5. 

"Third Friday Birders," 8 a.m. The hike through Corona Heights Park allows participants to enjoy the early morning views and learn more about the feathered inhabitants of the area. Children aged 10 and older if accompanied by adult. 

"Meet the Animals," 11:15 a.m.-noon. 

"Film Series for Teenagers," Fridays, 7 p.m. 

"Hot and Cold Extreme Environments," Sept. 15, 7:30 p.m. Planetary scientist Chris McKay from the Space Science Division of NASA Ames Research Center will give a presentation on studies of life in extreme environments, as relevant to the search for life in the Solar System. Free.  

Free. All ages welcome; an adult must accompany children under age 8. Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; CLOSED ON CHRISTMAS. 199 Museum Way, San Francisco. (415) 554-9600, www.randallmuseum.org.

 

SAN FRANCISCO CABLE CAR MUSEUM The museum is located in the historic Cable Car Barn and Powerhouse. Visitors can see the actual cable winding machinery, grips, track, cable and brakes, as well as three historic cable cars, photo displays and mechanical artifacts. The best way to get to this museum is by cable car; street parking is practically non-existent. 

Free. October 1-March 31: Daily, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; April 1-September 30: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Closed on New Year's Day, Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving and Christmas. 1201 Mason St., San Francisco. (415) 474-1887, www.cablecarmuseum.com.

 

SAN FRANCISCO MARITIME NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK One of only a few "floating'' national parks, the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park includes four national landmark ships, a maritime museum, a maritime library and a World-War-II submarine named the USS Pampanito.  

HYDE STREET PIER -- Demonstrations, ship tours, programs, music and special events offered throughout the day. Check ticket booth for schedule. At the foot of Hyde Street, Hyde and Jefferson streets.  

Entering the Pier is free but there is a fee to board the ships.  

HISTORIC SHIPS AT THE HYDE STREET PIER -- The historic ships at the Pier are the 1886 square-rigger "Balclutha,'' the 1890 steam ferryboat "Eureka,'' the 1895 schooner "C.A. Thayer'' (not available at this time due to restoration), the 1891 scow schooner "Alma,'' the 1907 steam tug "Hercules,'' and the 1914 "Eppleton Hall,'' a paddlewheel tug.  

"Balclutha." This historic ship, a three-mast square-rigger, has undergone extensive repairs and preservation work. She now contains more original materials and fittings than any other historic merchant square-rigger in the United States. The Balclutha is a designated National Historic Landmark. At Hyde Street Pier.  

"Eureka." Explore this 1890 ferryboat with a 40-foot walking-beam engine. The boat once carried passengers and autos across the San Francisco Bay. At Hyde Street Pier. Daily, call for times of boat tour.  

"C.A. Thayer." A three-mast schooner used in the lumber and cod fishing trades. At Hyde Street Pier.  

"Alma." Between 1850 and the early 1900s, the best highways around the San Francisco Bay area were the waterways and the delivery trucks and tractortrailer rigs of the time were the flat-bottomed scow schooners. Able to navigate the Sacramento/San Joaquin Delta region's shallow creeks, sloughs and channels, the scows' sturdy hulls could rest safely and securely on the bottom providing a flat, stable platform for loading and unloading. Made of inexpensive Douglas fir, scow's designs were so simple they could be built by eye or without plans.  

"Hercules." Tugs in the early part of the 20th century towed barges, sailing ships and log rafts between Pacific ports. Because prevailing north/west winds generally made travel up the coast by sail both difficult and circuitous, tugs often towed large sailing vessels to points north of San Francisco. In 1916 Hercules towed the C.A. Thayer to Port Townsend, Wash., taking six days to make the trip. At the end of the sail era, the Hercules was acquired by the Western Pacific Railroad Company and shuttled railroad car barges back and forth across San Francisco Bay until 1962.  

"Eppleton Hall." Built in England, the steam side-wheeler plied the Wear and Tyne rivers of Northeast England. Designed to tow ocean-going colliers (coal-carrying sail vessels) the tugs saved transit time getting the sail vessels upriver to load. The side-wheelers were also used to tow newly built ships out to sea. From 1969 to 1979, the Eppleton Hall served as a private yacht. She was modified for an epic steam via the Panama Canal to San Francisco, passing through the Golden Gate in March of 1970.  

HISTORIC SHIP AT FISHERMAN'S WHARF --  

"USS Pampanito." This World-War-II-era submarine is berthed at Fisherman's Wharf. The submarine celebrated her 50th anniversary in November of 1993 and is perhaps best known for her participation in a "wolf pack'' attack on a convoy of enemy ships during World War II. The entrance fee includes a taped audio tour that describes what life on this submarine was like. At Pier 45, near foot of Taylor Street. Monday through Thursday, Sunday and holidays, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. $9 general; $5 seniors, $4 active duty military, $4 youth ages 6 to 12; free children under age 6. (415) 775-1943.  

ONGOING EVENTS --  

"Historic Ship Volunteer Work Party," Saturday, 9 a.m. Become part of an effort to preserve four of the park's nautical treasures. Work on a different ship each Saturday. Bring work clothes, work shoes and lunch. Call for meeting place. (415) 332-8409.  

Unless noted otherwise, events take place on the Hyde Street Pier, located at the foot of Hyde Street on Jefferson Street. 

EXHIBITS -- Current Exhibits at the Visitor Center:  

"What's Your Pleasure? Recreational Boats of California's Past," openended. This exhibit includes 1940s Sacramento Hydroplanes, a Russian River launch from the 19th century, classic wooden motor launches and motor boats, and other smaller crafts.  

"Hydroplanes and Racing Boats," open-ended. A small exhibit showcasing 1930s racing engines and hydroplane boats.  

"Frisco Bound," an exhibition about immigration to San Francisco, clipper ships, and the Gold Rush era.  

"Hyde Street Ship Models," an exhibit of models of the historic ships at the Hyde Street Pier.  

"Discovery Room," a preview of the Maritime Library where visitors can look up documents and photographs.  

(415) 447-5000. 

SPECIAL EVENTS --  

"Adventures at Sea: Life Aboard a 19th century Sailing Ship," Daily, 2:15 p.m.-3 p.m. Take a guided tour of the sailing ship Balclutha and learn about the hardships and awards of the sailors show fought for survival during the treacherous Cape Horn passage. Vessel admission. 

Entering the Pier is free but there is a fee to board the ships. The fee allows access to all ships and is good for seven days. $5; free children under age 16. May 28-Sept. 30: daily, 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m.; Oct. 1-May 27: Daily, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Foot of Hyde Street, San Francisco. (415) 561-7100, www.nps.gov.

 

SAN FRANCISCO MUSEUM OF CRAFT AND DESIGN A museum celebrating and promoting the art of contemporary craft and design. The museum showcases diverse exhibitions from regional, national and international artists, working in mediums such as wood, clay, fiber, metal and glass. 

EVENTS --  

"FourSite: 4 Artists, 4 Materials, 4 Sites," through Sept. 18. Artists Tanya Aguiniga, Paul Hayes, Tom Hill and Christine Lee transform the museum space with four distinct, large-scale installations of fiber, paper, metal and wood.  

$2-$4; free youths under age 18. Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 550 Sutter St., San Francisco. (415) 773-0303, www.sfmcd.org.

 

SAN FRANCISCO MUSEUM OF MODERN ART  

ONGOING EXHIBITS --  

"Matisse and Beyond: The Painting and Sculpture Collection," This newly reconceived exhibition of SFMOMA's modern art collection features paintings, sculptures and works on paper from the first 60 years of the 20th century. Featured artists include: Joseph Cornell, Ellsworth Kelly, Yves Klein, Salvador Dali, Frida Kahlo, Piet Mondrian, Pablo Picasso, Diego Rivera, Andy Warhol and Paul Klee.  

"Between Art and Life: The Contemporary Painting and Sculpture Collection," This new presentation of the SFMOMA collection features works from the past five decades by Louise Bourgeois, Robert Gober, Eva Hesse, Anish Kapoor, Sherrie Levine, Brice Marden, Gordon Matta-Clark, Barry McGee, Bruce Nauman, Robert Rauschenberg and Kara Walker.  

"The Art of Design: Selections from the Permanent Collection of Architecture and Design," The exhibit will feature 100 selections from their architecture, graphic design and industrial design collections on a rotating basis. It features classic works plus new designs by up-andcoming artists.  

"Picturing Modernity: Photographs from the Permanent Collection," Photography is possibly the quintessential modern art medium because its 160-year history corresponds almost exactly with Modernism's duration as a cultural movement. This exhibit looks at the photograph's unique pictorial ability and its ever-growing pervasiveness in modern culture, putting the medium in dialogue with paintings and other kinds of art.  

KORET VISITOR EDUCATION CENTER -- This facility includes multimedia display technology, "Pick Up and Go'' guides for adults and children, art videos, and a community art gallery created by participants in school, teen and family programs. Thursday, 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. 

SPECIAL EVENTS --  

"Tony Labat's I Want You," The latest installment in the newly launched program series "Live Art at SFMOMA.'' The artist invites denizens of the Bay Area to make their own demands of the public which riffs on the iconic "I Want You'' army recruitment campaigns of World Wars I and II, he asks you what you would do if you had only one minute to seize the voice of authority, to be the finger-pointing Uncle Sam. 

"Calder to Warhol," through Sept. 19. Exhibition showcases the quality of the Fisher Collection, much of which has never been seen by the public.  

Jesse Hazelip, through Nov. 13. Artists Gallery showcases the work of the Oakland-based artist.  

$7-$12.50; half price on Thursdays after 6 p.m.; free for all visitors on the first Tuesday of every month. Monday, Tuesday and Friday through Sunday, 10 a.m.-5:45 p.m.; Thursday, 10 a.m.-8:45 p.m. 151 Third St., San Francisco. (415) 357-4000, www.sfmoma.org.

 

SAN FRANCISCO PERFORMING ARTS LIBRARY AND MUSEUM  

ONGOING EXHIBITS --  

"Dance in California: 150 Years of Innovation," This permanent exhibit traces the history and artistic range of modern dance in California, with photographs and documents highlighting the achievements of Lola Montez, Isadora Duncan, Ruth St. Denis, Martha Graham, the Christensen brothers, the Peters Wright School, the company of Lester Horton, Anna Halprin and Lucas Hoving.  

"Maestro! Photographic Portraits by Tom Zimberoff," This permanent exhibit is a comprehensive study of a generation of national and international conductors. In Gallery 5.  

"San Francisco 1900: On Stage," In Gallery 4.  

"San Francisco in Song," In Gallery 3. 

Free. Tuesday-Friday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday, 1-5 p.m. San Francisco War Memorial Veteran's Building, 401 Van Ness Ave., Fourth Floor, San Francisco. (415) 255-4800, www.sfpalm.org.

 

SEYMOUR PIONEER MUSEUM The museum, owned by The Society of California Pioneers, houses a permanent research library, art gallery and history museum. Exhibits include a photography collection documenting California history. 

$1-$3. Wednesday-Friday and the first Saturday of the month, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Society of California Pioneers, 300 Fourth St., San Francisco. (415) 957-1859, www.californiapioneers.org.

 

TREGANZA ANTHROPOLOGY MUSEUM AT SAN FRANCISCO STATE UNIVERSITY The museum, founded in 1968, houses collections of archaeological and ethnographic specimens from Africa, Oceania, Asia, and North America as well as small collections from Central and South America. There are also collections of photographs, tapes and phonograph records from Africa and Europe. In addition, there is an archive of field notes and other materials associated with the collections. The museum also houses the Hohenthal Gallery that is used for traveling exhibits as well as exhibits mounted by students and faculty. 

Free. Museum office: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-noon and 1 p.m.-4 p.m.; Hohenthal Gallery, SCI 388: Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Science Building, SFSU, 1600 Holloway Ave., San Francisco. (415) 338-2467, www.sfsu.edu/~treganza/.< 

 

ZEUM Zeum is a technology and arts museum for children and families featuring exhibits and workshops that cover a variety of fascinating subjects. 

EVENTS --  

$8-$10. 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Wednesday-Sunday. 221 Fourth St., San Francisco. (415) 820-3220, www.zeum.org.<


Theatre Review: TROUBLE IN MIND at Aurora—tight writing and bravura performances remind us of the troubles of not so long ago

by John A. McMullen II
Tuesday September 07, 2010 - 10:32:00 AM
Director Al Manners (l, Tim Kniffin*) and Eddie Fenton (r, Patrick Russell*) watch the cast 
              (c. l-r, Melissa Quine, Michael Ray Wisely*, Margo Hall*, Elizabeth Carter*, Jon Gentry*, 
              Rhonnie Washington*) rehearse in Trouble in Mind (*-member AEA)
David Allen
Director Al Manners (l, Tim Kniffin*) and Eddie Fenton (r, Patrick Russell*) watch the cast (c. l-r, Melissa Quine, Michael Ray Wisely*, Margo Hall*, Elizabeth Carter*, Jon Gentry*, Rhonnie Washington*) rehearse in Trouble in Mind (*-member AEA)

If you want to see how things really go in the rehearsal of a play, go see Trouble in Mind at the Aurora Theatre playing through September 26. It’s about rehearsals for a Broadway play in 1955. It is unnervingly realistic in its portrayal of the clash of egos and artistic differences, older actors offering unsolicited advice to new actors, the conundrum of submitting to the arbitrary vision of an overbearing director, and actors who are always “on” and whose main frame of reference is their own needy situation.  

Into this boiling pot, splash in the oil of an interracial cast in a play about a young black man trying to vote in Mississippi. In their roles the players are supposed to kowtow to the Man and shuck and jive like Uncle Tom and Aunt Jemima. Like most actors, they need the job, and as distasteful as you would imagine it to be, they accept their roles. For a while. 

 

The structure of TROUBLE IN MIND is tightly wrapped, a manic rollercoaster of emotions suppressed and on the edge of free-fall. The characters are doing all they can to keep their masks in place though they are slipping, and we can see the rage bubbling beneath. Eight different agendas and perspectives struggle. Points of view change, realizations happen, truth comes out. Battles rage and subside, and just when the wounds seem healed, the stitches break and there is blood on the floor again. 

Alice Childress, a high school drop-out (like August Wilson), and an actress with the American Negro Theatre (where Poitier and Belafonte got their start) won an Obie for this play. It presaged the Civil Rights storm, premiering off Broadway not quite a month before Rosa Parks refused to move to the back of the bus. The year before, Brown v. Board of Education moved the US close to a second secession by the 17 Southern states when the Supreme Court told them they had to integrate their schools. (To remind us of what things were like: “The White Citizens' Council in Mississippi, led by a circuit court judge, published a handbook calling for the nullification of the NAACP, the creation of a forty-ninth state for Negroes, and the abolition of public schools.” For a little pictorial review of the times, go to the Library of Congress site

The “architect” of the play is the director Al Manners, played with uncomfortable accuracy by Tim Kniffin. Every erstwhile director will cringe at his transparent flattery, his touching the actors in a paternal fashion to display dominance, and his squelching any question or comment from an actor with, “Just do it.” He bends, kneels, and cranes to give the actors an audience so that they will play to please him.  

The actual director Robin Stanton shows a sure grip on the turnabout and changing tempos of the writing. She starts them slow, as if the actors were acting in the old style even when addressing one another with overly articulated words and pauses—actually a bit tedious for while. Then the Director shows up, and when he tries to invoke Strasberg’s cinematic acting methods to take them out of their comfort zone, things heat up and realism reigns. When you ask for “truth,” sometimes you get the kind you don’t want. 

The director whines about his divorce and alimony and his forgoing a profitable Hollywood gig to do a Broadway play. He fancies himself a liberal and has invested in this hot-button play, yet has to play to the common taste to recoup his investment. His troubles all pale when compared to the cast’s troubles. 

The economic reality of Rhonnie Washington’s older black actor character consists of keeping his job and finding an apartment rather than questioning the conclusions of the play that’s putting bread on his table. He’s too old to lift heavy stuff, so he will do what the Man wants the way he wants it.  

Glamorous, large-framed, face-to-die-for Elizabeth Carter inhabits a character full of material wants and needs, who, with fur coats and expensive watches, gives us a peek at how consumerism dulls the social conscience.  

Our white, Yalie ingénue played by Melissa Quine goes from timid, foot-in-mouth mouse to the actress full of “darlings!” and flourishes. Her friendliness with the young black actor character, played by talented Jon Joseph Gentry, makes the cast uncomfortable. (Some will remember that 35 of the 48 states prohibited interracial marriage before the anti-miscegenation laws were overturned over a decade later by the ironically named Supreme Court case Loving v. Virginia. The summer the play was being written Emmett Till , a 14-year-old boy from Chicago spending the summer with relatives in Mississippi was lynched for allegedly having wolf-whistled at a white woman.) 

The half deaf, Irish theatre care-taker full of platitudes and kind words is played by Earll Kingston with heart-wrenching obsequiousness. His character gives us a glimmer that the white proletarian struggle for economic and class equality and the black struggle for racial justice are natural allies. (Remember when people thought that way before the Right pitted them against one another economically?) 

Michael Ray Wisely as the established white character film actor who tries to bond by telling “Rastus, chicken-stealin’” jokes makes us cover our eyes and shake our heads; it’s not so much his cluelessness, but that all sense and judgment exits stage left in the emotional arena of racism.  

Patrick Russell as the SM and whipping-boy of the director gives a good turn as a “yes man.” Obeisance to authority among all classes seems to be a sub-theme suffused throughout this play. 

One of the many moving moments is Rhonnie Washington’s spotlighted monologue about witnessing the aftermath of a lynching as child. (Hard to believe that between 1882 and 1968 there were 3,446 lynchings of blacks—and 1,297 lynchings of whites; a photo of an Indiana lynching even made the cover of Life magazine in 1930.) 

Our “Antigone” is the more mature singer-actress played by Margo Hall whose arc and anagnorisis gain our sympathy step-by-step. She brings a succinct and changeable bravura performance to the role. She is the first one on the stage as a self-protecting know-it-all, and the last one left standing and we weep with her. 

Callie Floor’s costumes transport us to the 1950’s “Mad Men” fitted and glamorous fashions. The legendary sartorial style of African-Americans (before pants-on-the-ground and bling) are justifiably enhanced by the fact these are working actors who have to dress to get the job. A full- length fur coat, wonderful millinery, tailored jackets with tactile fabrics, and perfectly altered pants are all a joyful treat to the eye in today’s cotton shirt and pants world. 

Eric Sinkonnen wows us with a simple backstage set of counterweights and pulley riggings, brick wall, banks of old steam heat radiators fenced off with chicken wire, a large coat rack to exploit the donning and doffing of Callie Floor’s couture choices, a very high/almost out of sight pink and gold valence that intimates the grandeur of an old Broadway theatre. 

The original production was in three acts with a happy ending; this is in two acts with an ambiguous ending that is as ominous in its moment-before-the-storm as August 1914 or 1939 were. The play’s title reflects Richard M. Jones’ 8-bar blues standard that everyone in the original cast would have known the words to: “Trouble in mind, I’m blue/ But I won’t be blue always / I know the sun's gonna shine in my back door someday…. Sometimes I feel like dyin’/ Tell you what I’m gonna do/ I’m gonna lay my head/on some lonely railroad line.” 

It’s good to remember the bad old days, to see how far we’ve come and to congratulate ourselves on making changes to our “ American Dilemma.” Hopefully, on the way out of the theatre, someone will mention that the incarceration rate for black males is six times that for whites, and unemployment rates for African-Americans are double the national average, the highest in 25 years.  

TROUBLE IN MIND, 2081 Addison Street, Berkeley through September 26.  

Tickets/info www.auroratheatre.org or (510) 843-4822  

WITH: Elizabeth Carter, Jon Joseph Gentry, Margo Hall, Earll Kingston Tim Kniffin, Melissa Quine, Patrick Russell, Rhonnie Washington, Michael Ray Wisely 

Written by Alice Childress, directed by Robin Stanton, set by Eric Sinkkonen, lighting by Kurt Landisman, properties by Mia Baxter, composer/sound design by Chris Houston, casting by Jessica Heidt, and stage management by Dustin Joshua Brown. 

John McMullen is a member of San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle and American Theatre Critics Association, and takes comments at EyeFromTheAisle@gmail.com Editing/proofreading by E. J. Dunne


Around and About the Bay Area

By Ken Bullock
Tuesday September 07, 2010 - 07:26:00 AM

Just opened on Labor Day weekend: TheatreFirst's production of Jane Martin's Anton in Show Business, directed by Michael Storm, with Josie Alvarez, Megan Briggs, Beth Deitchman, Amaka Izuki, Phoebe Moyer, Shannon Veon Kase and Dekyi Ronge portraying the tribulations of a trio of actresses essaying an ill-fated staging of Chekhov's Three Sisters. Through September 26. Thursdays-Saturdays, 8; Sundays at 2. Marion Green Theatre (north side of Fox Theatre, 18th Street, Oakland Uptown). $15-$30. Marion Green Theatre (north side of Fox Theatre), 18th. St, Uptown Oakland. 430-5085; theatrefirst.com 

Two other productions already mid-run: at Masquers Playhouse, Point Richmond, through October 2—Jerry Sterner's Other People's Money—romance and corporate raiders—directed by Robert Estes, Fridays and Saturdays at 8, Sundays (September 12, 19, 26) at 2, and a Thursday evening benefit, September 30. $18. 232-4031; masquers.org ... and at CalShakes in Orinda, through September 12, The Scottish Play—gory, unmentionable Macbeth, set in a mental asylum—with Stacy Ross and Jud Williford as the unhappy couple. Joel Sass directs. Tuesdays-Thursdays, 7:30; Fridays-Saturdays, 8; Sundays at 4. $15-$65. 548-9666; calshakes.org 

And the end of summer is signified by the last weekend of the musical theater season in the great WPA amphitheater at Woodminster in Oakland's Joaquin Miller Park: Lerner & Lowe's Paint Your Wagon,

As Shakespeare festival season winds down, CalShakes partners with the Pacific Film Archive in a Shakespeare On Film series, already underway, that began with Asta Nielsen playing the Melancholy Prince in a 1920 Silent. Some highlights: Olivier's wartime Henry IV (Sept. 9 at 7); MaxReinhardt and William Dieterle's Hollywood version of Reinhardt's staging of Midsummer Night's Dream, with Cagney, Rooney, Olivia De Haviland—and a wee Kenneth Anger (Sept. 12, 4 p.m.); Godard's satiric post-Chernobyl gloss on King Lear, with Burgess Meredith as mobster king Don Learo, Molly Ringwald as Cordelia, opera director Peter Sellars as William Shakespeare XX—and cameos by Woody Allen, Norman Mailer, and Godard in techno-dreadlocks (Sept. 17 at 9); Kurosawa's Kabuki-ish take on the Scottish play, Throne of Blood (Oct. 9 at 6); Orson Welles' magnum opus ("The film I'll go to Heaven on."), Chimes at Midnight, the Falstaff episodes from The Bard, with John Gielgud, Jeanne Moreau, Margaret Rutherford—and Orson as Big Sir John (Oct. 14 at 7); Soviet director (and student of stage genius V. S. Meyerhold) Gregory Kozintsev's last masterpiece, King Lear, with Shostakovich score (the two collaborated 40 years), from Boris Pasternak's adaptation (Oct. 23 at 8:30); Antony & Cleopatra, adapted and directed by the star, Charleton Heston (Oct 24, 4 p.m.)—and for Halloween, the restored version of Orson Welles' Macbeth Oct. 29, at 9:05) 2575 Bancroft Way, near Telegraph (on UC campus). $5.50-$9.50. 642-5249; bampfa.berkeley.edu

Finally, there's a notable chamber music concert this Friday: Burke Schuchmann, cello, and Brian Ganz, piano with Yael Ronen, flute, playing the Beethoven A Major Cello Sonata; Samuel Barber's Cello Sonata; the Haydn Trio for Flute, Cello and Piano in D Major; and Chopin's Scherzo no. 2 in B flat Minor, Opus 31 (piano solo). friday evening at 8, First Presbyterian Church of Berkeley, 2407 Dana. $15-$25. 234-4502; burkepalomarin@earthlink.net 


Theatre Review: The Salt Plays (part one): In the Wound—SHOTGUN Triumphant!

by John A. McMullen II
Tuesday September 07, 2010 - 10:10:00 AM
Dave Maier as Ajax
Benjamin Privitt
Dave Maier as Ajax

I don’t have much padding back there, so, even with a pillow, to keep me sitting in the park on a concrete step in John Hinkel Park for 2 ½ hours, the play has got to be good. 

If you read the Iliad, you will revel in the premiere of Jon Tracy’s In the Wound, that Shotgun’s artistic director Patrick Dooley had the vision to commission. If you didn’t read it when you were supposed to in high school, you will also be fascinated by Shotgun Players’ $10/seat Summer Production. Jon Tracy’s writing and directing fill up every moment of the first act with a play as exciting and fearful as war itself. Taking from Taiko drumming, the goddesses pound out the beat and move their pieces around on the chessboard of war. 

Dave Maier wins awards continuously for his fight choreography, and in this one he imaginatively uses drumsticks as weapons, and, though the hand-on-hand moves are a bit repetitive, the clash of troops is daunting. In this one, he dusts off his actor chops and plays Ajax the Great who went mad from war, and our hearts bleed for him. 

It is updated with overtones of current wars, with Dave Bruno as disbelieving, weary CIA black ops fixer and anti-hero Odysseus. 

Michael Torres, who runs the Laney College drama department, and a charter member of Campos Santos, pretty much steals the show as a growling, semi-articulate Agamemnon, half-general, half-football coach who confuses himself with his own metaphors. His comedy turns to poignancy late in the play in his meeting with his daughter who he sacrificed to make the winds blow the ships to Troy (probably a good idea to look up the plot of the Iliad on Wikipedia before you go).  

Roy Landaverde as Patroclus registers palpable desperation in meeting his doom and losing his lover Achilles, and his voice and articulation are particularly clear and resonant, though the entire ensemble’s vocalization fills the amphitheater. As an actor, Landaverde has come a long way in a short time, and his timing is excellent, though his moment-to-moment intentions could benefit from more variety and clarity. 

The physical toll on the actors is exhausting to watch, particularly on the goddesses who bound like deer and scurry up and down their outlook towers, arguing about strategy and outcome, and taking their orders via telephone from Zeus. Emily Rosenthal gives an ironic turn as surly Hera that brings a grin. 

It is worth it just to see the best young actor I’ve seen around here, Yannai Kashtan as Telemachus, Odysseus’ son, wearing an aviator hat and making paper air planes that bring drones to mind. 

Dave Garrett as an older Menaleus who has been robbed of Helen, his treasure, is pitch-perfect as an old veteran half-Rush Limbaugh, half-sad old fool. It’s all about his loss and his family’s backing his play, and his portrayal brings center-stage the childish selfishness of his character and the senselessness of what he has set into motion. 

A talent to watch for, Tracy translates Homer’s vision into common parlance without pandering, and makes it as immediate and palpable as it was in the Greek national imagination almost three millennia ago. The title itself makes one recoil from the imagined pain of the old metaphor of salt in the wound. Salt implies the metaphor of the sea they cross, and in which our anti-hero will flounder for a decade post-bellum. But the meaning of the title is crystallized in the second act when his son kills a deer and must skin and treat it. And Tracy’s updated Trojan Horse device is particularly chilling.  

Nina Ball’s set and imaginative use of institutional serving carts as curtains, walls of Troy, to help clear the stage, etc., is only one of many ingenious devices that make this good raw theatre. 

Christine Cook’s army camouflage under greaves, leather tunics, and plumed helmets straddle the centuries: uniforms change, war is still horrible. In the hot sweaty September sun, the bared torsos of the young soldiers according the Cook’s design are at once a treat for the eye both sculpture-like and erotic, and a reminder of the lovely young flesh that will soon die and rot in the sun. 

The second act slows down and offers some flashbacks to Ithaca and home and Lexie Papedo’s Penelope lovely singing of songs in Greek. The writing is perhaps a bit indulgent in the second act when things might better pick up---when the hardness of the seating starts to set into the old bones—but forgivable overall, and most meaningful if you are one of those who read all the Greeks plays (Iphigenia at Aulis, etc., etc.) and the modern derivations. 

A must see. 

(Part Two: Of the Earth comes in December, indoors, at Ashby Stage.) 

The Salt Plays (part one): In the Wound  

Shotgun Players at John Hinkel Park, Berkeley 

Saturdays and Sundays at 3pm through October 3 

Running time, about 2.5 hours with an intermission. 

Tickets/ info at http://shotgunplayers.org/2010_inthewound.htm or 510-841-6500 ext. 303 

Jon Tracy / Director & Writer; Nina Ball / Set Designer, Christine Cook / Costume Designer; Shawn Einck / Technical Director Katy Lawton / Props Mistress; Dave Maier / Fight Director; Leah McKibbin / Stage Manager; Rebecca Pingree / Props Mistress; Jennifer Stukey / ASM; Sam Tillis / Production Assistant; Brendan West / Composer 

 

WITH (the largest cast ever at Shotgun): Aleph Ayin, Daniel Bruno.Dave Garrett, Alex Hersle Yannai Kashtan, Roy Landaverde, Charisse Loriaux, Dave Maier*, Lexie Papedo, Harold Pierce, Nesbyth Rieman, Emily Rosenthal, John Thomas, Michael Torres*, Elena Wright*  

Greek Chorus: Perry Aliado (understudy), Kristoffer Barrera, Gilberto Esqueda, Sean Glover, Nicholas Guillory, Ben Haas, Andrew Humann, Choncey Nunn, Daniel Petzold, Tyler Smith 

Trojan Chorus: Lucas Brandt, Justin Hernandez, Tommy Nguyen, Jamie Ramos, Jonathan Williams 

John A. McMullen II takes comments and PayPal at EyeFromTheAisle@gmail.com 

Thanks to EJD for input, multiple re-reads and proofing.


Theater Review: Trouble in Mind, at the Aurora

By Ken Bullock
Tuesday September 07, 2010 - 07:42:00 AM

"Aha! Motivation—that's the thing!" When an interracial cast of actors assembles to rehearse a message melodrama about a lynching, the play helmed by a brusque director who implores—or orders—them to "please forget your old methods of work and follow me," seeking "the firm texture of truth ... I want truth. what is truth? Truth is whatever you can bring yourself to believe." 

But there's much that can't be forgotten, at least not for long. And whatever the different company members can motivate themselves to believe is the truth, its name is legion, in Alice Childress' remarkable 1955 satiric drama, Trouble in Mind, at the Aurora through September 26. 

Childress received the first Obie ever awarded to a woman for the play. But it missed a Broadway production when Childress, as if following her lead character's ethical instincts, refused to rewrite Trouble, as a more "heartwarming" So Early Monday Morning, after two years on the job. So the record goes to Lorraine Hansberry as the first female African American playwright with a play on the Great White Way with A Raisin in the Sun two years after Trouble's Broadway debut was cancelled. 

Childress' play is a monument of postwar American dramaturgy, consummately put together, with a development hilarious in its satire, a climax still searing in its trenchantly moral directness, and a marvelously theatrical denouement that accents a liberated humanism. It belongs with its successors of the next decade or so—like Raisin, the plays of Ed Bullins and LeRoi Jones/Amiri Baraka's The Dutchman—as an African American work of art that brought both the culture of Black Americans and the social struggle they faced onto the national stage, all still capable of refreshing the events of those days—and the stakes the participants in those events faced—for audiences a half century later. 

Director Robin Stanton's cast of nine is a very capable ensemble, with Margot Hall shining in the lead role as Willeta Mayer, a seasoned woman of the stage, used to making the best of demeaning roles in a White theater world. "It is Tom-ish, but they do it more than we do. They call it a Yes Man." Hall subtly glides through the changes of a character that even comments on those changes in progress, as she progressively disregards the seemingly cynical advice she gave at the beginning to a young, apparently idealistic African American drama student: "White folks can't stand unhappy Negroes." The company's backstage shows of solidarity are undercut by self-interest, disinterest and self-regard. 

The dialogue registers the effects of the mid-50s national media scene, Red-baiting and rocks thrown at young Black students seeking admission to school. A middle-aged African American stage vet—before a monologue revealing he saw a lynching as a child—chimes in with: "The Man don't have to even be here. He could be out in Hollywood, in the middle of a big investigation!" 

Aurora deserves credit for bringing back—yet how many have seen or read it?—this tough, absorbing, humane masterpiece, which brings a recent, but half-eulogized, half-neglected time to life, putting it—and the present—into sharp perspective.


Theater Review: Galileo and His Daughter

By Ken Bullock
Tuesday September 07, 2010 - 07:29:00 AM

Swinging plumb lines as Poor Clares twirl in their white habits like celestial bodies ... Galileo studying the suddenly rough surface of the moon through his spy-glass: "This instrument shows us nothing but Truth!" ... Dancing a kind of planetary Ring-Around-The-Rosy, the great physicist and his daughters fall, laughing at their made-up nursery rhyme ... "Papa! What happened in Rome?"—"I had to make promises ... "

Three committed actors—Michael McCamish (whose engaging Twobird was staged by Maria Lexa's Sun & Moon Ensemble at historic South Berkeley Community Church a year and a half ago), Simone Bloch and Valentina Emeri (who both performed with Sun & Moon)—portray Galileo and his two daughters, who become sisters in the Order of Poor Ladies, in an unusual telling of the experimentalist's discoveries and censure by the Inquisition. Galileo's Daughters, written, directed and stage designed by Giulio Perrone, formerly associate artistic director of Dell'Arte International in Blue Lake, near Eureka (one of the finest American schools for performance), is now playing Thursday through Saturday evenings at 8, Sundays at 5 through September 19 at the Berkeley City Club, 2515 Durant. $12-$25 sliding scale. 648-4030; infernotheatre.org 

It's the inaugural show of Inferno Theatre, an auspicious one. Besides the unusual theatrical storytelling, the production values—Anne Victoria Banks' exceptional costumes, Bruno Louchouarn's wonderful music and sounds, and Patrick Hjduk's subtle lighting design—are unusually high. The timing of the piece, featuring the actors' stylized gestures, voices and attitudes, and the whole movement of the play through the borders of its historical plot, is exquisite, approaching that "condition of music" Walter Pater once said all the arts aspire to. 

Galileo's Daughters is no potboiler, nor sketch comedy strung out into a full-length play. Instead, it shows what can only be accomplished live, on stage, by a carefully rehearsed small ensemble with the accoutrements of scenic and aural design—a hundred and a quarter years of modern theatrical research and practice in one distinctive, unfolding style. 

It's all very low-key; the effects are subtle and cumulative. Some moments seem like a living tableau from Baroque painting. Others are playful and charming; still others fraught with the complications of family and vocational life caught up in great, inexorable events: the Black Plague, the Counter-Reformation and Inquisition. The great discoveries and inventions of the Renaissance come under scrutiny of political and religious authority, both of divided mind about the efficacy of "progress", as are the minds of the great discoverer himself and his loved ones. 

It's a unique, intimate spectacle, one to be savored.


Dance-East Bay Through September 19

Tuesday September 07, 2010 - 09:10:00 PM

ELKS LODGE, ALAMEDA  

"All You Can Dance Sunday Socials," Sunday, 4-6 p.m. Marilyn Bowe and Robert Henneg presents monthly socials with ballroom, swing, Latin and rock & roll themes. www.dancewithme.info. 

2255 Santa Clara Ave., Alameda. (510) 864-2256.< 

 

SAWTOOTH BUILDING  

Luna Dance Institute Open House and Family Dance Event, Sept. 11, 10 a.m.-noon. Free. www.lunakidsdance.org. 

2525 8th St., Berkeley. < 

 

SHATTUCK DOWN LOW For ages 21 and older. 

"Live Salsa," Wednesdays. An evening of dancing to the music of a live salsa band. Salsa dance lessons from 8-9:30 p.m. $5-$10.  

2284 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley. (510) 548-1159, www.shattuckdownlow.com.

 

SOLAD DANCE CENTER  

"Persian Dance," Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8:30 and 10 p.m. Rosa Rojas offers traditional dance classes. $10.  

Citrus Marketplace, 2260 Oak Grove Rd., Walnut Creek. (925) 938-3300.< 

 

STARRY PLOUGH PUB  

"Ceili and Dance," Traditional Irish music and dance. The evening begins with a dance lesson at 7 p.m. followed by music at 9 p.m. Mondays, 7 p.m. Free.  

For ages 21 and over unless otherwise noted. Sunday and Wednesday, 8 p.m.; Thursday-Saturday, 9:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted. 3101 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley. (510) 841-2082, www.starryploughpub.com.<


Exhibits-San Francisco Through September 19

Tuesday September 07, 2010 - 09:09:00 PM

"SUN SPHERES," -- "Sun Spheres'' is a trio of mosaic sculptures by artist Laurel True at the intersection of Ocean and Granada Avenues in the OMI District of San Francisco. 

(415) 252-2551, www.sfartscommission.org/pubart.< 

 

AIA SAN FRANCISCO  

"Water for a Sustainable City," through Oct. 29. Exhibit explores the development of San Francisco's water system through the lens of architecture and design.  

Free. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. 130 Sutter St., # 600, San Francisco. (415) 362-7397, www.aiasf.org.

 

CONSERVATORY OF FLOWERS The Victorian landmark has 1,500 species including rare and beautiful tropical plants from 50 countries. Exhibits include Highland Tropics, the Aquatic Plants, Lowland Tropics, Potted Plants and the new Special Exhibits gallery. Opened in 1879, the wood and glass greenhouse is the oldest existing conservatory in the Western Hemisphere. 

"Chomp 2! Return of the Carnivorous Plants," through Oct. 31. Special exhibition of carnivorous plants features living plants and activities for families.  

$5 general; $3 seniors, students and youth ages 12-17; $1.50 children ages 5-11; free for ages 4 and under; free first Tuesdays. Tuesday-Sunday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. John F. Kennedy Drive, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco. (415) 666-7001, www.conservatoryofflowers.org.

 

EVENING GALLERY WALKS These monthly evening gallery walks or "crawls'' are a way to learn about art for the casual viewer without the intimidation of visiting a gallery with no one else around. Generally the galleries are filled on the "walk'' evenings with people drinking wine and talking. Gallery owners are happy to answer questions about the art on view. The important thing to remember is that it is free to gaze and drink. 

"First Thursday," 5:30-8 p.m. Generally some 20 galleries participate in this monthly evening of open galleries. Many are located around Union Square. Some of the galleries that participate on a regular basis are Pasquale Iannetti Gallery, Caldwell Snyder Gallery, and Hackett-Freedman Gallery, all on Sutter Street; Meyerovich Gallery and Dolby Chadwick Gallery on Post Street; and Rena Bransten Gallery and Stephen Wirtz Gallery on Geary Street. Sponsored by the San Francisco Art Dealers Association. First Thursday of the month. Free.  

San Francisco. < 

 

HOTEL DES ARTS The boutique 51-room art hotel in Union Square features an art gallery by Start SOMA. 

"Painted Rooms," An exhibit of painted rooms in the hotel by emerging artists.  

Free. Daily, 8 a.m.-11 p.m. 447 Bush St., San Francisco. (415) 956-4322, www.sfhoteldesarts.com.

 

JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER OF SAN FRANCISCO  

"The Digital Liberation of G-d," A permanent interactive media installation created by New York-based artist Helene Aylon, which examines the influences of patriarchal attitudes upon Jewish traditions and sacred texts.  

Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-10 p.m.; Friday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday, 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. 3200 California St., San Francisco. (415) 292-1200, Box Office: (415) 292-1233, www.jccsf.org.

 

MILTON MARKS CONFERENCE CENTER  

"Local Color," through Oct. 10. Works by 27 artists from the Peninsula Chapter of the Women's Caucus for Art.  

455 Golden Gate Ave., San Francisco. < 

 

RAYKO PHOTO CENTER  

"(Por)trait Revealed," through Sept. 10. Works by Hiroyo Kaneko, Mark Menjivar, Fritz Liedtke and others.  

Free. Tuesday-Thursday, noon-10 p.m.; Friday-Sunday, noon to 8 p.m. 428 Third St., San Francisco. (415) 495-3773, www.raykophoto.com.

 

SAN FRANCISCO ART INSTITUTE  

"Pure Consciousness at 19 Kindergartens," through Sept. 18. Works by On Kawara.  

Free unless noted otherwise. Lecture Hall, 800 Chestnut St., San Francisco. (415) 771-7020, www.sfai.edu/.< 

 

SAN FRANCISCO PUBLIC LIBRARY, BAYVIEW-ANNA E. WADEN BRANCH  

"Bayview's Historical Footprints," A permanent photographic exhibition celebrating the diverse history of Bayview Hunters Point featuring multimedia oral histories from community elders.  

Free. Monday, Tuesday and Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Wednesday, 1 p.m.-8 p.m.; Thursday, 1 p.m.-7 p.m.; Friday, 1 p.m.-6 p.m. 5075 Third St., San Francisco. (415) 355-5757, www.sfpl.org.

 

SAN FRANCISCO PUBLIC LIBRARY, MAIN BRANCH  

"Digging Deep: Underneath San Francisco Public Library," Exhibition collects archaeological remains from the Gold Rush-era cemetery and the ruins of old City Hall destroyed in the 1906 earthquake.  

"Singgalot (The Ties That Bind)," through Oct. 24. The exhibit celebrates 100 years of Filipino American experience with photographs, images and historical documents drawn from the National Archives, the Library of Congress and personal collections.  

Free. Monday and Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Tuesday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-8 p.m.; Friday, noon-6 p.m.; Sunday, noon-5 p.m. 100 Larkin St., San Francisco. (415) 557-4400, www.sfpl.org.

 

USF THACHER GALLERY  

"Galleons and Globalization: California Mission Arts and the Pacific Rim," through Dec. 19. The exhibit explores the lively commerce in iconography, materials and ideas that shaped California's rich mission arts.  

2130 Fulton St., San Francisco. (415) 422-5178.< 

 

YERBA BUENA CENTER FOR THE ARTS The center's visual arts exhibitions feature contemporary art and popular culture by local, national and international artists. There are four rounds of exhibitions in the galleries each year. 

"PlayCRAFT: A Game of Your Design," through Oct. 3. Create your own design object as you explore the "TechnoCRAFT'' exhibition.  

$3-$6; free the first Tuesday of every month. Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday, noon-5 p.m.; Thursday-Saturday, noon-8 p.m. 701 Mission St., San Francisco. (415) 978-2787, www.ybca.org.<


Exhibits-East Bay Through September 19

Tuesday September 07, 2010 - 09:08:00 PM

CARMEN FLORES RECREATION CENTER  

"El Corazon de la Communidad: The Heart of the Community", Painted by Joaquin Alejandro Newman, this mural installation consists of four 11-foot panels that mix ancient Meso-American and contemporary imagery to pay homage to local activists Carmen Flores and Josie de la Cruz.  

Free unless otherwise noted. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. 1637 Fruitvale Ave., Oakland. (510) 535-5631.< 

 

JOHANSSON PROJECTS  

OPENING -- "Between Currencies," through Sept. 11. Works by Erik Parra.  

OPENING -- "Some Math," through Sept. 11. Works by Jana Flynn and Jill Gallenstein.  

Free. Thursday-Saturday, noon-6 p.m. 2300 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. (510) 444-9140, www.johanssonprojects.com.

 

LAWRENCE HALL OF SCIENCE  

ONGOING EXHIBITS --  

"NanoZone," Discover the science of the super-small: nanotechnology. Through hands-on activities and games, explore this microworld and the scientific discoveries made in this area.  

"Forces That Shape the Bay," A science park that shows and explains why the San Francisco Bay is the way it is, with information on water, erosion, plate tectonics and mountain building. You can ride earthquake simulators, set erosion in motion and look far out into the bay with a powerful telescope from 1,100 feet above sea level. The center of the exhibit is a waterfall that demonstrates how water flows from the Sierra Nevada Mountains to the Bay. Visitors can control where the water goes. There are also hands-on erosion tables, and a 40-foot-long, 6-foothigh, rock compression wall.  

"Real Astronomy Experience," A new exhibit-in-development allowing visitors to use the tools that real astronomers use. Aim a telescope at a virtual sky and operate a remote-controlled telescope to measure a planet.  

"Biology Lab," In the renovated Biology Lab visitors may hold and observe gentle animals. Saturday, Sunday and holidays, 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.  

"The Idea Lab," Experiment with some of the basics of math, science and technology through hands-on activities and demonstrations of magnets, spinning and flying, puzzles and nanotechnology.  

"Math Around the World," Play some of the world's most popular math games, such as Hex, Kalah, Game Sticks and Shongo Networks.  

"Math Rules," Use simple and colorful objects to complete interesting challenges in math through predicting, sorting, comparing, weighing and counting.  

"Kapla," The hands-on exhibit features thousands of versatile building blocks that can be used to build very large, high and stable structures and models of bridges, buildings, animals or anything else your mind can conceive.  

$6-$12; free children ages 2 and under. Daily, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. University of California, Centennial Drive, Berkeley. (510) 642-5132, www.lawrencehallofscience.org.

 

LINDSAY WILDLIFE MUSEUM This is the oldest and largest wildlife rehabilitation center in America, taking in 6,000 injured and orphaned animals yearly and returning 40 percent of them to the wild. The museum offers a wide range of educational programs using non-releasable wild animals to teach children and adults respect for the balance of nature. The museum includes a state-of-the art wildlife hospital which features a permanent exhibit, titled "Living with Nature,'' which houses 75 non-releasable wild animals in learning environments; a 5,000-square-foot Wildlife Hospital complete with treatment rooms, intensive care, quarantine and laboratory facilities; a 1-acre Nature Garden featuring the region's native landscaping and wildlife; and an "Especially For Children'' exhibit.  

WILDLIFE HOSPITAL -- September-March: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The hospital is open daily including holidays to receive injured and orphaned animals. There is no charge for treatment of native wild animals and there are no public viewing areas in the hospital. 

EXHIBITS --  

SPECIAL EVENTS --  

$5-$7; free children under age 2. June 16-Sept. 15: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wed.-Sun.; Sept. 16-June 15: noon.-5 p.m. Wed.-Fri., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat.-Sun. 1931 First Ave., Walnut Creek. (925) 935-1978, www.wildlife-museum.org.< 

 

OAKLAND ASIAN CULTURAL CENTER  

"Oakland's 19th-Century San Pablo Avenue Chinatown," A permanent exhibit of new findings about the rediscovered Chinatown on San Pablo Avenue. The exhibit aims to inform visitors about the upcoming archaeological work planned to explore the lives of early Chinese pioneers in the 1860s.  

Free. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Pacific Renaissance Plaza, 388 Ninth St., Suite 290, Oakland. (510) 637-0455, www.oacc.cc.

 

OAKLAND INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT  

"Going Away, Coming Home," A 160-foot public art installation by Mills College art professor Hung Liu. Liu hand painted 80 red-crowned cranes onto 65 panels of glass that were then fired, tempered and paired with background panes that depict views of a satellite photograph, ranging from the western United States to the Asia Pacific Area. Terminal 2.  

Free. Daily, 24 hours, unless otherwise noted. Oakland International Airport, 1 Airport Drive, Oakland. (510) 563-3300, www.flyoakland.com.<


General-East Bay Through September 19

Tuesday September 07, 2010 - 09:06:00 PM

"BUNNY ADOPTION DAY," -- Sept. 11. Meet a variety of lovable bunnies and help try to find them all a good home. Event takes place at RabbitEARS, 7523 Fairmount Ave., El Cerrito. 

1-4 p.m.(510) 356-4233, www.rabbitears.org.

"THE CINE+MAS SAN FRANCISCO LATINO FILM FESTIVAL," -- Sept. 15 through Sept. 28. The festival, which takes place in San Francisco, Berkeley, San Jose and Marin, showcases the work of emerging and established filmmakers from the U.S., Latin America, Spain, Portugal and more. See website for venues, times and tickets. 

www.sflatinofilmfestival.com.

"THE NORTHERN CALIFORNIA KIT CAR CLUB CAR SHOW," -- Sept. 11 and Sept. 12. A car show featuring a variety of collector or special interest cars, many of which will be handcrafted, custom built machines. Event takes place at the Hilton Hotel, 1970 Diamond Blvd., Concord. 

$2.10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat.; 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sun.www.nckcc.com.< 

"THE WALNUT FESTIVAL RUN," -- Sept. 12. Participants can choose from a 5k run/walk or a 10k race, both benefiting the public and private schools of Walnut Creek. Registration and check in booths will be located near the start line, on the corner of Main Street and Olympic Boulevard, Walnut Creek. 

$20-$35.8 a.m.www.onyourmarkevents.com.< 

"VOICES FROM THE PAST," -- Sept. 18. The Hayward Area Historical Society presents a paranormal investigation at the Meek Mansion, 17365 Boston Rd., Hayward. Refreshments and snacks provided. 

$75.6 p.m.-3:30 a.m.www.haywardareahistory.org.< 

"WEBSTER STREET JAM," -- Sept. 11 and Sept. 12. An international food festival featuring 25 booths with Asian, Latin American, European and Middle Eastern specialties, along with music, crafts, wine and beer. Event takes place on Webster Street between Central and Lincoln in West Alameda. 

10 a.m.-6 p.m.www.westalamedabusiness.com.< 

"WILD SALMON BBQ," -- Sept. 12. Pacific Environment presents the sixth annual Wild Salmon BBQ, celebrating sustainable marine life, along with fine food, wine, fun and music. Event takes place at the Olympic Circle Sailing Club, 1 Spinnaker Way, Berkeley Marina. 

$25-$200.3 p.m.(415) 399-8850 X309, www.pacificenvironment.org/salmon.< 

 

ALAMEDA COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS  

"Harvest Festival Original Art & Craft Show," Sept. 17 through Sept. 19, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Fri.-Sat.; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun. Hundreds of vendors featuring specialty items, jewelry, glassware, clothing, food and much more. Entertainment includes music and a "KidZone'' for families to participate in arts-focused activities. $4-$9; children 12 and under free. www.harvestfestival.com. 

4501 Pleasanton Ave., Pleasanton. (925) 426-7600, www.alamedacountyfair.com.

 

ARDENWOOD HISTORIC FARM Ardenwood farm is a working farm that dates back to the time of the Patterson Ranch, a 19th-century estate with a mansion and Victorian Gardens. Today, the farm still practices farming techniques from the 1870s. Unless otherwise noted, programs are free with regular admission.  

ONGOING PROGRAMS --  

"Blacksmithing," Thursday, Friday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Watch a blacksmith turn iron into useful tools.  

"Horse-Drawn Train," Thursday, Friday and Sunday. A 20-minute ride departs from Ardenwood Station and Deer Park.  

"Animal Feeding," Thursday-Sunday, 3-4 p.m. Help slop the hogs, check the henhouse for eggs and bring hay to the livestock.  

"Victorian Flower Arranging," Thursday, 10:15-11:30 a.m. Watch as Ardenwood docents create floral works of art for display in the Patterson House.  

"Shakespeare Festival and Renaissance Faire," Sept. 11 and Sept. 12, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sat.; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun. More than 800 costumed entertainers and 100 shopkeepers and artisans will be bringing the Elizabethan era to life with singers, dancers, magic, archery and a grand joust. $8-$18. www.ardenwoodfaire.com. 

$1-$5; free children under age 4. Tuesday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 34600 Ardenwood Blvd., Fremont. (510) 796-0199, (510) 796-0663, www.ebparks.org.

 

ASHKENAZ  

"I Like My Bike Night," 9 p.m. First Fridays of the month. This monthly series brings bicycle innovators, enthusiasts, artists and organizations together under one roof, as well as encourages regular Ashkenaz show-goers to leave their cars in the driveway and arrive at the venue by bicycle instead. $8-$25.  

1317 San Pablo Ave., Berkeley. (510) 525-5054, www.ashkenaz.com.

 

AUCTIONS BY THE BAY  

"ArtiFacts: A Lecture Series for Collectors," 3 p.m. First Sundays of the month Guest curators, scholars and conservation experts from throughout the Bay Area discuss the art of collecting. First Sunday of every month, 3 p.m. $7; includes a preview of the monthly estate auction which takes place the following day at 10am.  

Auctions by the Bay Theater-Auction House, 2700 Saratoga St., Alameda. (510) 835-6187, www.auctionsbythebay.com.

 

BARROWS HALL, UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT BERKELEY  

"Egyptology Lectures," Sept. 12, 1:30 p.m. The Northern California Chapter of the American Research Center in Egypt presents two lectures, "The Tale of Two Tombs: Fieldwork in the Theban Necropolis,'' and "New Discoveries in the Nile Delta, Site of Ancient Mendes.'' (415) 664-4767. 

BARROW LANE AND BANCROFT WAY, ROOM 20, BERKELEY. < 

 

BAY AREA FREE BOOK EXCHANGE  

"Free Books," 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Sat. - Sun. Donate your unwanted books and receive new titles for free.  

10520 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito. (510) 526-1941, www.bayareafreebookexchange.com.

 

CALIFORNIA GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY AND LIBRARY  

"California Genealogical Society and Library Free First Saturday," 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Event takes place on the first Saturday of every month, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Trace and compile your family history at this month's open house event. Free. www.calgensoc.org. 

2201 Broadway, Suite LL2, Oakland. (510) 663-1358.< 

 

CALIFORNIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY  

HISTORY WALKABOUTS -- A series of walking tours that explore the history, lore and architecture of California with veteran tour guide Gary Holloway. Walks are given on specific weekends. There is a different meeting place for each weekend and walks take place rain or shine so dress for the weather. Reservations and prepayment required. Meeting place will be given with confirmation of tour reservation. Call for details.  

678 Mission St., San Francisco. (415) 357-1848, www.californiahistoricalsociety.org.

 

CALIFORNIA MAGIC THEATER  

"Dinner Theater Magic Show," 7:30 p.m. Fri - Sat. Enter the joyous and bewildering world of illusion while chowing down on a home cooked meal. Each weekend features different professional magicians. Recommended for ages 13 and older. $54-$64 includes meal.  

729 Castro St., Martinez. (925) 374-0056, www.calmagic.com.

 

CHABOT SPACE AND SCIENCE CENTER State-of-the-art facility unifying science education activities around astronomy. Enjoy interactive exhibits, hands-on activities, indoor stargazing, outdoor telescope viewing and films. 

Center Admission: $14.95; $10.95 children 3-12; free children under 3; $3 discount for seniors and students. Telescope viewing only: free. Wednesday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; Also open on Tuesdays 10 a.m.-5 p.m. after June 29. 10000 Skyline Blvd., Oakland. (510) 336-7300, www.chabotspace.org.

 

DUNSMUIR HOUSE AND GARDENS HISTORIC ESTATE Nestled in the Oakland hills, the 50-acre Dunsmuir House and Gardens estate includes the 37-room Neoclassical Revival Dunsmuir Mansion, built by coal and lumber baron Alexander Dunsmuir for his bride. Restored outbuildings set amid landscaped gardens surround the mansion.  

ESTATE GROUNDS -- Self-Guided Grounds Tours are available yearround. The 50 acres of gardens and grounds at the mansion are open to the public for walking Tuesday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Booklets and maps of the grounds are available at the Dinkelspiel House. Free.  

GUIDED TOURS -- Docent-led tours are available on the first Sunday of each month at 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. (except for July) and Wednesdays at 11 a.m. $5 adults, $4 seniors and juniors (11-16), children 11 and under free. 

Dunsmuir House and Gardens, 2960 Peralta Oaks Court, Oakland. (510) 615-5555, www.dunsmuir.org.

 

FRANK OGAWA PLAZA  

"Oakland Artisan Marketplace," 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Fridays. The City of Oakland and Cultural Arts & Marketing Department presents a weekly market featuring fine arts and crafts of local artists. Free. (510) 238-4948, www.oaklandartisanmarketplace.org. 

14th Street and Broadway, Oakland. < 

 

JACK LONDON AQUATIC CENTER  

"Oakland Artisan Marketplace,"' 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturdays; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sundays The City of Oakland and Cultural Arts & Marketing Department presents a weekly market featuring fine arts and crafts of local artists. Free. (510) 238-4948, www.oaklandartisanmarketplace.org. 

115 Embarcadero, Oakland. < 

 

JULIA MORGAN CENTER FOR THE ARTS  

"Spirit of Mexico," Sept. 18 and Sept. 19, 8 p.m. Sat.; 2 p.m. Sun. Ballet Folklorico Costa de Oro presents a journey through music, song and dance showcasing Mexico's vibrant culture. $23-$30; children under 3 free. (510) 316-3237, www.bfcostadeoro.com. 

2640 College Ave., Berkeley. (510) 845-8542, www.juliamorgan.org.

 

LAWRENCE HALL OF SCIENCE  

ONGOING EXHIBITS --  

"NanoZone," Discover the science of the super-small: nanotechnology. Through hands-on activities and games, explore this microworld and the scientific discoveries made in this area.  

"Forces That Shape the Bay," A science park that shows and explains why the San Francisco Bay is the way it is, with information on water, erosion, plate tectonics and mountain building. You can ride earthquake simulators, set erosion in motion and look far out into the bay with a powerful telescope from 1,100 feet above sea level. The center of the exhibit is a waterfall that demonstrates how water flows from the Sierra Nevada Mountains to the Bay. Visitors can control where the water goes. There are also hands-on erosion tables, and a 40-foot-long, 6-foothigh, rock compression wall.  

"Real Astronomy Experience," A new exhibit-in-development allowing visitors to use the tools that real astronomers use. Aim a telescope at a virtual sky and operate a remote-controlled telescope to measure a planet.  

"Biology Lab," In the renovated Biology Lab visitors may hold and observe gentle animals. Saturday, Sunday and holidays, 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.  

"The Idea Lab," Experiment with some of the basics of math, science and technology through hands-on activities and demonstrations of magnets, spinning and flying, puzzles and nanotechnology.  

"Math Around the World," Play some of the world's most popular math games, such as Hex, Kalah, Game Sticks and Shongo Networks.  

"Math Rules," Use simple and colorful objects to complete interesting challenges in math through predicting, sorting, comparing, weighing and counting.  

 

HOLT PLANETARIUM Shows on Saturdays and Sundays. Programs recommended for ages 6 and up unless otherwise noted. $2.50-$3 in addition to general admission.  

$6-$12; free children ages 2 and under. Daily, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. University of California, Centennial Drive, Berkeley. (510) 642-5132, www.lawrencehallofscience.org.

 

THE NEW PARISH  

"True Blood Party," Sept. 12, 6 p.m. A party to celebrate the season finale of the hit show "True Blood,'' with a costume contest, live music, firedancers, Creole food and more. $15-$50. www.truebloodparty.blogspot.com. 

579 18th St., Oakland. (510) 444-7474, www.thenewparish.com.

 

ROBERT LIVERMORE COMMUNITY CENTER  

"Children's Faire 2010," Sept. 11 and Sept. 12, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Carnival games, an inflatable activity center, local performers, bicycle rodeo, crafts, food, police cars and fire trucks and more await families at this annual event. Free; fee for games and activity center. (925) 373-5700, www.larpd.dst.ca.us. 

4444 East Ave., Livermore. < 

 

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY PACIFIC FILM ARCHIVE Exploring cinema from the Bay Area and cultures around the world, the Pacific Film Archive offers daily film screenings, including rare and rediscovered prints of movie classics; new and historic works by world famous directors; restored silent films with live musical accompaniment; retrospectives; and new and experimental works. Check Web site for a full schedule of films.  

"First Impressions: Free First Thursdays," first Thursday of every month. Special tours and movie presentations. Admission is free. 

Single feature: $5-$8; Double feature: $9-$12 general. PFA Theater, 2575 Bancroft Way, Berkeley. (510) 642-5249, www.bampfa.berkeley.edu.

 

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY, MORRISON LIBRARY  

"Lunch Poems," 12:10-12:50 p.m. First Thursdays of each month  

 

2600 Bancroft Way, Berkeley. (510) 642-3671.< 

 

USS HORNET MUSEUM Come aboard this World War II aircraft carrier that has been converted into a floating museum. The Hornet, launched in 1943, is 899 feet long and 27 stories high. During World War II she was never hit by an enemy strike or plane and holds the Navy record for number of enemy planes shot down in a week. In 1969 the Hornet recovered the Apollo 11 space capsule containing the first men to walk on the moon, and later recovered Apollo 12. In 1991 the Hornet was designated a National Historic Landmark and is now docked at the same pier she sailed from in 1944. Today, visitors can tour the massive ship, view World War II-era warplanes and experience a simulated aircraft launch from the carrier's deck. Exhibits are being added on an ongoing basis. Allow two to three hours for a visit. Wear comfortable shoes and be prepared to climb steep stairs or ladders. Dress in layers as the ship can be cold. Arrive no later than 2 p.m. to sign up for the engine room and other docent-led tours. Children under age 12 are not allowed in the Engine Room or the Combat Information Center.  

ONGOING EVENTS --  

"Limited Access Day," Due to ship maintenance, tours of the navigation bridge and the engine room are not available. Tuesdays.  

"Flight Deck Fun," A former Landing Signal Officer will show children how to bring in a fighter plane for a landing on the deck then let them try the signals themselves. Times vary. Free with regular Museum admission.  

"Protestant Divine Services," Hornet chaplain John Berger conducts church services aboard The Hornet in the Wardroom Lounge. Everyone is welcome and refreshments are served immediately following the service. Sundays, 11 a.m. 

"Family Day," Discounted admission for families of four with a further discount for additional family members. Access to some of the areas may be limited due to ship maintenance. Every Tuesday. $20 for family of four; $5 for each additional family member. 

"Family Overnight Experience," Sept. 17 through. Enjoy the ultimate family experience by spending the night onboard the aircraft carrier USS Hornet. Tour the ship at night, hear fascinating ghost stories, sleep in bunks and have fun learning about history! Call for reservations. (510) 521-8448 X280. 

"Mars Rover Exhibit Opening," Sept. 18 through. Opening of an exhibt featuring Northern California's first chance to see an official Mars Rover exhibtion craft from NASA and JPL. (510) 521-8448. 

"Flashlight Tour," 8:30 a.m. Receive a special tour of areas aboard the ship that have not yet been opened to the public or that have limited access during the day. $30-$35 per person. 

"Living Ship Day," Experience an aircraft carrier in action, with simulated flight operations as aircraft is lifted to the flight deck and placed in launch position. Some former crewmembers will be on hand. 

$6-$14; free children age 4 and under with a paying adult. Daily, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Pier 3 (enter on Atlantic Avenue), Alameda Point, Alameda. (510) 521-8448, www.uss-hornet.org.<


Highlights-East Bay Through September 19

Tuesday September 07, 2010 - 09:04:00 PM

"12TH ANNUAL DELTA BLUES FESTIVAL," -- Sept. 18. Featuring EC Scott, Mitch Woods and his Rocket 88s, Pat Wilder and more. Event takes place in the Rivertown District, off 2nd Street between G and I streets, Antioch. 

Free.Noon-7:30 p.m.www.deltabluesfestival.net.< 

 

"THE CINE+MAS SAN FRANCISCO LATINO FILM FESTIVAL," -- Sept. 15 through Sept. 28. The festival, which takes place in San Francisco, Berkeley, San Jose and Marin, showcases the work of emerging and established filmmakers from the U.S., Latin America, Spain, Portugal and more. See website for venues, times and tickets. 

www.sflatinofilmfestival.com.

 

ALAMEDA COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS  

"Harvest Festival Original Art & Craft Show," Sept. 17 through Sept. 19, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Fri.-Sat.; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun. Hundreds of vendors featuring specialty items, jewelry, glassware, clothing, food and much more. Entertainment includes music and a "KidZone'' for families to participate in arts-focused activities. $4-$9; children 12 and under free. www.harvestfestival.com. 

4501 Pleasanton Ave., Pleasanton. (925) 426-7600, www.alamedacountyfair.com.

 

ARDENWOOD HISTORIC FARM Ardenwood farm is a working farm that dates back to the time of the Patterson Ranch, a 19th-century estate with a mansion and Victorian Gardens. Today, the farm still practices farming techniques from the 1870s. Unless otherwise noted, programs are free with regular admission.  

ONGOING PROGRAMS --  

"Blacksmithing," Thursday, Friday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Watch a blacksmith turn iron into useful tools.  

"Horse-Drawn Train," Thursday, Friday and Sunday. A 20-minute ride departs from Ardenwood Station and Deer Park.  

"Animal Feeding," Thursday-Sunday, 3-4 p.m. Help slop the hogs, check the henhouse for eggs and bring hay to the livestock.  

"Victorian Flower Arranging," Thursday, 10:15-11:30 a.m. Watch as Ardenwood docents create floral works of art for display in the Patterson House.  

"Shakespeare Festival and Renaissance Faire," Sept. 11 and Sept. 12, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sat.; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun. More than 800 costumed entertainers and 100 shopkeepers and artisans will be bringing the Elizabethan era to life with singers, dancers, magic, archery and a grand joust. $8-$18. www.ardenwoodfaire.com. 

$1-$5; free children under age 4. Tuesday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 34600 Ardenwood Blvd., Fremont. (510) 796-0199, (510) 796-0663, www.ebparks.org.

 

ARMANDO'S  

Mark Hummel and Rusty Zinn, Sept. 18, 8 p.m. $10.  

707 Marina Vista Ave., Martinez. (925) 228-6985, www.armandosmartinez.com.

 

ASHKENAZ  

Vagabond Opera, Sept. 17, 9 p.m. $12.  

1317 San Pablo Ave., Berkeley. (510) 525-5054, www.ashkenaz.com.

 

BLAKE'S ON TELEGRAPH  

Agent Orange, Jokes For Feelings, Black Dream, Sept. 10, 9 p.m. 18+.  

For ages 18 and older unless otherwise noted. Music begins at 9:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted. 2367 Telegraph Ave., Berkeley. (510) 848-0886, www.blakesontelegraph.com.

 

HERTZ HALL AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY  

"Annual Noon Concert Series," Sept. 15, Noon. Angela Arnold, soprano, and Michael Orland, piano, perform works by Mozart, Debussy, Leo Blech, William Grant Still, Adolphus Hailstork and Hall Johnso. Free.  

Bancroft Way and College Ave., Berkeley. (510) 642-4864, www.music.berkeley.edu.

 

JULIA MORGAN CENTER FOR THE ARTS  

"Spirit of Mexico," Sept. 18 and Sept. 19, 8 p.m. Sat.; 2 p.m. Sun. Ballet Folklorico Costa de Oro presents a journey through music, song and dance showcasing Mexico's vibrant culture. $23-$30; children under 3 free. (510) 316-3237, www.bfcostadeoro.com. 

2640 College Ave., Berkeley. (510) 845-8542, www.juliamorgan.org.

 

THE NEW PARISH  

"True Blood Party," Sept. 12, 6 p.m. A party to celebrate the season finale of the hit show "True Blood,'' with a costume contest, live music, firedancers, Creole food and more. $15-$50. www.truebloodparty.blogspot.com. 

579 18th St., Oakland. (510) 444-7474, www.thenewparish.com.

 

SHATTUCK DOWN LOW For ages 21 and older. 

Cash'd Out, Sept. 17, 8:30 p.m. $10-$15.  

2284 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley. (510) 548-1159, www.shattuckdownlow.com.

 

UNIVERSITY PRESS BOOKS  

Colleen Cotter, Sept. 14, 6-7:30 p.m. "News Talk: Investigating The Language of Journalism.''  

2430 Bancroft Way, Berkeley. (510) 548-0585, www.universitypressbooks.com.

 

UPTOWN NIGHTCLUB  

Helmet, Bison BC, Sept. 10, 9 p.m. $15.  

Shonen Knife, Bam Bam, Kepi Ghoulie, Sept. 11, 9 p.m. $14.  

The Headcat, Sept. 15, 9 p.m. $20.  

1928 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. (510) 451-8100, www.uptownnightclub.com.

 

YOSHI'S  

Issac Delgado, Freddy Cole, Sept. 10 through Sept. 12, 8 and 10 p.m. Fri.-Sat.; 2 and 7 p.m. Sun. $5-$30.  

Janis Siegel, Sept. 13, 8 p.m. $18.  

Shows are Monday through Saturday, 8 and 10 p.m.; Sunday, 2 and 7 p.m., unless otherwise noted. 510 Embarcadero West, Oakland. (510) 238-9200, www.yoshis.com.<


Kids-East Bay Through September 19

Tuesday September 07, 2010 - 09:03:00 PM

"BERKELEY OLD TIME MUSIC CONVENTION," -- through Sept. 12. A variety of concerts and dances suitable for the whole family. Events take place at various venues; check website for details. 

www.berkeleyoldtimemusic.org.

 

"BUNNY ADOPTION DAY," -- Sept. 11. Meet a variety of lovable bunnies and help try to find them all a good home. Event takes place at RabbitEARS, 7523 Fairmount Ave., El Cerrito. 

1-4 p.m.(510) 356-4233, www.rabbitears.org.

 

ALAMEDA COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS  

"Harvest Festival Original Art & Craft Show," Sept. 17 through Sept. 19, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Fri.-Sat.; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun. Hundreds of vendors featuring specialty items, jewelry, glassware, clothing, food and much more. Entertainment includes music and a "KidZone'' for families to participate in arts-focused activities. $4-$9; children 12 and under free. www.harvestfestival.com. 

4501 Pleasanton Ave., Pleasanton. (925) 426-7600, www.alamedacountyfair.com.

 

ARDENWOOD HISTORIC FARM Ardenwood farm is a working farm that dates back to the time of the Patterson Ranch, a 19th-century estate with a mansion and Victorian Gardens. Today, the farm still practices farming techniques from the 1870s. Unless otherwise noted, programs are free with regular admission.  

ONGOING PROGRAMS --  

"Blacksmithing," Thursday, Friday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Watch a blacksmith turn iron into useful tools.  

"Horse-Drawn Train," Thursday, Friday and Sunday. A 20-minute ride departs from Ardenwood Station and Deer Park.  

"Animal Feeding," Thursday-Sunday, 3-4 p.m. Help slop the hogs, check the henhouse for eggs and bring hay to the livestock.  

"Victorian Flower Arranging," Thursday, 10:15-11:30 a.m. Watch as Ardenwood docents create floral works of art for display in the Patterson House.  

SPECIAL EVENTS --  

"Horse-Drawn Train Rides," Thursday, Friday and Sunday, 10:15 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Meet Jigs or Tucker the Belgian Draft horses that pull Ardenwood's train. Check the daily schedule and meet the train at Ardenwood Station or Deer Park. 

"Potato Harvesting," Learn the spectacular history of this New World native as you dig with your spade and help find the spuds. 

"Toddler Time," Tuesdays, 11-11:30 a.m. Bring the tiny tots out for an exciting morning at the farm. Meet and learn all about a new animal friend through stories, chores and fun.  

"Animal Feeding," Thursday-Sunday, 3 p.m. Feed the pigs, check for eggs and bring hay to the livestock. 

"Country Kitchen Cookin'," Sundays, 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Enjoy the flavor of the past with treats cooked on Ardenwood's wood burning stove. Sample food grown on the farm and discover the history of your favorite oldtime snacks. 

"Shakespeare Festival and Renaissance Faire," Sept. 11 and Sept. 12, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sat.; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun. More than 800 costumed entertainers and 100 shopkeepers and artisans will be bringing the Elizabethan era to life with singers, dancers, magic, archery and a grand joust. $8-$18. www.ardenwoodfaire.com. 

$1-$5; free children under age 4. Tuesday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 34600 Ardenwood Blvd., Fremont. (510) 796-0199, (510) 796-0663, www.ebparks.org.

 

BAY POINT LIBRARY  

"Monthly Craft Night," 4-5 p.m. Last Friday of every month. Each month features a different themed craft.  

Riverview Middle School, 205 Pacifica Ave., Pittsburg. (925) 458-9597.< 

 

BLACKHAWK MUSEUM  

AUTOMOTIVE MUSEUM -- The museum's permanent exhibition of internationally renowned automobiles dated from 1897 to the 1980s. The cars are displayed as works of art with room to walk completely around each car to admire the workmanship. On long-term loan from the Smithsonian Institution is a Long Steam Tricycle; an 1893-94 Duryea, the first Duryea built by the Duryea brothers; and a 1948 Tucker, number 39 of the 51 Tuckers built, which is a Model 48 "Torpedo'' four-door sedan.  

ONGOING EXHIBITS --  

"International Automotive Treasures," An ever-changing exhibit featuring over 90 automobiles.  

"A Journey on Common Ground," An exhibit of moving photographs, video and art objects from around the world exploring the causes of disability and the efforts of the Wheelchair Foundation to provide a wheelchair for every person in need who cannot afford one.  

ONGOING EVENT --  

Free Public Tours, Saturday and Sunday, 2 p.m. Docent-led guided tours of the museum's exhibitions. 

$5-$8; free for children ages 6 and under. Wednesday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 3700 Blackhawk Plaza Circle, Danville. (925) 736-2280, (925) 736-2277, www.blackhawkmuseum.org.

 

CHABOT SPACE AND SCIENCE CENTER State-of-the-art facility unifying science education activities around astronomy. Enjoy interactive exhibits, hands-on activities, indoor stargazing, outdoor telescope viewing and films. 

Center Admission: $14.95; $10.95 children 3-12; free children under 3; $3 discount for seniors and students. Telescope viewing only: free. Wednesday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; Also open on Tuesdays 10 a.m.-5 p.m. after June 29. 10000 Skyline Blvd., Oakland. (510) 336-7300, www.chabotspace.org.

 

CHILDREN'S FAIRYLAND A fairy tale theme park featuring more than 30 colorful fantasy sets. Designed especially for children ages 10 and under, there are gentle rides, a train, the "Peter Rabbit Village,'' puppet shows, story-telling and lots of slides and animals. Admission price includes unlimited rides, special shows, guest entertainers and puppet shows.  

OLD WEST JUNCTION -- Children's Fairyland's newest attraction is a Wild West-themed town sized just for children, with a livery stable, bank, jail and a water tower slide.  

PUPPET SHOWS -- Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. All shows are at the Open Storybook Theatre. Free with regular Fairyland admission.  

ARTS AND CRAFTS CENTER -- Activities on Saturday and Sunday, noon to 3 p.m.  

ANIMAL OF THE DAY -- Saturday and Sunday, 1-1:20 p.m. at the Humpty Dumpty Wall. Learn about one of Fairyland's animal friends. 

SPECIAL EVENTS --  

"Animal of the Day!" Saturdays and Sundays, 1-1:20 p.m. Come up close and learn about Fairyland's creatures. 

"Arts and Crafts," Noon-3 p.m. Event features arts and crafts projects for children and their families. $6. 

$6; free for children under age 1; $2 for a Magic Key. No adult admitted without a child and no child admitted without an adult. Summer (June through Labor Day): Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Fall and Spring: Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Winter: Friday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. CLOSED DEC. 25-JAN. 4. 699 Bellevue Ave., Oakland. (510) 452-2259, www.fairyland.org.

 

CRAB COVE VISITOR CENTER At Crab Cove, you can see live underwater creatures and go into the San Francisco Bay from land. You can also travel back in time to Alameda's part. The goal is to increase understanding of the environmental importance of San Francisco Bay and the ocean ecosystem. Crab Cove's Indoor Aquarium and Exhibit Lab is one of the largest indoor aquariums in the East Bay. 

SPECIAL EVENTS --  

"Catch of the Day," Sundays, 2-3 p.m. Drop by to find out more about the Bay and its wildlife through guided exploration and hands-on fun. 

"Sea Squirts," 10-11:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Discover the wonders of nature with your little one. Registration is required. $6-$8. 

"Sea Siblings," Tuesdays, 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. Explore the natural world and take part in a theme related craft. Designed for the 3-5 year old learner. Registration is required. $4. (888) 327-2757. 

Free unless otherwise noted; parking fee may be charged. 1252 McKay Ave., Alameda. (510) 521-6887, www.ebparks.org.

 

DUNSMUIR HOUSE AND GARDENS HISTORIC ESTATE Nestled in the Oakland hills, the 50-acre Dunsmuir House and Gardens estate includes the 37-room Neoclassical Revival Dunsmuir Mansion, built by coal and lumber baron Alexander Dunsmuir for his bride. Restored outbuildings set amid landscaped gardens surround the mansion.  

ESTATE GROUNDS -- Self-Guided Grounds Tours are available yearround. The 50 acres of gardens and grounds at the mansion are open to the public for walking Tuesday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Booklets and maps of the grounds are available at the Dinkelspiel House. Free.  

GUIDED TOURS -- Docent-led tours are available on the first Sunday of each month at 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. (except for July) and Wednesdays at 11 a.m. $5 adults, $4 seniors and juniors (11-16), children 11 and under free. 

Dunsmuir House and Gardens, 2960 Peralta Oaks Court, Oakland. (510) 615-5555, www.dunsmuir.org.

 

FOREST HOME FARMS The 16-acre former farm of the Boone family is now a municipal historic park in San Ramon. It is located at the base of the East Bay Hills and is divided into two parts by Oak Creek. The Boone House is a 22-room Dutch colonial that has been remodeled several times since it was built in 1900. Also on the property are a barn built in the period from 1850 to 1860; the Victorian-style David Glass House, dating from the late 1860s to early 1870s; a storage structure for farm equipment and automobiles; and a walnut processing plant. 

Free unless otherwise noted. Public tours available by appointment. 19953 San Ramon Valley Blvd., San Ramon. (925) 973-3281, www.ci.sanramon. ca.us/parks/boone.htm.< 

 

HABITOT CHILDREN'S MUSEUM A museum especially for children ages 7 and under. Highlights include "WaterWorks,'' an area with some unusual water toys, an Infant Tree for babies, a garden especially for toddlers, a child-scale grocery store and cafe, and a costume shop and stage for junior thespians. The museum also features a toy lending library.  

ONGOING EXHIBITS --  

"Waterworks." A water play gallery with rivers, a pumping station and a water table, designed to teach about water.  

"Little Town Grocery and Cafe." Designed to create the ambience of shopping in a grocery store and eating in a restaurant.  

"Infant-Toddler Garden." A picket fence gated indoor area, which includes a carrot patch with wooden carrots to be harvested, a pretend pond and a butterfly mobile to introduce youngsters to the concept of food, gardening and agriculture.  

"Dramatic Arts Stage." Settings, backdrops and costumes coincide with seasonal events and holidays. Children can exercise their dramatic flair here.  

"Wiggle Wall." The floor-to-ceiling "underground'' tunnels give children a worm's eye view of the world. The tunnels are laced with net covered openings and giant optic lenses. 

SPECIAL EXHIBITS --  

$6-$7. Wednesday and Thursday, 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Closed Sunday-Tuesday. 2065 Kittredge St., Berkeley. (510) 647-1111, www.habitot.org.

 

HALL OF HEALTH A community health-education museum and science center promoting wellness and individual responsibility for health. There are hands-on exhibits that teach about the workings of the human body, the value of a healthy diet and exercise, and the destructive effects of smoking and drug abuse. "Kids on the Block'' puppet shows, which use puppets from diverse cultures to teach about and promote acceptance of conditions such as cerebral palsy, Down Syndrome, leukemia, blindness, arthritis and spina bifida, are available by request for community events and groups visiting the Hall on Saturdays.  

ONGOING EXHIBITS --  

"This Is Your Heart!" An interactive exhibit on heart health.  

"Good Nutrition," This exhibit includes models for making balanced meals and an Exercycle for calculating how calories are burned.  

"Draw Your Own Insides," Human-shaped chalkboards and models with removable organs allow visitors to explore the inside of their bodies.  

"Your Cellular Self and Cancer Prevention," An exhibit on understanding how cells become cancerous and how to detect and prevent cancer. 

Suggested $3 donation; free for children under age 3. Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 2230 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley. (510) 549-1564, www.hallofhealth.org.

 

HAYWARD SHORELINE INTERPRETIVE CENTER Perched on stilts above a salt marsh, the Center offers an introduction to the San Francisco Bay-Estuary. It features exhibits, programs and activities designed to inspire a sense of appreciation, respect and stewardship for the Bay, its inhabitants and the services they provide. The Habitat Room offers a preview of what may be seen outside. The 80-gallon Bay Tank contains some of the fish that live in the Bay's open waters, and the Channel Tank represents habitats formed by the maze of sloughs and creeks that snake through the marsh. The main room of the Center features rotating exhibits about area history, plants and wildlife. Part of the Hayward Area Recreation and Park District.  

ONGOING EXHIBIT --  

"Exploring Nature," An exhibit of Shawn Gould's illustrations featuring images of the natural world. 

SPECIAL EVENTS --  

"Nature Detectives," 11 a.m.-noon. An introduction and exploration of the world of Black-Crowned Night-Herons. Ages 3-5 and their caregivers. Registration required. 

"Weekend Weed Warriors," 1-4 p.m. Help the shoreline to eliminate the non-native plants that threaten its diversity. Ages 12 and older. Registration required. 

"Waterfowl of the Freshwater Marsh," 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Join an expert birder to go "behind the gates'' to areas of the marsh that are not open to the public. 

Free. Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 4901 Breakwater Ave., Hayward. (510) 670-7270, www.hard.dst.ca.us/hayshore.html.< 

 

JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER OF THE EAST BAY  

"Shabbat Celebration for Young Children," Saturday, 10:30 a.m.-noon. Join other families with young children to sharethis weekly Jewish holiday of joy and renewal.  

1414 Walnut St., Berkeley. (510) 848-0237, www.jcceastbay.org/.< 

 

JUNIOR CENTER OF ART AND SCIENCE A center dedicated to encouraging children's active wonder and creative response through artistic and scientific exploration of their natural urban environment. The center's classes, workshops, exhibits and events integrate art and science.  

EXHIBITS -- Three educational exhibits are mounted in the "Children's Gallery'' each year. A docent-led tour, demonstrations, hands-on activities and art projects are available to school groups throughout the year.  

"Jake's Discovery Garden," Jake's Discovery Garden is a new interactive studio exhibit designed for preschool-aged children and their adult caregivers that teaches young visitors about the natural environments found in their backyards, playgrounds and neighborhoods. 

SPECIAL EVENTS --  

Free; programs and special exhibits have a fee. September through May: Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. June through August: Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. 558 Bellevue Ave., Oakland. (510) 839-5777, www.juniorcenter.org.

 

LAKE CHABOT REGIONAL PARK The 315-acre lake offers year-round recreation. Services include canoe and boat rental, horseshoe pits, hiking, bicycling, picnicking and seasonal tours aboard the Chabot Queen. For boat rentals, call (510) 247-2526. 

Free unless noted otherwise; $5 parking; $2 per dog except guide/service dogs. Daily, 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. 17930 Lake Chabot Road, Castro Valley. (510) 562-PARK, www.ebparks.org.

 

LAWRENCE HALL OF SCIENCE  

ONGOING EXHIBITS --  

"NanoZone," Discover the science of the super-small: nanotechnology. Through hands-on activities and games, explore this microworld and the scientific discoveries made in this area.  

"Forces That Shape the Bay," A science park that shows and explains why the San Francisco Bay is the way it is, with information on water, erosion, plate tectonics and mountain building. You can ride earthquake simulators, set erosion in motion and look far out into the bay with a powerful telescope from 1,100 feet above sea level. The center of the exhibit is a waterfall that demonstrates how water flows from the Sierra Nevada Mountains to the Bay. Visitors can control where the water goes. There are also hands-on erosion tables, and a 40-foot-long, 6-foothigh, rock compression wall.  

"Real Astronomy Experience," A new exhibit-in-development allowing visitors to use the tools that real astronomers use. Aim a telescope at a virtual sky and operate a remote-controlled telescope to measure a planet.  

"Biology Lab," In the renovated Biology Lab visitors may hold and observe gentle animals. Saturday, Sunday and holidays, 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.  

"The Idea Lab," Experiment with some of the basics of math, science and technology through hands-on activities and demonstrations of magnets, spinning and flying, puzzles and nanotechnology.  

"Math Around the World," Play some of the world's most popular math games, such as Hex, Kalah, Game Sticks and Shongo Networks.  

"Math Rules," Use simple and colorful objects to complete interesting challenges in math through predicting, sorting, comparing, weighing and counting.  

 

HOLT PLANETARIUM Shows on Saturdays and Sundays. Programs recommended for ages 6 and up unless otherwise noted. $2.50-$3 in addition to general admission.  

$6-$12; free children ages 2 and under. Daily, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. University of California, Centennial Drive, Berkeley. (510) 642-5132, www.lawrencehallofscience.org.

 

LINDSAY WILDLIFE MUSEUM This is the oldest and largest wildlife rehabilitation center in America, taking in 6,000 injured and orphaned animals yearly and returning 40 percent of them to the wild. The museum offers a wide range of educational programs using non-releasable wild animals to teach children and adults respect for the balance of nature. The museum includes a state-of-the art wildlife hospital which features a permanent exhibit, titled "Living with Nature,'' which houses 75 non-releasable wild animals in learning environments; a 5,000-square-foot Wildlife Hospital complete with treatment rooms, intensive care, quarantine and laboratory facilities; a 1-acre Nature Garden featuring the region's native landscaping and wildlife; and an "Especially For Children'' exhibit.  

WILDLIFE HOSPITAL -- September-March: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The hospital is open daily including holidays to receive injured and orphaned animals. There is no charge for treatment of native wild animals and there are no public viewing areas in the hospital. 

SPECIAL EVENTS --  

$5-$7; free children under age 2. June 16-Sept. 15: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wed.-Sun.; Sept. 16-June 15: noon.-5 p.m. Wed.-Fri., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat.-Sun. 1931 First Ave., Walnut Creek. (925) 935-1978, www.wildlife-museum.org.< 

 

MUSEUM OF CHILDREN'S ART A museum of art for and by children, with activities for children to participate in making their own art.  

ART CAMPS -- Hands-on activities and engaging curriculum for children of different ages, led by professional artists and staff. $60 per day.  

CLASSES -- A Sunday series of classes for children ages 8 to 12, led by Mocha artists. Sundays, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.  

OPEN STUDIOS -- Drop-in art play activities with new themes each week.  

"Big Studio." Guided art projects for children age 6 and older with a Mocha artist. Tuesday through Friday, 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. $5.  

"Little Studio." A hands-on experience that lets young artists age 18 months to 5 years see, touch and manipulate a variety of media. Children can get messy. Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. $5.  

"Family Weekend Studios." Drop-in art activities for the whole family. All ages welcome. Saturday and Sunday, noon to 4 p.m. $5 per child.  

FAMILY EXTRAVAGANZAS -- Special weekend workshops for the entire family.  

"Sunday Workshops with Illustrators," Sundays, 1 p.m. See the artwork and meet the artists who create children's book illustrations. Free. 

EVENTS --  

"Saturday Stories," 1 p.m. For children ages 2-5. Free. 

SPECIAL EVENT --  

"Saturday Stories," 1 p.m. For ages 2-5. Free. 

Free gallery admission. Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, noon-5 p.m. 538 Ninth St., Oakland. (510) 465-8770, www.mocha.org.

 

OAKLAND ZOO The zoo includes a Children's Petting Zoo, the Skyride, a miniature train, a carousel, picnic grounds and a gift shop as well as the animals in site specific exhibits, which allow them to roam freely. Included are "The African Savanna,'' with its two huge mixed-animal aviaries and 11 African Savanna exhibits; the Mahali Pa Tembo (Place of the Elephant), with giraffes, chimpanzees and more than 330 other animals from around the world; "Simba Pori,'' Swahili for "Lion Country,'' a spacious 1.5-acre habitat offering both a savanna and woodland setting for African lions; "Footprints from the Past,'' an anthropology exhibit showcasing four million years of human evolution and an actual "footpath'' of the first hominids to emerge from the African savanna; "Sun Bear Exhibit,'' a stateof-the-art space the zoo has developed for its two sun bears; and Siamang Island, a state-of-the-art, barrier-free area that emulates the gibbons' native tropical rain forest habitat. Also see the Malayan Fruit Bats from the Lubee Bat Conservancy in Florida that are now roosting in trees at the zoo. In addition there are special exhibits and events monthly.  

ONGOING EXHIBITS --  

"Valley Children's Zoo," The three-acre attraction offers a completely interactive experience for both children and adults. The exhibits include lemurs, giant fruit bats, otters, reptiles, insects and more. Daily, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  

"Endangered Species," An exhibit of photographs about the most endangered animals on the Earth and what can be done to save them. At the Education Center. Open daily during zoo hours. ONGOING EVENTS --  

"Valley Children's Zoo," Daily, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The three-acre attraction will offer a completely interactive experience for both children and adults. The exhibits include lemurs, giant fruit bats, otters, reptiles, insects and more. Free with regular Zoo admission.  

"Wildlife Theater," Saturday, 11:45 a.m.; Sunday, 1:45 p.m. On Saturday mornings listen to a story and meet a live animal. On Sunday afternoon meet live animals and learn cool facts about them. Meet in the Lobby of the Zoo's Maddie's Center for Science and Environmental Education. Free with regular Zoo admission. (510) 632-9525, ext. 142. 

SPECIAL EVENTS --  

"Bedtime with the Beasts," Sept. 18 through Sept. 19 and Sept. 25 through Sept. 26, 7 p.m.-9 a.m. An overnight program for youth (ages 6-18) and their chaperones. An Oakland Zoo education specialist will lead your group on an evening hike around the zoo where you'll get to see what the zoo is like after all of the guests leave. Program includes an optional educational wildlife video and continental breakfast. $60 per person; Minimum group size 15, pre-registration required. (510) 632-9525. 

$7.50-11; free children under age 2; $6 parking fee. Daily, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Knowland Park, 9777 Golf Links Road, Oakland. (510) 632-9525, www.oaklandzoo.org.

 

POINT PINOLE REGIONAL SHORELINE The 2,315-acre parkland bordering Pinole, Richmond and San Pablo offers views of Mount Tamalpais, the Marin shoreline and San Pablo Bay. There are trails through meadows and woods, and along the bluffs and beaches of San Pablo Bay. Visitors can hike, ride bikes or take the park's shuttle bus to reach the 1,250-foot fishing pier at Point Pinole. 

$5 per vehicle; $4 per trailered vehicle; $2 per dog (guide/service dogs free). Daily, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., unless otherwise posted. Giant Highway, Richmond. (510) 562-PARK, www.ebparks.org.

 

ROBERT LIVERMORE COMMUNITY CENTER  

"Children's Faire 2010," Sept. 11 and Sept. 12, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Carnival games, an inflatable activity center, local performers, bicycle rodeo, crafts, food, police cars and fire trucks and more await families at this annual event. Free; fee for games and activity center. (925) 373-5700, www.larpd.dst.ca.us. 

4444 East Ave., Livermore. < 

 

ROBERT SIBLEY VOLCANIC REGIONAL PRESERVE East Bay residents have several volcanoes in their backyard. This park contains Round Top, one of the highest peaks in the Oakland Hills. 

Free. Daily, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. 6800 Skyline Blvd., Oakland. (510) 562-PARK, www.ebparks.org.

 

SHADOW CLIFFS REGIONAL RECREATION AREA The 296-acre park includes an 80-acre lake and a four-flume waterslide, with picnic grounds and a swimming beach. Water slide fees and hours: (925) 829-6230. 

$6 per vehicle; $2 per dog except guide and service dogs. May 1 through Labor Day: daily, 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.; shortened hours for fall and winter. Stanley Boulevard, one mile from downtown, Pleasanton. (510) 562-PARK, www.ebparks.org.

 

SULPHUR CREEK NATURE CENTER A wildlife rehabilitation and education facility where injured and orphaned local wild creatures are rehabilitated and released when possible. There is also a lending library of animals such as guinea pigs, rats, mice and more. The lending fee is $8 per week.  

ONGOING EVENTS --  

"Toddler Time," Learn about animals by listening to stories and exploring. Themes vary by month. Call for schedule. $7 per family.  

"Day on the Green Animal Presentations," Meet an assortment of wild and domestic animals. Wildlife volunteers will present a different animal each day from possums to snakes, tortoises to hawks. Saturday and Sunday, 2:30 p.m. 

CHILDREN'S EVENTS --  

Free. Park: Tuesday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Discovery Center: Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Animal Lending Library: Saturday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; Wildlife Rehabilitation Center: daily, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. 1801 D St., Hayward. (510) 881-6747, www.haywardrec.org/sulphur_creek.html.< 

 

USS HORNET MUSEUM Come aboard this World War II aircraft carrier that has been converted into a floating museum. The Hornet, launched in 1943, is 899 feet long and 27 stories high. During World War II she was never hit by an enemy strike or plane and holds the Navy record for number of enemy planes shot down in a week. In 1969 the Hornet recovered the Apollo 11 space capsule containing the first men to walk on the moon, and later recovered Apollo 12. In 1991 the Hornet was designated a National Historic Landmark and is now docked at the same pier she sailed from in 1944. Today, visitors can tour the massive ship, view World War II-era warplanes and experience a simulated aircraft launch from the carrier's deck. Exhibits are being added on an ongoing basis. Allow two to three hours for a visit. Wear comfortable shoes and be prepared to climb steep stairs or ladders. Dress in layers as the ship can be cold. Arrive no later than 2 p.m. to sign up for the engine room and other docent-led tours. Children under age 12 are not allowed in the Engine Room or the Combat Information Center.  

ONGOING EVENTS --  

"Limited Access Day," Due to ship maintenance, tours of the navigation bridge and the engine room are not available. Tuesdays.  

"Flight Deck Fun," A former Landing Signal Officer will show children how to bring in a fighter plane for a landing on the deck then let them try the signals themselves. Times vary. Free with regular Museum admission.  

"Protestant Divine Services," Hornet chaplain John Berger conducts church services aboard The Hornet in the Wardroom Lounge. Everyone is welcome and refreshments are served immediately following the service. Sundays, 11 a.m. 

"Family Day," Discounted admission for families of four with a further discount for additional family members. Access to some of the areas may be limited due to ship maintenance. Every Tuesday. $20 for family of four; $5 for each additional family member. 

"Family Overnight Experience," Sept. 17 through. Enjoy the ultimate family experience by spending the night onboard the aircraft carrier USS Hornet. Tour the ship at night, hear fascinating ghost stories, sleep in bunks and have fun learning about history! Call for reservations. (510) 521-8448 X280. 

"Living Ship Day," Experience an aircraft carrier in action, with simulated flight operations as aircraft is lifted to the flight deck and placed in launch position. Some former crewmembers will be on hand. 

"Mars Rover Exhibit Opening," Sept. 18 through. Opening of an exhibt featuring Northern California's first chance to see an official Mars Rover exhibtion craft from NASA and JPL. (510) 521-8448. 

"Flashlight Tour," 8:30 a.m. Receive a special tour of areas aboard the ship that have not yet been opened to the public or that have limited access during the day. $30-$35 per person. 

$6-$14; free children age 4 and under with a paying adult. Daily, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Pier 3 (enter on Atlantic Avenue), Alameda Point, Alameda. (510) 521-8448, www.uss-hornet.org.<


Outdoors-East Bay Through September 19

Tuesday September 07, 2010 - 09:01:00 PM

ARDENWOOD HISTORIC FARM Ardenwood farm is a working farm that dates back to the time of the Patterson Ranch, a 19th-century estate with a mansion and Victorian Gardens. Today, the farm still practices farming techniques from the 1870s. Unless otherwise noted, programs are free with regular admission.  

ONGOING PROGRAMS --  

"Blacksmithing," Thursday, Friday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Watch a blacksmith turn iron into useful tools.  

"Horse-Drawn Train," Thursday, Friday and Sunday. A 20-minute ride departs from Ardenwood Station and Deer Park.  

"Animal Feeding," Thursday-Sunday, 3-4 p.m. Help slop the hogs, check the henhouse for eggs and bring hay to the livestock.  

"Victorian Flower Arranging," Thursday, 10:15-11:30 a.m. Watch as Ardenwood docents create floral works of art for display in the Patterson House.  

SPECIAL EVENTS --  

"Toddler Time," Tuesdays, 11-11:30 a.m. Bring the tiny tots out for an exciting morning at the farm. Meet and learn all about a new animal friend through stories, chores and fun.  

"Horse-Drawn Train Rides," Thursday, Friday and Sunday, 10:15 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Meet Jigs or Tucker the Belgian Draft horses that pull Ardenwood's train. Check the daily schedule and meet the train at Ardenwood Station or Deer Park. 

"Country Kitchen Cookin'," Sundays, 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Enjoy the flavor of the past with treats cooked on Ardenwood's wood burning stove. Sample food grown on the farm and discover the history of your favorite oldtime snacks. 

"Animal Feeding," Thursday-Sunday, 3 p.m. Feed the pigs, check for eggs and bring hay to the livestock. 

"Potato Harvesting," Learn the spectacular history of this New World native as you dig with your spade and help find the spuds. 

"Shakespeare Festival and Renaissance Faire," Sept. 11 and Sept. 12, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sat.; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun. More than 800 costumed entertainers and 100 shopkeepers and artisans will be bringing the Elizabethan era to life with singers, dancers, magic, archery and a grand joust. $8-$18. www.ardenwoodfaire.com. 

$1-$5; free children under age 4. Tuesday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 34600 Ardenwood Blvd., Fremont. (510) 796-0199, (510) 796-0663, www.ebparks.org.

 

BAY AREA RAIL TRAILS A network of trails converted from unused railway corridors and developed by the Rails to Trails Conservancy.  

BLACK DIAMOND MINES REGIONAL PRESERVE RAILROAD BED TRAIL -- This easy one mile long rail trail on Mount Diablo leads to many historic sites within the preserve. Suitable for walking, horseback riding, and mountain biking. Accessible year round but may be muddy during the rainy season. Enter from the Park Entrance Station parking lot on the East side of Somersville Road, Antioch.  

IRON HORSE REGIONAL TRAIL -- The paved trail has grown into a 23 mile path between Concord and San Ramon with a link into Dublin. The trail runs from the north end of Monument Boulevard at Mohr Lane, east to Interstate 680, in Concord through Walnut Creek to just south of Village Green Park in San Ramon. It will eventually extend from Suisun Bay to Pleasanton and has been nominated as a Community Millennium Trail under the U.S. Millennium Trails program. A smooth shaded trail suitable for walkers, cyclists, skaters and strollers. It is also wheelchair accessible. Difficulty: easy to moderate in small chunks; hard if taken as a whole.  

LAFAYETTE/MORAGA REGIONAL TRAIL -- A 7.65 mile paved trail converted from the Sacramento Northern Rail line. This 20-year old trail goes along Las Trampas Creek and parallels St. Mary's Road. Suitable for walkers, equestrians, and cyclists. Runs from Olympic Boulevard and Pleasant Hill Road in Lafayette to Moraga. The trail can be used year round.  

OHLONE GREENWAY -- A 3.75-mile paved trail converted from the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe railway. Suitable for walkers, strollers and skaters. It is also wheelchair accessible. The trail runs under elevated BART tracks from Conlon and Key Streets in El Cerrito to Virginia and Acton Streets in Berkeley.  

SHEPHERD CANYON TRAIL -- An easy 3-mile paved trail converted from the Sacramento Northern Rail Line. The tree-lined trail is gently sloping and generally follows Shepherd Canyon Road. Suitable for walkers and cyclists. It is also wheelchair accessible. Begins in Montclair Village behind McCaulou's Department Store on Medau Place and ends at Paso Robles Drive, Oakland. Useable year round. 

Free. (415) 397-2220, www.traillink.com.

 

BAY AREA RIDGE TRAIL The Bay Area Ridge Trail, when completed, will be a 400-mile regional trail system that will form a loop around the entire San Francisco Bay region, linking 75 public parks and open spaces to thousands of people and hundreds of communities. Hikes on portions of the trail are available through the Bay Area Ridge Trail Council. Call for meeting sites.  

ONGOING EVENTS --  

ALAMEDA COUNTY -- "Lake Chabot Bike Rides." These rides are for strong beginners and intermediates to build skill, strength and endurance at a non hammerhead pace. No one will be dropped. Reservations required. Distance: 14 miles. Elevation gain: 1,000 feet. Difficulty: beginner to intermediate. Pace: moderate. Meeting place: Lake Chabot Road at the main entrance to the park. Thursday, 6:15 a.m. (510) 468-3582.  

ALAMEDA-CONTRA COSTA COUNTY -- "Tilden and Wildcat Bike Rides." A vigorous ride through Tilden and Wildcat Canyon regional parks. Reservations required. Distance: 15 miles. Elevation gain: 2,000 feet. Difficulty: intermediate. Pace: fast. Meeting place: in front of the North Berkeley BART Station. Wednesday, 5:30 p.m. (510) 849-9650. 

Free. (415) 561-2595, www.ridgetrail.org.

 

BICYCLE TRAILS COUNCIL OF THE EAST BAY The Council sponsors trail work days, Youth Bike Adventure Rides, and Group Rides as well as Mountain Bike Basics classes which cover training and handling skills.  

ONGOING EVENTS --  

"Weekly Wednesday Ride at Lake Chabot," Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m. A 13- to 20-mile ride exploring the trails around Lake Chabot, with 1,500 to 2,000 feet of climbing. Meet at 6:15 p.m. in the parking lot across from the public safety offices at Lake Chabot in Castro Valley. Reservations requested. (510) 727-0613.  

"Weekly Wednesday 'Outer' East Bay Ride," Wednesdays, 5:30 p.m. Ride some of the outer East Bay parks each week, such as Wild Cat Canyon, Briones, Mount Diablo, Tilden and Joaquin Miller-Redwood. Meeting place and ride location vary. Reservations required. (510) 888-9757. 

Free. (510) 466-5123, www.btceb.org.

 

BOTANIC GARDEN  

EVENTS --  

Intersection of Wildcat Canyon Road and South Park Drive, Tilden Regional Park, Berkeley. www.ebparks.org.

 

CRAB COVE VISITOR CENTER At Crab Cove, you can see live underwater creatures and go into the San Francisco Bay from land. You can also travel back in time to Alameda's part. The goal is to increase understanding of the environmental importance of San Francisco Bay and the ocean ecosystem. Crab Cove's Indoor Aquarium and Exhibit Lab is one of the largest indoor aquariums in the East Bay. 

SPECIAL EVENTS --  

"Catch of the Day," Sundays, 2-3 p.m. Drop by to find out more about the Bay and its wildlife through guided exploration and hands-on fun. 

"Sea Siblings," Tuesdays, 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. Explore the natural world and take part in a theme related craft. Designed for the 3-5 year old learner. Registration is required. $4. (888) 327-2757. 

"Sea Squirts," 10-11:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Discover the wonders of nature with your little one. Registration is required. $6-$8. 

Free unless otherwise noted; parking fee may be charged. 1252 McKay Ave., Alameda. (510) 521-6887, www.ebparks.org.

 

DUNSMUIR HOUSE AND GARDENS HISTORIC ESTATE Nestled in the Oakland hills, the 50-acre Dunsmuir House and Gardens estate includes the 37-room Neoclassical Revival Dunsmuir Mansion, built by coal and lumber baron Alexander Dunsmuir for his bride. Restored outbuildings set amid landscaped gardens surround the mansion.  

ESTATE GROUNDS -- Self-Guided Grounds Tours are available yearround. The 50 acres of gardens and grounds at the mansion are open to the public for walking Tuesday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Booklets and maps of the grounds are available at the Dinkelspiel House. Free.  

GUIDED TOURS -- Docent-led tours are available on the first Sunday of each month at 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. (except for July) and Wednesdays at 11 a.m. $5 adults, $4 seniors and juniors (11-16), children 11 and under free. 

Dunsmuir House and Gardens, 2960 Peralta Oaks Court, Oakland. (510) 615-5555, www.dunsmuir.org.

 

FIFTY-PLUS ADVENTURE WALKS AND RUNS The walks and runs are 3-mile round-trips, lasting about one hour on the trail. All levels of ability are welcome. The walks are brisk, however, and may include some uphill terrain. Events are held rain or shine and on all holidays except Christmas and the Fifty-Plus Annual Fitness Weekend. Call for dates, times and details. 

Free. (650) 323-6160, www.50plus.org.

 

FOREST HOME FARMS The 16-acre former farm of the Boone family is now a municipal historic park in San Ramon. It is located at the base of the East Bay Hills and is divided into two parts by Oak Creek. The Boone House is a 22-room Dutch colonial that has been remodeled several times since it was built in 1900. Also on the property are a barn built in the period from 1850 to 1860; the Victorian-style David Glass House, dating from the late 1860s to early 1870s; a storage structure for farm equipment and automobiles; and a walnut processing plant. 

Free unless otherwise noted. Public tours available by appointment. 19953 San Ramon Valley Blvd., San Ramon. (925) 973-3281, www.ci.sanramon. ca.us/parks/boone.htm.< 

 

GARIN AND DRY CREEK PIONEER REGIONAL PARKS Independent nature study is encouraged here, and guided interpretive programs are available through the Coyote Hills Regional Park Visitor Center in Fremont. The Garin Barn Visitor Center is open Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. In late summer, the Garin Apple Festival celebrates Garin's apple orchards. The parks also allow picnicking, hiking, horseback riding and fishing. 

Free; $5 parking fee per vehicle; $2 per dog. Daily, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. 1320 Garin Ave., Hayward. (510) 562-PARK, (510) 795-9385, www.ebparks.org/parks/garin.htm.< 

 

GREENBELT ALLIANCE OUTINGS A series of hikes, bike rides and events sponsored by Greenbelt Alliance, the Bay Area's non-profit land conservation and urban planning organization. Call for meeting places. Reservations required for all trips.  

ALAMEDA COUNTY --  

"Self-Guided Urban Outing: Berkeley," This interactive smart growth walking tour of central Berkeley examines some of the exciting projects that help alleviate the housing shortage in the city as well as amenities important to making a livable community. The walk, which includes the GAIA Cultural Center, Allston Oak Court, The Berkeley Bike Station, University Terrace and Strawberry Creek Park, takes between an hour-and-ahalf to two hours at a leisurely pace. Download the itinerary which gives specific directions by entering www.greeenbelt.org and clicking on "get involved'' and then "urban outings.'' Drop down and click on Berkeley. Free. 

Free unless otherwise noted. (415) 255-3233, www.greenbelt.org.

 

HAYWARD REGIONAL SHORELINE With 1,682 acres of salt, fresh and brackish water marshes, seasonal wetlands and the approximately three-mile San Lorenzo Trail, the Hayward Shoreline restoration project is one of the largest of its kind on the West Coast, comprising 400 acres of marshland. Part of the East Bay Regional Park District. 

EVENTS --  

Free. Daily, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. 3010 W. Winton Ave., Hayward. (510) 562-PARK, www.ebparks.org/parks/hayward.htm.< 

 

HAYWARD SHORELINE INTERPRETIVE CENTER Perched on stilts above a salt marsh, the Center offers an introduction to the San Francisco Bay-Estuary. It features exhibits, programs and activities designed to inspire a sense of appreciation, respect and stewardship for the Bay, its inhabitants and the services they provide. The Habitat Room offers a preview of what may be seen outside. The 80-gallon Bay Tank contains some of the fish that live in the Bay's open waters, and the Channel Tank represents habitats formed by the maze of sloughs and creeks that snake through the marsh. The main room of the Center features rotating exhibits about area history, plants and wildlife. Part of the Hayward Area Recreation and Park District.  

ONGOING EXHIBIT --  

"Exploring Nature," An exhibit of Shawn Gould's illustrations featuring images of the natural world. 

SPECIAL EVENTS --  

"Waterfowl of the Freshwater Marsh," 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Join an expert birder to go "behind the gates'' to areas of the marsh that are not open to the public. 

"Nature Detectives," 11 a.m.-noon. An introduction and exploration of the world of Black-Crowned Night-Herons. Ages 3-5 and their caregivers. Registration required. 

"Weekend Weed Warriors," 1-4 p.m. Help the shoreline to eliminate the non-native plants that threaten its diversity. Ages 12 and older. Registration required. 

Free. Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 4901 Breakwater Ave., Hayward. (510) 670-7270, www.hard.dst.ca.us/hayshore.html.< 

 

JOHN MUIR NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE The site preserves the 1882 Muir House, a 17-room Victorian mansion where naturalist John Muir lived from 1890 to his death in 1914. It was here that Muir wrote about preserving America's wilderness and helped create the national parks idea for the United States. The house is situated on a hill overlooking the City of Martinez and surrounded by nine acres of vineyards and orchards. Take a self-guided tour of this well-known Scottish naturalist's home. Also part of the site is the historic Martinez Adobe and Mount Wanda.  

ONGOING EVENT --  

Public Tours of the John Muir House, Begin with an eight-minute park film and then take the tour. The film runs every 15 minutes throughout the day. Wednesday through Friday, 2 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.  

MOUNT WANDA -- The mountain consists of 325 acres of grass and oak woodland historically owned by the Muir family. It offers a nature trail and several fire trails for hiking. Open daily, sunrise to sunset. 

JOHN MUIR HOUSE, Tours of this well-known Scottish naturalist's home are available. The house, built in 1882, is a 14-room Victorian home situated on a hill overlooking the city of Martinez and surrounded by nine acres of vineyards and orchards. It was here that Muir wrote about preserving America's wilderness and helped create the national parks idea for the United States. The park also includes the historic Vicente Martinez Adobe, built in 1849. An eight-minute film about Muir and the site is shown every 15 minutes throughout the day at the Visitor Center. Self guided tours of the Muir home, the surrounding orchards, and the Martinez Adobe: Wednesday-Sunday, 1 a.m.-5 p.m. Public tours or the first floor of the Muir home: Wednesday-Friday, 2 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. Reservations not required except for large groups.  

$3 general; free children ages 16 and under. Wednesday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 4202 Alhambra Ave., Martinez. (925) 228-8860, www.nps.gov/jomu.< 

 

KENNEDY GROVE REGIONAL RECREATION AREA The 95-acre park contains picnic areas, horseshoe pits and volleyball courts among its grove of aromatic eucalyptus trees.  

$5 parking; $2 per dog except guide/service dogs Through September: daily, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. San Pablo Dam Road, El Sobrante. (510) 223-7840, www.ebparks.org.

 

LAKE CHABOT REGIONAL PARK The 315-acre lake offers year-round recreation. Services include canoe and boat rental, horseshoe pits, hiking, bicycling, picnicking and seasonal tours aboard the Chabot Queen. For boat rentals, call (510) 247-2526. 

Free unless noted otherwise; $5 parking; $2 per dog except guide/service dogs. Daily, 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. 17930 Lake Chabot Road, Castro Valley. (510) 562-PARK, www.ebparks.org.

 

LINDSAY WILDLIFE MUSEUM This is the oldest and largest wildlife rehabilitation center in America, taking in 6,000 injured and orphaned animals yearly and returning 40 percent of them to the wild. The museum offers a wide range of educational programs using non-releasable wild animals to teach children and adults respect for the balance of nature. The museum includes a state-of-the art wildlife hospital which features a permanent exhibit, titled "Living with Nature,'' which houses 75 non-releasable wild animals in learning environments; a 5,000-square-foot Wildlife Hospital complete with treatment rooms, intensive care, quarantine and laboratory facilities; a 1-acre Nature Garden featuring the region's native landscaping and wildlife; and an "Especially For Children'' exhibit.  

WILDLIFE HOSPITAL -- September-March: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The hospital is open daily including holidays to receive injured and orphaned animals. There is no charge for treatment of native wild animals and there are no public viewing areas in the hospital. 

EXHIBITS --  

SPECIAL EVENTS --  

$5-$7; free children under age 2. June 16-Sept. 15: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wed.-Sun.; Sept. 16-June 15: noon.-5 p.m. Wed.-Fri., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat.-Sun. 1931 First Ave., Walnut Creek. (925) 935-1978, www.wildlife-museum.org.< 

 

MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. SHORELINE This 1,200-acre park situated near Oakland International Airport offers picnic areas with barbecues and a boat launch ramp. Swimming is not allowed. The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Grove, a group of trees surrounding a grassy glade, is at the intersection of Doolittle Drive and Swan Way. The area also includes the 50-acre Arrowhead Marsh (part of the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network) and a Roger Berry sculpture titled "Duplex Cone,'' which traces the summer and winter solstice paths of the sun through the sky. 

Free. Daily, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., unless otherwise posted Doolittle Drive and Swan Way, Oakland. (510) 562-PARK, Picnic reservations: (510) 636-1684, www.ebayparks.org.

 

MILLER-KNOX REGIONAL SHORELINE A 295-acre shoreline picnic area with a secluded cove and swimming beach, and a hilltop offering panoramic views of the north Bay Area. 

Free. Daily, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., unless otherwise posted. 900 Dornan Dr., Richmond. (510) 562-PARK, Picnic Reservations: (510) 636-1684, www.ebparks.org.

 

MOUNT DIABLO STATE PARK The 3,849-foot summit of Mount Diablo offers great views of the Bay Area and an extensive trail system. Visitors to the park can hike, bike, ride on horseback and camp. Notable park attractions include: The Fire Interpretive Trail, Rock City, Boy Scout Rocks and Sentinel Rock, Fossil Ridge, Deer Flat, Mitchell Canyon Staging Area, Diablo Valley Overlook, the Summit Visitor Center (open Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.), the Art Gallery, the Observation Deck and the Mitchell Canyon Interpretive Center. 

Free. $6 per vehicle park-entrance fee; $5 for seniors. Daily, 8 a.m. to sunset. Mount Diablo Scenic Boulevard, from the Diablo Road exit off Interstate Highway 680, Danville. (925) 837-2525, www.mdia.org or www.parks.ca.gov.

 

OAKLAND ZOO The zoo includes a Children's Petting Zoo, the Skyride, a miniature train, a carousel, picnic grounds and a gift shop as well as the animals in site specific exhibits, which allow them to roam freely. Included are "The African Savanna,'' with its two huge mixed-animal aviaries and 11 African Savanna exhibits; the Mahali Pa Tembo (Place of the Elephant), with giraffes, chimpanzees and more than 330 other animals from around the world; "Simba Pori,'' Swahili for "Lion Country,'' a spacious 1.5-acre habitat offering both a savanna and woodland setting for African lions; "Footprints from the Past,'' an anthropology exhibit showcasing four million years of human evolution and an actual "footpath'' of the first hominids to emerge from the African savanna; "Sun Bear Exhibit,'' a stateof-the-art space the zoo has developed for its two sun bears; and Siamang Island, a state-of-the-art, barrier-free area that emulates the gibbons' native tropical rain forest habitat. Also see the Malayan Fruit Bats from the Lubee Bat Conservancy in Florida that are now roosting in trees at the zoo. In addition there are special exhibits and events monthly.  

ONGOING EXHIBITS --  

"Valley Children's Zoo," The three-acre attraction offers a completely interactive experience for both children and adults. The exhibits include lemurs, giant fruit bats, otters, reptiles, insects and more. Daily, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  

"Endangered Species," An exhibit of photographs about the most endangered animals on the Earth and what can be done to save them. At the Education Center. Open daily during zoo hours. ONGOING EVENTS --  

"Valley Children's Zoo," Daily, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The three-acre attraction will offer a completely interactive experience for both children and adults. The exhibits include lemurs, giant fruit bats, otters, reptiles, insects and more. Free with regular Zoo admission.  

"Wildlife Theater," Saturday, 11:45 a.m.; Sunday, 1:45 p.m. On Saturday mornings listen to a story and meet a live animal. On Sunday afternoon meet live animals and learn cool facts about them. Meet in the Lobby of the Zoo's Maddie's Center for Science and Environmental Education. Free with regular Zoo admission. (510) 632-9525, ext. 142. 

SPECIAL EVENTS --  

"Bedtime with the Beasts," Sept. 18 through Sept. 19 and Sept. 25 through Sept. 26, 7 p.m.-9 a.m. An overnight program for youth (ages 6-18) and their chaperones. An Oakland Zoo education specialist will lead your group on an evening hike around the zoo where you'll get to see what the zoo is like after all of the guests leave. Program includes an optional educational wildlife video and continental breakfast. $60 per person; Minimum group size 15, pre-registration required. (510) 632-9525. 

$7.50-11; free children under age 2; $6 parking fee. Daily, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Knowland Park, 9777 Golf Links Road, Oakland. (510) 632-9525, www.oaklandzoo.org.

 

PLEASANTON RIDGE REGIONAL PARK This 3,163-acre parkland is on the oak-covered ridge overlooking Pleasanton and the Livermore Valley from the west. A multi-purpose trail system accommodates hikers, equestrians and bicyclists. 

Free. Daily, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Foothill Road, Pleasanton. (510) 562-PARK, www.ebparks.org.

 

POINT PINOLE REGIONAL SHORELINE The 2,315-acre parkland bordering Pinole, Richmond and San Pablo offers views of Mount Tamalpais, the Marin shoreline and San Pablo Bay. There are trails through meadows and woods, and along the bluffs and beaches of San Pablo Bay. Visitors can hike, ride bikes or take the park's shuttle bus to reach the 1,250-foot fishing pier at Point Pinole. 

$5 per vehicle; $4 per trailered vehicle; $2 per dog (guide/service dogs free). Daily, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., unless otherwise posted. Giant Highway, Richmond. (510) 562-PARK, www.ebparks.org.

 

QUARRY LAKES REGIONAL RECREATION AREA The park includes three lakes sculpted from former quarry ponds. The largest, Horseshoe Lake, offers boating and fishing, with a swim beach that will open in the spring. Rainbow Lake is for fishing only, and the third lake, Lago Los Osos, is set aside for wildlife habitat. In addition, there are hiking and bicycling trails that connect to the Alameda Creek Regional Trail. The park includes three lakes sculpted from former quarry ponds. The largest, Horseshoe Lake, offers boating and fishing, with a swim beach that will open in the spring. Rainbow Lake is for fishing only, and the third lake, Lago Los Osos, is set aside for wildlife habitat. In addition there are hiking and bicycling trails that connect to the Alameda Creek Regional Trail. 

$5 parking; $2 per dog except guide/service dogs; boat launch fees; Park District fishing access permit fee of $3. Through Labor Day: daily, 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sept. 6 through Sept. 30, 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. 2100 Isherwood Way,, between Paseo Padre Parkway and Osprey Drive,, Fremont. (510) 795-4883, Picnic reservations:: (510) 562-2267, www.ebparks.org.

 

ROBERT SIBLEY VOLCANIC REGIONAL PRESERVE East Bay residents have several volcanoes in their backyard. This park contains Round Top, one of the highest peaks in the Oakland Hills. 

Free. Daily, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. 6800 Skyline Blvd., Oakland. (510) 562-PARK, www.ebparks.org.

 

RUTH BANCROFT GARDEN One of America's finest private gardens, the Ruth Bancroft Garden displays 2,000 specimens from around the world that thrive in an arid climate. Included are African and Mexican succulents, New World cacti, Australian and Chilean trees, and shrubs from California. 

DOCENT TOUR SCHEDULE -- 10 a.m. Saturdays. Docent-led tours last approximately an hour and a half. Plant sales follow the tour. By reservation only. $7; free children under age 12.  

SELF-GUIDED TOURS -- 9:30 a.m.-noon Mon. - Thurs.; 9:30 a.m. Fri.; 9:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Sat.; 5 p.m. Sunday. Self-guided tours last two hours. No reservations required for weekday tours; reservations required for Friday and Saturday tours. Plant sales follow the tours. $7; free children under age 12.  

Gardens open only for tours and special events listed on the garden's telephone information line. 1500 Bancroft Road, Walnut Creek. (925) 210-9663, www.ruthbancroftgarden.org.

 

SHADOW CLIFFS REGIONAL RECREATION AREA The 296-acre park includes an 80-acre lake and a four-flume waterslide, with picnic grounds and a swimming beach. Water slide fees and hours: (925) 829-6230. 

$6 per vehicle; $2 per dog except guide and service dogs. May 1 through Labor Day: daily, 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.; shortened hours for fall and winter. Stanley Boulevard, one mile from downtown, Pleasanton. (510) 562-PARK, www.ebparks.org.

 

SULPHUR CREEK NATURE CENTER A wildlife rehabilitation and education facility where injured and orphaned local wild creatures are rehabilitated and released when possible. There is also a lending library of animals such as guinea pigs, rats, mice and more. The lending fee is $8 per week.  

ONGOING EVENTS --  

"Toddler Time," Learn about animals by listening to stories and exploring. Themes vary by month. Call for schedule. $7 per family.  

"Day on the Green Animal Presentations," Meet an assortment of wild and domestic animals. Wildlife volunteers will present a different animal each day from possums to snakes, tortoises to hawks. Saturday and Sunday, 2:30 p.m. 

CHILDREN'S EVENTS --  

Free. Park: Tuesday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Discovery Center: Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Animal Lending Library: Saturday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; Wildlife Rehabilitation Center: daily, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. 1801 D St., Hayward. (510) 881-6747, www.haywardrec.org/sulphur_creek.html.< 

 

SUNOL REGIONAL WILDERNESS This park is full of scenic and natural wonders. You can hike the Ohlone Wilderness trail or Little Yosemite. There are bedrock mortars that were used by Native Americans, who were Sunol's first inhabitants. 

SPECIAL EVENTS --  

"Sunol Sunday Hike," Sundays, 1:30-3 p.m. A natural history walk in the wilderness. 

"Sunol Sunday Hike," Sundays, 1:30-3 p.m. A natural history walk in Sunol Regional Wilderness. 

Free unless otherwise noted; $5 parking; $2 dog fee. Geary Road off Calaveras Road, six miles south of Interstate Highway 680, Sunol. (510) 652-PARK, www.ebparks.org.<


Press Release: Saturday Forum on Avoiding Foreclosure

From New America Media
Wednesday September 08, 2010 - 10:27:00 AM

More than 2.4 million Americans are expected to lose their homes to a foreclosure this year, with the number of new Bay Area foreclosure filings rising dramatically over the summer. The fallout from the subprime lending scandal is continuing, but there is help. 

In the midst of our housing foreclosure crisis, New America Media (NAM), U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and Housing and Economic Rights Advocates (HERA) are sponsoring “Your Home, Your Rights,” a community forum and call to action offering detailed information on what residents need to know about home ownership and renter’s rights. 

“Your Home, Your Rights” takes place Saturday September 11 from 8:30 am – 12:00 noon at First Congregational Church of Oakland, 2501 Harrison Street (at 27th Street) in Oakland. 

Services will include confidential one-on-one legal advice and counseling on foreclosure, fair housing and predatory lending issues (including advice to tenants in buildings that have been foreclosed on), as well as helping low- and moderate-income victims of predatory lending and foreclosure related abuses find legal representation. 

Attendees can share stories with journalists and the media about the foreclosure crisis and get answers to their questions from housing counselors, tax experts and the Office of the Alameda County District Attorney (in charge of investigating predatory loans). Also scheduled is a selection of informational seminars about surviving the crisis. 

Excerpts from Leslie Cockburn’s documentary movie “American Casino,” a powerful and shocking look at the subprime lending scandal, will be screened. 

Admission to “Your Home, Your Rights” is free, and food and refreshments will be provided at no-cost. Translation services will be provided in Spanish and available in Vietnamese. 

To RSVP please call 800-871-9012 ext. 29248. For more information, please contact Suzanne Manneh/New America Media at smanneh@newamericamedia.org or 415-503-4170. 

 

Schedule of Events for “Your Home, Your Rights”: 

8:30 – 9:00 am Sign in for counseling. Continental breakfast is available.  

9:00 – 12:00 pm Private one-on-one counseling. Also information tables with related services.  

9:00 – 11:00 am Seminars including Why isn't my lender helping me? Is bankruptcy going  

to help me?, and Telling the difference between trustworthy and un- 

trustworthy service providers. 

11:00 – 12:00 pm East Bay residents share their stories and experiences about fighting to keep their homes or finding affordable housing to journalists and HUD officials.  


Oakland Heritage Alliance Lecture and House Tour

Tuesday September 07, 2010 - 08:36:00 PM

According to author and restoration consultant Jane Powell, there’s no such thing as architectural purity, and Oakland’s Rockridge neighborhood contains many examples of houses which don’t fit perfectly into a given architectural style. On Sunday, September 26, 2010, from 1:00 to 5:30 p.m., Oakland Heritage Alliance presents their annual house tour, A Slice of Rockridge, featuring the triangle of land bordered by College Avenue, Chabot Road, Highway 24, and the Berkeley border, and featuring houses as varied as a 1913 house by Bernard Maybeck, a 19th century Victorian, and a house that was once part of Pagoda Hill, the flamboyant estate built by J. Ross Brown in the late 1800’s. 

Before the tour, on Thursday, September 7, 2010, in an illustrated lecture, author Jane Powell will explore the many house styles of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries and their various permutations and idiosyncrasies . The lecture will take place at 7:30 p.m. at the Chapel of the Chimes, 4499 Piedmont Avenue, Oakland. Tickets are $15, $10 for OHA members. 

Tickets for the house tour are $30 advance/ $35 day of tour (OHA members $25/$30). Contact Oakland Heritage at (510) 763-9218 or http://sliceofrockridge.eventbrite.com