Columns

FRIDAY, OCT. 8 

Presidential Debates Meet betterbadnews.tv at 5:30 p.m. at International House, 2299 Piedmont Ave. The debates will run from 6 to 7:30 pm and will be followed by the premiere presentation of Better Bad News.tv Sponsored by Berkeley Arts Festival. www.berkeleyartsfestival.com  

“Resisting Government Secrecy in a Time of Terrorism” Investigative reporter and New Yorker writer Seymour Hersh in discussion with KQED talk show host Michael Krasny, at 7:45 p.m. in the Paulley Ballroom, UC Campus. Free tickets on day of event, starting at 5:30 p.m. at Pauley Ballroom. http://journalism.berkeley.edu 

Candidates for the Peralta Community College District, Districts 2 and 4, will speak and answer questions at Vista College Annex, 2075 Allston Way. Starts promptly at 5:30 p.m. Sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Berkeley, Albany and Emeryville. 843-8824. http://lwvbae.org 

Paul Krassner on the second Presidential debate at 6 p.m. in the Redwood Gardens Community Room, 2951 Derby St. Part of the 40th Anniv. of the Free Speech Movement. www.fsm-a.org 

Sustainable Seafood: Your Role in Saving World Fisheries from noon to 6 p.m. at El Cerrito Natural Grocery Store, 10367 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito. 526-1155.  

City Commons Club Noon Luncheon with Fran Packard of the League of Women Voters on “Ballot Issues for November 2.” Luncheon at 11:45 a.m. for $12.50, speech at 12:30 p.m., at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant St. For reservations call 526-2925.  

Womansong Circle: Sending Light, Sending Song and get out the vote letter writing at 6:45 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 2345 Channing Way at Dana. Bring light snacks to share. Suggested donation $10-$15, no one turned away for lack of funds. www.betsyrosemusic.org 

Berkeley Critical Mass Bike Ride meets at the Berkeley BART the second Friday of every month at 5:30 p.m. 

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. 

SATURDAY, OCT. 9 

Shellmound Run in honor of Indigenous Peoples Day. From Berkeley Shellmound to Civic Center Park. Registration at 7:30 a.m. at University Ave. and 4th St. 595-5520. 

Indigenous Peoples Day Pow Wow and Indian Market Native American foods, arts and crafts with intertribal dancing from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Civic Center Park. 595-5520. 

Indigenous People Films Screenings of the documentaries “Shellmound” and “The Rules of the Game” at 4, 5:30 and 7 p.m. at Florence Schwimley Little Theater, 1920 Allston Way. Donation $5-10 requested. 508-9069. 

Richmond Shoreline Festival from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with bird and plant walks, kite-flying and children’s activities, BBQ and live music. 461-4665. www.eastshorepark.org 

Berkeley City Council Candidate Forum from 2 to 4 p.m. at 2239 MLK in Berkeley High School 'G' building, southwest side facing Bancroft. Sponsored by local transportation and environmental groups, including BEST, Carfree Cities, EcoCity Builders and BFBC. 486-1528. 

Albany City Council Candidates Forum from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Albany Senior Center, 846 Masonic Avenue, near Solano. Sponsored by the Albany Chamber of Commerce. 

“All Satire, All The Time” with Paul Krassner and other satirists at 2 p.m. at the Alumni House , UC Campus. www.fsm-a.org 

Free Energy Audit for Berkeley Residents on Oct. 9 and 10 offered by California Youth Energy Services. To sign up for a visit, call 428-2357. www.risingsunenergy.org  

Kids Garden Club How our garden attracts birds. We will also go birding and make a bird feeder. From 2 to 4 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. For ages 7-12. Cost is $3-$5, registration required. 525-2233. 

Autumn Arachnids A slide show, followed by exploration for orb weavers, jumping spiders, wolf spiders and more at 2 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. 525-2233. 

Junior Rangers of Tilden meets Sat. mornings at Tilden Nature Center. For more information call 525-2233. 

Berkeley Historical Society Walking Tour “Downtown Berkeley as a Possible Eco-City Center” led by Richard Register. At 10 a.m. Cost is $8-$10. For information call 848-0181. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/histsoc/ 

Walking Tour of Old Oakland uptown to the Lake to discover Art Deco landmarks. Meet at 10 a.m. in front of the Paramount Theater at 2025 Broadway. For reservations call 238-3234. 

Gardening Basics: Soil Preparation, Planting and Mulching at 10 a.m. at Magic Gardens, 729 Heinz Ave. 644-2351. www.magicgardens.com 

San Pablo Creek Restoration Workday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the El Sobrante Library. Join us as we extend the native plant garden toward the creek. Refreshments, tools, and gloves provided. Sponsored by San Pablo Watershed Neighbors Education and Restoration Society. 231-9566. 

Best Buddies Fundraiser with lemonade stand to raise funds to fight pediatric cancer, through Sun. at McKevitt Volvo, 2700 Shattuck Ave. Additional funds will be raised for each test drive. 848-2206. 

Bureau of Humane Law Enforcement, an evening of karaoke, food and wine to benefit the protection of animals. At 6 p.m. at Paws and Claws, 2023 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland. Cost is $10-$15. 925-487-4419. info@eastbayanimaladvocates.org 

Know Your Rights A free citizen training in observing police and asserting your rights. From 11a.m. to 2 p.m. at 2022 Blake St. 548-0425. 

Innovative Independent Films, Hot Political Discussion A benefit for the Jesse Townley Campaign at 8 p.m. at The Ivy Room, 858 San Pablo Ave., Albany. Donation $5-$15. 524-9220. 

“Sacred Prostitutes Perform” an exorcism of shame performance to benefit the Berkeley ballot initiative for sex workers’ rights at 8 p.m. at Loop Gallery, 6436 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. Donations encouraged. 590-0040. debbiemoore@xplicitplayers.com 

Moment’s Notice a monthly salon for improvised music, dance and theater at 8 p.m. at Western Sky Studio, 2525 8th St. 415-831-5592. 

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. 

SUNDAY, OCT. 10 

Autumn Insects We’ll look for insects under logs, in the grass and on trees and learn how they adapt to different habitats, at 10 a.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. 525-2233. 

Early Peoples’ Ways We’ll search for the plants the Miwok ate, and make some native tea. Bring your good luck charm for games based on native traditions. from 1 to 3 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. 525-2233. 

After Summer, What is Left Behind Seeds, cones and other plant parts dry up and fade away in autumn. We’ll look for them and see what is left after a season of growth and change. From 2 to 4 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. 525-2233.  

Natural and Cultural History of the Ohlone Peoples Please join us at noon at the Ohlone Greenway, at the intersection of Neilson St. and the Greenway for the dedication of an interpretive exhibit featuring the natural and cultural history of the Ohlone Peoples. karllinn@lmi.net  

California Indian Food and Culture Learn how the Ohlone Indians make acorn soup, soap root brushes and berry cider, from 12:30 to 2 p.m. at the UC Botanical Garden, 200 Centennial Drive. Cost is $5-$15. Registration required. 643-2755. http://botanicalgarden.berkeley.edu 

Sunday Greens: Sex, Drugs & Rock n’ Roll, The Bottom Line is $$$ Join us for a discussion about Measure H: Public Financing of Local Elections, Measure Q: the Angel’s Initiative, the Oakland & Berkeley Cannabis Initiatives and other local measures on the ballot in Alameda County, and meet musician, activist and progressive candidate for Berkeley City Council, Jesse Townley. From 5 to 6:30 p.m. at Niebyl-Proctor Library, 6501 Telegraph Ave. at 65th in North Oakland. 

Candidates for the Albany School Board will speak and answer questions in the Albany High School multi-purpose room, 603 Key Route Blvd. Starts promptly at 2:30 p.m. Sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Berkeley, Albany and Emeryville. 843-8824. http://lwvbae.org 

Candidates for the Albany City Council will speak and answer questions in the Albany High School multi-purpose room, 603 Key Route Blvd. Starts promptly at 4 p.m. Sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Berkeley, Albany and Emeryville. 843-8824.  

“Zionism, The Democrats & Kerry” with Lenni Brenner and Ralph Schoneman, at 7:30 p.m. at Fellowship of Humanities, 390 27th St., Oakland. Donation $5. Benefit for Voices for the Middle East & North Africa. 415-867-0628. 

“Truth in Reporting on Iraq” with Dahr Jamal at 7 p.m. at Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists, 1924 Cedar at Bonita. 528-5403.  

“Early Twentieth-Century British Women Travelers to Greece” A lecture by Prof. Martha Klironomos at 3 p.m. at 370 Dwinelle Hall, UC Campus.  

Los Días de los Muertos Altar Making at 1 p.m. at the Painting Studio, Richmond Art Studio, 2540 Barrett Ave., Richmond. Cost is $30-$35. 620-6770. www.therichmondartcenter.org 

Contra Costa Civic Theatre White Elephant Sale from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the parking lot adjacent to the theater at 951 Pomona Ave. at Moeser Lane, El Cerrito. To arrange drop-offs call 533-0698. To arrange rental space call 524-8559. 

Kol Sippur: A Celebration of Jewish Storytelling from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the BRJCC, 1414 Walnut St. Tickets are $5-$25. Registration required. 848-0237. 

Iron Chef Cook-off benefit for the Berkeley Historical Society, 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Spengers, 1919 Fourth St. 845-7771. 

Ahoy There! Pancake Breakfast aboard the Red Oak Victory Ship moored in Pt. Richmond. From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 1500 Dornan Drive, through the Ferry point Tunnel to the end. Cost is $6.  

Folk Art Society Art Sale featuring artists with disabilities from noon to 5:30 p.m. at the National Institute of Art and Disabilities, 551 23rd St. Richmond. 620-0290. www.niadart.org 

Hands-On Bike Maintenance Class Learn how to perform basic repairs on your own bike from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. Cost is $85 members, $100 non-members, registration required. 527-4140. 

Small Press Distribution 35th Anniversary Celebration at 4 p.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian Church. Tickets are $35. 524-1668, ext. 340. www.spfbooks.org 

Hunger Project global relief program with Lynne S. Twist, author of “The Soul of Money,” at 9:45 a.m. St. John’s Episcopal Church, at 1707 Gouldin Rd., off Thornhill Road, Oakland. 339-2200. 

“Moral Responsibility: Evolutionary and Genetic Aspects” with Gunther Stent, Prof. of Molecular and Cell Biology, UCB, at 9:30 a.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley, 1 Lawson Rd., Kensington. 525-0302.  

Tibetan Buddhism with Sylvia Gretchen on “Dream Yoga: Dream Awareness and Compassion Practice” at 6 p.m. at the Tibetan Nyingma Institute, 1815 Highland Pl. 843-6812. www.nyingmainstitute.com 

MONDAY, OCT. 11 

Ralph Nader and Peter Camejo at 7 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall, UC Campus. Tickets are $2-$5. Sponsored by Students for Nader and the International Socialist Organization. 642-9988. 

“The Human Person: Beyond the Nature-Culture Divide” with Niels Heinrik Gregersen of Aarhus Univ., Copenhagen, at 7:10 p.m. at the GTU Dinner Board Room, 2400 Ridge Rd. 649-2560 www.gtu.edu/studentgroups/trees 

Kerry/Edwards Fundraiser with an auction and music, 6 to 8:30 p.m. at Ethnic Arts, 1314 10th St., at Gilman. Minimum donation $25.  

World Affairs/Politics Discussion Group for people 60 years and over meets Mondays at 10:15 a.m. at the Albany Senior Center, 846 Masonic Ave. Join at any time. 524-9122. 

“Reading Yiddish Texts” a reading and discussion group, on Mon. eves at 7:15 p.m. through Dec. 13. at the BRJCC, 1414 Walnut St. Cost is $110. To register call 845-6420. 

“The Golden Age of Spain” exploring the culture and poetry, Mon. at 7 p.m. through Nov. 11, at the BRJCC, 1414 Walnut St. Cost is $45. To register call 845-6420. 

Copwatch Class from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at 2022 Blake St., near Shattuck. Free and open to the public. 548-0425. 

TUESDAY, OCT. 12 

Morning Bird Walk: Willdcat Canyon meet at 7 a.m. at Alvarado Staging Area, Tilden Park. Call for directions or to reserve binoculars. 525-2233.  

Afternoon Bird Walk from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at the Martin Luther King Jr. Shoreline. For directions and meeting place call 525-2233. 

“Berkeley Candidates 2004” A video from the League of Women Voters at 1 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-5190. 

Candidates for the Berkekey School Board will speak and answer questions at the Rosa Parks School, 930 Allston Way Starts promptly at 7 p.m. Sponsored by the League of Women Voters. 843-8824. http://lwvbae.org 

“Bush Science Policy” A forum on the Bush Administration’s uses and abuses of science in policymaking at 7:30 p.m. at Wheeler Auditorium, UC Campus. Tickets are $10, available from 642-9988. http://journalism.berkeley.edu 

“Fluids & Faulting: Water & Earthquakes in California” with Mark Zoback, Professor of Geophysics, Stanford University at 5:30 p.m. in 10 Evans Hall, UC Campus. Sponsored by the Water Resources Center Archives. 642-2666. 

Blood Drive from noon to 4 p.m.at UCB Hillel, 2736 Bancroft Way. 1-800-GIVE-LIFE. 

“Caring for Others, Caring for Yourself” a six-week program on the spiritual dimension of caregiving on alternate Tues. at 7 p.m. in Berkeley. Suggested donation $75 for whole session. 845-1963. www.spcare.org 

“Introduction to Judaism” Explore Jewish spirituality and ethics with David Cooper at 7:30 p.m. at BRJCC, 1414 Walnut St. 848-0237. 

Financial Planning Workshop: College Planning 101 with Jarrett Topel, Certified Financial Planner at 7 p.m. at El Cerrito Library, 6510 Stockton Ave. Free. 526-7512.  

Family Story Time at the Kensington Branch Library, Tues. evenings at 7 p.m. at 61 Arlington Ave. 524-3043. 

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

Acting and Storytelling Classes for Seniors offered by Stagebridge, at Arts First Oakland, 2501 Harrison St. Classes are held at 10 a.m. Tues.-Fri. For more information call 444-4755. www.stagebridge.org 

St. John’s Prime Timers meets at 9:30 a.m. at St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave. 845-6830. 

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 13 

Presidential Debates Meet betterbadnews.tv at 5:30 p.m. at International House, 2299 Piedmont Ave. The debates will run from 6 to 7:30 p.m. and will be followed by a presentation of Better Bad News.tv Sponsored by Berkeley Arts Festival. www.berkeleyartsfestival.com 

Measure A Public Hearing for Alameda County Health Care Services, with Supervisor Keith Carson, at 6:30 p.m at Stovall Recreation Center, 1728 Alcatraz Ave., at King St. 272-6695. 

“Baffled by the Ballot?” A discussion of state and local measures at the national Women’s Political Caucus General Meeting at 6 p.m. at Rockridge Library Community Room, 5366 College Ave.  

Walking Tour of Oakland Chinatown Meet at 10 a.m. at the courtyard fountain in the Pacific Renaissance Plaza at 388 Ninth St. Tour lasts 90 minutes. Reservations can be made by calling 238-3234. www.oaklandnet.com/walkingtours 

Palestinian and Israeli Doctors Speak Out on the health effects of the occupation on civilians at 7 p.m. at La Peña, 3105 Shattuck Ave. Cost is $10-$20 sliding scale. Benefit for Middle East Children’s Alliance and International Solidarity Movement. 548-0542. www.mecafrpeace.org 

“A Modern Rabbi in Search of Historical Jesus” with Rabbi Harry Manhoff at 11:30 a.m. at Berkeley Richmond JCC, 1414 Walnut St. Cost is $5, registration at 11 a.m. 848-0237. 

“Vanishing Prayer” A documentary on the Dineh resistance in Arizona, plus “The Zapatista’s Mayan Uprising” at 7 p.m. at Humanist Hall, 390 27th St., Oakland. Donation $3-$5, no one turned away. Sponsored by the International Council for Humanity. 419-1405.  

Lesbians and Cancer Video Night “My Left Breast” at 6:30 p.m. at Women’s Cancer Resource Center, 5741 Telegraph Ave. Space is limited, please RSVP to 420-7900, ext. 111. 

Basic Balkan Singing Workshop on four Wed. evenings at 7:30 p.m. at Lake Merritt Church, 1330 Lakeshore Blvd., Oakland. Cost is $75 for the series. Registration required. 444-0323. www.kitka.org 

“Corsets to Crampons: Pioneers of Mont Blanc” The film of six women who made the climbing/skiing trip in 1808, at 7 p.m. at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. 527-4140. 

Gardening for Wildlife Learn how to turn any small garden space into a refuge for birds, frogs, insects, and other wildlife using California native plants. Reduce waste and avoid the use of pesticides that affect water quality and harm beneficial insects and other wildlife. Class meets Weds. from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m at the Self Reliant House on the Merritt College campus. Cost is $41. 434-3840. ecomerritt@sbcglobal.net 

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

Prose Writers’ Workshop An ongoing group focused on issues of craft, at 7 p.m. at the BRJCC, 1414 Walnut St. 524-3034. georgeporter@earthlink.net 

Poetry Writing Workshop, led by Alison Seevak, at 7 p.m. at the Albany Library, Edith Stone Room, 1247 Marin Ave. Registration required. 526-3700, ext. 20. 

Berkeley Peace Walk and Vigil at the Berkeley BART Station. Vigil at 6:30 p.m. followed by Peace Walk at 7 p.m. www. 

geocities.com/vigil4peace/vigil  

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