Events Listings

"3RD ANNUAL MARTINEZ BEAVER FESTIVAL," -- Aug. 7. Come celebrate the relationship between beavers, the community and watershed. There will be music, environmental displays, tours, children's activities and more. Event takes place at "Beaver Park,'' 495 Alhambra Ave., Martinez. 

Free.11 a.m.-4 p.m.www.martinezbeavers.org.< 

AQUATIC PARK  

"Japanese Peace Lantern Ceremony," Aug. 7, 6:30-9 p.m. Participants are encouraged to remember the atomic bombings of World War II with this traditional ceremony that expresses hope for world peace. (510) 595-4626, www.progressiveportal.org/lanterns. 

Ashby St. and University Ave., Berkeley. < 

ASHKENAZ  

"I Like My Bike Night," First Friday of the month, 9 p.m. 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," The first Sunday of every month at 3 p.m. 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.< 

BAY AREA FREE BOOK EXCHANGE  

"Free Books," Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. 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," Friday-Saturday, 7:30 p.m. 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.< 

CIVIC PARK, WALNUT CREEK  

"Summer Contra Costa Crystal Fair," Aug. 14 and Aug. 15, Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. An array of crystals, minerals, beads, gems, jewelry and metaphysical healing tools will be on display at this summer's festival. $6. www.crystalfair.com. 

1375 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek. < 

CRANEWAY PAVILION  

"Global Sol," Aug. 6 and Aug. 7, 7 p.m. A two day cultural festival featuring music from acts such as Arrested Development, DJs, dance performances, immersive light presentations, art installations and a global bazaar vending village with organic food. $35-$130.  

1414 Harbour Way South, Richmond. (510) 735-1133, www.craneway.com.< 

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.< 

EAST BAY SPCA  

"Fanciful Bunny," Aug. 7, Adoptions, 11 a.m.; art reception, 4-5 p.m. Buy a work of art and adopt a bunny.  

Wednesday-Thursday, 1 p.m.-8 p.m.; Friday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. 4651 Gleason Drive, Dublin. < 

ECOLOGY CENTER  

"Sustainable Reconstruction of Haiti Benefit," Aug. 6, 7-9 p.m. Berkeley architect Martin Hammer shows slides and discusses his recent experiences advocating for and helping to implement the sustainable reconstruction of Haiti. $5-$50 at the door.  

2530 San Pablo Ave., Berkeley. (510) 548-2220.< 

FRANK OGAWA PLAZA  

"Oakland Artisan Marketplace," Fridays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 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,"' Saturdays, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sundays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 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. < 

LA PENA CULTURAL CENTER  

"Domingos de Rumba," Aug. 1 and Aug. 15, 3:30 p.m. Community participatory event features drums, dancing and the songs of rumba.  

Bill Santiago, Aug. 6, 8 p.m. Alicia Dattner costars in this comedy workshop/performance. $10-$12.  

free. 3105 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley. (510) 849-2568, www.lapena.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.< 

MARTINEZ REGIONAL SHORELINE  

"Scene On The Straight 2010," Aug. 14, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. A unique festival that combines fine art with helping young people and saving the environment. Visitors will be able to watch as artists set up along the waterfront and paint the landscapes. Art auctions will be held, fine food will be available and a jazz trio will provide live music. Free. (510) 787-9772, www.sceneonthestraight.org. 

Daily, 5 a.m.-10 p.m. unless otherwise posted or permitted. North end of Ferry Street, Martinez. (510) 562-PARK.< 

ORACLE ARENA  

"Ultimate Fighting Championship," Aug. 7, 4 p.m. Spectators can watch Silva vs. Sonnen, for the World Middleweight Championship, plus additional bouts. $50-$400. (800) 745-3000, www.ticketmaster.com. 

"Ringling Bros. And Barnum & Bailey Present Barnum's Funundrum," Aug. 11 through Aug. 15, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m., 3 p.m., 7 p.m.; Sunday, 1 p.m., 5 p.m. Watch more than 150 performers from six continents around the world as they take part in a spectacle celebrating the 200th anniversary of the birth of the legendary showman P.T. Barnum. $15-$105. (800) 745-3000, www.ringling.com. 

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

RODA THEATRE  

"San Francisco Jewish Film Festival," through Aug. 7. For complete lineup, list of discussion programs, guests and more, see website. (415) 256-8499, www.sfjff.org. 

Berkeley Repertory Theatre, 2015 Addison St., Berkeley. www.berkeleyrep.org.< 

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," First Thursday of the month, 12:10-12:50 p.m. 

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. 

SPECIAL EVENTS  

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

"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. 

"Flashlight Tour," 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. 

"Living Ship: 65th Anniversary of the end of World War II," Aug. 14. Commemorate the end of the second world war and learn about the USS Hornet's contribution's to the Pacific Theater and VJ day. 

$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.<