Features

TUESDAY, JAN. 10 

Flooding Issue in West Berkeley Community Meeting at 7 p.m. at the Frances Albrier Center, San Pablo Park, 2800 Park St., between Russell and Ward. 981-7120. 

Celebrate the Dream Ceremony marking Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s 77th birthday at 11:30 a.m. at Frank Ogawa Plaza, 14th and Broadway, Oakland. 444-CITY. 

Tilden Tots Join a nature adventure program for 3 and 4 year olds, each accompanied by an adult (grandparents welcome)! We’ll learn about animal habitats, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. Cost is $6-$8. Registration required. 636-1684. 

Birdwalk on the MLK Shoreline from 3 to 5 p.m. to see the ducks and shorebirds here for the winter. Beginnners welcome, binoculars available for loan. 525-2233. 

Women’s Snowshoe Workshop Learn the essentials for getting started in the sport at 7 p.m. at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. 527-4140. 

Oakland-East Bay Gay Men’s Chorus Auditions at 7 p.m. at Lakeshore Avenue Baptist Church, 3534 Lakeshore Ave. 800-706-2389. 

Guitar and Music Lessons for Teachers Free ongoing classes at 7:30 p.m. at 2304 McKinley Ave. Registration required. 848-9463. www.guitarsintheclassroom.com 

Berkeley School Volunteers Training workshop for volunteers interested in helping the public schools, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at 1835 Allston Way. 644-8833. 

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

Tuesday Tilden Walkers Join a few slowpoke seniors at 9:30 a.m. in the parking lot near the Little Farm for an hour or two walk. 215-7672, 524-9992. 

Free Handbuilding Ceramics Class 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at St. John’s Senior Center, 2727 College Ave. Also, Mon. noon to 4 p.m. at the South Berkeley Senior Center. Materials and firing charges not included. 525-5497. 

Searching Within A free 9-week course, Tues. at 7:30 p.m. at 2510 Channing Way. To register call 654-1583. www.gnosticweb.com 

Brainstormer Weekly Pub Quiz every Tuesday from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Pyramid Alehouse Brewery, 901 Gilman St. 528-9880. 

Berkeley Camera Club meets at 7:30 p.m., at the Northbrae Community Church, 941 The Alameda. S548-3991. www.berkeleycameraclub.org 

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

“Ask the Social Worker” free consultations for older adults and their families from 10 a.m. to noon at BRJCC, 1414 Walnut St. To schedule an appointment call 558-7800, ext. 716. 

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 11 

Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at noon at the second floor auditorium, 300 Lakeside Drive., Oakland. Free. 464-7139. 

Poetry Writing Workshop with Alison Seevak at 7 p.m. at Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave. 526-3720, ext. 17. 

Film Series on Animal Agony, laboratories and factory farms, at 7 p.m. at Humanist Hall, 390 27th St., Oakland. Donation of $5 suggested.  

East Bay Genealogical Society with Marjorie Bell of the staff of the Family History Center on the use of newspapers in genealogical research, at 10 a.m. in the Library Conference Room of the Family History Center, 4766 Lincoln Ave., Oakland. 635-6692. 

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

Sing your Way Home A free sing-a-long at 4:30 p.m. every Wed. at the Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave. 526-3720. 

Fresh Produce Stand at San Pablo Park from 3 to 6:30 p.m. in the Frances Albrier Community Center. Sponsored by the Ecology Center’s Farm Fresh Choice. 848-1704. www.ecologycenter.org 

Red Cross Blood Drive from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Oakland State Building, 1515 Clay St., 2nd Floor. To schedule an appointment call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE. www.BeADonor.com 

Stitch ‘n Bitch Bring your knitting, crocheting and other handcrafts from 6 to 9 p.m. at Caffe Trieste, 2500 San Pablo Ave. 548-5198. 

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

com/vigil4peace/vigil 

THURSDAY, JAN. 12 

Tilden Tots Join a nature adventure program for 3 and 4 year olds, each accompanied by an adult (grandparents welcome)! We’ll learn about animal habitats, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. Cost is $6-$8. Registration required. 636-1684. 

Grizzly Peak Flyfishers meets at 7 p.m. at the Kensington Community Center, 59 Arlington Ave. in Kensington. Mike Kaul, a Wyoming guide, will talk on fishing the waters of the Wind River Range. All welcome. 547-8629. 

“The World Can’t Wait” Drive Out the Bush Regime Speakers include Medea Benjamin, Mark Leno, Marc Bamuthi Joseph, Sunsara Taylor and devorah major, at 7 p.m. at Grand Lake Theater, 3200 Grand Ave., Oakland. Tickets are $10-$20. 415-864-5153. 

East Bay Mac Users Group meets to discuss Mac World Review with guest David Feng from Beijing Mac Users Group, at 6 p.m. at Expression College for Digital Arts, 6601 Shellmound St., Emeryville. http://ebmug.org 

“How to Reduce Your Taxes” with Thomas Andres, at 6 p.m., upstairs at Sabia Indian Cuisine, 1628 Webster, Oakland. Cost is $5-$10. 530-6699. 

Climate Change and Other Environmental Topics, an ongoing class, Thurs. at 1 p.m., beginning Jan. 12 at North Berkeley Senior Center. 981-5190. 

American Sign Language Classes begin at Vista College, 2020 Milvia St. To register call 981-2872. www.peralta.edu 

International Business Classes for students and entrepreneurs, offered by Vista College. For information call 981-2852.  

Sleep Issues for Older Babies at 7 p.m. at Bananas, 5232 Claremont Ave., Oakland. Registration required, 658-7353. 

The Bipolar Advantage A lecture with Tom Wootton, Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance at 7 p.m. at Alta Bates Herrick Campus, Dwight Way. For details, call 760-749-5719. 

World of Plants Tours Thurs., Sat. and Sun. at 1:30 p.m. at the UC Botanical Garden, 200 Centennial Drive. Cost is $5. 643-2755. http://botanicalgarden.berkeley.edu 

FRIDAY, JAN. 13 

City Commons Club Noon Luncheon with Denis Kuby on “Pending Death Changes in California” Luncheon at 11:45 a.m. for $13.50, speech at 12:30 p.m., at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant St. For information and reservations call 526-2925 or 665-9020.  

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

Womansong Circle participatory singing and chants with Betsy Rose and Gael Acock at 7:15 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Berkeley, 2345 Channing Way. Donation $10-$20. 525-7082. 

Berkeley Chess School classes for students in grades 1-8 from 5 to 7 p.m. at 1581 LeRoy Ave., room 17. 843-0150. 

Berkeley Chess Club meets Fridays at 8 p.m. at the East Bay Chess Club, 1940 Virginia St. Players at all levels are welcome. 845-1041. 

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

“Enlightened Vision: Seeing the Qualities of Buddha” a workshop from 7 to 9 p.m., and on Sat. at the Tibetan Nyingma Institute, 1815 Highland Pl. Cost is $95. 843-6812. www.nyingmainstitute.com 

SATURDAY, JAN. 14 

Free Emergency Preparedness Class on Basic Personal Preparedness from 10 a.m. to noon and also 1:30 to 3:30 at the Fireside Room, St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave. To sign up call 981-5605. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/ 

fire/oes.html 

Richmond General Plan Community Meeting on the re-write of the city’s general plan which will affect shoreline, housing, business, neighborhood character and transportation. Richmond residents encouraged to attend at 1 p.m. in the Madeline F. Whittlesey Community Room, Richmond Public Library, 325 Civic Center Plaza. 672-1897. www.richmondgeneralplan.org 

Lead-Safe Work Practices Learn how to remedy lead hazards in older homes, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Oakland. Sponsored by the Alameda County Lead Poisoning Prevention Project. 567-8280. 

Wildcat Creek Watershed Hike Meet at 2 p.m. at the Tilden Nature Area for a 3-mile hike to learn how the creek has been protected for trout and newts. Bring a snack and water. 525-2233. 

Fossil Detectives A hands-on children’s workshop at 11 a.m. at Lawrence Hall of Science, Centennial Drive. Cost is $5.50-$9.50, plus $5 reservation fee. 642-5132. 

Down Home Martin Luther King Potluck Celebration at 6 p.m. at Inserstake Center, Mormon temple, 4780 Lincoln Blvd., Oakland. Bring your favorite dish from “back home” for four. 654-2592. 

Vegetarian Cooking Class from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at he First Unitarian Church of Oakland, 685 14th St. Cost is $45. Registration required. 531-COOK. www.compassionatecooks.com  

“Off Road to Athens” A documentary on the US Pro Mountain Bikers and discussion with Todd Wells at 7 p.m. at Berkeley Community Theater, 1930 Allston Way. For tickets and information call 352-6502. 

“Wal-Mart: The High Cost of a Low Price” the documentary at 9:30 a.m. at the Niebyl-Proctor Library, 6501 Telegraph Ave. Sponsored by Democratic Socialists of America. 415-789-8497. www.dsausa.org 

“Feng Shui for the Writer” from 8:30 a.m. to noon at Pyramid Alehouse, 901 Gilman St. Presented by the SF Chapter of Romance Writers of America. For reservations email dginny1942@cs.com 

By the Light of the Moon Open Mic and Salon for Women at 7:30 p.m. at Changemakers, 6536 Telegraph Ave. Donation $3-$7. To sign up call 482-1315. 

“Jewish Literature: Identity and Imagination” A reading and discussion at 2 p.m. at the Kensington Library, 61 Arlington Ave., Kensington. 524-3043. 

Bipolar In Order Workshop with Tom Wootton, Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Alta Bates Herrick Campus. Registration required. 760-749-5719. www.bipolarinorder.org  

Fasting Made Easy A workshop at 11 a.m. at Elephant Pharmacy, 1607 Shattuck Ave. 549-9200. 

Preschool Storytime for 3-5 year olds at 11 a.m. at the Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave. 526-3720, ext. 17. 

SUNDAY, JAN. 15 

“Safe at Home: Oaklanders Who Changed the Game of Baseball” A tribute to the late George Pawles, McClymonds High School coach at 2 p.m. at Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak Sts. 238-3402. www.museumca.org 

Fireside Storytelling at 2 p.m. at the Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. 525-2233. 

Family Bird Walk Discover the bird life on the trails and at the marsh at 2:30 p.m. at the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge in Fremont. Recommended for children ages 5-10. Reservations required. 792-0222. 

Winter Flowers on the Ridge Explore the fragile ecosystem of Sobrante Ridge. Meet at 10 a.m. at the staging area at the end of Coach Drive, El Sobrante. Appropriate for age 10 and up, hike is 3 miles with some hills. 525-2233. 

Berkeley Gray Panthers MLK Jr. Birthday Celebration to honor local activists who went south to work on civil rights, at 2 p.m. at Redwood Gardens Community Room, 2951 Derby St. 548-9696. 

Berkeley CyberSalon with Jaron Lanier, who coined the word virtual reality and founded VPL Research at 5 p.m. at the Hillside Club, 2286 Cedar St. Donation is $10. www.hillsideclub.org 

Brainstormer Trivia Pub Quiz at 8:30 p.m. at Albatross, 1822 San Pablo Ave. 843-2473. www.albatrosspub.com 

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

Lake Merritt Neighbors Organized for Peace Peace walk around the lake at 3 p.m. at the colonnade at the NE end of the lake. 763-8712.  

Tibetan Buddhism with Sylvia Gretchen on “Transforming the Power of Pain into Well-Being” at 6 p.m. at the Tibetan Nyingma Institute, 1815 Highland Pl. 843-6812. www.nyingmainstitute.com 

MONDAY, JAN. 16 

“A Day On, Not Off” Volunteer at the MLK Shoreline from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Arrowhead Marsh, at Doolittle Drive and Swan Way. Registration encouraged. 562-1373. 

“Make the Dream Real” Martin Luther King Celebration at 10 a.m. at Taylor Memorial Methodist Church, 1188 12th St. at Adeline, Oakland. 652-5530. 

STD Clinic Volunteer Training for Gay/Bi Men for the Gay Men’s Health Clinic at 7:30 p.m. at 2339 Durant Ave. 548-3007, ext. 6307. 

World Affairs Discussion Group for seniors at 10:15 a.m. at the Albany Senior Center. Cost is $2.50. 

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

ONGOING 

United Way’s Earn it! Keep It! Save It! needs volunteer tax preparers and language interpreters to help low-income families in Alameda County claim tax credits. No previous tax preparation experience is necessary. Training sessions run through mid-January. For more information, call 238-2415. www.earnitkeepitsaveit.org 

CITY MEETINGS 

Berkeley Unified School District Board meets Wed. Jan. 11, at 7:30 p.m., in the City Council Chambers. 644-6320. 

Planning Commission meets Wed., Jan. 11, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Janet Homrighausen, 981-7484. www.ci.berkeley. ca.us/commissions/planning 

Police Review Commission meets Wed., Jan. 11, at 7:30 p.m. at the South Berkeley Senior Center. 981-4950. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/policereview 

Housing Advisory Commission Special Meeting Thurs. Jan. 12, at 7:30 p.m. at the South Berkeley Senior Center. Oscar Sung, 981-5410. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/housing 

Zoning Adjustments Board meets Thurs., Jan. 12, at 7 p.m., in City Council Chambers. Mark Rhoades, 981-7410. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/zoning  

West Berkeley Project Area Commission Public Meeting on the Aquatic Park Streetscape Connection Project, Thurs., Jan. 12, at 7 p.m. at the West Berkeley Senior Center. 981-7402.