Events Listings

TUESDAY, APRIL 4 

“Rafting the Colorado” A photo journey with Steve Miller at 7 p.m. at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. Free. 527-4140. 

“American Theocracy: Oil, Preachers, and Borrowed Money: America’s Coming Catastrophe” with author Kevin Phillips at 7:30 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 2345 Channing Way.  

NCRA Recycling Update The Northern California Recycling Association’s eleventh annual Recycling Update with experts on what is happening and what works in the world of resource recovery. From 8:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the California State Office Bldg.,1515 Clay St., Oakland. Cost is $80, includes lunch and refreshments. 217-2433. www.ncrarecycles.org 

Discussion Salon on “Taxes and Investing” at 7 p.m. at the BRJCC, 1414 Walnut St. at Rose. Please bring snacks to share, no peanuts please. 

Stress Less Seminar at 6:30 p.m. at New Moon Opportunities, 378 Jayne Ave., Oakland Free, but registration required. 465-2524. 

Free Guitar and Music Lessons for Teachers Beginners at 7 p.m. and Intermediate at 8 p.m. at Marin Elementary School, 1001 Santa Fe Ave., Albany. Sponsored by Guitars in the Classroom. 848-9463. 

Family Story Time at 7 p.m. at the Kensington Branch Library, 61 Arlington Ave., Kensington. Free, all ages welcome. 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. 

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

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

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5 

Berkeley Path Wanderers Association walk to explore the churches of North Berkeley. Meet at 10 a.m. at the large redwood in front of Live Oak Park Theater, 1301 Shattuck at Berryman. Bring water and a snack. 524-2383. www.berkeleypaths.org 

$390 Million Bond Measure for Peralta Community College District with Tom Smith, Chief Financial Officer for the Peralta Community College at 12:30 p.m. at the Albany Library, 1247 Marin Ave. Sponsored by the League of Women Voters. http://lwvbae.org 

Great Decisions Foreign Policy Association Lecture with Darren Zook on “China and India” at 10 a.m. at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave. Cost is $40 for the eight lecture series. 526-2925. 

Chiapas Support Committee Report from Zapatista Territory at 7:30 p.m. at La Peña Cultural Center. Cost is $5-$15 sliding scale. 849-2568.  

“What I Have Learned About U.S. Foreign Policy: War Against the Third World” A compilation of documentaries about CIA covert operations at 7:30 p.m. at Humanist Hall, 390 27th St., Oakland. Donation of $5 accepted. 

“Who Wants to Be a Mathematician?” A competition for the smartest Bay Area math students, semi-finals at 11 a.m. finals at noon atSimons Auditorium in Chern Hall at MSRI in Berkeley. www.msri.org 

American Red Cross Blood Drive from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Publisher’s Group West, 1700 Fourth St. To schedule an appointment call 1-800-GIVELIFE. www.BeADonor.com 

“The Spanish Civil War—the First Battle in the War of Globalization” with Richard Bermack at 7 p.m. at Berkeley Richmond Jewish Community Center, 1414 Walnut St. 848-0237. www.brjcc.org 

Bookmark Nonfiction Group meets to discuss George Lakoff’s “Don’t Think of an Elephant” at 6:30 p.m. at Bookmark Bookstore, 721 Washington St., Oakland. 444-0473. 

“Awaken Your Strongest Self” with Neil Fiore, psychologist and hypnotist at 5 p.m. at Pharmaca, 1744 Solano Ave. 527-8929. 

Breema Open House at 6 p.m. at 6201 Florio St., Oakland. 428-1234. www.breema.com 

The Berkeley Lawn Bowling Club provides free instruction every Wed. and Sat. at 10:30 a.m. at 2270 Acton St. 841-2174.  

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 

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. at the Berkeley BART Station, corner of Shattuck and Center. www.geocities. 

com/vigil4peace/vigil 

THURSDAY, APRIL 6 

Teach-In and Vigil on U.S. Torture Policy, every Thurs. from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. outside the classroom of Prof. John Yoo, Boalt Hall, UC Campus. Weekly speakers. Sponsored by the Buddhist Peace Fellowship and other organizations. www.bpf.org 

“Sir, No Sir!” A preview screening benefit for Iraq Veterans Against the War, at 7 p.m. at Grand Lake Theater, 3200 Grand Lake Ave. Tickets are $8-$10. 415-255-7296, ext. 244. 

“Building with Nature” with Leslie Freudenheim at 7:30 p.m. at Builders Booksource, 1817 Fourth St. 845-6874. 

Historical & Current Times Book Group meets on Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Albany Library, 1249 Marin Ave. 548-4517. 

“Model Citizen Canine” A lecture on teaching your dog good behavior at 7:30 p.m. at Borders Books in Emeryville. 644-0729. www.openpaw.org 

Natural Solutions for Digestion at 1 p.m. at Elephant Pharmacy, 1607 Shattuck Ave. 549-9200. 

Healthy Eating Habits Seminar at 6:30 p.m. at New Moon Opportunities, 378 Jayne St. Free, but registration required. 465-2524. 

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, APRIL 7 

City Commons Club Noon Luncheon with Bernice Linnard & Dennis Kuby on “Why Shakespeare Matters” Luncheon at 11:45 a.m. for $13.50, speech at 12:30 p.m., at the Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant St. 526-2925. 

Inspiration Point Walk Meet at 4 p.m. in the Inspiration Point parking lot for this walk with stunning views. Walk at your own pace. Rain cancels. Sponsored by Solo Sierrans. 925-376-4529. 

Poison Safety Day at 11 a.m. at Habitot Children’s Museum, 2065 Kittredge St. 647-1111. www.habitot.org  

“To Bethlehem and Beyond” A report-back with Jim Haber at 7:30 p.m. at St. Joseph the Worker Church, 2125 Jefferson St. 482-1062. 

Fundraiser for Sacred Ride to Albuquerque to promote green energy in the Native community at 7 p.m. at Fellowship Hall, Cedar and Bonita. Cost is $10. zacharyrunningwolf@yahoo.com 

American Red Cross Blood Drive from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at MLK Student Union, 5th Floor, UC Campus. To schedule an appointment call 1-800-GIVELIFE. www.BeADonor.com 

Berkeley Chess School classes for students in grades 1-8 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. A drop-in, rated scholastic tournament follows from 7 to 8 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. 

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 

SATURDAY, APRIL 8 

Yard Sale and Bake Sale to benefit the animals of the Berkeley Animal Shelter from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 1257 Hopkins St. http://share4shelter.org/ 

Berkeley Path Wanderers Association walk to explore the paths and gardens of the Claremont district. Meet at 10 a.m. at the historic plaque at the northeast corner of Claremont Ave. and The Uplands. Bring water and a snack. 524-2383. www.berkeleypaths.org 

Mini-Farmers in Tilden A farm exploration program, from 10 to 11 a.m. for ages 4-6 years, accompanied by an adult. We will explore the Little Farm, care for animals, do crafts and farm chores. Wear boots and dress to get dirty! Fee is $6-$8. Registration required. 636-1684. 

Toddler Nature Walk to look for different animal habitats at 2 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. Especially for 2-3 year olds and their grown-ups. 525-2233. 

“Alternative Materials Cob and Strawbale” an introduction to two natural building materials from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Building Education Center, 812 Page St. Cost is $75. 525-7610. www.bldgeductr.org/seminars 

“Two Seas, Two Feet” with Andrew Skurka who walked the entire 7,778-mile transcontinental Sea-to-Sea Route, at noon at REI, 1338 San Pablo Ave. Free. 527-4140. 

“Dilemmas of Getting Old: How Can We Cope?” A presentation by Nina Falk at 10:30 a.m. at Berkeley co-Housing Community Room, 2220 Sacramento St. Presented by OWL, Older Women’s League. 528-3739. 

Organic Vegetable Gardening Learn how to grow your own food from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the UC Village Community Garden in Albany. Cost is $10-$15. Registration required. 548-2220, ext. 233. 

Berkeley History Center Walking Tour: “Downtown! Culture and Character Before World War II” led by Steve Finacom, from 10 a.m. to noon. Cost is $8-$10. 848-0181. www.cityofberkeley.info/histsoc 

Bird Walk on Mt. Wanda led by Park Ranger Cheryl Abel. Meet at 8:30 a.m. at the Park and Ride lot at the corner of Alhambra Ave. and Franklin Canyon Rd., Martinez. Wear sturdy shoes and bring water and binoculars. Rain cancels. 925-228-8860. 

Beyond Good Intentions Equipping the Ministries of LGBT Allies from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Episcopal seminary in Berkeley, Church Divinity School of the Pacific, 2451 Ridge Rd. Free, but registration required. 204-0720. allytraining@gmail.com  

“Menopause: A Naturaopathic Perspective” at 4 p.m. at Pharmaca, 1744 Solano Ave. 527-8929. 

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

Fasting Made Easy at 4 p.m. at Elephant Pharmacy, 1607 Shattuck Ave. 549-9200. 

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. 

Jewish Literature Discussion Group on “The Centaur in the Garden” by Moacyr Scliar at 2 p.m. at The Kensington Library, 61 Arlington Ave., Kensington. 524-3043. 

SUNDAY, APRIL 9 

Garden Glory A walk through the native plant butterfly garden and a chance to lend a hand pulling weeds, from 1 to 3 p.m. at Tilden Nature Center, Tilden Park. 525-2233. 

“Green Sunday” on the The Criminalization of Our Culture with Mike Wyman, Green Party Candidate for Attorney General, at 5 p.m. at Niebyl-Proctor Library, 6501 Telegraph Ave. at 65th in North Oakland. 841-8678. 

Steps for Peace: Peace Festival & Walk Around Lake Merritt Peace Social at 1 p.m., Peace Awqards at 2 p.m., and Peace WAlk at 3 p.m. at Lake Merritt United Methodist Church, 1330 Lakeshore Ave., Oakland. 336-3676. pearising@sbcglobal.net 

California Horticultural Society’s Plant Sale, featuring thousands of unusual and rare plants and free lectures by gardening experts, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Lakeside Garden Center, 666 Bellevue Ave., off Grand Ave., Oakland. www.calhortsociety.org  

Red Oak Victory Ship Pancake Breakfast from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Berth #6, 1337 Canal Blvd., Richmond. Cost is $6, children under 5 free. 237-2933. 

National Women’s Political Caucus Susan B. Anthony Award will be presented to the California Nurses Association at 4 p.m. at the Montclair Women’s Cultural Arts Club, 1650 Mountain Blvd., Oakland. 549-2839. 

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 every Sun. Meet at 3 p.m. at the colonnade at the NE end of the lake. 763-8712. lmno4p.org 

Beat the Cycle of Stress at 1 p.m. at Elephant Pharmacy, 1607 Shattuck Ave. 549-9200. 

“Feminism and Religious Dialogue” with Jewish scholoar Susannah Heschel at 11 a.m., brunch at 10:30 a.m. at Congregation Beth El, 1301 Oxford St. Cost is $5. RSVP to 848-0237, ext. 132. 

Tibetan Buddhism with Bob Russo on “Prayer Wheels for the West” at 6 p.m. at the Tibetan Nyingma Institute, 1815 Highland Pl. 843-6812. www.nyingmainstitute.com 

MONDAY, APRIL 10 

Earthquake Day Make a house that keeps standing when the earth moves, from noon to 2 p.m. at Lawrence Hall of Science, Centennial Drive. Cost is $7.50-$9.50. 642-5132. 

“Punishment and Redemption: The Death Penalty in America” with Judith Kay and Elisabeth Semel at 4:30 p.m. in the Richard S. Dinner Boardroom, 2400 Ridge Rd. Free and open to the public, but RSVP appreciated. 649-2420. 

“Perspectives on Berkeley: Past and Present” Chuck Wollenberg’s Berkeley history class at 7 p.m. at the Berkeley Public Library, 2090 Kittredge St. Meets Mon. evenings through May 22. Free. 981-6150. 

Freedom From Tobacco A new series of free quit smoking classes, with the option of free hypnosis begins at 5:30 p.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center, and runs through May 15th. To sign up call 981-5330. 

“End of Life Medical Issues” with Dr. McGillis at 10:30 a.m. at the North Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst Ave. 981-5190. 

Berkeley CopWatch organizational meeting at 8 p.m. at 2022 Blake St. Join us to work on current issues around police misconduct. Volunteers needed. For information call 548-0425. 

ONGOING 

Free Tax Help—United Way’s Earn it! Keep It! Save It! program provides free filing assistance to households that earned less than $38,000 in 2005. To find a free tax site near you, call 800-358-8832.  

Albany Library Free Drop-in Homework Help for students in third through fifth grades, Mon. - Thurs. from 3 to 5:30 p.m. Emphasis is placed on math and writing skills. No registration is required. 526-3720, ext. 17. 

Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour is seeking volunteers who will spend a morning or afternoon greeting tour participants and answering questions at the free native plant garden tour, featuring sixty-four gardens located throughout Alameda and Contra Costa counties on Sunday, May 7, 2006. Volunteers can select the garden they would like to spend time at by visiting the “Preview the 2006 Gardens” section at www.BringingBackTheNatives.net 

Public Art Opportunities Request for Entries The City of Berkeley is looking for artists for the 2006 Civic Center Art Competition and Exhibition. Entries are due April 18. For details contact the Civic Arts Program, 981-7533. 

Find a Loving Animal Companion at the Berkeley-East Bay Humane Society Adoption Center (open from 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday). 2700 Ninth St. 845-7735. www.berkeleyhumane.org  

Medical Care for Your Pet at the Berkeley East Bay Humane Society low-cost veterinary clinic. 2700 Ninth St. For appointments call 845-3633. www.berkeleyhumane.org 

CITY MEETINGS 

Commission on the Status of Women meets Wed., April 5, at 7:30 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Tasha Tervelon, 981-5190. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/women 

School Board meets Wed. April 5 at 7:30 p.m., in the City Council Chambers. Queen Graham 644-6147 or Mark Coplan 644-6320. 

Planning Commission meets Wed., April 5, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Janet Homrighausen, 981-7484. www.ci.berkeley. ca.us/commissions/planning 

Housing Advisory Commission meets Thurs., April 6, at 7:30 p.m., at the South Berkeley Senior Center. Oscar Sung, 981-5400. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/housing 

Landmarks Preservation Commission meets Thurs. April 6, at 7:30 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Gisele Sorensen, 981-7419. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/landmarks 

Public Works Commission meets Thurs., April 6, at 7 p.m., at the North Berkeley Senior Center. Jeff Egeberg, 981-6406. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/publicworks 

Zoning Adjustments Board meets Thurs., April 6, at 7 p.m., in City Council Chambers. Mark Rhoades, 981-7410. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/zoning   

Council Agenda Committee meets Mon. April 10, at 2:30 p.m., at 2180 Milvia St. 981-6900. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/ 

citycouncil/agenda-committee 

Youth Commission meets Mon., April 10, at 6:30 p.m., at 1730 Oregon St. Philip Harper-Cotton, 981-6670. www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/youth