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TUESDAY, MAY 18 

Morning Birdwalk Meet at 7 a.m. at the parking lot on Golf Course Rd., just east of Grizzly Peak Blvd. 525-2233. 

Mini-Rangers at Tilden Nature Center Join us for an active afternoon of nature study, conservation and rambling through woods and waters. Dress to get dirty; bring a healthy snack to share. For 8-12 year olds, unaccompanied by their parents. Cost is $6, $8 for non-residents. Registration required. 525-2233. 

“Organic Pest Control in the Garden” with Jessica West, Landscape Consultant and U.C. Master Gardener. Learn how to rid your garden of pests without using toxic chemicals. Hosted by the Berkeley Garden Club at Epworth United Methodist Church, 1953 Hopkins St. Guests are welcome. Meeting at 1 p.m. and the free program at 2 p.m. 524-4374. 

Friends of Strawberry Creek will meet from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Berkeley Public Library Meeting Room, 2090 Kittredge St. Robert Charbonneau will speak on “Perspective, Past and Future on the Management of the Upper Strawberry Creek Watershed.”  

American Red Cross Blood Services volunteer orientation from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at 6230 Claremont Ave., Oakland. Sign-up needed 594-5165. 

Strawberry Tastings at Berkeley Farmers’ Market, Derby at MLK from 2 to 7 p.m. 548-3333. www.ecologycenter.org 

Organic Produce at low prices sold at the corner of Sacramento and Oregon Streets every Tuesday from 3 to 7 p.m. This is a project of BOSS Urban Gardening Institute and Spiral Gardens. 843-1307. 

“The Order of Genocide: Race, Power and War in Rwanda” with Scott Strauss, Dept. of Political Science, Univ. of Oregon, at 4 p.m., 652 Barrows Hall, UC Campus. Sponsored by the Center for African Studies. 642-8338. www.ias.berkeley.edu/africa 

“Disability Benefits and Advocacy,” a talk by Beverly Bergman, Advocate Specialist with Oakland’s Mental Health Advocates from noon to 2 p.m. at Herrick Campus of Alta Bates Medical Center, 2001 Dwight Way. Free. Sponsored by Berkeley’s Fibromyalgia Support Group. 644-3273. 

Phone Banking to ReDefeat Bush on Tuesdays from 6 to 9 p.m. at Cafe de la Paz, 1600 Shattuck Ave. Bring your cell phones. Please RSVP if you can join us. 233-2144. dan@redefeatbush.com 

“We Interrupt This Empire” video screening and discussion at 7 p.m. at Grand Lake Neighborhood Center, 530 Lake Park Ave, Oakland. Suggested donation $1, no one turned away. www.ebcaw.org 

East Bay Theology on Tap meets to discuss “Penance in a Culture of Death” with Fr. Tom Scirghi at 7 p.m. at 4092 Piedmont Ave. Contact Norah at St. Leo the Great 654-6177. 

St. John’s Prime Timers meets at 9:30 a.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave. Cynthia Davis from Alzheimer’s Services will speak at 11 a.m. We offer ongoing classes in exercise and creative arts, and always welcome new members over 50. 845-6830. 

Berkeley Camera Club meets at 7:30 p.m., at the Northbrae Community Church, 941 The Alameda. Share your slides and prints and learn what other photographers are doing. Monthly field trips. 548-3991. www.berkeleycameraclub.org 

Tuesday Tilden Walkers We are a few slowpoke seniors who walk between a mile or two each Tuesday, meeting at 9:30 a.m. in the Little Farm parking lot. To join us, call 215-7672.  

Goddess Grace Moving Meditation at 10 a.m. at Belladonna, 2436 Sacramento St. Cost is $7-10, bring a yoga mat or blanket. 883-0600. www.belladonna.ws 

WEDNESDAY, MAY 19 

UCB’s Long Range Development Plan at the Planning Commission at 7 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Copies of the plan and the draft Environmental Impact Report are available at http://lrdp.berkeley.edu 

Gray Panthers at Night with a video of Mordechai Vanunu’s release from Israeli prison, discussion and light dinner, at 7 p.m. at 1403 Addison St. 548-9696. 

Street Skills Class for Cyclists A bicycle safety class for experienced and beginning cyclists, for bike commuters, for parents who bike with their kids, and for any cyclist who just wants to get around town safely. The classroom session is held from 6 to 9:30 p.m. followed by an all-day on and off bike practical skills session on May 22. Cost is $20, pre-registration required, 549-RIDE (7433). Funding for these classes is made possible through a generous grant from the City of Berkeley. 

Palma-Soriano video presentation, from Berkeley’s sister city in Cuba at 6:30 p.m. at the South Branch Library, 1901 Russell St. 981-6260. 

“Hello Hemingway” a film about one of Cuba’s cultural icons, at 7 p.m. at Fellowship of Humanity, 390 7th St., Oakland. Donations accepted. 393-5685. 

“Israel’s Secret Weapon,” the US Campaign to Free Mordechai Vanunu, a video by the BBC, with commentary by Dale Nesbitt, Hal Carlsbad and Cynthia Johnson who greeted Vanunu when he was freed from prison, at 7 p.m. at the Richmond Public Library, 325 Civic Center Plaza, enter through left of building. 236-0438. 

LUNA Kids Dance Fundraising Gala, with dance performances by LUNA students and alumni, silent auction, book signing by Patricia Reedy, and tour of Clif Bar Inc.’s unique offices hosted by owner and CEO Gary Erickson, at 7 p.m. at Clif Bar Inc., 1610 Fifth St. Cost is $100. 644-3629. nng@lunakidsdance.com 

Berkeley Communicators Toastmasters meets at 7:15 a.m. at Mediterraneum Caffe, 2475 Telegraph Ave. 524-3765. 

Berkeley Peace Walk and Vigil at the Berkeley BART Sta- 

tion, corner of Shattuck and Center. Vigil at 6:30 p.m. followed by Peace Walk at 7 p.m. www.geocities.com/vigil4peace/vigil 

Prose Writers Workshop meets 7 to 9 p.m. at the Jewish Community Center, 1414 Walnut, at Rose. 524-3034. 

Fun with Acting Class at 11 a.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Free, all are welcome, no experience necessary.  

Berkeley CopWatch open office hours 7 to 9 p.m. Drop in to file complaints, assistance available. 548-0425. 

Free Feldenkrais ATM Classes for adults 55 and older at 10:30 and 11:45 a.m. at the Jewish Community Center, 1414 Walnut at Rose. 848-0237.  

THURSDAY, MAY 20 

Bike to Work Day sponsored by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission with “energizer stations” around Berkeley. For more information visit www.511.org 

Berkeley Farmer’s Market with all organic produce opens at Elephant Pharmacy parking lot, 1607 Shattuck Ave., at Cedar from 3 to 7 p.m. 548-3333. www.ecologycenter.org 

The Tongass National Forest in Alaska is the subject of the May Audubon meeting, held at 7:30 p.m. at the Northbrae Community Church, 941 The Alameda. Free and accessible. 843-2222. www.goldengateaudubon.org  

“From the Fryer to the Fuel Tank” a talk by biodiesel activist Josh Tickell on the status of the oil and biodiesel industries worldwide, at 7 p.m. at the Ecology Center, 2530 San Pablo Ave. 548-2200, ext. 233. www.ecologycenter.org 

Botanical Garden Volunteer Orientation for volunteers for the Garden Shop, event support, plant propagation, horticulture and curatorial support, at 4 p.m. For information call 643-1924. 

“Living with Lions” a talk by Michelle Cullen from the California Mountain Lion Foundation at 12:30 p.m. at the Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak Sts. 238-2200. www.museumca.org 

Simplicity Forum “The Sweet Smell of Simplicity,” with Lois O'Reilly at 7 p.m. at the Claremont Branch Library, 2940 Benvenue Ave. 549-3509. www.simpleliving.net 

Lavendar Lunch Bunch meets at 12:30 p.m. at the Lakeside Garden Center, 666 Bellevue, Oakland. Sponsored by Lavender Seniors of the East Bay. 667-9655. 

Report Back from South Africa Discussion and reception at 6:30 p.m. at 150 University Hall, corner of Oxford and Addison, UC Campus. 527-4099. 

Tea Dancing and Dance Lessons with Barbara and Jerry August from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Hillside Club, 2286 Cedar St., Costis $10, includes refreshments. 925-376-6345.  

FRIDAY, MAY 21 

City Commons Club Noon Luncheon with Kaiping Peng, Prof. of Psychology, on “Cultural Ways of Thinking.” Luncheon at 11:45 a.m. for $12.50, speech at 12:30 p.m., at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant St. For information and reservations call 526-2925 or 665-9020. 

California Higher Education Budget Cuts A public hearing with The California Assembly Committee on Higher Education and Assemblymembers Wilma Chan, Loni Hancock, Ellen Corbett, Mark Leno, Carol Liu & Darrell Steinberg from 10 a.m. to noon at International House, University of California, 2299 Piedmont Avenue at Bancroft Way. www.democrats.assembly.ca.gov/keepthepromise 

Evening with George Lakoff, Prof. Linguistics, UC Berkeley, author of “Moral Politics: What Conservatives Know that Liberals Don’t,” at 7 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 2345 Channing Way. Sponsored by Wellstone Democratic Club. 418-2760. www.democraticrenewal.us 

“We Are Everywhere: The Irresistible Rise of Global Anticapitalism” with Andrew Stern and Jennifer Whitney who recently returned from Iraq, at 8:30 p.m. at the Long Haul Infoshop, 3124 Shattuck Ave.  

Street Skills Class for Cyclists Street Skills is a bicycle safety class for experienced and beginning cyclists, for bike commuters, for parents who bike with their kids, and for any cyclist who just wants to get around town safely. The classroom session is held 6 to 9:30 p.m. followed by and an all-day on and off bike practical skills session on May 22. Cost is $20, pre-registration required, 549-RIDE (7433). Funding for these classes is made possible through a generous grant from the City of Berkeley. 

Nature Sound Recording Workshop, presented by the Oakland Museum of California and the National Park Service. Workshop runs through Sunday. Cost is $185-$210. 238-7482. www.naturesounds.org 

Tilden Sunset Hike A hike down Laurel Canyon, up Wildcat Peak for sunset, and back along the ridge. Meet at 6 p.m. at Inspiration Point on Wildcat Canyon Road with warm layered clothing, flashlight and snack to share. Sponsored by Solo Sierrans, you need not be a member to attend an activity. 601-1211.  

Spanish Literacy Night at the Berkeley YMCA, 2001 Allston Way, from 7 to 9 p.m. with a special Latin American music performance with Grupo Colibri at 7:45 p.m. 665-3271.  

Berkeley Opera Fundraiser to support the premiere of Suprynowicz’s “Caliban Dreams” at 8 p.m. at Le Theatre, 1919 Addison St. Dinner and performances by tenor John Duykers, soprano/librettist Amanda Moody, and Ancora, of the Piedmont Childrens Choir. Cost is $90. Please RSVP to 444-6232. clarks@igc.org  

Benefit for Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride with a screening of “The Gatekeeper” at 7 p.m. at AK Press Warehouse, 674A 23rd St., Oakland. Donation $8-$20. 208-1700. 

“Icons of the Matrix” a slide presentation by Max Dashú in a benefit for Suppressed Histories, at 6:30 p.m. at Belladonna, 2436 Sacramento St. 883-0600. www.belladonna.ws 

Berkeley Chess Club meets Fridays at 7:15 p.m. at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave. Players at all levels are welcome. 652-5324. 

Women in Black Vigil, from noon to 1 p.m. at UC Berkeley, Bancroft at Telegraph. wibberkeley@yahoo.com 548-6310, 845-1143. 

Meditation, Peace Vigil and Dialogue, gather at noon on the grass close to the West Entrance to UC Berkeley, on Oxford St. near University Ave. People of all traditions are welcome to join us. Sponsored by the Buddhist Peace Fellowship. 655-6169. www.bpf.org 

Overeaters Anonymous meets every Friday at 1:30 p.m. at the Northbrae Church at Solano and The Alameda. Parking is free and is handicapped accessible. For information call Katherine, 525-5231. 

Herbal Tea at Three Learn tea lore, medicinal properties, and taste familiar and exotic varieties. Every Friday from 3 to 4 p.m. at Elephant Pharmacy. 549-9200. www.elephantpharmacy.com 

SATURDAY, MAY 22 

Himalayan Fair from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. in Live Oak Park, 1300 Shattuck Ave. Authentic Himalayan arts, antiques and modern crafts, live music and dance performances and exotic foods. Donation of $8 benefits humanitarian grassroots pro- 

jects in the Himalayas.  

19th Bay Area Storytelling Festival from 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Sat. and Sun. at Kennedy Grove Regional Rec. Area. Join us for a weekend of lively, entertaining and captivating storytelling featuring professional tellers from across the country including Milbre Burch of Missouri, Michael Parent of Maine, Vicki Juditz of Southern California, Tim Tingle of Texas, and Gladys Cogswell of Missouri. Cost for the whole weekend is $52 adults, $40 senior, $29 children under 15; tickets for individual events are also available. 869-4969, 650-952-3397. www.bayareastorytelling.org 

Lost Waterfall in Spring Join a seasonal 3.5 mile trek to Lake Anza as we explore the riparian flora and fauna. Bring a snack to enjoy as you hear the story of the waterfall that isn’t here. Meet at 1 p.m. at Tiden Nature Center. 525-2233. 

Kids Garden Club We will design and carry out our own scientific experiments and learn by doing, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. For ages 7-12. Cost is $3, registration required. 525-2233. 

Berkeley Historical Society Walking Tour “Thousand Oaks” led by Susan Cerny from 10 a.m. to noon. 848-0181. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/histsoc/ 

Berkeley Bicycle Boulevard Tour Meet at Constitution Plaza above the downtown Berkeley BART at 1 p.m. Wear a helmet and bring water. 827-7483. 

Edible Landscaping with Karen Talbott from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Ecology Center, 2530 San Pablo Ave. Cost is $10-$15. 548-2220, ext. 233. www.ecologycenter.org 

Agricultural Roots Fair from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Laney College Channel Park, between 10th and 7th Sts. With food, music, children’s activities and information about healthy eating, school gardens, local farms and more. 550-4945. www.sagecenter.org 

Relay for Life Runners, walkers, volunteers and cancer survivors are invited to the fifth annual El Cerrito/Berkeley/ 

Richmond/Albany/Kensington Relay For Life at 9 a.m. to 9 a.m. Sun. at El Cerrito High School. 540 Ashbury Avenue, El Cerrito. To participate call 524-9464. jsbayat@comcast.net 

Writers: Ready for Progress? A free session with Elizabeth Stark and Nanou Matteson. at 5 p.m. at Boadecia's Books, 398 Colusa Avenue at Colusa Circle, Kensington. www.bookpride.com 

Saturday Night Sing-Along for all ages. Bring your family, neighbors and friends for an evening of campfire classics, silly and serious songs, rounds and movement activities. At 7 p.m. at 1216 Solano Ave. at Talbot, Albany. Sponsored by the Albany YMCA. Cost is $3 for adults, $2 for children. 525-1130. 

Yoga for Seniors at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant St., on Saturdays from 10 to 11 a.m. The class is taught by Rosie Linsky, who at age 72, has practiced yoga for over 40 years. Open to non-members of the club for $8 per class. For further information and to register, call Karen Ray at 848-7800. 

Car Wash Benefit for Options Recovery Services of Berkeley, held every Sat. from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Lutheran Church, 1744 University Ave. 666-9552. 

Dream Workshop on Saturdays, from 10 a.m. to noon at 2199 Bancroft Way. Cost is $10. www.practicaldreamwork.com 

CITY MEETINGS 

Council Agenda Committee meets Tues. May 18, at 2:30 p.m., at 2180 Milvia St., Sherry M. Kelly, city clerk, 981-6900. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/citycouncil/agenda-committee 

City Council meets Tues., May 18, at 7 p.m in City Council Chambers, Sherry M. Kelly, city clerk, 981-6900. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/citycouncil 

Berkeley Housing Authority meets Tues., May 18, at 6:30 p.m. in City Council Chambers, Sherry M. Kelly, city clerk, 981-6900. ww.ci.berkeley.ca.us/comm 

Citizens Humane Commission meets Wed., May 19, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Katherine O’Connor, 981-6601. www.ci.berkeley.ca. us/commissions/humane 

Commission on Aging meets Wed., May 19, at 1:30 p.m., at the South Berkeley Senior Center. Lisa Ploss, 981-5200. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/aging 

Commission on Labor meets Wed., May 19, at 6:45 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Delfina M. Geiken, 644-6085. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/labor 

Human Welfare and Community Action Commission meets Wed., May 19, at 7 p.m., at the South Berkeley Senior Center. Marianne Graham, 981-5416. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/welfare 

Berkeley Rent Stabilization Board meets Thurs. May 20, at 7 p.m. in City Council Chambers, Pam Wyche, 644-6128 ext. 113. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/rent 

Design Review Committee meets Thurs. May 20, at 7:30 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Anne Burns, 981-7415. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/designreview  

Fair Campaign Practices Commission meets Thurs., May 20, at 7:30 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Prasanna Rasaih, 981-6950. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/faircampaign 

Transportation Commission meets Thurs., May 20, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Peter Hillier, 981-7000. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/transportationˇ