The Alameda County Coroner’s office has confirmed rumors that a young man fell to his death from the KPFA antenna tower at 4 a.m. on the morning of Thanksgiving day. The office identified him as Steven Tassel, 25, of Antioch.  

KPFA Chief Engineer Michael Yoshida told the Planet that the victim’s body was discovered by Steve Hawes from the station’s technical staff on Thursday morning. Tassel had fallen from the 300 foot antenna tower located on Grizzly Peak in the Oakland hills though the roof of the repair shop in the transmitter building below.  

Yoshida said that the coroner’s office personnel on the scene estimated that Tassel fell about 200 feet. Based on a text message the victim sent from a cell phone, time of death was estimated to be about 4:30 a.m.  

There has been speculation that some kind of sabotage effort might have been involved, but this has not been confirmed. Yoshida said that he thought that deliberate sabotage was unlikely to have been the reason the victim climbed the tower, because he had no tools or climbing equipment with him.  

KPFA has been on the air as usual since the accident since it did not affect the station’s transmission equipment. Pacifica executive director Arlene Engelhardt and KPFA’s acting general manager Ahmad Anderson could not be reached for comment. Oakland police officials had a mandatory day off today. so they also had no comment.

Hundreds of homeless people will be given free meals this Thanksgiving in a second annual dinner hosted by a 13-year-old boy who was inspired to help the needy after receiving a liver transplant. 

Michael "Mikey" Carraway, Jr. became very ill at age 11, in 2008, and was told he needed a liver transplant. 

After receiving a liver from a 15-year-old donor, Malik Grayson, who was a Berkeley shooting victim, Mikey thought helping others was a good way to pay forward this act of kindness. 

"He felt like this was a group that was really in need and it was a way that he could make a difference," said Kathy Clark, a coordinator for the California Transplant Donor Network, an organization working with Mikey. 

Clark received a liver transplant in 2005 and was touched when Mikey wanted to get involved with the organization. 

"This 13-year-old is having just a huge impact on the community," she said. "His mom asked him, 'What do you feel like doing for Christmas?' He said he wanted to help the homeless." 

The event, called Mikey's Meals, will be held Thursday at Fitzgerald Park near 34th and Peralta streets from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Almost 300 of Berkeley's homeless are expected to attend. 

Mikey's Meals receives support from Oakland Firefighters Random Acts, Alliance Recycling, McClymonds High School Basketball Team, and Oasis Pamper Bar. 

Friday, November 19, at the tail end of a week of protests against the University of California Regents and fee increases, a small group of demonstrators marched through the UC Berkeley campus.  

It was not a large or boisterous protest, but it was a microcosm of many of the issues and themes of the current controversies over student fee increases and UC budget cuts and reorganization. I followed along for part of my lunch hour to observe the demonstration.  

Protests like this are quite ephemeral. Not long after they conclude, people, posters, police are gone.  

Most people working on the Berkeley campus, including myself, are used to the brief appearance of television trucks near Sproul Hall and both lunch hour and end-of-the-day noisy helicopter flyovers of the campus.  

The bigger TV stations employ this predictable pattern of action to get a “live” photogenic moment, “Protest at Berkeley!” that will give them a few lively seconds of film for broadcast on the local news at noon or five p.m. 

Major media entities, however, pay little or no attention to details of demonstrations of this type, unless there’s a huge crowd or a dramatic altercation occurs and can be filmed or photographed. (The Daily Cal is a welcome exception when campus protests are involved. This year the paper has done a fairly good job of live blogging and recapping protest events.) 

From a perspective of recording UC and community history, though, it’s of interest and value to observe and document these smaller events both as unique occasions and as part of the evolving pattern of protest that has occurred at the Berkeley campus for half a century. 

On Friday, the protestors gathered at the north end of Sproul Plaza near Sather Gate. Banners briefly blocked the two side portals and part of the main arch, and slogans were chalked and written onto the Gate pillars and the pavement. 

Flyers were also taped to the Gate, as they would be to walls, light poles, and doorways throughout the march. 

How many people participated? Other press accounts I later read said 40 to 80. When the group was in front of California Hall, I counted a little over 60 individuals who appeared to be direct participants in the group in front of the building. When the marchers gathered later on the steps of Sproul Hall I counted more than 50.  

There were a couple of dozen spectators and other watchers, including police.  

Most of the protestors simply marched and chanted. Several were actively writing slogans on walls and pavement, but this seemed a shifting, individual pattern, not a highly organized activity. A person would fall behind the march or run in front of it, or perhaps stand behind a loose screen of other demonstrators, quickly writing a slogan. 

Some pulled scarves across their faces when they did the slogan writing, while others went about it quite openly. 

A light drizzle began falling during the march and was steady, although not heavy, by the end. 

The written slogans and flyers posted along the march focused mainly on the issues and incidents of the fee protests earlier in the week. One reproduced several paragraphs of a critical commentary by a UC Santa Cruz professor on the context of fee increases and student financial aid. 

Another one, frequently posted along the route, showed a photograph of the UC police officer who briefly drew his gun at one of the Regents’ meeting protests on Wednesday. The satirical caption read, “Pay Your Fees or I’ll Shoot You!”  

A third had a cartoon of UC President Mark Yudof carrying a bag of money, and this text: “Education for those who can afford it! Debt, Poverty & Degradation for Everyone Else. Be realistic; obey authority; the future will be what I say it is.”  

From Sather Gate the group went to Wheeler Hall, followed at a distance by a police contingent, as was the case throughout the march. Protestors and police went inside Wheeler and there was considerable writing and posting on the walls of the lobby. 

The march continued down the west side corridor of the building, along the north corridor, and out the northeast entrance. 

Several police watched inside the lobby and followed the group, even mingling with the march, but did not interfere with protestors as they wrote on walls and glass. At one point I was standing behind three officers while a man stood perhaps a dozen feet in front of them, writing on the face of a display cabinet. 

The doors of several rooms with classes in them were written on, but there didn’t appear to be any disruption of classes, other than the brief noise of chanting and bullhorns as the group walked through the building.

 

After the march left Wheeler Hall, it moved to the “sign wall” in front of Dwinelle Hall where a photomontage is displayed on a temporary wooden structure. This is part of the current campus fundraising campaign entitled “Thanks to Berkeley”. 

Earlier in the week the sign wall had been defaced with a large, red, slogan “Your Apathy = Your Fees”. Since then both the slogan and many of the damaged pictures had been removed leaving gaps and tears in the display. 

There was writing and posting on the sign wall on Friday as well, including alterations to the “Thanks to Berkeley” slogan. It was changed to read, “Thanks To Berkeley…I’ll be in debt forever”. 

Anger at the University Police ran through many of the written slogans. “Fuck the UCPC-Cowards!”, “UCPD – Get Off Our Campus”, “Arrest Us for Chalking”, “Who Is the UCPD Protecting?” “Don’t Cite / Shoot Me For Flyerin, Bro!”, “Stop UCPD Oppression,”, “UCPD Shame on You”, “Arrest the Regents”, “Serve and Protect Capital”, “Disband UCPD,”, “Squash Students’ Dreams! Join UCPD Today!”, “UCPD, Get That Gun Out of My Face”, “Stop Police Repression of the Student Movement”, and “End Police Brutality.” 

A selection of the other slogans written on pavement, walls, and doors: 

“Don’t push me out of Cal”, “Our University”, “Destroy The Regents”, “Fight The Power – Fire The Regents”, “Bow Before the Regents, All Ye Peasants”, “Fire The Administration”, “Fire Yudof”, “We Demand Yudof’s Resignation”, “No 8 %” (fee increase). 

“Reverse the Fees”, “Education, Not Militarization”, “Protect Free Speech”, “Student Power”, “Worker Power”, “UC for Education, Not Profit”, “Students Have A Right to Rebel”, “Fight Back”, “Fight the Fees”, “No Fees”, “UC Betrays Savio”, “Don’t Be Afraid”, “No More Fee Hikes”, “New Fees – Same Fight”, “Cut the Police – Chop from the Top”, “Hands Off My Education”, and a Smily face with a sad frown and “UC” below the eyes. 

“For Sale” was chalked on Sather Gate, and perhaps the timeliest slogan, since it was Big Game Week, was “Beat Stanford, Don’t Become Stanford.” 

From the sign wall the march went north to the main east entrance of California Hall. The doors there were locked, as they usually are during protests, and the mass of marchers briefly formed a barrier across the middle front of the building. 

At least three individuals climbed through the hedges and up onto window ledges and wrote slogans on windows. Others attached flyers to the doors.

 

Again, police watched from the east side of the roadway next to California Hall but did not interfere during the period I was watching, confining themselves to videotaping the gathering. A number of other people taking photographs also stood in a loose half circle above the demonstration. 



From California Hall the march went to the main north entrance of Doe Library. There, the police may have blocked access, or the group may have chosen not to go inside. I was not at a point where I could see, but a group of police went quickly past me and through the crowd, one of them telling the others that they had been told by radio to go inside. 



Most of the protestors stood in front of the entrance. Slogans were written on the glass doors of the entrance, and two people climbed on windowsills and wrote slogans on the windows of the Morrison Library, which is at ground level on this façade.

 

From Doe the protest retraced its route past California Hall to Sather Gate and turned east, then south, to enter Sproul Hall through the north entrance. 

Here was the first and only sign of direct confrontation I saw on the march. A couple of protestors carrying a large, rigid, banner at waist height looked like they were trying position it crosswise inside the vestibule, blocking the north doors. Several police went into the building and there was a brief scuffle inside, which I couldn’t see clearly. 

Two officers then opened the doors and dragged the sign out and threw it down the steps. It wasn’t confiscated, however, and some of the demonstrators quickly picked it up again. 



The protestors then emerged from the main entrance of Sproul Hall onto the Savio Steps where they remained during the remainder of the lunch hour, chanting and calling to those passing by to join them. They stood below a banner mounted to the façade advertising the Big Game Bonfire Rally that night. 

There was a steady flow of pedestrians through the Plaza but few, if any, went to join the demonstration, although many stopped to take pictures.

 I saw perhaps half a dozen young people—looking like high school age visitors to the campus—run up to briefly join the demonstrators in chanting, then walk down the steps a few minutes later. 
 






The Daily Californian live blog reported on parts of the demonstration I didn’t watch after the lunch hour was ended. The protest march apparently went, after Sproul Plaza, through the classroom floor of Barrows Hall then down Telegraph Avenue to the Unit III residence halls. The numbers of marchers decreased along the way. 


I did see two groups of police were stationed near Bancroft and Telegraph and small contingents, three at a time, went down Telegraph and Durant, but the police eventually disappeared along with the demonstration.

 

Barrow Lane, however, behind Sproul Hall was packed with police vehicles through the morning and midday. There were not only the regular patrol and unmarked cars of the UC Berkeley police, but a shuttle van from UCSF, two other unmarked vans, and several other unmarked vehicles with the subtle hallmarks of law enforcement transport, but no agency markings visible.  



Among the officers following the protest I saw both UC Police badges and Alameda Sheriff’s badges. At one point at least twenty officers were visible, but through most of the protest they were scattered, some following the march, some inside buildings along the march route, and others apparently waiting at other locations. 

The lobby of Sproul Hall, north façade of Doe, the A & E Building entrance, the west half of the main floor corridors of Barrows Hall, the east façade of California Hall, much of the lobby and main floor corridors of Wheeler Hall had all been the target of written slogans and posted flyers. 
 

Without having made an exact count, I would estimate there were from 70 to 100 separate pieces of protest writing on interior building walls, doors, and other structures such as Sather Gate and the sign wall, in addition to slogans chalked on the ground. 

Scores of flyers taped to walls and doors. 

 Some of the slogans were written in ordinary colored chalk. Plastic stick dispensers of what appeared to be a form of liquid chalk were also used. I looked at one after it was discarded, empty, by a protester; it was labeled “Window Marker” by Loew Cornell. 



In most cases the slogans were written on glass or painted walls, although several were also written on stone exterior walls. 

UC Physical Plant vans and trucks were in evidence around the affected buildings and most of the posted flyers and signs quickly disappeared. 

After the workday ended, as dusk fell, I walked through the campus again. Most of the written slogans still appeared on interior walls, although those written outdoors were melting away in the rain, slowly dripping and fading away. Most of the hand-posted flyers were gone. 

Physical Plant workers were at Sather Gate with a high-pressure hose, methodically washing the chalked slogans off the pillars. The damaged sign wall had already been covered in black plastic.  

The lobby of Wheeler Hall, a centerpiece of protest actions both this year and last, was almost empty. To the strains of classical music from a boom box, two students practiced ballroom dancing across the lobby floor, past the display cases and walls that still displayed the protest slogans.

Re-building a progressive coalition in Berkeley, and enjoying a sense of accomplishment after beating back an election attack orchestrated by Berkeley Mayor Tom Bates, seemed the informal themes of a post-election victory party organized by Councilmembers Kriss Worthington and Jesse Arreguin on Monday, November 15, 2010. 

By my count, nearly 150 people showed up to the early evening gathering in the patio of the Bateau Ivre restaurant on Telegraph Avenue. Scores stood outdoors in the Daylight Savings darkness and unseasonably warm weather to congratulate the winners, while volunteers passed out donation envelopes . 

Near the beginning of the event Worthington introduced a previously unannounced guest, Oakland Mayor-elect Jean Quan. She was met with cheers. 

“I had to come today because Kriss Worthingon has been one of those people you can count on as always being there”, Quan told the crowd.  

“Oakland and Berkeley’s fates are often tied. It’s important to have good leadership in both cities”, she added. “I had to come and give Kriss a big hug for his big victory and look forward to working with him even more.” 

Quan added that while “we figured Don Peralta spent over two million dollars” running against her for Mayor of Oakland—five times what she estimated was spent on her campaign—“if you organize people, if you knock on doors, you can get it done.” 

“During this campaign people certainly saw the insider elites are trying to wipe out progressive activists on the Council”, Worthington said. “I told them ‘no’, they’re trying to knock out two of three”, as he introduced Councilmember Max Anderson to applause. 

“Meg Whitman and her billions were not going to buy the (Governor’s) election, and George (Beier) was not going to buy the seat Kriss Worthington holds”, Anderson said. 

He made a historical analogy to King Henry II of England who, tradition has it, encouraged his cronies to remove Archbishop Thomas Becket by asking, “Will no one rid me of this turbulent priest?”  

In Berkeley, Anderson said, to laughter, Mayor Bates had essentially asked, “will nobody rid me of these troublesome Council people? They set out to deprive the City of important, principled, leadership and they failed miserably.” 

“There was a time when I worried about being very lonely on the Council but I don’t have that fear any more”, Anderson concluded. He called for “a new era of progressive policy development in this city, and I’m proud to say I will stand shoulder to shoulder in that” with Worthington and Arreguin. 

“I’m so delighted to be able to serve for four more years on the Council with Kriss and Max (Anderson)”, Arreguin said. “I’m overwhelmed by the results.” 

“We stood up to these powerful interests.” “I’m very optimistic that in the next four years we’ll begin to see Berkeley moving again in a progressive direction.”

Arreguin thanked his supporters, campaign workers and, in particular, his parents, while Worthington thanked his workers and partner, “the number one most important person in my life.” 

Worthington said that many people had asked him about how he felt about Mayor Tom Bates, who had unsuccessfully endorsed two candidates running against him, and one running against Arreguin. 

The voters, Worthington said, told the City leadership “we want the City of Berkeley to act progressive.” “This is not a time for punishment.” But “If we do not get progressive politics in the next two years, we we’ll be calling on all of you to come out again.” 

He said the District 4 and 7 election results were a message to “pressure existing politicians to act progressively, and I’ll be pushing them in that direction.” 

“We’re in it for the long haul. In Berkeley the only progressives who had a serious challenge won by overwhelming percentages” over their second place challengers, he said. 

Superior Court Judge-elect Vicki Kolakowski was also introduced. “I appreciate all the help that everyone gave me,” she said. “The joint campaign of Jesse and Kriss was the heart of my campaign in Berkeley.” “Here in Berkeley we led Alameda County. Alameda County led the state of California, rejecting politics of negativity.” 

Kolakowski won with just under 51% of the votes in an election that made her the first transgendered person elected to a judgeship in the United States. 

In the Berkeley results, the latest totals on the Alameda County Registrar of Voters website (as of Friday, November 19), showed Worthington had 2,077 first place votes (just under 50%). George Beier had 1,434 first place votes (34.33%), while third place finisher Ces Rosales polled 630 first place votes, under 16%. There were 36 write-ins. 

When the second-place votes of the write-in voters had been tabulated and distributed to the front-runners, Worthington edged up to 2,086 votes, giving him 50.06 percent and an outright majority to retain his District 7 Council seat, without needing any further distribution of second place votes. 

In District 4, representing Downtown and adjacent neighbors, Arreguin won in the first round with 2,544 first place votes or 53.48 percent, as of Friday, November 19. 

Second place went to his principal challenger, architect Jim Novosel, who received 1,496 first place votes or 31.44 percent.  

In Oakland, Quan ran second place in the first vote tally but, after several rounds of counting, received a flood of transfer votes—nearly 19,000—when third place candidate Rebecca Kaplan was dropped after several rounds of vote counting. The transfer put Quan in the lead and the majority with 50.96 % of the votes, to 49% for Don Perata, who received only about 6,400 transfer votes from Kaplan.

One of new Mayor-elect Jean Quan's first official acts last weekend was to welcome an enthusiastic crowd of visitors to Chabot Space and Science Center. The Center, long an Oakland treasure, outdid itself Saturday with the opening of a new exhibit, Bill Nye's Climate Lab. This is not just an exhibit, it is an experience. It is designed for people to participate, and the visitors did so with enthusiasm. A long time Chabot volunteer, I have seen the introduction of a number of new exhibits but I think this one is unique in concept and scope. 

The exhibit as described on their website “explores the effects of climate change on the Earth's interconnected systems; use of the sun, wind, land and water to generate clean energy; and innovative technology and design that will yield long term benefits for human health and the planet.” 

Unlike so many discussions of climate change, it does not try to assign blame or forecast doom and destruction, but rather it focuses on the positive, engaging the viewers to participate in finding solutions. Furthermore, they can continue the process at home, becoming a “climate scout” and going on line to consider more climate issues. Each person entering the exhibit is given their own “Climate Scout I.D.” card which they can register on line and accumulate points as they solve more problems and find solutions. 

As any good exhibit is expected to be, it is educational. But more than that, it's great fun! Ostensibly designed for kids around middle school age, everybody gets involved. Everybody, little kids, parents and grandparents, gets their Climate Scout I.D. It is a delight to watch parents and children helping each other to turn cranks or push buttons or levers to capture solar power or create wind energy or wave energy which lights up a lamp or runs a motor. There are colorful graphic exhibits that get adults and even little kids talking about recycling, waste, water and energy use, or figuring out how to design green buildings. Complementing the exhibits were a series of labs set up in the class rooms with interactive demonstrations and activities happening all day Saturday and Sunday. 

Besides visiting Bill Nye's Climate Lab, hopefully first time visitors to Chabot will discover and take advantage of the many other programs the Center offers for all ages. There are interactive exhibits for people to experience place flight or explore the expanse of the universe. There is a replica of John Glenn's space capsule, a Soyuz capsule and a real Russian space suit. There are a number of ongoing classes and workshops, a planetarium and a MegaDome theater offering various shows, and much, much more. Possibly the most special of all, there are three telescopes used by professionals but open on Friday and Saturday evenings free to the public for viewing the skies. 

The Center is on Skyline Boulevard just a mile and a half off Joaquin Miller Road.

NEIGHBORHOOD SAFETY ALERT! 

Since November 13th, there have been six pedestrian armed robberies in North Berkeley, one on Thursday, November 17th, near Martin Luther King and Hearst, at 11:30 a.m. and another on the 21st in the 1600 block of Hearst. 

The Police have dedicated extra resources and we can help. 

If you are a Victim or a Witness 

• Try to remain calm; give the person your valuables.
• Pay close attention to the person, his or her facial or body markings, and especially the direction in which s/he went.
• If a car is involved, note make, color, license, vintage, direction of travel. Immediately contact the Police Department !!! to give the police the best chance of catching the suspect.
• Clearly give your information to the dispatcher.

General Safety Tips Be aware of your surroundings. Do not walk while looking at an electronic device, especially at night, as you won’t notice a person who might be targeting you for robbery. If you see a person acting suspiciously, who may be a prowler, call the Police emergency number (with description). 

To receive timely safety alerts by email, write to lmaio@cityofberkeley.info Councilmember Linda Maio, 981-7110

Berkeley Public Library’s Board of Library Trustees (BOLT) approved the purchase of a new RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) check-out/check-in system from a new vendor, Bibliotheca, to replace the existing system from Checkpoint, despite near-unanimous opposition from members of the public at the meeting, whose concerns included privacy threats, high cost, and potential health risks to the public and staff from radio frequency radiation. 

BOLT took the action on a unanimous 4-0 vote at a Special Meeting October 18, 2010 (Winston Burton, Abigail Franklin, Susan Kupfer, and Darryl Moore, with Carolyn Henry-Golphin absent). The Trustees approved signing a three-year contract not to exceed $447,006, through October 28, 2013.  

The Monday, October 18^th Special Meeting had been called after cancellation of the regularly scheduled meeting of Wednesday, October 13. With agendas mailed late Thursday, October 14^th, according to the library, a number of the members of the public on the mailing list only received notice the same day as the specially-scheduled Monday meeting. It appeared to be a very hastily called meeting with minimal advance notice, on a matter the library has been considering for well over a year. 

A contract for an RFID system was signed with the vendor, Bibliotheca, on October 29, 2010. 

Despite the short notice and unusual time and day of the meeting, nine members of the public spoke during Public Comment. Every member of the public who spoke to the matter of RFID opposed the system, suggesting the library obtain a barcode system instead. One member of the public did not address the issue of RFID but rather praised the library for taking steps toward fulfilling its obligations under the Nuclear Free Berkeley Act (NFBA).  

The City Council on January 27, 2009, had granted the library a two-year waiver under the Act so as to allow the 3M company to maintain the library’s existing proprietary RFID check-out/check-in system for just two years, with the expectation that the library would find a compliant vendor to maintain or replace the system within that time. The library wanted to give the 3M Company a contract to take over over maintenance of the library’s Checkpoint RFID system in 2008, when 3M became Checkpoint’s exclusive provider of maintenance. However, 3M would not sign Berkeley’s standard form that it would not do work for nuclear weapons during the life of the contract.  

Questions remain as to the scheduling of the new RFID system’s installation, and when the 3M maintenance contract for the existing system is to be terminated. The Library’s plans indicate implementation is to be phased, beginning with Central, and the West and South branches. Implementation at North and Claremont branches is to occur in fiscal year 2011-2012. The latter installations would exceed the City Council’s two-year waiver of the Nuclear Free Berkeley Act by four to 16 months, and raise the question of when use of the existing system and its maintenance by 3M are to be ended. 

Lawsuit Against Demolitions Filed 

Recently, a group called Concerned Library Users (CLU) filed a lawsuit opposing the Library’s plans to demolish West Branch and South Branch library buildings. The demolitions are part of the Library’s plan to replace these buildings with brand-new ones, rather than renovate and expand the branches, as provided by Measure FF, which passed in 2008. 

Library publicity and studies have praised both the West Branch and South Branch library buildings for their architectural qualities. West Branch was designated by the city as a “Structure of Merit” and Berkeley Architectural Heritage Association (BAHA) is among those supporting renovation and expansion, instead of demolition. 

The CLU lawsuit argues that Measure FF provided funding for renovations and expansions -- not demolitions -- and that the Library’s current demolition plans are not a legitimate use of the funds provided by the measure.  

An appeal of the Zoning Adjustment Board’s approval for the North and Claremont branch libraries’ building expansions has also been filed and is scheduled to be heard by the Berkeley City Council on December 7, 2010. The Library’s plans would expand both branches beyond the lot coverage percentages allowed prior to the recent City Council action to permanently waive the need for variances when existing library buildings are expanded or demolished and rebuilt.  

The CLU lawsuit also challenges the legality of the City Council’s legislation because, it says, potential environmental impacts were not adequately considered as required under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).  

The planned renovations to the Claremont Branch, despite a small increase in floor space, would provide less floor space for the public, according to a Planning Department memo, and would also diminish public service by drastically cutting back on existing space for books, according to library plans. The library plans for North Branch include a very substantial 77% increase in floor space, but a much smaller percentage increase in shelving for books and materials. In both instances this represents an unfortunate book de-emphasis.  

*************************///// 

Peter Warfield is Executive Director of Library Users Association and can be reached at libraryusers2004@yahoo.com. Four articles about the Berkeley Public Library’s branch renovation and demolition plans have previously appeared in the Berkeley Daily Planet in May, June, and July, 2010.

Berkeley police and community volunteers gathered at Old City Hall this morning to assemble food baskets as part of the city's 26th annual Turkey Ride tradition, the Berkeley Police Department said. 

Members of the city Police Department, Berkeley Boosters Association, and University of California Police Department met at 6 a.m. to assemble 250 food baskets, police said. 

Each basket contained a turkey, fresh produce, and enough canned and packaged food to feed about eight people. They were handed out by uniformed Berkeley police and parking officers. 

Twenty Berkeley and UC police officers raised about $8,000 for the food baskets earlier this year when they rode more than 200 miles in three days on their bikes, police said. 

Additional monetary and in-kind donations were provided by Safeway, which donates most of the turkey, and the Berkeley Rotary Club, Greenleaf Produce, and Alameda County Food Bank. 

The Turkey Ride was conceived in 1983 when three Berkeley police officer rode their bikes from Berkeley to South Lake Tahoe. 

The riders decided to turn future rides into fundraising events and use the money to help Berkeley families. 

An additional 250 food baskets will be assembled and distributed before the December holidays. 

Old City Hall, rededicated in 2007 as the Maudelle Shirek Building, is located at 2134 Martin Luther King Jr. Way. 

Roz Chast has nailed it again. She’s got a killer cartoon in the November 23 New Yorker, showing a group of her characteristically woebegone individuals, possibly a family, seated around a table. There are labels over each of their heads: “Can’t have salt”; “lactose-intolerant”; “vegetarian”; “vegan”; “macrobiotic”; “fanatic traditionalist”; “strictly kosher”; “on a cleanse”; “ultra-picky gourmet”; “allergic to gluten”.

And over the whole scene: “The Last Thanksgiving”. Yes.

We have become a culture obsessed with salvation by food, especially in those coastal enclaves like New York and California where old-time religion ain’t what it used to be. In what passes for a normal family, northern California division, every member might adhere to a different foodie sect, but all devoutly believe that if they can just get it right they’ll be saved. Berkeley blogs devote many more column inches to food than to social justice. I’m told that it’s the same in Manhattan, and it’s spreading. 

In the first American centuries, it was all about abundance. My recent favorite history book, America Visited, (now sadly out of print), records exclamations over bounteous meals by Mrs. Frances Trollope, Jacques Offenbach and Charles Dickens, and that’s just from a quick skim. Dickens said in 1842 of the Planter’s House hotel in St. Louis (where some of my forebears were later to settle), “...the proprietors have the most bountiful notions of providing the creature comforts. Dining alone with my wife in our own room, one day, I counted fourteen dishes on the table at once.” 

Thanksgiving Day is the inheritor of this tradition, morphed from “Now thank we all our God” to the groaning board as the focus. But now “a lotta food”, still perhaps the standard in some parts of the country, has given way to various forms of pickiness in others. 

Food cultism is not new in the United States. In the early twentieth century, Dr. Kellogg of cornflake fame, not to mention Mr. Post of raisin bran and Mr. Graham of crackers, were all what we used to call “health food nuts”. Not that you’d ever hear that phrase any more…. people take their chosen diets much too seriously. 

In recent memory (mine) a new peak in food fetishism in the United States started in the nineteen-sixties. Adele Davis promoted whole grains. Euell Gibbons recommended eating weeds, which he called “foraging”. Julia Child, on the other hand, discovered that the French had much more genteel cookery, and in the west James Beard and MFK Fisher were the leading edge of what’s now called locavorism. 

Irony is not a prominent feature of the gustatory religion, but it’s ironically pleasing to note that health food proponents Davis and Gibbons died in close proximity to the biblically predicted age of three score and ten, while Fisher, Beard and Child, who espoused more sybaritic cuisines featuring plenty of butter, lived well into their eighties and even nineties. 

It might come as a surprise to today’s food fanatics that even in the Midwest, way back in the mid-sixties when Michael Pollan was only ten or so and living in the suburbs, we had our community garden, we had our farmers’ market, we had our pick-it-yourself orchards outside of town. My kids, not all that much younger than Pollan, were raised while we still lived there with such amenities, which have now become cultural icons in Berkeley.  

What we didn’t have was restaurants. I’m told that Ann Arbor has become a restaurant mecca, but in those days if you didn’t cook at home you had a choice of two German restaurants or a Chinese joint next to the railroad station where all the vegetables came out of cans. Several people we knew were in the orbit of the University of Michigan linguistics department, which meant that departmental potluck suppers featured exotic dishes mastered in the course of field research in foreign climes, much better than anything you could get at a local restaurant. 

Now many of our friends eat at least one of their daily meals if not all in restaurants. The question “Do you cook at home?” has become surprisingly common, since there are many alternatives if you don’t. And at the same time home cooking has taken on the kind of high seriousness formerly reserved for painting in oils, perhaps, or studying ballet. 

The issue of the New Yorker in which Chast’s cartoon appeared was dedicated to food in all its manifestations. Myself, I hate it when they do that. Nothing, nothing, is that interesting in such quantity. Why do I want to spend the several hours I devote to that magazine each week on nothing but “Fiction by 20 under 40”, another recent single topic issue? It’s just as bad as a meal that’s nothing but desserts. 

Which brings me, circuitously, to the topic of food puritanism. If you have no children in your life, you might not be aware that school bake sales have been all but banned. Sugar, fat, chocolate: oh no!  

So it’s amusing to hear from a mother of my acquaintance that her child’s school had a pre-Thanksgiving party where each child was allowed to bring “a little something to share” from home. What did they all bring? Cookies, of course, twenty-five kids all brought cookies. Nothing but dessert. Did you need to ask? 

The same stern impulse that has banned bake sales is behind the drive to forbid fast food purveyors to give toys away with their products. Anyone who thinks that kids want hamburgers and French fries just because of a plastic trinket is living in a parallel universe, as in fact many San Franciscans these days are.  

And class distinctions, that verboten topic, are implicated in this discussion as well. Parents who self-righteously turn up their noses at McDonald’s, when they take their privileged offspring along to chi-chi restaurants, are all too willing to buy them macaroni and cheese, or even macaroni without cheese—not hugely different in food value from burgers and fries, except maybe with less protein. 

Not that children, when given half a chance, don’t like fruits and veggies. Kale—who would have thought—is popular with all of my grandchildren. On Halloween I experimented with putting some apples and tangerines in the bowl with the candy, and many small visitors were excited to see them. 

But what’s nigh on impossible to track is the dizzying speed with which what’s “healthy” to eat changes. Michael Pollan among others has made manful journalistic efforts to explain it, but the science, such as it is, still isn’t there. Revisionists such as Gary Taube (another journalist, but more data-driven) have reported plausible doubts about the carbohydrate-fat paradigm, for example, but still no certainties. A sure road to wealth is for anyone with a medical-sounding title to write a book about diet and health, backed up usually by no particular research.  

In an article in a recent New Scientist, excerpted from an upcoming book, Against Health: How Health Became the New Morality, Jonathan M. Metzl and Anna Kirkland inveigh against ‘ the ways in which the rhetoric of health is being used to promote value judgments, hierarchies, and blind assumptions that speak as much about power and privilege as they do about well-being.” They challenge the tacit assumptions that individuals can control medical outcomes by taking the correct actions: “One of the many ironies is that at an individual level a health imperative reinforces the presumption of personal control deeply at odds with the reality of life. Cancer, accidents, Alzheimer's disease still strike those who do everything that they are told might save them.” 

The religion of food as sacrament lends itself to the kind of pernicious over-interpretation that they decry. It’s important to remember that it’s possible to make all the right choices about food and still have things turn out wrong...  

As a spiritual tonic, if your Thanksgiving table hasn’t yet arrived at the extreme polarization that Roz Chast satirizes, you might do well to take the opportunity to enjoy something to eat that’s outside your ordinary range, something that someone else brought, for a change. That could be your mother’s mashed white potatoes, your son’s Brussels sprouts, your grandchild’s beloved marshmallow sweet potatoes, even a little turkey though you normally pass it up. It won’t hurt you, really it won’t, and it might even be good for you. 

Dan O'Neill

Joseph Young

Will common sense and good judgment prevail? Or will we see KPFA severely damaged? 

KPFA is currently headed over a cliff. It is time to stop, take a deep breath and figure out how to change direction. We cannot afford losing or greatly weakening OUR community radio station. 

The disaster scenario is a permanent split, bitterness, loss of regular supporters, and money wasted on legal battles as the station's finances, morale and reputation sink. 

KPFA workers have said that the station is bigger and more important than any one program or person. Pacifica management has said there is no political or personal purge and the issue is soley financial. 

It seems clear what needs to happen: mediation with the goal of achieving the necessary budget cuts. Management is correct to insist on these but needs to make the decisions in consultation with the staff union. That means more than saying "We followed the union seniority rules". 

I suggest the mediation take place with several mutually respected local progressive leaders as observers. The "third party" people will be less subjective. They will bring a fresh viewpoint and help the parties understand how important it is to reach compromise agreement. Pacifica management and KPFA staff are the ones who need to make the decisions but I think third party observers would help. This is absolutely appropriate because this is about a COMMUNITY RADIO STATION, not a corporate franchise or workers collective bakery. 

At this time of economic and political tumult, it is more important than ever to strengthen and expand KPFA. We cannot afford to see this hugely valuable resource severely damaged by the exaggeration of secondary differences. We all want the same thing: powerful, influential radio reaching a growing number of people and contributing significantly to the broad progressive movement. 

Pacifica Management and KPFA staff who are involved in this - it's time to set aside personal differences. Please stop making the other side into the enemy. There is too much at stake and there is a huge community counting on you to strengthen not damage KPFA. Please, get a good mediator, get some mutually respected progressive leaders who can act as neutral observers/supporters, and find a compromise that meets the financial requirements. 

We can either have a compromise WIN-WIN or we all are going to lose. 

-

More than 115 years ago, just across the Bay in San Francisco, influential conservationist John Muir founded what is now the oldest and largest grassroots environmental organization in the United States. Since then, the Sierra Club has embodied Muir’s credo to "do something for wildness and make the mountains glad." Its members, who now number over 1.3 million, work tirelessly to protect communities, wild places, and the planet itself. 

And what of the Sierra Club’s birthplace? The San Francisco Bay Chapter now represents more than 30,000 members in Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin and San Francisco Counties. The Northern Alameda County Group serves nearly 10,000 members within the cities of Berkeley, Oakland, Albany, Emeryville, Alameda, Piedmont, and San Leandro.

 

The Sierra Club’s meteoric national rise has been paralleled by prodigious local successes. In 1930, Sierra Club leaders realized the operation of Mt. Tamalpais, a popular destination for Bay Area residents, as a state park. In 1957, they successfully lobbied for the establishment of the Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART). In 1991, the Sierra Club chapter persevered in creation of the Eastshore State Park, which, on a clear day, offers an inimitable view of the Marina and Golden Gate beyond. 

But these successes have not come without some significant growing pains. Many geographic areas represented by both the chapter and the group still suffer from record levels of pollution leading to high risks of cancer, asthma, and heart attacks among a disproportionately affected minority population. An unending barrage of state cuts to the Bay Area’s public transit systems have made more difficult the management of an increasingly dense local population while still meeting much-needed greenhouse gas reduction goals. And even within the organization itself, the Bay Chapter and County Group contend with financial pressures, after the national club board has drastically cut the funding allocation to both.  

Concerted efforts are needed to broaden the Sierra Club’s base with new, more diverse, and vibrant members and hear all voices; this year’s Sierra Club elections offer a unique opportunity to bring in new blood, new energy, and new diversity to the organization’s leadership. Three candidates running for leadership positions can steer this vital club in a direction that will tackle these challenges. Igor Tregub, a 2008 UC Berkeley alumnus and Berkeley Rent Board Commissioner, and Mario Juarez, a respected young Oakland Latino community leader, are running for the Executive Board of the Northern Alameda County Group. Kathy Neal, a renowned African-American small business owner, is a candidate for the Executive Board of the San Francisco Bay Chapter. 

If elected, we will work on retooling local and regional economies from the blue-collar jobs of the 20^th century to green-collar opportunities of the 21^st; enhanced mobilization and coalition-building around environmental justice and public transit accessibility issues; and growing the club with new initiatives, events, and fundraisers that would appeal to a number of different Bay Area denizens. Equally significant is our commitment to reaching out to youth, listening to their priorities, connecting them to the wonders of our environment and bringing them into the Sierra Club fold. 

All three of us are dynamic members of the Sierra Club Northern Alameda County Group. In addition, Igor is a Berkeley Rent Board and Labor Commissioner and Regional Council member of the Progressive Jewish Alliance. Mario is a small business owner who is active in Oakland’s Fruitvale area community affairs, as well as a former Oakland Parks Commissioner. Kathy, a public outreach and project management consultant, formerly served on California’s Integrated Waste Management Board where she advocated for a strong waste reduction agenda. 

We are strongly devoted to the Sierra Club’s mission “to explore, enjoy, and protect the wild places of the earth” and are ready to roll up sleeves to constructively move the organization forward. We are absolutely committed to welcoming and hearing a diversity of opinion. We seek your support and ideas. Please contact us at SierraClubSlate@gmail.com or check out the local Sierra Club website at http://sanfranciscobay.sierraclub.org so we can all start working together. 

d

Are you bummed that lead-footed, gorilla-suited Bristol Palin managed to remain a contender until the final round of "Dancing with the Stars"? Are you aghast that Amazon’s best-selling book is George W. Bush’s Decision Points? Are you incensed that Glenn Beck’s Common Sense: The Case Against an Out-of-Control Government tops the New York Times’ nonfiction charts? Well, there something you can do right now to change that. 

OK, it’s too late to counter the power of Palin’s Tea Party robo-voters but there is something you can do right now to knock Bush and Beck off their respective Number 1 pedestals. 

David Swanson (author of The 35 Articles of Impeachment and Daybreak: Undoing the Imperial Presidency) is out with a new book that puts the lie to war as a "noble cause." Swanson’s book, War Is A Lie, strips away the propaganda that has propagated needless, wasteful wars for hundreds of years. 

War Is A Lie has been hailed as the most important anti-war exposé since Maj. Gen. Smedley Butler spilled the ballistic beans with his blistering speech, "War Is A Racket." (Butler’s characterization of war as a tool of the ruling and merchant classes was so explosive that its existence has become one of America’s State Secrets. Just try to find any mention of it in an average high school history book.) 

So here’s the deal: If enough people buy this book, it will make it to the top of every Bestseller List in America. In only a few days after its release, War Is A Lie had rocketed onto the charts, becoming one of Amazon’s top 50 bestselling books! (A remarkable achievement for a self-published, print-on-demand book.) Maybe we can’t haul George W. before a War Crimes Tribunal (at least in the foreseeable future) but for the price of a movie and a bucket of popcorn ($20 retail; $18 via Amazon) we can consign his hardcover “torture confessional” to the dust-bin of criminal history. 

"Not a single thing we commonly believe about wars… is true," Swanson observes in the books introduction: "Lies have preceded and accompanied wars for millennia." Nonetheless, the military has come to enjoy a near-sacred status in American society — an institution whose very existence cannot be questioned (at least without risk of being called a host of unsavory names). But Swanson’s book could prove to be the swansong for the militarist’s political honeymoon because, finally, someone has dared to point out that, when it comes to rational arguments for threatening or pursing war, "The Emperor has no armor!" 

As Swanson explains, his book is "aimed at exposing the falsehood of all the more or less coherent rationales that have been offered for wars.… [T]he main category of war lies… taken from around the world, through the centuries." 

The quickest way of elucidating the audacity of Swanson’s accomplishment is to list the 13 chapter titles — each one exposing one of the mighty myths of militarism: 

Wars Are Not Fought Against Evil. 

Wars Are Not Launched in Defense. 

Wars Are Not Waged Out of Generosity. 

Wars Are Not Unavoidable. 

Warriors Are Not Heroes. 

War Makers Do Not Have Noble Motives. 

Wars Are Not Prolonged for the Good of Soldiers. 

Wars Are Not Fought on Battlefields. 

Wars Are Not Won, and Are Not Ended by Enlarging Them. 

War News Does Not Come from Disinterested Observers. 

War Does Not Bring Security and Is Not Sustainable. 

Wars Are Not Legal. 

Wars Cannot Be Both Planned and Avoided. 

There is one last chapter and it boasts a title worth waiting for: 

War Is Over If You Want It. 

The initial reviews have been so glowing they are nearly incandescent. Rob Kall of OpEdNews calls War Is A Lie "an important [book], destined to be classic." Norman Solomon, author of War Made Easy, calls Swanson’s book "an antidote to the toxins of complacency and evasion. [Swanson] insists on rousing the sleepwalkers, confronting the deadly prevaricators and shining a bright light on possibilities for a truly better world." And Geoff Millard of Iraq Veterans Against the War concludes: "Not since General Smedley Butler's War is a Racket has a simpler, more brilliant, or truer book been published." 

Knocking Beck and Bush off the charts with a game-changing book that dares to debunk the "holy chaos of war" will send a clear political message. And sending the message is as easy as going online and ordering the book at Amazon— in paperback or ebook. 

Word of the campaign to play "capture-the-flag" with Amazon has been spreading through the anti-war community. You can buy additional copies for your best friends, for your elected representatives, for your pro-war uncle, your Republican father-in-law, your local library. You can even buy copies for Bristol Palin and her mom. 

And in the meantime, you can visit http://warisalie.org where you'll find an audio version of the book with a bonus package of animated graphics, videos and related articles. There’s also a video interview with Swanson just posted by TheRealNews.com. (Swanson can also be heard on the radio every Monday on KPFK, Radio or Not, and RT.)

What is at stake in the conflict at KPFA? It is not the continued existence of the Morning Show. It will be back with new hosts. It is not the competence of the hosts. By all accounts, they did a fine job. It is not whether there will be local programming at KPFA. Local programming has been a mainstay of the Pacifica Network and will continue to be. 

What is at stake is the financial viability of the Pacifica Foundation, and its ability to manage the stations in the network. That viability depends on the ability of each of the stations to raise sufficient money to meet payroll and expenses. That hasn’t been happening at KPFA for at least two years. 

The board in 2009 mandated reductions in staff that the management at the time didn’t make and the ED didn’t enforce. The cash reserves of KPFA, about $800,000 dollars in 2009, are now gone, The board has again this year observed that reductions had to be made, and our Executive Director is seeing to it that it happens. 

She has the unanimous support of the board for the principles that she laid out for the reductions, respect for seniority, the best interests of KPFA and the network, maintaining the programming grid where possible, and keeping the strongest possible skill set at the station. 

The Pacifica Foundation owns the licenses for all five stations. Should one station failing to meet its expenses drain the resources of the network past what can be sustained by the remaining stations, the entire network will be bankrupt and the fate of all five stations will be in the hands of a bankruptcy court judge. The board has the responsibility of seeing to it that that doesn’t happen. 

Some have attempted to make the salary of the national staff, consisting of an ED, a CFO, two accountants, an administrative assistant, two part time technical workers and an affiliates station coordinator, an issue. Or the in person meetings of the board now costing half of what they cost for the previous 6 years. This level of staffing the salaries and the expenses are minimal in managing a $12 million dollars/year enterprise. To the extent that this accusation stems from a desire to have no national collective supervision, and ultimately no network but a collection of five independent stations, this is misguided both in purpose and strategy. The times require a national network, and the outcome of bankruptcy hearings will not be five progressive stations running their own affairs, but more likely two commercial stations and three new Christian radio channels. 

KPFA has been a bulwark of the network in the past. The farsightedness of the leadership created and then supported the growth of the other stations. The network has been a strength for all of us, recently when money had to be transferred from KPFT to pay salaries at KPFA, and in the past when contributions from the other stations kept KPFT on the air. 

I ask that you support the Pacifica National Board and its Executive director Arlene Englehardt, in maintaining the financial viability of the Pacifica Foundation and its ability to manage and develop the network. 

I thought some attention should be brought to the fact that Berkeley has never had a sitting school board director seeking opportunities to volunteer their time, as well as their family's, to serve in communities that are far under served and represented, to receive resources and support, to address the poverty, unemployment, crime and crime prevention and finally the education gap. 

Leah Wilson really doesn’t have a vested interest in South Berkeley and I'd dare say that South Berkeley didn’t vote her on to the School Board. 

My name is Scott Blake, and I’m the Community Outreach Director for Bay Area Youth Connection Foundation and Triple Crown Horsemen Association which both are 501 (c) 3's located in Berkeley and housed at McGee Ave. Baptist Church on 1640 Stuart Street.. 

I am a life long member of McGee and resident of Berkeley, and had the pleasure of meeting Leah Wilson at Berkeley Arts Magnet where our children both attended and where I saw her engage parents and school site administration and budgetary issues that would best serve the students. 

I supported her run for school board and participated on her campaign which I truly believed she would win because of her knowledge and passion and desire to educate all of Berkeley's kids, and to look at other ways of doing business, because 20 years of failure should signal a time for change, which is what I view Leah Wilson as for education in Berkeley. 

To my surprise our new school board director. contacted me and asked if she and her family could come to the church’s food program to volunteer, not because it’s holiday time and she feels guilty for having more than others, but because there is a lesson of service for her children and a view into the lives of the less fortunate, and just in case she didn’t know, but many of our BUSD students who are homeless and just plain poor come through the doors of McGee Ave, Baptist Church. 

It is holiday season yet the economy has nearly destroyed the will to give and the organizations and churches who fill many gaps are not functioning at the levels they once were. McGee is here feeding three days a week and providing much more, but my hat comes off for Berkeley's newly elected School Board Director. Leah Wilson and the city’s and district’s should as well. 

In May 2010, "Chalmers Johnson called upon the U.S. to withdraw its forces from U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma. "I would strongly suggest that the United States climb off its high horse, move the Futenma marines back to a base in the United States (such as Camp Pendleton, near where I live) and thank the Okinawans for their 65 years of forbearance." ~ excerpt from an article in The Japan Times by staff writer Eric Johnston (Nov. 23, 2010).  

Professor Johnson also wrote: "Okinawa, the southernmost island of Japan, has been an American military colony... the 2003 Base Status Report deceptively listed only one Marine base, Camp Butler, when in fact Okinawa 'hosts' ten Marine Corps bases, including Marine Corps Air Station Futenma occupying 1,186 acres in the center of that modest-sized island's second largest city." 

C-130 Hercules pilots can and do achieve maximum roar "when engaging in a touch-and-go flight practice, their routine at Futenma day and night," according to Yoshio Shimoji of Naha City, Okinawa, Japan.  

Bullet ricochets over and into adjacent villages could be stopped if only the U.S. Marines were withdrawn to Camp Pendleton (near where Johnson lived, and I still live). 

During the Cold War, at Okinawa, there were eight U.S. Air Force missile gantries located underground capable of launching the heavier atomic-warhead weapons which targeted China.  

It is true that Japan today is protected from bombardment from the sea and other kinds of attacks by U.S. missile bases located at Guam, South Korea, and Alaska.  

Massachusetts Democratic Rep. Barney Frank, ex-Chairman of the U.S. House Appropriations Committee, probably did say, "We don't need 15,000 Marines in Okinawa." Barney added "they are hang-over from a war that ended 65 years ago." 

And it is gracious of Shimoji to exercise continued forbearance in not saying that all U.S. Marines stationed elsewhere should be disbanded outright.  

James Fallows the journalist mentioned in The Japan Times obituary as inheriting Chalmers Johnson's mantle mentioned him by name just last week in the inaugural event in a series of distinguished speakers on the Fiftieth Anniversary of the founding of University of California at San Diego. “Chal was a penetrating, original, and influential scholar, plus a very gifted literary and conversational stylist,” Fallows wrote in an even more recent online postmortem... “when I first went to Japan nearly 25 years ago, his ‘MITI and the Japanese Miracle’ was already part of the canon for understanding Asian economic development.”  

As I write this response, the headline in the updated Korea Herald reads "S. Korea may strike N. Korea's missile base~ President Lee," while the lead paragraph in The New York Times reads: "South Korea threatened military strikes after an attack by the North killed two South Korean soldiers and set off one of the worst clashes between the two sides in decades."

If you go north on Shellmound st in Emeryville, past Ikea, there is a street sign that says: ‘Bay st.’ However, if you make a right turn you don’t end up on Bay st. Instead you are trapped into the entrance to the mega-garage that ‘serves’ the stores, the theaters and restaurants. If you think you can park on Bay st. (or just drive down to admire the myriad of shops) you will have to find another entrance. 

This may not seem to be a high priority in the scheme of injustices these days, but it represents a good reason why people are so fed up with their governments...be they federal, state or just local. I have tried for nearly a year to get the city of Emeryville off its complacent buns to put up an accurate sign indicating that the street sign leads to the parking lot, not the street. I’ve spoken to Mayor Atkins, City Manager Patrick O’keefe and the Madison-Marquette parking lot manager Ron Weller. All I get is the usual ‘we’re taking care of it’...or more recently: ‘don’t you have anything better to do?" 

It’s bad enough that this cumbersome, money-sucking monstrosity of a garage exists in the first place...on hallowed Indian burial grounds, no less. But it shouldn’t take a concerned citizen numerous attempts and insults from these jokers to get something as simple as a sign change to be accomplished. If our local government is enmeshed in so much inertia and cynicism, why should its citizens be any less so? If they can’t change a deceptive, and perhaps fraudulent street sign, then what can they do?

Thanksgiving, Berkeley. Teley goes dark and the streets empty of "all the lonely people...where did they all come from...where do they belong?" 

You can walk down the desert of Shattuck or Telegraph and see Berkeley slip-sided away. Did the madding street scene ever really happen? 

The starkly homeless emerge in bas relief, the gritty backbone of Berkeley. 

As our streets empty, our neighbor churches fill with prayers to the gods. 

Among those gods is, conceivably, the God of Berkeley. We'll call him, Dude, as his name is uttered on every street corner in this blessed berg. 

For this year's Thanksgiving fest, I immodestly offer this orison for the irreverent: 

Oh Dude, hear our prayer 

The Dude abideth 

We seek not abundance, self-wealth, 

Or any blandishments of our times 

We seek your majestic justice; 

The acceptance of our own ideas, 

and the defeat of opposing ideas 

We seek not to "all get along here," 

But to make others move along 

But mostly, oh Dude, 

We give thanks for our lives 

Here in Berkeley 

We will avoid leaving the protective 

Safety net of Berkeley in fear for our souls 

Way Yay though we pass through the canyons 

That once were streets, 

We will not fear a mugging 

Even though you won't arrive 

Dude, we know we have sinned against you 

Avoiding our Dude commandments 

And your dudely ways 

Berkeley remains our strength 

Our inspiration, our very lives. 

Today, we eat the bird 

Tomorrow, the bird will be flipped us. 

You would understand, oh Dude 

But Dude, we wouldn't have it 

Any other way 

It's all good 

From Berkeley 

Ahhh…(wo) men!

The Left Coast is on high alert, waiting for someone to find President Obama’s mojo. It had been missing for most of the year, but no one in the Administration thought it was a problem until the November 2^nd shellacking. Now Dems are holding their breath, praying for Barack Obama to get his act together. 

Responsibility for the overwhelming defeat in the mid-term elections falls squarely on the shoulders of Obama, the Party leader. Democrats lost the message battle, and as a result, lost the money war and voter turnout campaign. 

Interviewed just after the election for 60 Minutes , the President acknowledged that his message hadn’t worked: “The hardest argument to make in politics is: things would have been a lot worse if we hadn't done all those taken all these steps…” But he didn’t suggest an alternative message. 

Obama understands he has a problem but he doesn’t seem to know what to do about it. Indeed, immediately after the election he left the country for an extended period without addressing the major issues revealed by the November 2^nd debacle: the lack of a coherent Democratic message about jobs, the absence of a coordinated national campaign, the failure of senior Democratic leadership, and the seeming lack of passion on the part of the White House. 

Somewhere over the last two years, the President has neglected two principles that every successful CEO must follow: there can only be one number one priority and it’s not sufficient to work hard, you have to be seen as effective. 

After the mid-term election, many pundits suggested that where Obama went wrong – where he got off track and led the Democratic Party over the cliff – was healthcare reform. The widely-share opinion was that the Administration should have focused on jobs and the economy, rather than healthcare. Nonetheless, the obvious rejoinder is that corporate healthcare costs have been a drag on the economy, and healthcare reform should spur employment. 

Obama’s fundamental problem has been that his priorities aren’t clear. The language of his Administration suggests a cocky attitude: we’re smart folks, who can do everything: fix the economy, fight two wars, abate global climate change, and attend to all the other problems. But that’s an absurd stance. There’s too much going on to tackle all problems simultaneously. Unfortunately, the White House, with their nose to the grindstone and their shoulder to the wheel, can’t see that. 

The President needs to step back, take a deep breath, and declare that his number one priority is resolving the jobs crisis. 

Because Republicans are sheep and therefore easily herded in the same direction, by attack dogs such as Karl Rove, they show remarkable discipline. Typically they have a daily message. The White House needs to emulate this. 

The President’s daily message should be about jobs. “This is what we are doing today to help employment.” “Here’s an example of how our stimulus package saved or created jobs.” “Reducing taxes for the wealthy won’t create jobs; to the contrary it will have the following deleterious affects on the economy…” 

At the moment, there’s confusion about the agenda for the “lame duck” session of Congress. Obama should gather Congressional leaders and say: “My number one priority is creating jobs. Here are the items I want you to work one in order to create jobs.” 

Every day that passes without clear direction from President Obama contributes to the impression that he’s lost his mojo. That the self-confidence and seeming clarity of purpose of his campaign has disappeared. That he’s floundering, buffeted by a series of powerful political winds. That his decisions are guided by arcane political calculations rather than reference to a moral compass. 

As a consequence, the punditocracy has turned against Obama. First, we saw Op-eds predicting Dems were headed for disaster in the mid-term elections. Next came opinion pieces analyzing what went wrong with the Democratic national campaign – most blaming the White House. Now we’re seeing columns suggesting that the Democratic base is angry with Obama. Next will be pseudo-psychoanalytic Op-eds suggesting that the President has a character deficiency that impairs his leadership. How many weeks will pass before pundits prophesy a Democratic insurgency that will run candidates, such as Mayor Bloomberg or Secretary Clinton, against Obama in 2012? 

Obama’s situation isn’t necessarily terminal. He can remedy it by finding his mojo. But he can’t delay. 

Clearly Republicans smell blood. Like a pack of wolves, GOP operatives are circling the White House, lashing out at the Obama Administration, trying to sink their long teeth into the President and bring him down. 

The only way for Barack Obama to avoid what, at the moment, seems like a dreadful season of bloodletting is for him to begin acting like the leader all of us believed him to be when we voted for him in 2008. 

Bob Burnett is a Berkeley writer. He can be reached at bobburnett@comcast.net

War and Public Health, edited by Barry S. Levy and Victor W. Sidel. Second edition, Oxford University Press, 2008, $51.22

Back in the 60s peace activists sported a bumper sticker that read: “War is not good for children and other living creatures.” In a way, that sums up Barry S. Levy and Victor W. Sidel’s “War and Public Health,” where 46 experts on everything from epidemiology to international law weigh in on the authors’ central premise: “War and militarism have catastrophic effects on human health and well being.” 

Levy and Sidel, both former presidents of the American Public Health Association, as well as distinguished researchers and practitioners in their fields, make the point that, in the end, wars always come home. The most obvious casualties are the young men and women shattered in body and mind by the cauldron of battle itself, but the devastation includes the terrible things that organized violence inflicts on the population and infrastructure where those wars are fought. 

But the authors see the shock and awe of battle as only the beginning of the damage war inflicts. War means that nations divert their resources from things like education and health to smart bombs and high tech drones. It means choosing mayhem over economic development, exposing the most vulnerable in our society to disease and privation, and the systematic destruction of the environment. “War threatens much of the fabric of our civilization,” write Levy and Sidel. 

Thinking of war as a public health issue allows the authors to break the subject into digestible pieces: consequences, types of weapons, vulnerable populations, specific wars, and prevention. Each major section is divided into chapters, spanning everything from “The Epidemiology of War” to “The Role of Health Professionals in Postconflict Situations.” 

According to a recent estimate by sociologist Chalmers Johnson (who died last week), if all U.S. military-related spending were added together it would come to about $1 trillion a year. Nobel Laureate economist Joseph Stiglitz concludes that the lifetime costs of treating veterans of Afghanistan and Iraq will top $3 trillion. At the same time, according to the U.S. Census, 50.7 million people in the U.S. are currently without health care. 

These are the kinds of tradeoffs the authors and contributors to “War and Public Health” find unacceptable. 

The book is more than an expose, however. Levy and Sidel argue that public health officials should be involved in preventing war, just as they would throw themselves into stopping an epidemic. 

And in case the reader is not sure how to go about doing this, the book includes an appendix with the names, addresses, phone numbers and emails of virtually every international organization concerned with war and peace. 

“War is hell,” said Union General William Tecumseh Sherman, and so it is. But the authors of this well-written and accessible book argue that wars are not inevitable, and that time and again human beings have demonstrated a capacity to avoid them. On one hand, “War and Public Health” is an important and valuable effort to expose the consequences of war. On the other, a practical guide to creating a world where health is a human right and war is an anachronism.  

Conn Hallinan’s writings can be found at dispatchesfromtheedgeblog.wordpress.com

As we all know, the Republicans now control the U.S. House of Representatives and have improved their Senate numbers, which means that efforts to control global warming are now dead for at least the dying days of the 111th Congress.  

John Boehner (R. Ohio), House Speaker-designate, and Mitch McConnell (R. KY), the top Republican in the Senate, outlined their strategy for the remainder of President Obama's first term: "His party's main goal is denying Obama re-election." Thus, there is no way that the Republicans will allow Obama a legislative accomplishment on global warming or energy. 

Last December, countries participating in the United Nation's climate summit in Mexico failed to agree on an international treaty that would have required them to cut greenhouse gas emissions. It is unlikely that there will be agreement on binding cuts in greenhouse gases. 

President Obama has abandoned legislation that would cap emissions through a carbon market because Republicans consider it a tax on business. Obama may attempt to bypass Congress by regulating greenhouse gases through federal agencies. However, there is a proposed bill pending in the Senate that would suspend for two years the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's plans to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from power plants, petroleum refineries, factories, and other "stationary sources." Passage is unclear during the lame duck session, but once the Republicans control the House next year, they are expected to push to completely ban EPA from regulating greenhouse gases. 

For years, the global warming deniers have engaged in an effective disinformation campaign that undermined efforts to pass a clean energy bill that might have curbed our addiction to oil, resulting in cleaner air, more renewable energy, a stronger dollar, and more innovative industries. Even if 999 scientists out of 1,000 agreed that the main cause of the increase in global average temperatures in recent history is not because of any natural cycle—although natural cycles do exist—it is because of man, the deniers would probably seize on the two who do not agree. Senator James Inhofe (R. Okl) and Representative Dana Rohrabacher (R. Cal) probably represent the views of global warming debunkers. Senator Inhofe called "the threat of catastrophic global warming the greatest hoax ever perpetrated on the American people." And Representative Rohrabacher called the science behind global warming "emotional junk science." Even that eminent scientist Sarah Palin called global warming studies "snake oil science."  

The disinformation campaign has had its effect on public opinion. According to a November 2010 Rasmussen survey, only 38 percent of voters think global warming is caused by human activity, while 45 percent say it’s caused by long-term planetary trends. Just seven percent think there is some other cause for global warming, while 10 percent are not sure.  

The danger to our planet is real. The combination of flooding, heat waves and droughts this past summer were taken by most researchers trained in climate analysis to show that weather extremes are getting worse. And the long-term warming trend over the last century has been well-established. Scientists who study the climate are projecting substantial disruptions in water supplies, agriculture, ecosystems, and coastal communities.  

Is there a scientific consensus on global warming? In the scientific field of climate studies, which includes many disciplines, a consensus can be demonstrated by the number of scientists who have stopped arguing about what is causing climate change. So a consensus in science is different from a political one. There is no vote. Scientists just give up arguing because the sheer weight of consistent evidence is too compelling, the tide too strong to swim against any longer. “...the debate on the authenticity of global warming and the role played by human activity is largely nonexistent among those who understand the nuances and scientific basis of long-term climate processes.” In other words, more than 95 percent of scientists working in the disciplines contributing to studies of our climate, accept that climate change is almost certainly caused by human activities. But you and I know that Republicans and some energy-state Democrats will focus on the 5 percent who do not accept this consistent, compelling evidence.  

We can expect a continued heads-in-the-sand, do-nothing Congress on global warming for the next two years and possibly beyond. Congress will fiddle while the earth burns. 

-------------------- 

For more info, see <www.globalwarming.com> and <www.skepticalscience.com>; Debunking the Oregon Project  

Some of us can never have enough field guides. It’s a kind of addiction. I’ve acquired guides to the flora and fauna of places I’ll most likely never visit, but, hey, you never know. How could I pass up Butterflies of the West Indies for just five bucks? Or Trees of New Zealand? And they’re handy for identifying things on the internet. There’s a whole Flickr pool called “ID Please!” 

In that spirit, then, I welcome The Stokes Field Guide to the Birds of North America to the crowded shelf (a gift from Ron.) It’s the best, in my judgment, of the current generation of all-photo bird guides, contains the latest American Ornithologists’ Union taxonomy (hello, Pacific wren!), and has good coverage of subspecies—for which Donald and Lillian Stokes, unlike David Sibley, provide the actual Latin names. For each species, a generous spread of photographs shows regional, seasonal, sex- and age-related plumage variations. 

One thing in the new Stokes that I don’t recall seeing in any previous bird guide is a list of known hybrids for each species that has been caught in the act. This was compiled from authoritative sources, including a web database (www.bird-hybrids.com), and includes only instances of cross-breeding known to have occurred under natural conditions. 

Odd things happen in aviaries. Falconers, parrot fanciers, and waterfowl keepers have intentionally crossbred their birds. I’ve seen a photograph of a peregrine-kestrel hybrid, a product of artificial insemination. I believe it was at the San Francisco Zoo that an American avocet paired up with a black-necked stilt, producing hybrid avostilt offspring. That’s understandable: the birds were cooped up in there, and the partner would at least have been a long-legged shorebird. But there’s at least one case of an avocet-stilt cross in the wild. 

Looking only at spontaneous crosses among wild birds, it’s interesting to compare patterns of hybridization among different avian families and orders. Based on the Stokes book, natural hybrids seem to be uncommon among wading birds, plovers, hawks, owls, corvids, wrens, thrushes, and sparrows. There are exceptions, of course. An injured raptor brought to the Lindsay Museum in Walnut Creek a few years ago was determined to be the offspring of a red-tailed hawk and a Swainson’s hawk. Most hybrids in such groups are between very close relatives, like the three species of bluebird. 

A couple of groups, on the other hand, seem particularly prone to hybridize. Cross-species liaisons have been documented in some 30 species of North American ducks. Mallards alone have interbred with wood ducks, gadwalls, American and Eurasian wigeons, American black ducks, cinnamon and green-winged teal, shovelers, pintails, canvasbacks, and common eiders. This is impressive. Wood ducks, canvasbacks, and eiders aren’t even in the same genus as mallards. We’ve seen a few wild hybrid ducks over the years, including the hooded merganser-Barrow’s goldeneye cross that winters at Lake Merritt. 

Grouse and pheasants have similarly profligate tendencies. Ring-necked pheasants have bred with, among others, ruffed grouse, sooty and dusky grouse (formerly known as blue grouse), and prairie-chickens. Likewise hummingbirds: our resident Anna’s hummers have hybridized with black-chinned, Costa’s, calliope and Allen’s hummingbirds. 

The common thread here could be the birds’ mating systems. Grouse and hummingbirds don’t form lasting pair bonds, even for a single season. Males display (in the case of many grouse and some tropical hummers, at shared arenas called leks) to attract females. After mating, she’s on her own with the nesting and brood care. Females of species with this kind of life history might be less discriminating than those that will be entering a working partnership. 

Ducks are a special case. Although they do form pair bonds, males are sexually aggressive and undiscriminating. A mallard drake will attempt to mate with anything vaguely duck-shaped. (There are some fascinating recent studies on the sexual arms race between male and female ducks that I won’t go into here. Google “duck genitalia” if you’re curious.) 

So where would you expect not to find a high incidence of hybridization? Maybe among large, long-lived birds that pair more or less for life, like geese? But no. Snow geese, for one, are known to have hybridized not only with the closely related Ross’s goose but with Canada, cackling, and greater white-fronted geese as well. 

The larger gulls, also with long-term pair bonds, are notorious hybridizers. Where the ranges of western and glaucous-winged gulls overlap on the Pacific Coast, hybrid birds abound, sometimes outnumbering the pure parent types. There may be another factor here: most of these species are very similar genetically, suggesting a recent evolutionary divergence. The mechanisms for recognizing a mate of the proper species may not be as well developed as in other groups. 

So much for grand theories of hybridization. But it’s the particularities that keep things interesting. 

Who said, referring to imprisonment, “

It's the boredom that kills you. You read until you're tired of that. You do crossword puzzles until you're tired of that. This is torture. This is mental torture.” Was it Phil Donahue, Sigmund Freud, Derek Humphry, Murad Kevorkian, or Ayn Rand? 

You Don’t Know Jack has been a game-show title, computer game, 2006 comedy short, and the title of an Erin McCarthy novel. Use of jack in everyday parlance is often a play on words. Mostly commonplace, sometimes vulgar. The Oxford English Dictionary provides a tremendous amount of jack historic information; OED reports that, as a proper noun, jack is a familiar by-form of the name John, hence a generic proper name of any representative of the common people.  

Released this year, You Don’t Know Jack; The Life and Deaths of Jack Kevorkian is a cleverly-titled, 134 minute HBO video about Dr. Jack Kevorkian, played by Al Pacino. It has won 2 Primetime Emmys and another 13 nominations. Not exactly a “biopic,” it presents the humanist who, convinced that "dying is not a crime," created a machine that allowed terminally-ill patients to end their own lives in a peaceful, humane manner. When Dr. Kevorkian was forced to defend in court both his philosophy and his practices, a media firestorm erupted over a patient's right to die. Academy-award winners Brenda Vaccaro and Susan Sarandon also star in the film, written by Adam Mazer. The dvd is in the Berkeley Public Library’s collection. 

The Internet Movie Database provides the following plot summary: “Dr. Jack Kevorkian in the 1990s, when he defies Michigan law assisting the suicide of terminally-ill persons. Support comes from his sister, a lab tech, the Hemlock Society president, and an attorney. The child of survivors of the Armenian genocide interviews applicants; his sister video tapes them. He assembles a device allowing a person to initiate a three-chemical intravenous drip. The local D.A., the governor, and the Legislature respond. In court scenes, Kevorkian is sometimes antic. He's single-minded about giving dying individuals the right to determine how their lives will end. He wants the Supreme Court to rule. He picks a fight he can't win: is it hubris or heroism?” 

xxxx 

Dr. Jack Kevorkian, a retired pathologist, since 1987 had been promoting help for desperate people who wanted to end their lives and whom he believed had the right to die. His first appearance before the American TV public, on April 26, 1990 is not mentioned in the film. I clearly recall Kevorkian up on the studio stage, earnestly presenting his ideas and technique. Meanwhile, Roman Catholic, Notre Dame graduate, talk-show host Phil Donahue stirred up the audience. Suicide machine and Dr. Death were introduced into the vocabularies of generations of unthinking people.  

Kevorkian called that machine The Thanatron -- death machine, in Greek. The mercitron machine, as it is called in the film, was devised so that the patient could initiate the release of the mechanism, and then die of a heart attack while asleep. He called it "dignified, humane and painless…” . It is a different concept from physician-assisted suicide. 

Because I am a citizen concerned about both taxpayer costs of prisons and about the death-sentence, I had already read Dr. Kevorkian’s views on a different, albeit kindred, subject. Much earlier, he had challenged the system on two issues. He suggested that healthy prisoners condemned to death who willingly choose to donate their bodies should be allowed to do so. And he proposed that the lethal injection be administered by a physician. His main reasons related to physicians’ exemption from administering the death sentence, and the procedures having been botched when administered by “technicans.” Kevorkian again referred to this radical concept in the first part of his 1991 book, Prescription — Medicide; the Goodness of Planned Death. (The National Library of Medicine accesses it under medical ethics, euthanasia, and the right to die.) 

Murad Kevorkian was born in Michigan in 1928 to Armenian immigrants . He became a pathologist, right-to-die activist, artist and musician. He has marketed limited quantities of his artwork to the public to pay his expenses. Today he is best-known for publicly championing a terminal patient's right to die via physician-assisted suicide. 

He had started advertising in 1987 in Detroit newspapers as a physician consultant for "death counseling;" in 1991, the State of Michigan revoked his medical license. According to his then-attorney, Geoffrey Fieger, between 1990 and 1998, Kevorkian assisted in the deaths of 130 terminally ill people. Convicted in Michigan in 1999 of second degree murder, he served 8 years of a 10-25 year prison sentence and was paroled in 2007 on condition that he not offer suicide advice to anyone.  

There have been two Frontline PBS-TV productions about physician-assisted suicide. The Kevorkian Verdict (transcript) show #1416 aired on May 14, 1996. On that day in Michigan another jury returned its verdict on Dr. Jack Kevorkian, deciding whether he had committed a criminal act or performed an act of mercy. His quest to establish the right of a physician to assist in the death of his patients was also controversial.  

In the previous six years, Dr. Kevorkian had been charged with murder three times. Each jury found him not guilty. This time Kevorkian was on trial for one of his early and most sharply debated cases, the double suicide of two women almost five years earlier. Frontline’s narrator commented, “In seeming desperation, Michigan prosecutors had built their final case against Jack Kevorkian on a legal oddity. The temporary Michigan statute on assisted suicide had expired, but Kevorkian was being tried anyway, under an unusual court ruling that unwritten "common law" made it a crime to help anyone commit suicide…Technically, the case would hinge on Kevorkian's motive. Was he guilty because he intended to help his patients commit suicide? Or was he not guilty because he only intended to end their pain and suffering?”  

During the trial, the prosecution called expert medical witnesses who testified that Kevorkian had made a serious mistake, that one of the patients’ real problem was psychological, a clinical depression for which she never received adequate treatment. Following Dr. Kevorkian’s appearance on 60 Minutes with Mike Wallace, specific jury instructions for first-degree murder, not his original charge of assisted suicide, were issued. He was not allowed any witnesses. 

I believe that Jack Kevorkian’s personal characteristics as well as his nonconformist ideas influenced his harsh punishment. An adult who lives alone, having apparently never married or had children, with no family present, with an ethnic surname (“What kind of a name is that?”), is too often perceived as deviant. His ideas and actions continue to threaten many members of the medical and legal establishments. Assisted suicide, physician assisted suicide, the right to die, euthanasia, even use of body parts are concepts that are off limits for most general discussion. 

In 2002, Jack Kevorkian was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. 

xxxx 

Chronological media list: 

Kevorkian, Jack. Prescription—Medicide: The Goodness of Planned Death. 1991.  

“The Kevorkian Verdict (transcript)” Frontline PBS-TV production #1416, aired on May 14, 1996. Written, produced, directed by Michael Kirk and Michael Sullivan. 

Brown, David Brown. “Is it time to bring back 'old age' as a cause of death?” Washington Post, September 17, 2010. 

“The Suicide Tourist” Frontline PBS-TV production aired June 22, 2010. About struggling to live and deciding when to die, it asked: Is this a choice everyone should have? 

You Don’t Know Jack; The Life and Deaths of Jack Kevorkian. 2010. 134 minute HBO video about Jack Kevorkian, played by Al Pacino. 

xxxx 

Throughout December 2010, a bulletin board display of some of Bulbul’s very contemporary cartoons and comic strips that focus on senior citizens’ interests can be viewed at the North Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst, corner of MLK. AC bus #25 stops at the Center. (For further information, email pen136@dslextreme.com) 

Nicole Hollander’s blog is Badgirlchats.com, and her new book is out. It’s The Sylvia Chronicles: 30 Years of Graphic Misbehavior from Reagan to Obama.  

The Medicare Open Enrollment Period this year will run from November 15th through December 31st. 

Check out "The Older Side of Hollywood Gets Its Due," by Michael Cieply (New York Times, Nov. 15, 2010), who reports the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Governors Awards to some old fellers -- Robert De Niro is 67! Clint Eastwood is 80! Eli Wallach at 95… Who knew! 

Wallach’s spouse, actor Anne Jackson, is 84. 

Elder Portrait Exhibit: Friday, December 3rd at 5:30 PM. Studio One Art Center, 45th and Shafter Streets, Oakland, CA. The show runs from December 3rd to January 3rd. All Welcome. Wheelchair Accessible. Free. “20 fascinating elders from the Bay Area will be featured in “Elders in Our Midst”, the latest in a series of portraits by acclaimed Berkeley painter, Phoebe Ackley.”  

Check out the November issue of the California Senior Legislature’s online newsletter. Listed are numerous legislative proposals concerned with (among others) elder abuse prevention, identify theft fines, elder abuse fines, hearing aid availability and cost, property tax exemptions, and disasteremergency transportation for disabled and senior citizens. New federal proposals include Medicare coverage of dental care and hearing and visual aids, public housing for senior veterans (requires preference for public housing be given to eligible seniors who are honorably discharged veterans), and Social Security and Medicare Sustainable Program costs.  

Helen Rippier Wheeler can be reached at pen136@dslextreme.com 

No email attachments; use “Senior Power” for subject. 

###

BOOKS INC., BERKELEY  

Leonard Pitt, Dec. 1, 7 p.m. "Paris: Journey Through Time.''  

Karima Cammell, Dec. 2, 4 p.m. "Commonplace Mouse.''  

Lucy Bledsoe, Dec. 2, 7 p.m. "Big Bang Symphony.''  

1760 4th Street, Berkeley. (510) 525-7777, www.booksinc.net.< 

DIESEL, A BOOKSTORE  

Tom Hudgensy, Nov. 27, 3 p.m. "The Commonsense Kitchen.''  

5433 College Avenue, Oakland. (510) 653-9965.< 

KAHILLA COMMUNITY SYNAGOGUE  

Todd Gitlin, Nov. 30, 7:30 p.m. "Chosen Peoples.''  

1300 Grand Avenue and Fairview, Oakland. < 

MRS. DALLOWAY'S  

Natahsa Wimmer and Jeffrey Yang, Dec. 2, 7:30 p.m. "Some Kind of Beautiful Signal.''  

Thomas Lynch, Dec. 5, 4 p.m. "A Christmas Memory.''  

2904 College Avenue, Berkeley. (510) 704-8222.< 

UNIVERSITY PRESS BOOKS  

Gayle Salamon, Nov. 30, 5:30 p.m. "Assuming A Body.''  

Adele E. Clarke, Dec. 2, 6 p.m. "Biomedicalization.''  

2430 Bancroft Way, Berkeley. (510) 548-0585, www.universitypressbooks.com.<

FREMONT SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA  

"The Nutcracker," Dec. 4 through Dec. 5, 2 and 7 p.m. Sat.; 2 p.m. Sun. The beloved holiday classic comes to life on stage. $20-$48.  

Jackson Theater, Smith Center for the Fine and Performing Arts, Ohlone College, 43600 Mission Blvd., Fremont. (510) 794-1659, www.fremontsymphony.org.< 

JULIA MORGAN CENTER FOR THE ARTS  

"Cinderella," by Rodgers and Hammerstein, through Dec. 5. Featuring Grammynominated Broadway star, Frenchie Davis; directed by Elizabeth McKoy. See website for full performance listing. $15-$33. www.berkeleyplayhouse.org. 

2640 College Ave., Berkeley. (510) 845-8542, www.juliamorgan.org.< 

LA PENA CULTURAL CENTER  

"Odissi Vilas," Dec. 4, 8 p.m. A performance of Odissi, an ancient dance from India. $13-$15.  

Free unless otherwise noted. 3105 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley. (510) 849-2568, www.lapena.org.< 

LESHER CENTER FOR THE ARTS  

"Smiun Ballet presents The Christmas Ballet, 2010 Edition," Nov. 26 and Nov. 27, 8 p.m. Fri.; 2 and 8 p.m. Sat. Performance includes two new works by Amy Seiwert and Amy London, along with older favorites. $20-$62.  

"Contra Costa Ballet presents Story of the Nutcracker," Dec. 2 through Dec. 4, 7:30 p.m. Thu.; 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. Fri.; 2, 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. Sat. The beloved holiday classic is brought to life live on stage. $22-$32.  

1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek. (925) 943-7469, www.lesherartscenter.com.< 

OHLONE COLLEGE  

"Winter Dance Showcase," Dec. 2 through Dec. 4, 8 p.m. Ohlone students showcase the variety of dance styles taught at the college. $10-$12.  

43600 Mission Blvd., Fremont. (510) 659-6285, www.ohlone.edu.< 

"CIRQUE DU SOLEIL'S OVO," -- Nov. 27 through Jan. 24. A lively rush into a world of insects and acrobatics. Written and directed by Deborah Colker. See website for times, dates and complete details. Performances take place under the "Grand Chapiteau'' at AT&T Park. 

$38-$250.www.cirquedusoleil.com.< 

COUNTERPULSE  

"2nd Sundays," ongoing. 2-4 p.m. Sun. Sept. 12: Philein Wang, ZiRu Tiger Productions, Tammy Cheney, Lenora Lee. Free.  

1310 Mission St., San Francisco. (415) 626-2060, www.counterpulse.org.< 

HEMLOCK TAVERN  

Bunny Pistol's Holiday Burlesque Extravaganza, Dec. 1, 9 p.m. $6. 

Unless otherwise noted, shows begin at 10 p.m. 1131 Polk St., San Francisco. (415) 923-0923, www.hemlocktavern.com.< 

ORPHEUM THEATRE  

"West Side Story," through Nov. 28. The legendary show, with standards such as "Tonight,'' "America,'' and "Maria,'' is considered one of the best ever written. Book by Arthur Laurents; music and lyrics by Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim. $30-$99.  

1192 Market St., San Francisco. (415) 512-7770, www.shnsf.com.< 

PENA PACHAMAMA  

"Flamenco Thursdays" with Carola Zertuche, ongoing. 8:30 p.m. Thursdays Music and dance with performers of traditional flamenco. $10.  

Brisas de Espana Ballet Flamenco, ongoing. 6:15 and 7:15 p.m. Sun.  

$10-$15. 

For ages 21 and older. 1630 Powell St., San Francisco. (415) 646-0018, www.penapachamama.com.< 

PIER 29 SPIEGELTENT  

"Teatro Zinzanni," through March 6, 6 p.m. Wed.-Sat.; 5 p.m. Sun. Teatro Zinzanni presents a new production, "License To Kiss II, A Sweet Conspiracy,'' offering a blend of European cabaret, circus arts, music, comedy and more. $117-$145.  

Embarcadero at Battery Street, San Francisco. (415) 438-2668, www.zinzanni.org.< 

THEATER ARTAUD  

"Liss Fain Dance presents the False and True Are One," Dec. 3 and Dec. 4, 8 p.m. Choreographed by Liss Fain, featuring actress Jeri Lynn Cohen. $12.50-$25.  

450 Florida St., San Francisco. (415) 621-7797, www.theaterartaud.org.< 

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO  

"USF's Fall Dance Show: Kinetic Reality," Dec. 2 through Dec. 4, 8 p.m. Performance takes place at the Studio Theater on the USF Lone Mountain Campus, 2800 Turk Blvd, San Francisco. $5-$10.  

www.ucsf.edu 513 Parnassus Ave., San Francisco. (415) 476-9000.< 

YERBA BUENA CENTER FOR THE ARTS THEATER  

"ODC/Dance: The Velveteen Rabbit," Nov. 26 through Dec. 12. The beloved holiday production returns for its 24th season. Directed by KT Nelson. Times vary throughout run; see website for full details. $15-$45. www.ybca.org. 

700 Howard St., San Francisco. (415) 978-2787, www.ybca.org.< 

ZEUM Zeum is a technology and arts museum for children and families featuring exhibits and workshops that cover a variety of fascinating subjects. 

"Mark Foehringer Dance Project presents Nutcracker at Zeum," Nov. 27 through Dec. 19, 11 a.m., 2 and 4 p.m. Sat.; 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Sun. A unique version of the holiday classic "Nutcracker.'' $25.  

$8-$10. 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Wednesday-Sunday. 221 Fourth St., San Francisco. (415) 820-3220, www.zeum.org.<

AUDIUM  

"Audium 9," ongoing. 8:30 p.m. Fri.-Sat. An exploration of the spatial dimension of music in a unique environment of 176 speakers. $15.  

$15. 8:30 p.m. 1616 Bush St., San Francisco. (415) 771-1616, www.audium.com.< 

HERBST THEATRE  

Stephen Prutsman, Nov. 27, 8 p.m. The world-renowned pianist performs his "Bach and Forth" program. $40-$50.  

"Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra presents Handel's Messiah," Dec. 3, 7:30 p.m.  

$35-$95 www.philharmonia.org. 

401 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco. (415) 392-4400, www.cityboxoffice.com.< 

LAKESIDE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH  

"Handel's Sing-Along Messiah," Dec. 5, 3 p.m. Join members of the San Francisco City Chorus in singing this seasonal and inspiring choral work. $10. (415) 968-9523, www.sfcitychorus.org. 

201 Eucalyptus Drive, San Francisco. (415) 564-8833.< 

LEGION OF HONOR MUSEUM DOCENT TOUR PROGRAMS -- Tours of the permanent collections and special exhibitions are offered Tuesday through Sunday. Non-English language tours (Italian, French, Spanish and Russian) are available on different Saturdays of the month at 11:30 a.m. Free with regular museum admission. (415) 750-3638.  

ONGOING CHILDREN'S PROGRAM --  

"Doing and Viewing Art," ongoing. For ages 7 to 12. Docent-led tours of current exhibitions are followed by studio workshops taught by professional artists/teachers. Students learn about art by seeing and making it. Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to noon; call to confirm class. Free with museum admission. (415) 750-3658. 

ORGAN CONCERTS -- Ongoing. 4 p.m. A weekly concert of organ music on the Legion's restored 1924 Skinner organ. Saturday and Sunday in the Rodin Gallery. Free with museum admission. (415) 750-3624. 

$6-$10; free for children ages 12 and under; free for all visitors on Tuesdays. Tuesday-Sunday, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Lincoln Park, 34th Avenue and Clement Street, San Francisco. (415) 750-3600, (415) 750-3636, www.legionofhonor.org.< 

SAN FRANCISCO CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC  

Elza van den Heever, Dec. 5, 2 p.m. Performance will include works by Handel, Schumann, Faure and more. $35.  

$15 to $20 unless otherwise noted. Hellman Hall, 50 Oak St., San Francisco. (415) 864-7326, www.sfcm.edu.< 

SAN FRANCISCO OPERA  

"Madama Butterfly," by Giacomo Puccini, through Nov. 27. Nicola Luisotti conducts. 8 p.m. Oct. 12, 15, 23, 29, Nov. 5, Nov. 27; 7:30 p.m. Oct. 20, 26, Nov. 11, Nov. 17; 2 p.m. Nov. 14 and Nov. 21. $20-$360.  

"The Makropulos Case," through Nov. 28, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 10, Nov. 24; 8 p.m. Nov. 13, Nov. 16, Nov. 20; 2 p.m. Nov. 28. Sung in Czech with English supertitles. $20-$360.  

"Aida" by Giuseppe Verdi, through Dec. 5, 8 p.m. Nov. 23, Nov. 26, Nov. 29; 7:30 p.m. Dec. 2; 2 p.m. Dec. 5. A bitter love triangle plays itself out against a backdrop of war and cultural oppression in this compelling tale of conflicting loyalties and forbidden passion. Sung in Italian with English supertitles. $25-$320.  

$25 to $245 unless otherwise noted. War Memorial Opera House, 301 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco. (415) 864-3330, www.sfopera.com.< 

SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY  

"Michael Tilson Thomas and Pianist Yefim Bronfman with the San Francisco Symphony," through Nov. 27, 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. Wed.; 6:30 p.m. Fri.; 8 p.m. Sat. Works by Brahms and Berg. $15-$140.  

"Project San Francisco: John Adams," Dec. 2 through Dec. 4, 8 p.m. Works include "El Nino'' by John Adams. $35-$140.  

"Chamber Music at the Legion of Honor," Dec. 5, 2 p.m. Works by Beethoven, Debussy and Dvorak. Concert takes place at the Florence Gould Theater at the Palace of the Legion of Honor, San Francisco. $45-$49.  

"Deck The Hall Concert and Holiday Party," Dec. 5, 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. The 30th annual event celebrates the holiday season with a magical stage show spanning holidays around the world, designed for children ages three to ten. $36-$50.  

Liza Minnelli and her Quartet, Dec. 5, 8 p.m. Liza Minnelli will sing standards, seasonal favorites and songs from her new record. $15-$100.  

$25-$130. Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco. (415) 864-6000, www.sfsymphony.org.< 

ST. MARY'S CATHEDRAL  

David Hatt, organist, Nov. 28, 3:30 p.m.  

$5 suggested donation. 1111 Gough St., San Francisco. (415) 567-2020, www.stmarycathedralsf.org.<

AUDIUM  

"Audium 9," ongoing. 8:30 p.m. Fri.-Sat. An exploration of the spatial dimension of music in a unique environment of 176 speakers. $15.  

$15. 8:30 p.m. 1616 Bush St., San Francisco. (415) 771-1616, www.audium.com.< 

HERBST THEATRE  

Stephen Prutsman, Nov. 27, 8 p.m. The world-renowned pianist performs his "Bach and Forth" program. $40-$50.  

"Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra presents Handel's Messiah," Dec. 3, 7:30 p.m.  

$35-$95 www.philharmonia.org. 

401 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco. (415) 392-4400, www.cityboxoffice.com.< 

LAKESIDE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH  

"Handel's Sing-Along Messiah," Dec. 5, 3 p.m. Join members of the San Francisco City Chorus in singing this seasonal and inspiring choral work. $10. (415) 968-9523, www.sfcitychorus.org. 

201 Eucalyptus Drive, San Francisco. (415) 564-8833.< 

LEGION OF HONOR MUSEUM DOCENT TOUR PROGRAMS -- Tours of the permanent collections and special exhibitions are offered Tuesday through Sunday. Non-English language tours (Italian, French, Spanish and Russian) are available on different Saturdays of the month at 11:30 a.m. Free with regular museum admission. (415) 750-3638.  

ONGOING CHILDREN'S PROGRAM --  

"Doing and Viewing Art," ongoing. For ages 7 to 12. Docent-led tours of current exhibitions are followed by studio workshops taught by professional artists/teachers. Students learn about art by seeing and making it. Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to noon; call to confirm class. Free with museum admission. (415) 750-3658. 

ORGAN CONCERTS -- Ongoing. 4 p.m. A weekly concert of organ music on the Legion's restored 1924 Skinner organ. Saturday and Sunday in the Rodin Gallery. Free with museum admission. (415) 750-3624. 

$6-$10; free for children ages 12 and under; free for all visitors on Tuesdays. Tuesday-Sunday, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Lincoln Park, 34th Avenue and Clement Street, San Francisco. (415) 750-3600, (415) 750-3636, www.legionofhonor.org.< 

SAN FRANCISCO CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC  

Elza van den Heever, Dec. 5, 2 p.m. Performance will include works by Handel, Schumann, Faure and more. $35.  

$15 to $20 unless otherwise noted. Hellman Hall, 50 Oak St., San Francisco. (415) 864-7326, www.sfcm.edu.< 

SAN FRANCISCO OPERA  

"Madama Butterfly," by Giacomo Puccini, through Nov. 27. Nicola Luisotti conducts. 8 p.m. Oct. 12, 15, 23, 29, Nov. 5, Nov. 27; 7:30 p.m. Oct. 20, 26, Nov. 11, Nov. 17; 2 p.m. Nov. 14 and Nov. 21. $20-$360.  

"The Makropulos Case," through Nov. 28, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 10, Nov. 24; 8 p.m. Nov. 13, Nov. 16, Nov. 20; 2 p.m. Nov. 28. Sung in Czech with English supertitles. $20-$360.  

"Aida" by Giuseppe Verdi, through Dec. 5, 8 p.m. Nov. 23, Nov. 26, Nov. 29; 7:30 p.m. Dec. 2; 2 p.m. Dec. 5. A bitter love triangle plays itself out against a backdrop of war and cultural oppression in this compelling tale of conflicting loyalties and forbidden passion. Sung in Italian with English supertitles. $25-$320.  

$25 to $245 unless otherwise noted. War Memorial Opera House, 301 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco. (415) 864-3330, www.sfopera.com.< 

SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY  

"Michael Tilson Thomas and Pianist Yefim Bronfman with the San Francisco Symphony," through Nov. 27, 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. Wed.; 6:30 p.m. Fri.; 8 p.m. Sat. Works by Brahms and Berg. $15-$140.  

"Project San Francisco: John Adams," Dec. 2 through Dec. 4, 8 p.m. Works include "El Nino'' by John Adams. $35-$140.  

"Chamber Music at the Legion of Honor," Dec. 5, 2 p.m. Works by Beethoven, Debussy and Dvorak. Concert takes place at the Florence Gould Theater at the Palace of the Legion of Honor, San Francisco. $45-$49.  

"Deck The Hall Concert and Holiday Party," Dec. 5, 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. The 30th annual event celebrates the holiday season with a magical stage show spanning holidays around the world, designed for children ages three to ten. $36-$50.  

Liza Minnelli and her Quartet, Dec. 5, 8 p.m. Liza Minnelli will sing standards, seasonal favorites and songs from her new record. $15-$100.  

$25-$130. Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco. (415) 864-6000, www.sfsymphony.org.< 

ST. MARY'S CATHEDRAL  

David Hatt, organist, Nov. 28, 3:30 p.m.  

$5 suggested donation. 1111 Gough St., San Francisco. (415) 567-2020, www.stmarycathedralsf.org.<

BANKHEAD THEATER  

"Pacific Chamber Symphony presents Handel's Messiah," Dec. 3, 8 p.m.  

$7-$39. www.pacificchambersymphony.org. 

2400 First Street, Livermore. (925) 373-6800, www.livermoreperformingarts.org.< 

CAL PERFORMANCES All performances in Zellerbach Hall unless otherwise noted. 

Christian Tetzlaff, Dec. 4, 6 p.m. The violin virtuoso performs. $46-$100.  

Takacs Quartet, Dec. 5, 3 p.m. Concert takes place in Hertz Hall. $56.  

Zellerbach Hall, University of California, Berkeley, Bancroft Way at Telegraph Avenue, Berkeley. (510) 642-9988, www.calperformances.net.< 

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF BERKELEY  

"Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra presents Handel's Messiah," Dec. 4 and Dec. 5, 7:30 p.m. Sat.; 7 p.m. Sun. $35-$95. 

2345 Channing Way, Berkeley. (510) 848-3696, www.fccb.org.< 

FREIGHT AND SALVAGE  

David Tannenbaum & Guitar Ensemble, Nov. 29. $8.50-$9.50. 

"Berkeley West Edge Opera presents Songs From The Edge," Dec. 5, 2 p.m. Performers include soprano Nicolle Foland and Emma McNairy. $14-$18. www.berkeleyopera.org. 

Music starts at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted. 2020 Addison St., Berkeley. (510) 548-1761, www.freightandsalvage.org.< 

MUSIC SOURCES  

"Dueling Harpsichords," Dec. 5, 5 p.m. Works by Vivaldi, Bach and others.  

1000 The Alameda at Marin, Berkeley. (510) 528-1685, www.musicsources.org/.< 

ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI CHURCH  

Voices of Musica Sacra, Nov. 27, 3 p.m. The group performs selections from American choral music, 1621-1863. (925) 680-7089, www.vmschorus.org. 

86 Oak Grove Road, Concord. < 

ST. JOHN'S PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH  

"Chamber Music Sundaes," Nov. 28, 3 p.m. Works by Mozart, Brindel and more. $25.  

2727 College Ave., Berkeley. (510) 845-6830, www.stjohnsberkeley.org.< 

ST. STEPHENS CATHOLIC CHURCH  

Voices of Musica Sacra, Nov. 28, 3 p.m. The group performs selections from American choral music, 1621-1863. (925) 680-7089, www.vmschorus.org. 

1101 Keaveny Court, Walnut Creek. <

"CIRQUE DU SOLEIL'S OVO," -- Nov. 27 through Jan. 24. A lively rush into a world of insects and acrobatics. Written and directed by Deborah Colker. See website for times, dates and complete details. Performances take place under the "Grand Chapiteau'' at AT&T Park. 

$38-$250.www.cirquedusoleil.com.< 

AFRICAN AMERICAN ART AND CULTURE COMPLEX  

"African-American Shakespeare Company presents Cinderella," Dec. 3 through Dec. 19, 8 p.m. Dec. 3, 10, 17, 18; 3 and 8 p.m. Dec. 4, 11; 3 p.m. Dec. 5, 12, 19. An enchanting new production of the timeless tale of Cinderella. $10-$50. (800) 838-3006, www.african-americanshakes.org. 

762 Fulton St., San Francisco. www.aaacc.org.< 

AMERICAN CONSERVATORY THEATER  

"A Christmas Carol," Dec. 2 through Dec. 24, 7 p.m. Dec. 2, 3, 4, 7, 10, 11, 15, 16, 18, 20-23; 5:30 p.m. Dec. 5, 12, 19; 2 p.m. Dec. 4, 8, 9, 11, 21-24; 1 p.m. Dec. 12, 19. Scrooge is back, and he's meaner than ever!Adapted by Carey Perloff and Paul Walsh. $15-$102.  

Geary Theater, 415 Geary St., San Francisco. (415) 749-2228, www.actsf. org.< 

BEACH BLANKET BABYLON This long-running musical follows Snow White as she sings and dances her way around the world in search of her prince. Along the way she encounters many of the personalities in today's headlines, including Nancy Pelosi, Condoleezza Rice, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Harry Potter, Tiger Woods, Oprah Winfrey, Britney Spears, Dianne Feinstein, Barbara Boxer, Hillary Clinton, George and Laura Bush, Michael Jackson, Martha Stewart, Tom Cruise, Angelina, characters from Brokeback Mountain and Paris Hilton. Persons under 21 are not admitted to evening performances, but are welcome to Sunday matinees. 

"Steve Silver's Beach Blanket Babylon," ongoing. 8 p.m. Wed. - Thurs.; 6:30 and 9:30 p.m. Fri. - Sat.; 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. Sun.  

$25-$134. Club Fugazi, 678 Beach Blanket Babylon Blvd. (formerly Green Street), San Francisco. (415) 421-4222, www.beachblanketbabylon.com.< 

CHANCELLOR HOTEL UNION SQUARE  

"Eccentrics of San Francisco's Barbary Coast," ongoing. 8 p.m. Fri. -Sat. Audiences gather for a 90-minute show abounding with local anecdotes and lore presented by captivating and consummate conjurers and taletellers. $30.  

433 Powell St., San Francisco. (877) 784-6835, www.chancellorhotel.com.< 

CLIMATE THEATRE  

"The Clown Cabaret at the Climate," ongoing. 7 and 9 p.m. First Monday of the month. Hailed as San Francisco's hottest ticket in clowning, this show blends rising stars with seasoned professionals on the Climate Theater's intimate stage. $10-$15.  

285 Ninth St., Second Floor, San Francisco. www.climatetheater.com.< 

COUNTERPULSE  

"The Golden Girls' Christmas Episodes," Dec. 2 through Dec. 23, 7 and 9 p.m. Thu.-Sat.; no show Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. An uproarious stage production featuring a cast in drag recreating the beloved TV show. Special guests include Jane Wiedlin of the Go-Go's. $25.  

1310 Mission St., San Francisco. (415) 626-2060, www.counterpulse.org.< 

COW PALACE  

"The 32nd Annual Great Dickens Christmas Fair," Nov. 26 through Dec. 19, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sat.-Sun. This annual Bay Area favorite sends visitors back to Victorian London and into the living pages of some of Dickens' greatest books with costumed actors, music halls, shops and pubs designed to recreate the feel and look of 19th century England. People can buy gifts and goodies from "street vendors'' and shops, enjoy a traditional tea and British pub meal, or have a pint at "Mad Sal's Dockside Alehouse.'' $12-$25; $60 for season pass. (800) 510-1558, www.dickensfair.com. 

Geneva Avenue and Santos Street, San Francisco. (415) 404-4111, www.cowpalace.com.< 

CUTTING BALL THEATER  

"The Tempest," by William Shakespeare, through Nov. 28, 8 p.m. Thu.-Sat.; 5 p.m. Sun. No performance Nov. 25. This uniquely San Franciscan version of the Shakespeare classic promises to give an up close look at the monsters lurking inside all of us. $15-$50. (800) 838-3006. 

The EXIT, 277 Taylor St., San Francisco. (415) 419-3584, www.cuttingball.com.< 

EUREKA THEATRE  

"Babes In Arms," Dec. 1 through Dec. 19, 7 p.m. Wed.; 8 p.m. Thu.-Fri.; 6 p.m. Sat.; 3 p.m. Sun. A holiday show by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart. $24-$44.  

215 Jackson St., San Francisco. (415) 255-8207, (415) 978-2787, www.42ndstmoon.org or www.ticketweb.com.< 

HEMLOCK TAVERN  

Bunny Pistol's Holiday Burlesque Extravaganza, Dec. 1, 9 p.m. $6. 

Unless otherwise noted, shows begin at 10 p.m. 1131 Polk St., San Francisco. (415) 923-0923, www.hemlocktavern.com.< 

HERBST THEATRE  

"Oy Vey In A Manger," Nov. 26, 8 p.m. The Kinsey Sicks, self-proclaimed "dragapella beautyshop quartet,'' present their over-the-top holiday show, with songs such as "Tis The Season To Drink Stoli.'' $25-$35.  

401 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco. (415) 392-4400, www.cityboxoffice.com.< 

KIMO'S BAR  

"Fauxgirls," ongoing. 10 p.m. Every third Saturday. Drag cabaret revue features San Francisco's finest female impersonators. Free. (415) 695-1239, www.fauxgirls.com. 

1351 Polk St., San Francisco. (415) 885-4535, www.kimosbarsf.com.< 

MAGIC THEATRE  

"Or," by Liz Duffy Adams, through Dec. 5, 7 p.m. Tue.; 8 p.m. Wed.-Sat.; 2:30 p.m. Sat.-Sun. A comedic play about a spy trying to get into showbiz. $30-$60.  

Building D, Fort Mason Center, Buchanan Street and Marina Boulevard, San Francisco. (415) 441-8822, www.magictheatre.org.< 

THE MARSH  

"The Mock Cafe," ongoing. 10 p.m. Saturdays. Stand-up comedy performances. $7.  

"The Monday Night Marsh," ongoing. 8 p.m. Mondays. An ongoing series of works-in-progress. $7.  

"It's All The Rage," by Marilyn Pittman, through Dec. 5, 8:30 p.m. Sat.; 7 p.m. Sun. A new solo show that deals with the murder-suicide of Pittman's parents, looking at their history, and dealing with the tragedy in a way that is heartbreakingly sad, but manages to be funny as well. $20-$50.  

1062 Valencia St., San Francisco. (415) 826-5750, www.themarsh.org.< 

ORPHEUM THEATRE  

"West Side Story," through Nov. 28. The legendary show, with standards such as "Tonight,'' "America,'' and "Maria,'' is considered one of the best ever written. Book by Arthur Laurents; music and lyrics by Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim. $30-$99.  

"Shrek The Musical," Dec. 1 through Jan. 2, 8 p.m. Tue.-Sat.; 2 p.m. Wed., Sat.-Sun.; additional performances at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5, 26; 2 p.m. Dec. 23, 30; 2 p.m. Nov. 26, Dec. 24. No performances on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day or New Year's Eve. The story of the swamp-dwelling ogre and his adventures with his friends the wise-cracking donkey and the princess. $30-$99.  

1192 Market St., San Francisco. (415) 512-7770, www.shnsf.com.< 

PHOENIX THEATRE  

"The Tender King," by Ian Walker, through Dec. 11, 8 p.m. Thu.-Sat.; 2 p.m. Sun. A gripping portrayal of presidential decisions surrounding the end of World War II, focusing on Harry Truman's time at the Potsdam Conference. $20-$25. www.secondwind.8m.com. 

414 Mason St., Sixth Floor, San Francisco. (800) 838-3006, www.offbroadwaywest.org.< 

PIER 29 SPIEGELTENT  

"Teatro Zinzanni," through March 6, 6 p.m. Wed.-Sat.; 5 p.m. Sun. Teatro Zinzanni presents a new production, "License To Kiss II, A Sweet Conspiracy,'' offering a blend of European cabaret, circus arts, music, comedy and more. $117-$145.  

Embarcadero at Battery Street, San Francisco. (415) 438-2668, www.zinzanni.org.< 

PIER 39 A pier filled with shops, restaurants, theaters and entertainment of all sorts from sea lions to street performers.  

"SAN FRANCISCO CAROUSEL" -- The Pier's two-tiered, San Francisco-themed carousel with hand-crafted ponies that rock and move up and down and tubs that spin. In addition, carousel has hand-painted pictures of San Francisco scenes like the Golden Gate Bridge, Chinatown and Coit Tower. $3 per ride. "FREQUENT FLYERS'' -- A bungee trampoline where people can safely jump and flip over 20 feet in the air thanks to the help of bungee cords and a harness. Jumpers must weigh at least 30 pounds and not more than 230 pounds. $10 per session. (415) 981-6300.  

"RIPTIDE ARCADE" -- A 6,000-square-foot, surfer-themed arcade offering the Bay area's only 10-gun, Old West-style shooting gallery and 100 cuttingedge video games, virtual reality units and popular novelty games. Included are the "Dance Dance Revolution'' game, driving and roller coaster simulators, the "Global VR Vortex'' virtual reality machine, "Star Wars Trilogy,'' "Jurassic Park,'' "Rush 2049,'' and classics such as "Pac Man'' and "Galaga.'' Games are operated by 25-cent tokens and range in price from 25 cents to $1.50. Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.; through Feb. 26: Sunday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (415) 981-6300.  

"TURBO RIDE" -- Three simulated rides where the hydraulic seats move in synchronization with events on a giant screen are available at the Turbo Ride complex. The 12-minute-long rides in 3-D and 4-D are: "Dino Island II''; "Haunted Mine Ride,'' and "Extreme Log Ride.'' $12 general for one ride; $8 seniors and children ages 3 to 12 for one ride; $15 general for two rides; $11 seniors and children ages 3 to 12 for two rides; $18 general for multi-rides; $14 seniors and children ages 3 to 12 for multi-rides. (415) 392-8872.  

STUDIO 39 MAGIC CARPET RIDES -- A comedy action adventure utilizing special effects to created a personalized movie with visitors as the "stars'' flying above San Francisco. The Magic Carpet Ride is free. No reservations required. Ride is approximately five minutes. Personalized videos will be available for $30 for one: $10 for each additional tape. (415) 397-3939. SEA LIONS -- California sea lions, nicknamed "Sea Lebrities,'' "hauled out'' on Pier 39's K-Dock shortly after the 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake and by January of 1990 had taken over the docks. Due to a plentiful supply of herring and a protected environment, the population has grown and now reaches as many as 900 during the winter months. Weather permitting, free educational talks are provided by Marine Mammal Center volunteers on Saturday and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Free. (415) 705-5500. 

"Tony n' Tina's Wedding," ongoing. The original interactive comedy hit where audience members play the roles of "invited guests'' at a fun-filled wedding ceremony. The popular dinner comedy performs at Swiss Louis Italian Restaurant. Thursday-Saturday, 7 p.m.; Matinees: Thursday and Saturday, noon. $88.50-$115.50. (888) 775-6777, www.pier39shows.com. 

Free. 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; certain attractions and shops have differing hours. The Embarcadero and Beach Street, San Francisco. (415) 623-5300, (800) SEADIVE, www.pier39.com.< 

SAN FRANCISCO PUBLIC LIBRARY, MAIN BRANCH  

"Creating Coraline: The Making of a New Musical," Nov. 28, 3-4:30 p.m. Join SF Playhouse's Artistic Director Bill English and special guests as they talk about what it has taken to bring the new musical "Coraline" to the stage. Attendees have a chance to win free tickets to the show. Event takes place in the Koret Auditorium. Free.  

Free. Monday and Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Tuesday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-8 p.m.; Friday, noon-6 p.m.; Sunday, noon-5 p.m. 100 Larkin St., San Francisco. (415) 557-4400, www.sfpl.org.< 

SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY  

"Deck The Hall Concert and Holiday Party," Dec. 5, 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. The 30th annual event celebrates the holiday season with a magical stage show spanning holidays around the world, designed for children ages three to ten. $36-$50.  

$25-$130. Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco. (415) 864-6000, www.sfsymphony.org.< 

SF PLAYHOUSE  

"Coraline," through Jan. 15, 7 p.m. Tue.-Wed.; 8 p.m. Thu.-Sat.; 3 p.m. Sat. Neil Gaiman's children's book is brought to life on the stage with music by Stephen Merritt of the Magnetic Fields. $30-$50.  

533 Sutter St., San Francisco. (415) 677-9596, www.sfplayhouse.org.< 

SHELTON THEATER  

"Shopping! The Musical," by Morris Bobrow, ongoing. A quick-paced musical about those obsessed with buying things. Friday-Saturday, 8 p.m. $27-$29. (800) 838-3006, www.shoppingthemusical.com. 

Big City Improv, ongoing. 10 p.m. Fridays.  

$20. (510) 595-5597, www.bigcityimprov.com. 

533 Sutter St., San Francisco. (415) 433-1227, www.sheltontheater.com or www.sheltontheater.com.< 

STAGE WERX THEATRE  

"Ruth and The Sea," Dec. 2 through Dec. 18, 8 p.m. Thu.-Sat. A new show turning the American Christmas story on its ear. $18-$24.  

533 Sutter Street, San Francisco. < 

THE STUD  

"Trannyshack," ongoing. A drag cabaret show that incorporates popular music, dance, props and outrageous humor into a stage show. Hosted by Heklina. Tuesday, midnight. $7. (415) 252-7883, www.heklina.com/. 

399 Ninth St., San Francisco. < 

THRILLPEDDLERS HYPNODROME  

"Pearls Over Shanghai," ongoing. 8 p.m. Thurs.-Sat.; 7 p.m. Sun. See San Francisco's longest running Cockettes musical, running through Dec. 19. $30-$35.  

575 10th Street, San Francisco. www.thrillpeddlers.com/.< 

YERBA BUENA CENTER FOR THE ARTS THEATER  

"ODC/Dance: The Velveteen Rabbit," Nov. 26 through Dec. 12. The beloved holiday production returns for its 24th season. Directed by KT Nelson. Times vary throughout run; see website for full details. $15-$45. www.ybca.org. 

700 Howard St., San Francisco. (415) 978-2787, www.ybca.org.< 

ZEUM Zeum is a technology and arts museum for children and families featuring exhibits and workshops that cover a variety of fascinating subjects. 

"Mark Foehringer Dance Project presents Nutcracker at Zeum," Nov. 27 through Dec. 19, 11 a.m., 2 and 4 p.m. Sat.; 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Sun. A unique version of the holiday classic "Nutcracker.'' $25.  

$8-$10. 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Wednesday-Sunday. 221 Fourth St., San Francisco. (415) 820-3220, www.zeum.org.<

ALTARENA PLAYHOUSE  

"Brian Copeland's Not A Genuine Black Man," Dec. 4, 8 p.m. Local awardwinning playwright and performer returns to perform his one man show about growing up in San Leandro. $50.  

1409 High St., Alameda. (510) 523-1553, www.altarena.org.< 

AURORA THEATRE COMPANY  

"Palomino," by David Cale, through Dec. 5, 7 p.m. Tue.; 8 p.m. Wed.-Sat.; 2 and 7 p.m. Sun. Writer and actor David Cale plays seven different characters in this one person play about a Central Park carriage driver who dreams of writing a great novel. $10-$55.  

Aurora Theatre, 2081 Addison St., Berkeley. (510) 843-4822, www.auroratheatre.org.< 

BERKELEY REPERTORY THEATRE  

"Lemony Snicket's The Composer is Dead," Nov. 26 through Jan. 15, 8 p.m. Tue. and Fri.; 7 p.m. Wed.; 2 and 8 p.m. Thu., Sat.; 2 and 7 p.m. Sun.; 8 p.m. Dec. 1. A deliciously silly world premiere for the holidays, written by Lemony Snicket, directed by Tony Taccone. $14.50-$73.  

2025 Addison St., Berkeley. (510) 647-2949, (888) 4BR-Ttix, www.berkeleyrep.org.< 

CAL PERFORMANCES All performances in Zellerbach Hall unless otherwise noted. 

"Mummenschanz: 3x11," Nov. 26 through Nov. 28, 2 p.m. Fri.; 2 and 8 p.m. Sat.; 3 p.m. Sun. The world-renowned Swiss pantomime group performs a retrospective on the company's 33 years of original theater. $22-$52.  

Zellerbach Hall, University of California, Berkeley, Bancroft Way at Telegraph Avenue, Berkeley. (510) 642-9988, www.calperformances.net.< 

EAST BAY IMPROV  

"Tired of the Same Old Song and Dance?" ongoing. 8 p.m. East Bay Improv actors perform spontaneous, impulsive and hilarious comedy on the first Saturday of every month. $8.  

Pinole Community Playhouse, 601 Tennent Ave., Pinole. (510) 964-0571, www.eastbayimprov.com.< 

FREMONT SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA  

"The Nutcracker," Dec. 4 through Dec. 5, 2 and 7 p.m. Sat.; 2 p.m. Sun. The beloved holiday classic comes to life on stage. $20-$48.  

Jackson Theater, Smith Center for the Fine and Performing Arts, Ohlone College, 43600 Mission Blvd., Fremont. (510) 794-1659, www.fremontsymphony.org.< 

JULIA MORGAN CENTER FOR THE ARTS  

"Cinderella," by Rodgers and Hammerstein, through Dec. 5. Featuring Grammynominated Broadway star, Frenchie Davis; directed by Elizabeth McKoy. See website for full performance listing. $15-$33. www.berkeleyplayhouse.org. 

2640 College Ave., Berkeley. (510) 845-8542, www.juliamorgan.org.< 

LESHER CENTER FOR THE ARTS  

"White Christmas," by Irving Berlin, Nov. 26 through Dec. 4, 8 p.m. Nov. 26, 27, Dec. 3, 4; 7:30 p.m. Nov. 28; 2:30 p.m. Nov. 27, 28, Dec. 4. The Diablo Theatre Company presents the holiday classic, featuring songs such as "I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm.'' $20-$42. www.diablotheatrecompany.org. 

"Contra Costa Ballet presents Story of the Nutcracker," Dec. 2 through Dec. 4, 7:30 p.m. Thu.; 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. Fri.; 2, 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. Sat. The beloved holiday classic is brought to life live on stage. $22-$32.  

1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek. (925) 943-7469, www.lesherartscenter.com.< 

MASQUERS PLAYHOUSE  

"The 25th Annual Putnum County Spelling Bee," through Dec. 18, 8 p.m. Fri.-Sat.; 2 p.m. Nov. 14, 21, Dec. 5, 12. The Tony Award-winning story about overachievers' angst comes to life, with music and lyrics by William Finn, book by Rachel Sheinkin. $20.  

105 Park Place, Point Richmond. (510) 232-4031, www.masquers.org.< 

TOWN HALL THEATRE  

"Scrooge: The Musical," Dec. 4 through Dec. 19, 8 p.m. Thu.-Sat.; 2 p.m. Dec. 12, 19; 7 p.m. Dec. 5, 12, 19; 3 p.m. Dec. 11, 18. Based on the 1970 movie starring Albert Finney. $12-$29.50.  

3535 School St., Lafayette. (925) 283-1557, www.thtc.org.<

924 GILMAN ST. All ages welcome. 

Sin Remidio, Rabia Al Sistema, Nov. 27, 7 p.m. $8. 

$5 unless otherwise noted. Shows start Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m.; Sunday, 5 p.m. unless otherwise noted. 924 Gilman St., Berkeley. (510) 525-9926, www.924gilman.org.< 

ALBATROSS PUB  

Whiskey Brothers, ongoing. 9 p.m. First and third Wednesdays.  

Free.  

Dave Widelock Jazz Trio, Nov. 27. $3. 

Free unless otherwise noted. Shows begin Wednesday, 9 p.m.; Saturday, 9:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted. 1822 San Pablo Ave., Berkeley. (510) 843-2473, www.albatrosspub.com.< 

ARMANDO'S  

Mark Hummel & Friends, Nov. 27, 8 p.m. $10. 

Derek Rolando, Ray Obiedo, Dec. 2, 8-10 p.m. $10. 

The Rory Synder Composers Group, Dec. 3, 8-11 p.m. $10. 

The Whiskey Brothers, Dec. 4, 8-11 p.m. $10. 

"2nd Annual Martinez Music Mafia Holiday Pagaent and Toy Drive," Dec. 5, 3-6 p.m. $10. 

707 Marina Vista Ave., Martinez. (925) 228-6985, www.armandosmartinez.com.< 

ASHKENAZ  

Flameco Open Stage, ongoing. 7:30 p.m. $10. 

Tabores Julio Remelexo, Pablo Paulo Band, Nov. 26, 9 p.m. $10-$13. 

Lavay Smith & Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers, Nov. 27, 9 p.m. $12-$15. 

"Family Square Dance with The Squirrelly Stringband," Nov. 28, 3 p.m. $4-$6. 

"My Amp Showcase," Nov. 28, 7 p.m. $5. 

Pine Leaf Boys, Dec. 1, 8:30 p.m. $15. 

Kugelplex, Lior Ben-hur, Adama, Dec. 2, 8 p.m. $12. 

Los Boleros, Dec. 3, 9:30 p.m. $10-$12. 

Ras Kidus, The Roots Connection Band, Sister I-Live, Dec. 4, 9 p.m. $10-$15. 

"Flemenco Family Holiday Show with Roberto Granados," Dec. 5, 7:30 p.m. $10. 

Colibri, Dec. 5, 3-4:30 p.m. $4-$6. 

1317 San Pablo Ave., Berkeley. (510) 525-5054, www.ashkenaz.com.< 

BECKETT'S IRISH PUB  

The P-PL, Nov. 26.  

Free. Shows at 10 p.m. unless otherwise noted. 2271 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley. (510) 647-1790, www.beckettsirishpub.com.< 

BLAKE'S ON TELEGRAPH  

"No More Turkey-- Tofu Concert," Nov. 26, 8:30 p.m.  

The System Relief, Reverse Gravity, Bigelow's Treehouse, Dec. 4, 9 p.m.  

For ages 18 and older unless otherwise noted. Music begins at 9:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted. 2367 Telegraph Ave., Berkeley. (510) 848-0886, www.blakesontelegraph.com.< 

CHOUINARD VINEYARDS AND WINERY The winery features an exhibit of stone craft and baskets honoring the rich culture of the Ohlone Indians. Palomares Canyon was a summer home to the Ohlone Indians. The exhibit also includes historical photos and artifacts that document more recent colorful inhabitants to the canyon."Music at Chouinard," ongoing. 4:30-8:30 p.m. on select Sundays June-August. The rest of the year features live music in the tasting room on the second Sunday of each month. Enjoy the best of Bay Area artists at Chouinard. Bring your own gourmet picnic (no outside alcoholic beverages). Wines are available for tasting and sales.  

$40 per car. 

"Wild Turkey Picnic," Nov. 26, noon-5 p.m. Collect all of your turkeystuffed relatives and couch potato friends, pack some turkey sandwiches and come for a picnic and walk. Free. 

Free. Tasting Room: Saturdays-Sundays, noon-5 p.m. 33853 Palomares Road, Castro Valley. (510) 582-9900, www.chouinard.com.< 

FIREHOUSE ARTS CENTER  

David Lanz, Nov. 27, 8 p.m. $18-$27. 

Roger McGuinn, Nov. 28, 7:30 p.m. $12-$30. 

4444 Railroad Ave., Pleasanton. (925) 931-4848, www.firehousearts.org.< 

FOX THEATER  

John Butler Trio, The Beautiful Girls, Mat McHugh, Dec. 3, 8 p.m. $29.50. 

1807 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. (510) 452-0438, www.thefoxoakland.com.< 

FREIGHT AND SALVAGE  

"Freight Open Mic," ongoing. Tuesdays. $4.50-$5.50. 

West Coast Songwriters Competition, ongoing. 7:30 p.m. $6.50-$7.50. 

Jody Stecher & Bill Evans, Nov. 26. $20.50-$21.50. 

Laurie Lewis & The Right Hands, Nov. 27. $20.50-$21.50. 

"Irish Christmas In America," Nov. 28. $20.50-$21.50. 

David Tannenbaum & Guitar Ensemble, Nov. 29. $8.50-$9.50. 

Mike Marshall's Solo Bach Night, Dec. 1, 8 p.m. $20.50-$21.50. 

Susan McKeown, Dec. 2, 8 p.m. $22.50-$24.50. 

Barbara Higbie, Peppino D'Agostino, Dec. 3, 8 p.m. $22.50-$23.50. 

"International Body Music Festival Concert," Dec. 4, 8 p.m. $22.50-$23.50. 

Cris Williamson, Dec. 5, 8 p.m. $24.50-$25.50. 

Music starts at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted. 2020 Addison St., Berkeley. (510) 548-1761, www.freightandsalvage.org.< 

JAZZSCHOOL  

Vocal Jam Session, ongoing. 7:30 p.m. $5-$10. 

Christina Perna, Dec. 3, 8 p.m. $15. 

Lisa Lindsley, Dec. 4, 8 p.m. $15. 

Theopolis Crump, Dec. 5, 4:30 p.m. $15. 

Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m.; Sunday, 4:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted. 2087 Addison St., Berkeley. (510) 845-5373, www.jazzschool.com.< 

JUPITER  

"Americana Unplugged," ongoing. 5 p.m. Sundays. A weekly bluegrass and Americana series.  

"Jazzschool Tuesdays," ongoing. 8 p.m. Tuesdays. Featuring the ensembles from the Berkeley Jazzschool. www.jazzschool.com. 

Flowtilla, Nov. 26, 8 p.m.  

Harley White Jr. Trio, Nov. 27, 8 p.m.  

8 p.m. 2181 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley. (510) 843-8277, www.jupiterbeer.com.< 

KIMBALL'S CARNIVAL  

"Monday Blues Legends Night," ongoing. 8 p.m.-midnight. Enjoy live blues music every Monday night. Presented by the Bay Area Blues Society and Lothario Lotho Company. $5 donation. (510) 836-2227, www.bayareabluessociety.net. 

522 2nd St., Jack London Square, Oakland. < 

THE NEW PARISH  

Tortured Soul, Dec. 2, 9:30 p.m. $12-$15. 

Truth and Salvage Co., Dec. 3, 10 p.m. $8-$12. 

The Dodo's, Tim Cohen, Dec. 4, 9 p.m. $15-$18. 

579 18th St., Oakland. (510) 444-7474, www.thenewparish.com.< 

ORACLE ARENA  

Roger Waters, Dec. 3, 8 p.m. $50-$400. 

7000 Coliseum Way, Oakland. (510) 625-8497, (925) 685-8497, (415) 421-8497, www.ticketmaster.com or www.theoaklandarena.com.< 

PARAMOUNT THEATRE  

Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir, Dec. 4, 7:30 p.m. $10-$40. 

2025 Broadway, Oakland. (510) 465-6400, (415) 421-8497, www.paramounttheatre.com or www.ticketmaster.com.< 

ROUND TABLE PIZZA  

East Bay Banjo Club, ongoing. 7:30-9:30 p.m. Tuesdays.  

Free.  

1938 Oak Park Blvd., Pleasant Hill. (925) 930-9004.< 

SHATTUCK DOWN LOW For ages 21 and older. 

"Live Salsa," ongoing. Wednesdays. An evening of dancing to the music of a live salsa band. Salsa dance lessons from 8-9:30 p.m. $5-$10. 

"Thirsty Thursdays," ongoing. 9 p.m. Thursdays. Featuring DJ Vickity Slick and Franky Fresh. Free.  

Montuno Swing, ongoing. 8 p.m. Wed. $10. 

Mega Banton, Baby Face, Nov. 26, 9 p.m. $15-$25. 

"King of King's," ongoing. 9 p.m. Sundays $10. 

Mortified, The Freeze, Dec. 3, 8 p.m. $15-$20. 

Sotaque Baiano, Dec. 4, 9 p.m. $10. 

2284 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley. (510) 548-1159, www.shattuckdownlow.com.< 

STARRY PLOUGH PUB  

The Starry Irish Music Session led by Shay Black, ongoing. Sundays, 8 p.m. Sliding scale.  

Spirits in the Basement and Friends, Nov. 26, 9 p.m.  

Phoenix Ash, Dangerous Gift Idea, Automatic Band, Nov. 27, 9 p.m.  

For ages 21 and over unless otherwise noted. Sunday and Wednesday, 8 p.m.; Thursday-Saturday, 9:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted. 3101 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley. (510) 841-2082, www.starryploughpub.com.< 

UPTOWN NIGHTCLUB  

Hella Gay, ongoing. 9 p.m. $7. 

Hot Tub DJs, Nov. 26, 9 p.m. $5. 

Hounds & Harlots, The Sore Thumbs, Nov. 27, 9 p.m. $5. 

French Miami, Dangermaker, Parentz, Dec. 3, 9 p.m.  

Free.  

45 Grove, Plan 9, Alaric, Dec. 4, 9 p.m. $10. 

Dick Dale, James Dale, The Bitter Honeys, Dec. 5, 8 p.m. $20. 

1928 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. (510) 451-8100, www.uptownnightclub.com.< 

YOSHI'S  

Ahmad Jamal, Nov. 26 through Nov. 28, 8 and 10 p.m. Fri.-Sat.; 2 and 7 p.m. Sun. $5-$30. 

Sarah Wilson's Trapeze Project, Nov. 29, 8 p.m. $14. 

Frank Jackson, Dec. 1, 8 p.m. $20. 

Robin Duhe, Dec. 2, 8 p.m. $16. 

Ravi Coltrane, Dec. 3 through Dec. 5, 8 and 10 p.m. Fri.-Sat.; 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Sun. $5-$20. 

Shows are Monday through Saturday, 8 and 10 p.m.; Sunday, 2 and 7 p.m., unless otherwise noted. 510 Embarcadero West, Oakland. (510) 238-9200, www.yoshis.com.<

Director Tom Hooper’s previous film was a brilliant profile of the legendary Leeds United soccer coach Brian Clough — a blazingly egotistical twit who could not stop talking. Now Hooper is back with an even grander film about King George VI, an insecure, self-effacing man who could barely start talking, thanks to a crippling stutter.

The King’s Speech is a glory of a film. In addition to a smart script (The King’s Speech was initially intended to be a stage play), the film features a luminous cast plucked from the upper branches of England’s acting royalty. Colin Firth inhabits the role of Albert (aka “Bertie”), the man who would (reluctantly) be king. Helena Bonham Carter is his determined and eternally supportive spouse. Guy Pearce is Bertie’s brother, the self-absorbed Edward VIII, and Geoffrey Rush is a delight as the King’s unorthodox Australian speech therapist, Lionel Logue. 

Bertie was never on the fast track to the throne, owing to a life-long speaking disorder. A hammering stutter that, at its worst, sounded like an early-onset death-rattle, had left him paralyzed at the thought of public speaking. There was a time when such a disability could be hidden from the masses but, as the reigning — and soon-to-be-dying King George V (Michael Gambon) — gruffly complains, the invention of the radio has changed the rules. “Now we’re expected to appear in the homes of the public!” he grouses. “We’re expected to be actors!” 

This line nails one of the special delights of the film. It invites great actors to play great historical characters who are also… acting. As Lionel Logue, the eccentric Aussie speech therapist (who honed his craft treating soldiers traumatized by WWI), Rush has a field day. Piling icing on the theatrical pound cake, Logue is also an aspiring would-be actor, so we get to watch Rush, as Lionel, auditioning for the role of crippled King Richard II for a local Shakespeare group. (In one of many wistful twists, Lionel’s performance doesn’t make the cut.) 

The Mouth that Roared 

Ultimately, with the Duke of Windsor’s decision to swap the burdens of the throne for the charms of Mrs. Wallis Simpson, it falls to Albert to become England’s King. In order to overcome the Royal stutter, Lionel trains Albert to find his voice by using the tools of acting — breathing exercises, physical presence and mental focus. The transition is fraught with peril as England is about to face the prospect of WW II and the new, untested King must stand up against a master orator in the person of a German Chancellor named Adolf Hitler. 

The rigorous training that transforms a diffident Duke into a masterly Monarch is fascinating (and frequently amusing) to behold and the pay-off is spellbinding. With the future of England and his reign riding on the success of his Inaugural address (also known as “The King’s Speech”), Albert must go where no monarch has ever gone before — into a recording studio to face a microphone that will beam his voice live over radio waves to millions of unseen but anxious citizens. 

The film recreates a scene that was, for decades, known only to a few. It turns out that the address took place in a special, soundproofed room, with Logue standing directly in front of the king, guiding his every word — much like a concertmaster conducting an orchestra. It is a tense and excruciating scene but, in the end, it is a triumph of concentration over mike-fright. 

It doesn’t hurt that power play over the future King’s loyalties pits Lionel against an imperious Archbishop — played to the hilt by Derek Jacobi. Or that Bertie’s feckless older brother and presumptive king, Edward, is played with flamboyant dash by Guy Pearce. These are actors at the top of their game having one of the best cinematic romps of their lives. The words — up to and including Firth’s fitful stammering — offer a spoken banquet of well-seasoned ear-morsels. 

Everyone is given special moments where they are allowed to bowl over the audience with a simple look or a single, perfectly delivered word. In one scene, Rush answers a King’s question with only two words but pronounces them with such layered relish that it left the seasoned critic sitting next to me at an October press screening braying helplessly as he repeatedly slapped his thigh in a bout of unchecked hilarity. 

A Free Speech Battle over the King’s Speech 

There is a wonderful early scene where Bertie is relaxing and playing with his daughters, the future princesses Margaret and Elizabeth, and is called on to ad lib a story about penguins to entertain the children. Despite the stammer, he acquits himself admirably. 

But there another scene that will certainly be the most talked about and savored outtake in the film. It would have become a classic even had the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) not intervened to slap the film with a restrictive “15” rating. The problem arose from an acting exercise Logue employs to loosen the king’s tongue. He entreats Bertie to let loose with a string of angry curses. Firth, as mild-mannered Bertie, begins with a couple of timid “bullocks! Bullocks!” but soon erupts into a set-piece of acting that will hold a special place in the annals of cinema. 

At a full-court press conference, director Hopper and his cast excoriated the BBFC for granting more permissive ratings to such violence-filled films as “Salt” and Daniel Craig’s 007-epic, “Casino Royale.” The King’s outburst was nothing compared to the language hurled at the average British football stadium, Bonham Carter told the BBFC: “I mean, go to Tottenham, you know.” The BBFC finally relented and reclassified the film 12A with the adviso: “Contains strong language in a speech-therapy context.” 

“The King’s Speech” won the People’s Choice award (and a standing ovation) at the Toronto International Film Festival in October and stands a good chance to become a contender for an Academy Award. The film opens in the Bay Area on December 3.

A rare event is coming to the Bay Area next week. One of cinema’s greatest works of art will screen at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 2 at Oakland's Paramount, accompanied by 200 singers and a 22-piece orchestra. UC Berkeley’s Alumni Chorus will present Voices of Light, an oratorio, as accompaniment for Carl Dreyer’s 1928 landmark film The Passion of Joan of Arc.  

Composer Richard Einhorn was kicking around New York’s Museum of Modern Art one day in 1988 when he came across a still from a movie, an arresting shot of a woman’s face from a silent film about Joan of Arc. Though Einhorn was a film buff and fairly knowledgeable about the medium’s history, he had never heard of this movie. He immediately requested a screening.  

“Some 81 minutes later,” Einhorn later wrote, “I walked out of the screening room shattered, having unexpectedly seen one of the most extraordinary works of art that I know.”  

He had long considered writing a piece about the 19-year-old martyr, and now inspiration had finally struck. The result, Voices of Light, is, as Einhorn describes it, “neither opera nor oratorio, but a mixture of both.” The libretto, containing Latin, Old and Middle French and Italian, is a pastiche of writings by female mystics of the Middle Ages, including Joan herself, the voices of the choir echoing the voices that spurred Joan on in her quest to unite France.  

Soldier, insurgent, terrorist, transvestite, schizophrenic, mystic, witch, saint, seer, martyr, feminist; the modern world could apply many words to this fascinating life, all of them containing a bit of truth but none of them wholly accurate. It is an extraordinary story, one that might have devolved into myth but for the plentiful documentation of her trial: a pious, illiterate farm girl, prodded by voices, rises up to lead an army and to consult with kings, and when captured stands her ground against her captors until breaking under threat of torture, then rises again to retract her confession before bravely facing death at the stake.  

“The piece explores the patchwork of emotions and thoughts that are stitched together into the notion of a female hero,” writes Einhorn. “Such a hero invariably transgresses the conventions and restrictions her society imposes.”  

Einhorn debuted the piece to critical praise in 1994, and though Voices of Light was not written as a score for the film, Einhorn often presented it that way.  

When Criterion released the film on DVD, the disc came with two options: The film could be watched with Voices of Light or in complete silence. The Passion of Joan of Arc is one of the few films from the silent era that its director preferred to screen truly silent, without any musical accompaniment at all, but considering the options available at the time, Dreyer’s wish is understandable. While the larger theaters of the era could afford to use an orchestra, most theaters would have presented the film with improvised accompaniment on Wurlitzer organ or piano, and Dreyer probably felt that neither instrument could do justice to his film. He could not have imagined that his avant-garde masterpiece would one day get so lavish and respectful a treatment as Einhorn has provided.  

Mark Sumner, director of UC Choral Ensembles, will conduct Voices of Light along with The Passion of Joan of Arc. The music will be provided by a 22-piece orchestra, UC Berkeley's Perfect Fifth as the voice of Joan, tenor soloist Daniel Ebbers, baritone Martin Bell, and the University of California Alumni Chorus will combine with the UC Men’s and Women’s Chorales to form a choir of 200.  

The Passion of Joan of Arc has a history nearly as turbulent as the life of its heroine. When the French learned that a Danish director, a non-Catholic, was coming to their country to make a movie about their recently sainted heroine (Joan was excommunicated from the church before her execution and was not reinstated and elevated to sainthood until centuries later, in 1920), they were outraged. They were further scandalized by the news that the lead role would be taken by an Italian (though not quite as scandalized as they had been over rumors that Joan would be played by American actress Lillian Gish). French authorities were unable to stop the production but were successful in demanding a few changes. Meanwhile, the producers went ahead with what they may have expected to be a commercial film, a sort of epic biopic; elaborate sets were constructed and a generous budget was approved.  

However, Carl Dreyer was not one to put commercial considerations before artistic concerns, and when he saw what he had in Renée Falconetti it was clear that there was little need for sets and high production values. This would be the only film performance for the successful stage actress, and Dreyer ensured that it would be an immortal one, recognizing that he had a great actress with a face that could carry the film all on its own. Dreyer contrasts the purity and beauty of that face with the harsh, corrupt and scheming faces of Joan’s interrogators in a film that largely consists of close-ups, alternating between the pious sincerity of the girl soldier and the fleshy, self-important visages of her persecutors. For Dreyer, form must follow function, and so he used the actual transcripts of the trial (condensed from several months into a single day) to stage a series of dramatic, face-to-face confrontations. He allowed his actors no makeup, and the walls behind them are almost uniformly white, accented here and there with windows, crucifixes and low-angle shots for a mise-en-scene as stark, as spare and as simple as Joan’s religious conviction.  

It is an avant-garde film, and its impact has hardly lessened over the years. Dreyer’s imagery is relentless, and his editing ranges from staid to rapid-fire, at times juxtaposing shots from multiple angles and culminating in a forceful and dynamic final sequence that rivals Sergei Eisenstein’s fabled Odessa Steps scene from Battleship Potemkin.  

However, the public never really got a chance to see this film. Upon release The Passion of Joan of Arc was shown just once in its original state. Soon after, it was edited by censors, and in fact was edited differently in every country it which it was shown, trimmed, rewritten and re-edited to fit each culture’s prevailing political winds. Consequently, the film Dreyer made was rarely seen at all, and, to compound the matter, at some point the original negative was lost to fire. Dreyer, devastated by the loss, was able to cobble together a reconstituted version using alternate takes, creating a shot-by-shot replica, but this version too was later lost to fire. Thus for decades afterward, the film existed only in bastardized forms: sound versions that imposed a narrator’s voice on Dreyer’s dramatic silent imagery; rewritten versions that softened Joan’s interrogators and even Joan herself; poorly paced re-edited versions that inaccurately gauged the projection speed, reducing the film to a dull, plodding pace. Thus critics over the years were hard pressed to claim that the film measured up to its legend.  

But once again, a resurrection. In 1981 a print of The Passion of Joan of Arc was discovered by a worker in, of all places, a storage closet in a Norwegian mental institution. Canisters were turned over to the Norwegian Film Institute, where they sat unrecognized and unopened for three years. When the film was finally reviewed, it was found to be a complete and nearly pristine print of the original version, unseen for nearly six decades. The mental institution’s director had been an amateur historian of the French Revolution and had apparently acquired the print for his personal use, his staff and patients perhaps among the privileged few to see Dreyer’s masterpiece in its original form.  

Voices of Light / The Passion of Joan of Arc 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 2 at the Paramount Theater, 2025 Broadway, Oakland. Tickets available through Ticketmaster and in person at the Paramount box office. General admission, $25; UCB students, $10. For more information, call (510) 643-9645 or see www.ucac.net. Co-sponsored by the San Francisco Silent Film Festival and Pacific Film Archive. www.bampfa.berkeley.edu/filmseries/dreyer

Film Review: Saint Misbehavin’

When I first heard there was a Wavy Gravy documentary in the works, I wondered what any movie could possibly add to understanding such a well-known and highly public figure. Making a doc about Wavy Gravy seemed on par with deciding to make a film about that beloved oak tree that’s been in your front yard forever — the one with the tire swing that generations of neighborhood kids have teetered over. It’s all love. What’s to know? 

It turns out the film is filled with surprises — many of them very lofty ones. It’s a celluloid jack-in-the-box that also cranks out some of the best 60s-Era-music you would ever hope to hear — Dylan, The Grateful Dead, Joni Mitchell and a brand-new rock-gospelized rendition of Wavy’s anthem, “Basic Human Needs.” The fun continues with a flood of Wavy memories contributed by a pantheon of musical deities — Jackson Browne, Ramblin’ Jack Elliot, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Odetta, Bonny Raitt — and a constellation of cultural heroes — Ram Dass, Michael Lang, Steve Ben Israel and the quietly eloquent Dr. Larry Brilliant. 

Naturally, the film is filled with clown-car-loads of laughter but there also are surprising moments of steady, deep emotion — as when Wavy’s wife Jahanara tears up reflecting on their 45-years-and-counting adventure. Throughout its brisk 87-minutes, this film draws smiles and tears. But the tears are the kind that well up for the best of reasons — as a response to breathtaking avatars of ordinary people behaving like heroes and saints. 

The film begins with a surprising gesture of transparency. The first frame shows the Berkeley street signs perched at the intersection that points towards Chez Gravy. The camera takes us inside Wavy’s brown-shingled two-story home where a traditional group-dinner of veggies and hot dogs in being prepared. Wavy sidles into the room that serves as his in-house temple — a small den festooned with religious icons (Jesus, Buddha, Mother Teresa, Mickey Mouse, Gumby) and, in this “altered estate,” he bows and prays to bless the day and “help make me the best Wavy Gravy that I can be.” 

The inevitable slideshow of childhood photos is matched with a voice-over lifted from a shellac LP of a young Hugh Romney in his Beat Poet guise. Wavy’s career has careened through at least four stages of activism: Poet, Jester, Clown and, now (as many would argue), a Saintly Seva-Savior — a Visionary Vision Missionary. Wavy’s Early Years included boyhood walks with his Princeton neighbor, Albert Einstein, followed by a move to New York’s East Village where Romney shared a pad with a roommate named Bob Dylan and hung out with Lenny Bruce before going on the road to California. 

The filmmakers mined a mother lode of independent documentaries and private troves to harvest a bounty of archival material (much of it never seen before). The result is a visual time-travelogue back to the days of Woodstock, the Hog Farm, the cross-country Wavy Gravy Trains of hippie vans and buses. There is the Hog Farm’s 1968 traveling road show to the Los Alamos nuclear proving grounds; the 1969 cross-country convoy across the US to host a Counter-inaugural in Washington; the Nobody for President Campaigns; “Breakfast for 400,000” at Woodstock; and some truly amazing footage of the Hog Farm’s 1971 Bangladesh relief convoy that traveled from London through 17 countries — some of which were practically unknown to the West. 

In one marvelously bizarre encounter, the caravan camps in a forest in hopes of connecting with the region’s roaming Gypsies. Instead, they awake to find themselves surrounded by military tanks. But the sight of the paisley-painted convoy disarms the soldiers and soon the troops are exchanging their steel helmets with the cowboy-capped hippies and taking the unauthorized visitors for unofficial joy rides in their tanks. 

Ultimately, the sight of a line of hippie buses crawling through the mountain passes of Afghanistan hits the eyes like some kind of peyote-inspired vision of an alternative universe. Those cluttering, sputtering brightly painted busses were the first time the people in these dirt-poor villages had ever laid eyes on Americans. And the clear evidence from the old 8-mm filmstrips is that the villagers — from giggling children to the smiling elders — loved what they saw. 

It was during this expedition that Wavy’s friend-and-greatest-fan, Larry Brilliant, began to hatch the idea of bringing free medical services to these distant villages. It was a concept that would eventually blossom into the Seva Foundation. Sadly, the Hog Farm’s legacy of peace between people ended when US bombs began to tumble out of the Afghan skies in 2001. Today’s villagers no longer love Americans. 

During his jester days, Wavy took his lumps from the truncheons of justice. Police beatings left him so battered that he had to undergo three spinal fusion surgeries to repair the damage. On two occasions, he spent months encased in a full-body cast — the “All Star Cast” and the “Cast of Thousands” — but he refused to remain idle. He continued to travel and insisted on being carried to protests on a stretcher, cast and all. 

He first donned a clown’s face to help cheer young patients at the cancer ward at Oakland’s Children’s Hospital cancer ward. One day, when he showed up at a protest at People’s Park still wearing his clown get-up, he was surprised to discover that the police refused to pummel him. While a political Jester is born to pester, no cop wants to be seen clubbing a clown. In the film, Wavy is shown steering his van through Berkeley’s streets on a shopping trip and chuckling as he points to the blue handicapped placard dangling from his rear-view mirror. “Because the cops beat me up, I can now park anywhere I want, anytime, for the rest of my life!” It’s a typical burst of irrepressible positivity. When you are Wavy Gravy, even persecution has its perks. 

The Hog Farm set down its roots in Berkeley in 1973 and Wavy’s Camp Winarainbow, a circus-arts retreat, was founded in 1974. The film devotes a generous slice of time to the young rope-walking, juggling, stilt-striding denizens of Camp Winarainbow, which comes across as a magical movie-within-a-movie. 

But the film’s moral an emotional peak comes with Wavy and Jahanara’s 2001 trip to India to see first-hand the miraculous difference the Berkeley-based sight-restoring Seva Foundation has made in the lives of children and adults once blinded by cataracts. Seva’s work now extends to Nepal, Tibet, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Egypt, Tanzania and Guatemala. Under the guidance of Larry Brilliant, Seva’s worldwide services have restored vision to the eyes of half a million people, 25,000 of them children. 

There is enough adventure, humor, angst and triumph in the Wavy Gravy saga to flesh out a dozen ordinary biographies. In the course of patiently crafting this documentary over a span of ten years, director Michelle Esrick heard Wavy described as “a town crier, pied piper, jester, cultural phenomenon, holy clown, revolutionary and Saint” but, in the end, she came up with her own summation. “To be around Wavy,” Esrick says, “is to see the best part of ourselves, to feel hopeful, to feel inspired to be just a little more loving, forgiving and helpful in the world we live in — and to have fun doing it.” 

Saint Misbehavin’ opens December 3 at the Shattuck Cinema in Berkeley and the Red Vic in San Francisco. Wavy Gravy, filmmakers and other special guests will appear in person on Dec. 4th" at Berkeley's Landmark Shattuck.. 

Plays make the rounds as the licensing gets released to different levels of theatres. The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is now in rotation, and it is the Masquers Playhouse of Pt. Richmond’s turn. 

John Maio presents a sweet version of the musical, with ample voices led by the professional tones of Shay Oglesby-Smith as the champ of 20 years ago who comes back to moderate the competition for a break from her lonely realtor life. The excellent pit orchestra led by Musical Director Pat King is perfectly modulated to accompany the singing. 

However, Mr. Maio chooses to deemphasize the conflict in this production, and the casting and characterizations are often uneven. A quick glance at musical plots from Judd’s rivalry with Curly to the Barber’s “sharp friend” tells you that without conflict, dramatic tension goes bye-bye. The anti-hero Barfee (pronounced bar-FAY!) played by David Irving, who has a bell-clear belt, is portrayed as just a sweet kid with a lisp instead of a nerdy bully, even though his lines stipulates that, “Everyone is afraid of me and no one likes me.” It is largely on Barfee’s arc of reaching out to another from behind his brusque and supercilious façade that our hearts turn, so if he ain’t a pain in the whatever, it don’t work. And he looks confusingly like Chip the Boy Scout, played by Tony Gardner whose song about his embarrassingly constant erection is belted convincingly and with gusto; regrettably, there is no foreshadowing of his problem so it comes as a shock if you’re new to this musical. 

Noelle Arms as the overprotected daughter of two gay dads also has a lisp which she executes perfectly and comically, but two lisps in the same cast are one too many. Ms. Arms is by far the superior actor, and is actually button-cute so she fits in with the tone while delivering real emotion. Her momentary turn as a mother who sweetly but cuttingly demeans her son hints at her range. Alas, her voice, though sweet, is too small to compete with the others, and the difference is palpable.  

Olive, played by Julia Etzel, has a lovely voice with a good belt in it which will grow with training, and she sings with emotion in the trio with her emotionally absent parents. Kevin Hammond plays Leaf the flaky stand-in competitor, and is comic with a nice belt, but strives for cute rather than real, which is the problem all around. Greg Klein as the Biker doing Community Service as a Bouncer/Counselor is physically convincing, but lacks the threatening demeanor of those who wear a biker gang’s “cut.” One solo lets him wail and display his considerable vocal chops which I’m guessing is always followed by the same ovation. His turn as the nurturing gay dad is a winner. Michael Sally as Mr. Panch, underplays the role of the snarky vice-principal who announces the words to spell; his battle with Barfee is written as a major conflict in the play, but is glossed over. 

A stand-out is Leslie Ji as Marcy, the overachiever who Knows Six Languages. Typecast, since she is Asian and that culture demands academic excellence, she lives up to the casting, and brings animation and sullenness to the character. However, there is not enough build-up of her dismay with having to be best, and it is dealt with too quickly to be moving. 

John Hull turns the stage into a gym with a few Boys & Girls Locker Room signs, a couple of doors with emergency push bars painted on, and that ever-looming rope we had to climb in gym class. The back wall opens for a couple of transcendent and innovative cameo tableaux with great stagecraft that spices up the high school gym’s necessary dullness. 

Still, aside from this critic’s carping and enjoinment to set the bar higher, it’s a charming way to spend a Sunday afternoon or weekend evening. Speaking of bars, the Mac and the Baltic are a few steps away for a pre/post quaff and chat, which makes for a convivial and happy outing. 

THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE
Masquers Playhouse, 105 Park Lane, Point Richmond 

Plays weekends through December 18th 

Reservations online at www.masquers.org or (510) 232-4031 

Music and Lyrics by William Finn, book by Rachel Sheinkin. Conceived by Rebecca Feldman, additional material by Jay Reiss. 

Direction by John Maio, musical direction by Pat King, set by John Hull, lighting by David Lam, costumes by Marjorie Moore, choreography by Katie Kimball, props by Nancy Benson, and stage management by Joe Torres. 

WITH: Kevin Achas, Noelle Arms, Julia Etzel, Kevin Hammond, David Irving, Leslie Ji, Gregg Klein, Michael Sally and Shay Oglesby-Smith.  

Orchestra: Wendy Asakawa, Pat King, Barbara Kohler, Jo Lusk, Dean Starnes, Patrice Young. 

John A. McMullen II reviews as “Eye from the Aisle” with editing by EJ Dunne. 

Comments to eyefromtheaisle@gmail.com.

Given the number of home foreclosures, the intrusive and demeaning "pat downs" at airports, and now the threat of North Korea nuclear attacks, it would appear that this year's holiday season is off to a dismal start. Maybe not. The child in all of us still reflects on Christmases of the past and we're not too jaded to look for activities that relate to this very special holiday. Accordingly, we offer several events that might rekindle your own holiday spirit. 

Unless you're "Nutcrackered" to death, you may consider taking the children in your family to two performances of this old favorite. One, set in a Pacific Heights mansion, will be given by the S. F. Ballet, Dec. 9-27, $32-$125; (415) 865-2000. A more modest version is offered by the Contra Costa Ballet, Dec. 2-4, with a school performances on Dec. 2 and 3 at 1 p.m. (www.contracostaballet.org.) 

For ballet at its absolute finest, the Smuin Ballet will appear Dec. 15-24 at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts. (415) 978-2787. 

The Great Dickens Christmas Fair (all three acres) will be held Nov. 26 - Dec. 19 at the Cow Palace Exhibition Hall. (800--510)-1588. 

Another annual favorite (one we never seem to tire of) is " A Christmas Carol" at S.F.'s ACT Theatre, Dec. 2-24, $13-$83. (415) 749-2228. 

If you're looking for one of a kind holiday gifts, get yourself over to the "Celebration of Craftswomen" Nov. 27-28 and Dec. 4-5, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. at the Fort Mason Center - Herbst Pavillion, S.F., (650) 615-6838. 

How about a musical version of Louisa May Alcott's "Little Women" at Hayward's Douglas Morrison Theatre; $20-28; (50) 978-2787? 

Beloved by children is "Velveteen Rabbit", an ODC Dance Theatre production, through Dec. 12th at Yerba Buena. $15 - $45. (415) 978-2787. 

"Christmas at Ardenwood House" in Fremont features yule log hunts, plus a tour of a Victorian Farm House built in 1857, Dec. 9-12 and 16-19. (510) 791-4196. 

The Berkeley Artisans’ Open Studios are held weekends Nov. 27-Dec. 19. (510) 845-2612. 

The beautiful Cathedral of Christ the Light in Oakland will present the Pacific Mozart Ensemble, Dec. 4th, 8 p.m., as well as the Piedmont High School Acapella Choir, Dec. 13, 

8 p.m. and the S.F. Boys Chorus Dec. 18 at 8 p.m. (510) 496-7280. 

On Dec. 16 and 17, at 7:30 p.m. the American Bach Soloists will perform Handel's beloved "Messiah" at Grace Cathedral. $20 - $70. (415) 621-7900. 

If none of the above puts you in a "ho, ho" mood, you're obviously just an old Scrooge! So bah humbug to you!

Remember “American Gigolo” with Lauren Hutton and Richard Gere? Have you seen the series “Hung” on HBO? How about Holly Hunter’s touching scene in “Living Out Loud” when she purchases more than a massage to get her through a lonely night after her marriage fails? 

Women can now buy love for sale just like men. It seems that only 1-2% actually indulge, and those “ladies who do more than lunch” generally have lots of disposable income. Though surveys report 40% of those polled said they might if they had the opportunity, anonymity, and wherewithal. Women have careers without time for courting, or they are widows after 30 years of monogamy, or they just give up because nobody’s asking and they grew up in a world where you waited for romance to come to you. If they have the money, women can order up a one-night stand from an agency with little danger and no harassing phone calls or stalking thereafter.  

In Palomino, David Cale has written and performs a scandalous, sexy, yet touching tale of an Irish horse carriage driver in Central Park (imagine Colin Farrell). Into his cab comes a middle-aged, well-dressed entrepreneuse (imagine Glenn Close) who talks him into an arrangement to procure his lovely features, soft brogue, and virile talents for her upper class friend. A perfect job for a stud for hire since those carriages carry romance with them, and since research reveals that women usually seem to need romancing even when buying it—as if research were needed to reveal that. 

Perhaps the reason it works so well is that Mr. Cale resembles neither Mr. Farrell nor Ms. Close, but is a balding, gangly Irishman with a large nose and hatchet face, dressed in a shabby fedora, plaid shirt, jeans and unshined shoes. Upon this unlikely canvas of a man, his fleshed-out sketches of these lonely people begin at first a bit comical because of the incongruity, then become totally acceptable in a way that might not work if he had any of the physical qualities of his characters. 

Through monologues and playing both characters in a dialogue, David Cale enacts how the situation looks from the viewpoints of three main characters and three lesser ones. He slips into their bodies and walks and gestures like a shape-shifter. His change of accents is convincing, and one makes allowance for the occasional slip. His changes in rhythm and pitch help us envision them. 

The hilarity highpoint is Cale’s portrayal in mime of Marsha the pimp at a cocktail party; we’ve all been rapt at viewing a woman like this from across the room over the canapés and gin and watched her animated gesticulations over the din of the party.  

Cale plays the gigolo Kieran, the panderer Marsha, the conflicted Aussie widow Vallie with whom Kieran has more than a business connection, the overweight customer Ruby, the English blonde beach hottie Trish. Then he winds it up as the publisher to whom the gigolo takes his journal to cash in on the memoirs of his sketchy profession: the very publisher who turns out to be less than six degrees separated from the situation.  

The title choice is intriguingly connected if a tad abstruse; but I’ll leave that as a teaser for you. 

Community and loneliness is the issue in the play and in the lives of ourselves or our friends.  

The play spoke to me, though I personally am and by nature have always been hooked up one way or another, shy guy that I am. However, I have six friends: one is in a tired marriage and my other friends seem to have resigned themselves to a life alone though a few of them often long aloud for someone in their life. The stigma of online dating has faded, and electronic courtships are now mainstream. But it seems it’s just easier to watch TV and hang with one’s friend than “get into all that stuff” again. 

It’s a three-part POV drama in 90 minutes; it has no structural place for an intermission, so consider carefully before you have that second pre-curtain drink. 

The play is charming and relevant, Cale’s a charmer, and the story is stark and honest. Aurora once again has brought good stuff for your entertainment, enlightenment, and emotional exercise. 

Aurora Theatre Company, 2081 Addison St. Berkeley  

Playing Tue-Sun till December 5.  

Box office: 510.843.4822 / www.auroratheatre.org 

Written, performed and directed by David Cale, lights by Heather Basarab, projections by Rick Takes, sound by Andre Pluess, and stage management by Susan M.Reamy. 

“Eye from the Aisle” is the theatre reviewing name of John A. McMullen II, MFA, with editing by EJ Dunne.  

Notes to eyefromtheaisle@gmail.com  

I went to London last week to report to you my recommendations on what to see if you’re traveling there for a holiday visit or soon thereafter. 

They were commemorating the First World War (1914-18). They have a Remembrance Sunday, and sell poppies as our Vets do. The British spent 4 years in that war rather than the United States’ 8 months of engagement, and the UK lost over a million troops compared to America’s hundred thousand plus, so it’s understandably a bigger deal there. Their leader called it “the war to end war” and our leader called it “the war to make the world safe for democracy,” but there is still confusion about why it was fought. 

I bring you this history lesson because it was a most timely occasion to attend the play that has won the Olivier Award (their Tony), and may well win our Tony next year when it comes to Broadway. 

Taken from Michael Morpurgo’s children’s novel, The War Horse has a wealth of themes, any one of which could move your heart: hatred between brothers, an Irish boy’s love for a horse, a mother caught between a drunken husband and a rebellious teenager. It is set against the background of a war that was doubly tragic through a mismatch of technologies: cavalry charges against machine guns, barbed wire, and trenches. And for good measure, it gives us the other side’s perspective: our other protagonist is a German Cavalry Officer. 

It is a play that inspires the imagination. It is played on a bare stage with a turntable. Corrals for the horse auction are made by actors with long sticks; later, a few strands of barbed wire are flown in, a door of a hut in Ireland and then France appear, followed by the wagons of war. A scrap of torn paper is the enduring image on the backdrop and an enigmatic hint the outcome. A cappella Irish war shanties serve as interludes. Birds atop long sticks waved by the actors flit about, recalling perhaps the poem by the Canadian war doctor Capt. McCrae: “In Flanders Fields the poppies blow/ Between the crosses row on row,/ That mark our place; and in the sky/ The larks, still bravely singing, fly/ Scarce heard amid the guns below.” 

In that play that most inspires soldiers to war glory, Shakespeare begins “Henry V” with a longing to move the imagination: “O for a Muse of fire/ that would ascend the brightest heaven of invention… to behold the swelling scene. / Think when we talk of horses, that you see them/ Printing their proud hoofs i' the receiving earth; …can this cockpit hold/ The vasty fields of France?” (N. B. freely edited). 

The Hand-Spring Puppet Company delivers the horses. They give us a full size horse—rideable—with every whinny, nicker, and flick of the tail exact so that every equine nuance is captured. (My first wife owned a Morgan, and I’d watch him for hours, so I adjudge me a good judge). 

The horses are machines brought to life, each with three handlers who move them as the Japanese move their full-size puppets in the Bunraku theatre. The performers who operate the steeds disappear in plain sight. It is bloody stunning. The actors—well, they are British, and thereby sort of have a leg up on American actors by dint of culture and training. 

At the curtain call of this moving, anti-war play, the audience rose as if one organism in the sort of ovation one usually witnesses in Italian Opera houses. And this young lad had tears streaming and wept without being able to speak for twenty minutes thereafter. Luckily, the Hotel Russell bar serves a first-class Gin-and-It. 

Now in its third year of production, The War Horse has moved from the National Theatre to the West End. It will soon open at the Vivian Beaumont Theatre in New York City with tickets on sale March 1. It has been also made into a film directed by Steven Spielberg with a release date of a year hence.  

The War Horse plays at the New London Theatre, Drury Lane, London  

Booking into 2011  

http://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/45205/home/war-horse-official-website.html  

Adapted by Nick Stafford from the novel by Michael Morpurgo 

Directors: Marianne Elliott and Tom Morris 

Designer/Drawings: Rae Smith 

Puppet Design and Fabrication: Basil Jones & Adrian Kohler 

Lighting Designer: Paule Constable 

Director of Movement and Horse Choreography: Toby Sedgwick 

Puppetry Directors: Basil Jones & Adrian Kohler 

"BERKELEY ARTISANS HOLIDAY OPEN STUDIOS," -- Nov. 27 through Dec. 19. More than 100 artists and craftspeople will be showing their works, including glass, ceramics, furniture, photography, paintings, and much more. 

Free.11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sat.-Sun.www.berkeleyartisans.com.< 

"BERKELEY POTTER'S GUILD HOLIDAY EXHIBITION," -- Nov. 27 through Dec. 24. A diverse array of pottery and sculpture will be available at this annual sale and show. Event takes place at 731 Jones St., Berkeley. 

Free.10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat.-Sun.www.berkeleyptters.com.< 

"BROADWAY PLAZA'S PARADE OF LIGHTS," -- Dec. 2. A holiday parade, along with caroling, live entertainment, tree lighting and more. See website for directions and complete details. 

6 p.m.www.walnut-creek.com.< 

ALAMEDA COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS  

"Fog City Cat Club International Cat Show," Nov. 27 and Nov. 28, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat.; 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Sun. More than 200 purebred cats compete in twelve rings of competition. Vendors will also be on hand with all variety of cat toys, gifts, food and much more. www.fogcitycatclub.com. 

"Tri-Valley Toy, Comic Book and Collectible Show," Dec. 5, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.  

$1-$3. www.toyhavoc.com. 

4501 Pleasanton Ave., Pleasanton. (925) 426-7600, www.alamedacountyfair.com.< 

ARDENWOOD HISTORIC FARM Ardenwood farm is a working farm that dates back to the time of the Patterson Ranch, a 19th-century estate with a mansion and Victorian Gardens. Today, the farm still practices farming techniques from the 1870s. Unless otherwise noted, programs are free with regular admission.  

ONGOING PROGRAMS --  

"Blacksmithing," Thursday, Friday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Watch a blacksmith turn iron into useful tools.  

"Horse-Drawn Train," Thursday, Friday and Sunday. A 20-minute ride departs from Ardenwood Station and Deer Park.  

"Animal Feeding," Thursday-Sunday, 3-4 p.m. Help slop the hogs, check the henhouse for eggs and bring hay to the livestock.  

"Victorian Flower Arranging," Thursday, 10:15-11:30 a.m. Watch as Ardenwood docents create floral works of art for display in the Patterson House.  

"Christmas at Ardenwood," Dec. 4 and Dec. 5, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Celebrate the holiday season in Victorian style, with Christmas carols, live music, crafts and more. $5-$8; children three and under free.  

$1-$5; free children under age 4. Tuesday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 34600 Ardenwood Blvd., Fremont. (510) 796-0199, (510) 796-0663, www.ebparks.org.< 

ASHKENAZ  

"I Like My Bike Night," ongoing. 9 p.m. First Fridays of the month. 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," ongoing. 3 p.m. First Sundays of the month 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," ongoing. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Sat. - Sun. Donate your unwanted books and receive new titles for free.  

10520 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito. (510) 526-1941, www.bayareafreebookexchange.com.< 

BAYFAIR CENTER  

"Bayfair Center's Holiday Season," through Dec. 24. A variety of holiday events are planned at the center, including the arrival of Santa on Nov. 20, photos with Santa throughout the month, and a host of different entertainers. See website for complete details.  

15555 14th St., San Leandro. www.shopbayfair.com.< 

CALIFORNIA GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY AND LIBRARY  

"California Genealogical Society and Library Free First Saturday," ongoing. 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 -- Ongoing. 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," ongoing. 7:30 p.m. Fri - Sat. 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. 

ASK JEEVES PLANETARIUM -- Ongoing. The planetarium features one of the most advanced star projectors in the world. A daily planetarium show is included with general admission. Call for current show schedule.  

"Secret of the Cardboard Rocket," ongoing. Take a journey through the solar system with two young adventurers who turn an old cardboard box into a rocket. Recommended for ages 5-10. 

"Astronaut," ongoing. What does it take to be part of the exploration of space? Experience a rocket launch from inside the body of an astronaut. Explore the amazing worlds of inner and outer space, from floating around the International Space Station to maneuvering through microscopic regions of the human body. Narrated by Ewan McGregor. 25 min. 

"Space NOW!", ongoing. Each week, this real-time ride through constellations, stars, and planets will reflect current happenings in our sky. Space NOW! will also tie in activities going on throughout the center. This is Chabot's first daytime guided tour of the universe. 

"Black Holes: The Other Side of Infinity," ongoing. Take a ride to the inside of a massive black hole and learn about the latest scientific evidence, which suggests that black holes are real. Narrated by Liam Neeson. Suitable for age 12 and older. Free with General Admission ticket. 

"Sunshine," ongoing. A 15-minute planetarium show for children ages 5 and under. In the show, Sunshine, a lovable animated cartoon of the Sun, urges children to sing and play along with his tricks. In the process, he introduces the colors of the day sky and the other suns of the night sky. Free with regular general admission. 

"Tales Of The Maya Skies," ongoing. "Tales of the Maya Skies'' is a new full-dome planetarium show that explores the cosmology of the ancient Maya, along with their culture and their contributions to astronomy. Starts November 21. 

"The Search for Life: Are We Alone?" ongoing. A voyage from the ocean deep to the outer reaches of the cosmos in search of life, narrated by Harrison Ford. 

"The Sky Tonight," ongoing. Saturdays, 8 p.m. Take a live tour of the starry sky overhead on the night of your visit. The show includes a look at constellations, planets and special celestial objects. 

"Sonic Vision," ongoing. Friday-Saturday, 9:15 p.m. This show uses the latest digital technology to illuminate the planetarium with colorful computer-generated imagery set to today's popular music, including Radiohead, U2, David Bowie, Coldplay, Moby and more. 

"Immersive Space: Fly Through the Cosmos," ongoing. Fridays, 8 p.m. Experience the "digital universe'' in a new full-dome system. Travel to the nearest star and beyond in seconds. 

CHALLENGER LEARNING CENTER -- Ongoing. "Escape from the Red Planet,'' a cooperative venture for families and groups of up to 14 people, age 8 and up. The scenario on this one hour mission: You are the crew of a shuttle to Mars that has been severely damaged in a crash landing. Your replacement crew is gone, the worst dust storm ever recorded on Mars approaches, and air, food, and water are extremely low. The mission: get the shuttle working again and into orbit before the dust storm hits. Reservations required. Children age 8-12 must be accompanied by an adult; not appropriate for children under age 8. $12-$15; Does not include general admission to the Center. Reservations: (510) 336-7421.Ongoing.  

"Chabot Observatories: A View to the Stars," ongoing. This new permanent exhibit honors the 123-year history of Chabot and its telescopes. The observatory is one of the oldest public observatories in the United States. The exhibit covers the three different sites of the observatory over its history as well as how its historic telescopes continue to be operated today. Included are informative graphic panels, multimedia kiosks, interactive computer programs, hands-on stations, and historic artifacts. 

"Dinner, Movie and the Universe," ongoing. Every Friday and Saturday evening. Enjoy a bistro-style dinner, then cozy up for a film in the 70-foot MegaDome theater and end the evening with a telescope viewing. Call to purchase general admission tickets and to make dinner reservations. (510) 336-7373. 

Telescope Visions Class, ongoing. 7 p.m. This course introduces participants to the astronomer's main tool: the telescope. Classes are held in the Galileo Room twice monthly. $85-$95; reservations required. (510) 336-7373. 

TIEN MEGADOME SCIENCE THEATER -- Ongoing. A 70-foot dome-screen auditorium. Show times subject to change. Call for current show schedule. Price with paid general admission is $6-$7. Theater only: $7-$8. (510) 336-7373, www.ticketweb.com. 

"Forces of Nature," ongoing. This film showcases the awesome spectacle of earthquakes, volcanoes, and severe storms as scientists continue their quests to understand how these natural disasters are triggered. 

"The Living Sea," ongoing. The film celebrates the beauty, power and importance of the ocean. Produced in association with The National Maritime Center, the Ocean Film Network and Dr. Robert Ballard. 

"The Human Body," ongoing. This show explores the daily biological processes that go on in the human body without our control and often without our notice. This amazing story is revealed in detail on the giant screen. 

"Dinosaurs Alive," ongoing. A global adventure of science and discovery, featuring the earliest dinosaurs of the Triassic Period to the monsters of the Cretaceous, "reincarnated" life-sized for the giant screen. Audiences will journey with some of the world's preeminent paleontologists as they uncover evidence that the descendents of dinosaurs still walk (or fly) among us. From the exotic, trackless expanses and sand dunes of Mongolia's Gobi Desert to the dramatic sandstone buttes of New Mexico, the film will follow American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) paleontologists as they explore some of the greatest dinosaur finds in history. 

"Cosmic Voyage," ongoing. A breathtaking journey through time and space. Zoom from the surface of the Earth to the largest observable structures of the Universe and back down to the sub-nuclear realm, a guided tour across some 42 orders of magnitude. Explore some of the greatest scientific theories, many of which have never before been visualized on film. 

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  

"Walnut Creek On Ice," through Jan. 17. A special holiday time outdoor ice skating rink. See website for complete details. www.walnut-creek.com. 

1375 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek. < 

DUNSMUIR HOUSE AND GARDENS HISTORIC ESTATE ongoing. 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 -- Ongoing. 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.< 

FRANK OGAWA PLAZA  

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

JACK LONDON SQUARE  

"Jack London Square Lights Up for the Holidays," Dec. 3, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Join in the family fun at this holiday kick off event, with the lighting of the 55 foot tall tree, decorated with thousands of energy efficient LED lights that make this tree truly "green.''  

free. Foot of Broadway, Oakland. (866) 295-9853, www.jacklondonsquare.com.< 

JOHN MUIR NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE The site preserves the 1882 Muir House, a 17-room Victorian mansion where naturalist John Muir lived from 1890 to his death in 1914. It was here that Muir wrote about preserving America's wilderness and helped create the national parks idea for the United States. The house is situated on a hill overlooking the City of Martinez and surrounded by nine acres of vineyards and orchards. Take a self-guided tour of this well-known Scottish naturalist's home. Also part of the site is the historic Martinez Adobe and Mount Wanda. Public Tours of the John Muir House, ongoing. Begin with an eight-minute park film and then take the tour. The film runs every 15 minutes throughout the day. Wednesday through Friday, 2 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.  

MOUNT WANDA -- The mountain consists of 325 acres of grass and oak woodland historically owned by the Muir family. It offers a nature trail and several fire trails for hiking. Open daily, sunrise to sunset. 

"Early Morning Bird Walk," Nov. 26, 9:30 a.m.  

$3 general; free children ages 16 and under. Wednesday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 4202 Alhambra Ave., Martinez. (925) 228-8860, www.nps.gov/jomu.< 

LAWRENCE HALL OF SCIENCE "NanoZone," ongoing. 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," ongoing. 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," ongoing. 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," ongoing. 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," ongoing. 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," ongoing. Play some of the world's most popular math games, such as Hex, Kalah, Game Sticks and Shongo Networks.  

"Math Rules," ongoing. Use simple and colorful objects to complete interesting challenges in math through predicting, sorting, comparing, weighing and counting.  

HOLT PLANETARIUM Ongoing. 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.< 

MUSEUM OF CHILDREN'S ART A museum of art for and by children, with activities for children to participate in making their own art.  

ART CAMPS -- Hands-on activities and engaging curriculum for children of different ages, led by professional artists and staff. $60 per day.  

CLASSES -- A Sunday series of classes for children ages 8 to 12, led by Mocha artists. Sundays, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.  

OPEN STUDIOS -- Drop-in art play activities with new themes each week.  

"Big Studio." Guided art projects for children age 6 and older with a Mocha artist. Tuesday through Friday, 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. $5.  

"Little Studio." A hands-on experience that lets young artists age 18 months to 5 years see, touch and manipulate a variety of media. Children can get messy. Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. $5.  

"Family Weekend Studios." Drop-in art activities for the whole family. All ages welcome. Saturday and Sunday, noon to 4 p.m. $5 per child.  

FAMILY EXTRAVAGANZAS -- Special weekend workshops for the entire family.  

"Sunday Workshops with Illustrators," Sundays, 1 p.m. See the artwork and meet the artists who create children's book illustrations. Free. 

"Seventh Annual Mr. Potato Head Beauty Pageant," Nov. 27, 1-4 p.m. Everyone in the family can take part in this fun contest to dress up and create a character out of a garden variety vegetable. $8 per child.  

Free gallery admission. Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, noon-5 p.m. 538 Ninth St., Oakland. (510) 465-8770, www.mocha.org.< 

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY PACIFIC FILM ARCHIVE ongoing. 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," ongoing. 12:10-12:50 p.m. First Thursdays of each month  

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. "Limited Access Day," ongoing. Due to ship maintenance, tours of the navigation bridge and the engine room are not available. Tuesdays.  

"Flight Deck Fun," ongoing. 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," ongoing. 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.Ongoing. Closed on New Year's Day. 

"Family Day," ongoing. 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. 

"History Mystery After Hours Tour," ongoing. 7 p.m.-10 p.m. Explore the USS Hornet after hours and learn the history of this ship while it is illuminated in red lights used for "night ops." Also, hear stories about the ships' legendary haunts. Reservations required. (510) 521-8448 X282. 

"Flashlight Tour," ongoing. 8:30 a.m. 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. $30-$35 per person. 

$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.< 

VALLEY ART GALLERY  

"Artful Giving," through Dec. 23, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tue.-Sat. A show and sale featuring fine crafts from over 50 Bay Area artisans. (925) 935-4311. 

1661 Botelho Dr., Suite 110, Walnut Creek. <

"SUN SPHERES," -- ongoing. "Sun Spheres'' is a trio of mosaic sculptures by artist Laurel True at the intersection of Ocean and Granada Avenues in the OMI District of San Francisco. 

(415) 252-2551, www.sfartscommission.org/pubart.< 

EVENING GALLERY WALKS These monthly evening gallery walks or "crawls'' are a way to learn about art for the casual viewer without the intimidation of visiting a gallery with no one else around. Generally the galleries are filled on the "walk'' evenings with people drinking wine and talking. Gallery owners are happy to answer questions about the art on view. The important thing to remember is that it is free to gaze and drink. 

"First Thursday," ongoing. 5:30-8 p.m. Generally some 20 galleries participate in this monthly evening of open galleries. Many are located around Union Square. Some of the galleries that participate on a regular basis are Pasquale Iannetti Gallery, Caldwell Snyder Gallery, and Hackett-Freedman Gallery, all on Sutter Street; Meyerovich Gallery and Dolby Chadwick Gallery on Post Street; and Rena Bransten Gallery and Stephen Wirtz Gallery on Geary Street. Sponsored by the San Francisco Art Dealers Association. First Thursday of the month. Free.  

San Francisco. < 

FORT MASON CENTER  

"Celebration of Craftswomen," Nov. 27 through Nov. 28 and Dec. 4 through Nov. 28, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. More than 200 craftswomen will be offering up a unique opportunity to find gorgeous, one of a kind holiday gifts, fine crafts and contemporary art. Event takes place at the Herbst Pavilion. $7-$9. www.celebrationofcraftswomen.org. 

Marina Boulevard and Buchanan Street, San Francisco. www.fortmason.org.< 

HOTEL DES ARTS The boutique 51-room art hotel in Union Square features an art gallery by Start SOMA. 

"Painted Rooms," ongoing. An exhibit of painted rooms in the hotel by emerging artists.  

Free. Daily, 8 a.m.-11 p.m. 447 Bush St., San Francisco. (415) 956-4322, www.sfhoteldesarts.com.< 

JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER OF SAN FRANCISCO  

"The Digital Liberation of G-d," ongoing. A permanent interactive media installation created by New York-based artist Helene Aylon, which examines the influences of patriarchal attitudes upon Jewish traditions and sacred texts.  

Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-10 p.m.; Friday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday, 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. 3200 California St., San Francisco. (415) 292-1200, Box Office: (415) 292-1233, www.jccsf.org.< 

SAN FRANCISCO PUBLIC LIBRARY, BAYVIEW-ANNA E. WADEN BRANCH  

"Bayview's Historical Footprints," ongoing. A permanent photographic exhibition celebrating the diverse history of Bayview Hunters Point featuring multimedia oral histories from community elders.  

Free. Monday, Tuesday and Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Wednesday, 1 p.m.-8 p.m.; Thursday, 1 p.m.-7 p.m.; Friday, 1 p.m.-6 p.m. 5075 Third St., San Francisco. (415) 355-5757, www.sfpl.org.< 

SAN FRANCISCO PUBLIC LIBRARY, MAIN BRANCH  

"Digging Deep: Underneath San Francisco Public Library," ongoing. Exhibition collects archaeological remains from the Gold Rush-era cemetery and the ruins of old City Hall destroyed in the 1906 earthquake.  

Free. Monday and Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Tuesday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-8 p.m.; Friday, noon-6 p.m.; Sunday, noon-5 p.m. 100 Larkin St., San Francisco. (415) 557-4400, www.sfpl.org.< 

USF THACHER GALLERY  

"Galleons and Globalization: California Mission Arts and the Pacific Rim," through Dec. 19. The exhibit explores the lively commerce in iconography, materials and ideas that shaped California's rich mission arts.  

2130 Fulton St., San Francisco. (415) 422-5178.<

"BERKELEY ARTISANS HOLIDAY OPEN STUDIOS," -- Nov. 27 through Dec. 19. More than 100 artists and craftspeople will be showing their works, including glass, ceramics, furniture, photography, paintings, and much more. 

Free.11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sat.-Sun.www.berkeleyartisans.com.< 

"BERKELEY POTTER'S GUILD HOLIDAY EXHIBITION," -- Nov. 27 through Dec. 24. A diverse array of pottery and sculpture will be available at this annual sale and show. Event takes place at 731 Jones St., Berkeley. 

Free.10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat.-Sun.www.berkeleyptters.com.< 

CARMEN FLORES RECREATION CENTER  

"El Corazon de la Communidad: The Heart of the Community", ongoing. Painted by Joaquin Alejandro Newman, this mural installation consists of four 11-foot panels that mix ancient Meso-American and contemporary imagery to pay homage to local activists Carmen Flores and Josie de la Cruz.  

Free unless otherwise noted. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. 1637 Fruitvale Ave., Oakland. (510) 535-5631.< 

LAWRENCE HALL OF SCIENCE "NanoZone," ongoing. 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," ongoing. 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," ongoing. 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," ongoing. 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," ongoing. 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," ongoing. Play some of the world's most popular math games, such as Hex, Kalah, Game Sticks and Shongo Networks.  

"Math Rules," ongoing. Use simple and colorful objects to complete interesting challenges in math through predicting, sorting, comparing, weighing and counting.  

"Kapla," ongoing. The hands-on exhibit features thousands of versatile building blocks that can be used to build very large, high and stable structures and models of bridges, buildings, animals or anything else your mind can conceive.  

$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.< 

LINDSAY WILDLIFE MUSEUM This is the oldest and largest wildlife rehabilitation center in America, taking in 6,000 injured and orphaned animals yearly and returning 40 percent of them to the wild. The museum offers a wide range of educational programs using non-releasable wild animals to teach children and adults respect for the balance of nature. The museum includes a state-of-the art wildlife hospital which features a permanent exhibit, titled "Living with Nature,'' which houses 75 non-releasable wild animals in learning environments; a 5,000-square-foot Wildlife Hospital complete with treatment rooms, intensive care, quarantine and laboratory facilities; a 1-acre Nature Garden featuring the region's native landscaping and wildlife; and an "Especially For Children'' exhibit.  

WILDLIFE HOSPITAL -- September-March: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The hospital is open daily including holidays to receive injured and orphaned animals. There is no charge for treatment of native wild animals and there are no public viewing areas in the hospital.Ongoing.  

SPECIAL EVENTS Ongoing.  

$5-$7; free children under age 2. June 16-Sept. 15: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wed.-Sun.; Sept. 16-June 15: noon.-5 p.m. Wed.-Fri., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat.-Sun. 1931 First Ave., Walnut Creek. (925) 935-1978, www.wildlife-museum.org.< 

OAKLAND ASIAN CULTURAL CENTER  

"Oakland's 19th-Century San Pablo Avenue Chinatown," ongoing. A permanent exhibit of new findings about the rediscovered Chinatown on San Pablo Avenue. The exhibit aims to inform visitors about the upcoming archaeological work planned to explore the lives of early Chinese pioneers in the 1860s.  

Free. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Pacific Renaissance Plaza, 388 Ninth St., Suite 290, Oakland. (510) 637-0455, www.oacc.cc.< 

OAKLAND INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT  

"Going Away, Coming Home," ongoing. A 160-foot public art installation by Mills College art professor Hung Liu. Liu hand painted 80 red-crowned cranes onto 65 panels of glass that were then fired, tempered and paired with background panes that depict views of a satellite photograph, ranging from the western United States to the Asia Pacific Area. Terminal 2.  

Free. Daily, 24 hours, unless otherwise noted. Oakland International Airport, 1 Airport Drive, Oakland. (510) 563-3300, www.flyoakland.com.<

ASHKENAZ  

"Family Square Dance with The Squirrelly Stringband," Nov. 28, 3 p.m. $4-$6. 

1317 San Pablo Ave., Berkeley. (510) 525-5054, www.ashkenaz.com.< 

ELKS LODGE, ALAMEDA  

"All You Can Dance Sunday Socials," ongoing. Sunday, 4-6 p.m. Marilyn Bowe and Robert Henneg presents monthly socials with ballroom, swing, Latin and rock & roll themes. www.dancewithme.info. 

2255 Santa Clara Ave., Alameda. (510) 864-2256.< 

SHATTUCK DOWN LOW For ages 21 and older. 

"Live Salsa," ongoing. Wednesdays. An evening of dancing to the music of a live salsa band. Salsa dance lessons from 8-9:30 p.m. $5-$10. 

"King of King's," ongoing. 9 p.m. Sundays $10. 

2284 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley. (510) 548-1159, www.shattuckdownlow.com.< 

SOLAD DANCE CENTER  

"Persian Dance," ongoing. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8:30 and 10 p.m. Rosa Rojas offers traditional dance classes. $10.  

Citrus Marketplace, 2260 Oak Grove Rd., Walnut Creek. (925) 938-3300.< 

STARRY PLOUGH PUB  

"Ceili and Dance," ongoing. Traditional Irish music and dance. The evening begins with a dance lesson at 7 p.m. followed by music at 9 p.m. Mondays, 7 p.m. Free.  

For ages 21 and over unless otherwise noted. Sunday and Wednesday, 8 p.m.; Thursday-Saturday, 9:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted. 3101 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley. (510) 841-2082, www.starryploughpub.com.< 

UPTOWN NIGHTCLUB  

Hot Tub DJs, Nov. 26, 9 p.m. $5. 

1928 Telegraph Ave., Oakland. (510) 451-8100, www.uptownnightclub.com.<

ARDENWOOD HISTORIC FARM Ardenwood farm is a working farm that dates back to the time of the Patterson Ranch, a 19th-century estate with a mansion and Victorian Gardens. Today, the farm still practices farming techniques from the 1870s. Unless otherwise noted, programs are free with regular admission.  

ONGOING PROGRAMS --  

"Blacksmithing," Thursday, Friday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Watch a blacksmith turn iron into useful tools.  

"Horse-Drawn Train," Thursday, Friday and Sunday. A 20-minute ride departs from Ardenwood Station and Deer Park.  

"Animal Feeding," Thursday-Sunday, 3-4 p.m. Help slop the hogs, check the henhouse for eggs and bring hay to the livestock.  

"Victorian Flower Arranging," Thursday, 10:15-11:30 a.m. Watch as Ardenwood docents create floral works of art for display in the Patterson House. "Potato Harvesting," ongoing. Learn the spectacular history of this New World native as you dig with your spade and help find the spuds. 

"Horse-Drawn Train Rides," ongoing. Thursday, Friday and Sunday, 10:15 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Meet Jigs or Tucker the Belgian Draft horses that pull Ardenwood's train. Check the daily schedule and meet the train at Ardenwood Station or Deer Park. 

"Country Kitchen Cookin'," ongoing. Sundays, 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Enjoy the flavor of the past with treats cooked on Ardenwood's wood burning stove. Sample food grown on the farm and discover the history of your favorite oldtime snacks. 

"Animal Feeding," ongoing. Thursday-Sunday, 3 p.m. Feed the pigs, check for eggs and bring hay to the livestock. 

"Toddler Time," ongoing. Tuesdays, 11-11:30 a.m. Bring the tiny tots out for an exciting morning at the farm. Meet and learn all about a new animal friend through stories, chores and fun.  

$1-$5; free children under age 4. Tuesday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 34600 Ardenwood Blvd., Fremont. (510) 796-0199, (510) 796-0663, www.ebparks.org.< 

BAY AREA RAIL TRAILS ongoing. A network of trails converted from unused railway corridors and developed by the Rails to Trails Conservancy.  

BLACK DIAMOND MINES REGIONAL PRESERVE RAILROAD BED TRAIL -- Ongoing. This easy one mile long rail trail on Mount Diablo leads to many historic sites within the preserve. Suitable for walking, horseback riding, and mountain biking. Accessible year round but may be muddy during the rainy season. Enter from the Park Entrance Station parking lot on the East side of Somersville Road, Antioch.  

IRON HORSE REGIONAL TRAIL -- Ongoing. The paved trail has grown into a 23 mile path between Concord and San Ramon with a link into Dublin. The trail runs from the north end of Monument Boulevard at Mohr Lane, east to Interstate 680, in Concord through Walnut Creek to just south of Village Green Park in San Ramon. It will eventually extend from Suisun Bay to Pleasanton and has been nominated as a Community Millennium Trail under the U.S. Millennium Trails program. A smooth shaded trail suitable for walkers, cyclists, skaters and strollers. It is also wheelchair accessible. Difficulty: easy to moderate in small chunks; hard if taken as a whole.  

LAFAYETTE/MORAGA REGIONAL TRAIL -- Ongoing. A 7.65 mile paved trail converted from the Sacramento Northern Rail line. This 20-year old trail goes along Las Trampas Creek and parallels St. Mary's Road. Suitable for walkers, equestrians, and cyclists. Runs from Olympic Boulevard and Pleasant Hill Road in Lafayette to Moraga. The trail can be used year round.  

OHLONE GREENWAY -- Ongoing. A 3.75-mile paved trail converted from the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe railway. Suitable for walkers, strollers and skaters. It is also wheelchair accessible. The trail runs under elevated BART tracks from Conlon and Key Streets in El Cerrito to Virginia and Acton Streets in Berkeley.  

SHEPHERD CANYON TRAIL -- Ongoing. An easy 3-mile paved trail converted from the Sacramento Northern Rail Line. The tree-lined trail is gently sloping and generally follows Shepherd Canyon Road. Suitable for walkers and cyclists. It is also wheelchair accessible. Begins in Montclair Village behind McCaulou's Department Store on Medau Place and ends at Paso Robles Drive, Oakland. Useable year round. 

Free. (415) 397-2220, www.traillink.com.< 

BAY AREA RIDGE TRAIL ongoing. The Bay Area Ridge Trail, when completed, will be a 400-mile regional trail system that will form a loop around the entire San Francisco Bay region, linking 75 public parks and open spaces to thousands of people and hundreds of communities. Hikes on portions of the trail are available through the Bay Area Ridge Trail Council. Call for meeting sites. ALAMEDA COUNTY -- "Lake Chabot Bike Rides." These rides are for strong beginners and intermediates to build skill, strength and endurance at a non hammerhead pace. No one will be dropped. Reservations required. Distance: 14 miles. Elevation gain: 1,000 feet. Difficulty: beginner to intermediate. Pace: moderate. Meeting place: Lake Chabot Road at the main entrance to the park. Thursday, 6:15 a.m. (510) 468-3582.  

ALAMEDA-CONTRA COSTA COUNTY -- "Tilden and Wildcat Bike Rides." A vigorous ride through Tilden and Wildcat Canyon regional parks. Reservations required. Distance: 15 miles. Elevation gain: 2,000 feet. Difficulty: intermediate. Pace: fast. Meeting place: in front of the North Berkeley BART Station. Wednesday, 5:30 p.m. (510) 849-9650. 

Free. (415) 561-2595, www.ridgetrail.org.< 

BICYCLE TRAILS COUNCIL OF THE EAST BAY ongoing. The Council sponsors trail work days, Youth Bike Adventure Rides, and Group Rides as well as Mountain Bike Basics classes which cover training and handling skills. "Weekly Wednesday Ride at Lake Chabot," ongoing. Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m. A 13- to 20-mile ride exploring the trails around Lake Chabot, with 1,500 to 2,000 feet of climbing. Meet at 6:15 p.m. in the parking lot across from the public safety offices at Lake Chabot in Castro Valley. Reservations requested. (510) 727-0613.  

"Weekly Wednesday 'Outer' East Bay Ride," ongoing. Wednesdays, 5:30 p.m. Ride some of the outer East Bay parks each week, such as Wild Cat Canyon, Briones, Mount Diablo, Tilden and Joaquin Miller-Redwood. Meeting place and ride location vary. Reservations required. (510) 888-9757. 

Free. (510) 466-5123, www.btceb.org.< 

BOTANIC GARDEN Ongoing.  

Intersection of Wildcat Canyon Road and South Park Drive, Tilden Regional Park, Berkeley. www.ebparks.org.< 

CIVIC PARK, WALNUT CREEK  

"Walnut Creek On Ice," through Jan. 17. A special holiday time outdoor ice skating rink. See website for complete details. www.walnut-creek.com. 

1375 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek. < 

CRAB COVE VISITOR CENTER At Crab Cove, you can see live underwater creatures and go into the San Francisco Bay from land. You can also travel back in time to Alameda's part. The goal is to increase understanding of the environmental importance of San Francisco Bay and the ocean ecosystem. Crab Cove's Indoor Aquarium and Exhibit Lab is one of the largest indoor aquariums in the East Bay."Catch of the Day," ongoing. Sundays, 2-3 p.m. Drop by to find out more about the Bay and its wildlife through guided exploration and hands-on fun. 

"Sea Siblings," ongoing. Tuesdays, 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. Explore the natural world and take part in a theme related craft. Designed for the 3-5 year old learner. Registration is required.  

$4. (888) 327-2757. 

"Sea Squirts," ongoing. 10-11:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Discover the wonders of nature with your little one. Registration is required. $6-$8. 

Free unless otherwise noted; parking fee may be charged. 1252 McKay Ave., Alameda. (510) 521-6887, www.ebparks.org.< 

DUNSMUIR HOUSE AND GARDENS HISTORIC ESTATE ongoing. 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 -- Ongoing. 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.< 

FIFTY-PLUS ADVENTURE WALKS AND RUNS ongoing. The walks and runs are 3-mile round-trips, lasting about one hour on the trail. All levels of ability are welcome. The walks are brisk, however, and may include some uphill terrain. Events are held rain or shine and on all holidays except Christmas and the Fifty-Plus Annual Fitness Weekend. Call for dates, times and details. 

Free. (650) 323-6160, www.50plus.org.< 

FOREST HOME FARMS ongoing. The 16-acre former farm of the Boone family is now a municipal historic park in San Ramon. It is located at the base of the East Bay Hills and is divided into two parts by Oak Creek. The Boone House is a 22-room Dutch colonial that has been remodeled several times since it was built in 1900. Also on the property are a barn built in the period from 1850 to 1860; the Victorian-style David Glass House, dating from the late 1860s to early 1870s; a storage structure for farm equipment and automobiles; and a walnut processing plant. 

Free unless otherwise noted. Public tours available by appointment. 19953 San Ramon Valley Blvd., San Ramon. (925) 973-3281, www.ci.sanramon. ca.us/parks/boone.htm.< 

GARIN AND DRY CREEK PIONEER REGIONAL PARKS ongoing. Independent nature study is encouraged here, and guided interpretive programs are available through the Coyote Hills Regional Park Visitor Center in Fremont. The Garin Barn Visitor Center is open Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. In late summer, the Garin Apple Festival celebrates Garin's apple orchards. The parks also allow picnicking, hiking, horseback riding and fishing. 

Free; $5 parking fee per vehicle; $2 per dog. Daily, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. 1320 Garin Ave., Hayward. (510) 562-PARK, (510) 795-9385, www.ebparks.org/parks/garin.htm.< 

GREENBELT ALLIANCE OUTINGS A series of hikes, bike rides and events sponsored by Greenbelt Alliance, the Bay Area's non-profit land conservation and urban planning organization. Call for meeting places. Reservations required for all trips.  

ALAMEDA COUNTY --  

"Self-Guided Urban Outing: Berkeley," ongoing. This interactive smart growth walking tour of central Berkeley examines some of the exciting projects that help alleviate the housing shortage in the city as well as amenities important to making a livable community. The walk, which includes the GAIA Cultural Center, Allston Oak Court, The Berkeley Bike Station, University Terrace and Strawberry Creek Park, takes between an hour-and-ahalf to two hours at a leisurely pace. Download the itinerary which gives specific directions by entering www.greeenbelt.org and clicking on "get involved'' and then "urban outings.'' Drop down and click on Berkeley. Free. 

Free unless otherwise noted. (415) 255-3233, www.greenbelt.org.< 

HAYWARD REGIONAL SHORELINE With 1,682 acres of salt, fresh and brackish water marshes, seasonal wetlands and the approximately three-mile San Lorenzo Trail, the Hayward Shoreline restoration project is one of the largest of its kind on the West Coast, comprising 400 acres of marshland. Part of the East Bay Regional Park District.Ongoing.  

Free. Daily, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. 3010 W. Winton Ave., Hayward. (510) 562-PARK, www.ebparks.org/parks/hayward.htm.< 

HAYWARD SHORELINE INTERPRETIVE CENTER Perched on stilts above a salt marsh, the Center offers an introduction to the San Francisco Bay-Estuary. It features exhibits, programs and activities designed to inspire a sense of appreciation, respect and stewardship for the Bay, its inhabitants and the services they provide. The Habitat Room offers a preview of what may be seen outside. The 80-gallon Bay Tank contains some of the fish that live in the Bay's open waters, and the Channel Tank represents habitats formed by the maze of sloughs and creeks that snake through the marsh. The main room of the Center features rotating exhibits about area history, plants and wildlife. Part of the Hayward Area Recreation and Park District. "Exploring Nature," ongoing. An exhibit of Shawn Gould's illustrations featuring images of the natural world.Ongoing.  

"Nature Detectives," ongoing. 11 a.m.-noon. An introduction and exploration of the world of Black-Crowned Night-Herons. Ages 3-5 and their caregivers. Registration required. 

"Weekend Weed Warriors," ongoing. 1-4 p.m. Help the shoreline to eliminate the non-native plants that threaten its diversity. Ages 12 and older. Registration required. 

"Waterfowl of the Freshwater Marsh," ongoing. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Join an expert birder to go "behind the gates'' to areas of the marsh that are not open to the public. 

Free. Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 4901 Breakwater Ave., Hayward. (510) 670-7270, www.hard.dst.ca.us/hayshore.html.< 

JOHN MUIR NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE The site preserves the 1882 Muir House, a 17-room Victorian mansion where naturalist John Muir lived from 1890 to his death in 1914. It was here that Muir wrote about preserving America's wilderness and helped create the national parks idea for the United States. The house is situated on a hill overlooking the City of Martinez and surrounded by nine acres of vineyards and orchards. Take a self-guided tour of this well-known Scottish naturalist's home. Also part of the site is the historic Martinez Adobe and Mount Wanda. Public Tours of the John Muir House, ongoing. Begin with an eight-minute park film and then take the tour. The film runs every 15 minutes throughout the day. Wednesday through Friday, 2 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.  

MOUNT WANDA -- The mountain consists of 325 acres of grass and oak woodland historically owned by the Muir family. It offers a nature trail and several fire trails for hiking. Open daily, sunrise to sunset. 

JOHN MUIR HOUSE, ongoing. Tours of this well-known Scottish naturalist's home are available. The house, built in 1882, is a 14-room Victorian home situated on a hill overlooking the city of Martinez and surrounded by nine acres of vineyards and orchards. It was here that Muir wrote about preserving America's wilderness and helped create the national parks idea for the United States. The park also includes the historic Vicente Martinez Adobe, built in 1849. An eight-minute film about Muir and the site is shown every 15 minutes throughout the day at the Visitor Center. Self guided tours of the Muir home, the surrounding orchards, and the Martinez Adobe: Wednesday-Sunday, 1 a.m.-5 p.m. Public tours or the first floor of the Muir home: Wednesday-Friday, 2 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. Reservations not required except for large groups.  

$3 general; free children ages 16 and under. Wednesday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 4202 Alhambra Ave., Martinez. (925) 228-8860, www.nps.gov/jomu.< 

KENNEDY GROVE REGIONAL RECREATION AREA ongoing. The 95-acre park contains picnic areas, horseshoe pits and volleyball courts among its grove of aromatic eucalyptus trees.  

$5 parking; $2 per dog except guide/service dogs Through September: daily, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. San Pablo Dam Road, El Sobrante. (510) 223-7840, www.ebparks.org.< 

LAKE CHABOT REGIONAL PARK ongoing. The 315-acre lake offers year-round recreation. Services include canoe and boat rental, horseshoe pits, hiking, bicycling, picnicking and seasonal tours aboard the Chabot Queen. For boat rentals, call (510) 247-2526. 

Free unless noted otherwise; $5 parking; $2 per dog except guide/service dogs. Daily, 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. 17930 Lake Chabot Road, Castro Valley. (510) 562-PARK, www.ebparks.org.< 

LINDSAY WILDLIFE MUSEUM This is the oldest and largest wildlife rehabilitation center in America, taking in 6,000 injured and orphaned animals yearly and returning 40 percent of them to the wild. The museum offers a wide range of educational programs using non-releasable wild animals to teach children and adults respect for the balance of nature. The museum includes a state-of-the art wildlife hospital which features a permanent exhibit, titled "Living with Nature,'' which houses 75 non-releasable wild animals in learning environments; a 5,000-square-foot Wildlife Hospital complete with treatment rooms, intensive care, quarantine and laboratory facilities; a 1-acre Nature Garden featuring the region's native landscaping and wildlife; and an "Especially For Children'' exhibit.  

WILDLIFE HOSPITAL -- September-March: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The hospital is open daily including holidays to receive injured and orphaned animals. There is no charge for treatment of native wild animals and there are no public viewing areas in the hospital.Ongoing.  

SPECIAL EVENTS Ongoing.  

$5-$7; free children under age 2. June 16-Sept. 15: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wed.-Sun.; Sept. 16-June 15: noon.-5 p.m. Wed.-Fri., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat.-Sun. 1931 First Ave., Walnut Creek. (925) 935-1978, www.wildlife-museum.org.< 

LIVERMORE AREA RECREATION AND PARK DISTRICT ongoing.  

4444 East Ave., Livermore. (925) 373-5700, www.larpd.dst.ca.us/.< 

MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. SHORELINE ongoing. This 1,200-acre park situated near Oakland International Airport offers picnic areas with barbecues and a boat launch ramp. Swimming is not allowed. The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Grove, a group of trees surrounding a grassy glade, is at the intersection of Doolittle Drive and Swan Way. The area also includes the 50-acre Arrowhead Marsh (part of the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network) and a Roger Berry sculpture titled "Duplex Cone,'' which traces the summer and winter solstice paths of the sun through the sky. 

Free. Daily, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., unless otherwise posted Doolittle Drive and Swan Way, Oakland. (510) 562-PARK, Picnic reservations: (510) 636-1684, www.ebayparks.org.< 

MILLER-KNOX REGIONAL SHORELINE ongoing. A 295-acre shoreline picnic area with a secluded cove and swimming beach, and a hilltop offering panoramic views of the north Bay Area. 

Free. Daily, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., unless otherwise posted. 900 Dornan Dr., Richmond. (510) 562-PARK, Picnic Reservations: (510) 636-1684, www.ebparks.org.< 

MOUNT DIABLO STATE PARK ongoing. The 3,849-foot summit of Mount Diablo offers great views of the Bay Area and an extensive trail system. Visitors to the park can hike, bike, ride on horseback and camp. Notable park attractions include: The Fire Interpretive Trail, Rock City, Boy Scout Rocks and Sentinel Rock, Fossil Ridge, Deer Flat, Mitchell Canyon Staging Area, Diablo Valley Overlook, the Summit Visitor Center (open Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.), the Art Gallery, the Observation Deck and the Mitchell Canyon Interpretive Center. 

Free. $6 per vehicle park-entrance fee; $5 for seniors. Daily, 8 a.m. to sunset. Mount Diablo Scenic Boulevard, from the Diablo Road exit off Interstate Highway 680, Danville. (925) 837-2525, www.mdia.org or www.parks.ca.gov.< 

PLEASANTON RIDGE REGIONAL PARK ongoing. This 3,163-acre parkland is on the oak-covered ridge overlooking Pleasanton and the Livermore Valley from the west. A multi-purpose trail system accommodates hikers, equestrians and bicyclists. 

Free. Daily, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Foothill Road, Pleasanton. (510) 562-PARK, www.ebparks.org.< 

POINT PINOLE REGIONAL SHORELINE ongoing. The 2,315-acre parkland bordering Pinole, Richmond and San Pablo offers views of Mount Tamalpais, the Marin shoreline and San Pablo Bay. There are trails through meadows and woods, and along the bluffs and beaches of San Pablo Bay. Visitors can hike, ride bikes or take the park's shuttle bus to reach the 1,250-foot fishing pier at Point Pinole. 

$5 per vehicle; $4 per trailered vehicle; $2 per dog (guide/service dogs free). Daily, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., unless otherwise posted. Giant Highway, Richmond. (510) 562-PARK, www.ebparks.org.< 

PREWETT FAMILY WATERPARK ongoing. There are pools and water slides for all ages, from the Tad Pool for toddlers to Boulder cove for older swimmers. In addition to fun pools and slides there are fitness pools for lessons and exercise, lawns for relaxing, locker rooms, community room and kitchen. Lap lanes are open year round. Food and beverages are not permitted in the park. Picnic tables are available outside the park. 

$4-$11. Sunday through Friday: 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; Saturdays, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; closed Aug.23-27, 30-31. 4701 Lone Tree Way, Antioch. (925) 776-3070, www.ci.antioch.ca.us/CitySvcs/Prewett.< 

QUARRY LAKES REGIONAL RECREATION AREA ongoing. The park includes three lakes sculpted from former quarry ponds. The largest, Horseshoe Lake, offers boating and fishing, with a swim beach that will open in the spring. Rainbow Lake is for fishing only, and the third lake, Lago Los Osos, is set aside for wildlife habitat. In addition, there are hiking and bicycling trails that connect to the Alameda Creek Regional Trail. The park includes three lakes sculpted from former quarry ponds. The largest, Horseshoe Lake, offers boating and fishing, with a swim beach that will open in the spring. Rainbow Lake is for fishing only, and the third lake, Lago Los Osos, is set aside for wildlife habitat. In addition there are hiking and bicycling trails that connect to the Alameda Creek Regional Trail. 

$5 parking; $2 per dog except guide/service dogs; boat launch fees; Park District fishing access permit fee of $3. Through Labor Day: daily, 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sept. 6 through Sept. 30, 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. 2100 Isherwood Way,, between Paseo Padre Parkway and Osprey Drive,, Fremont. (510) 795-4883, Picnic reservations:: (510) 562-2267, www.ebparks.org.< 

ROBERT SIBLEY VOLCANIC REGIONAL PRESERVE ongoing. East Bay residents have several volcanoes in their backyard. This park contains Round Top, one of the highest peaks in the Oakland Hills. 

Free. Daily, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. 6800 Skyline Blvd., Oakland. (510) 562-PARK, www.ebparks.org.< 

RUTH BANCROFT GARDEN One of America's finest private gardens, the Ruth Bancroft Garden displays 2,000 specimens from around the world that thrive in an arid climate. Included are African and Mexican succulents, New World cacti, Australian and Chilean trees, and shrubs from California. 

DOCENT TOUR SCHEDULE -- ongoing. 10 a.m. Saturdays. Docent-led tours last approximately an hour and a half. Plant sales follow the tour. By reservation only. $7; free children under age 12.  

SELF-GUIDED TOURS -- Ongoing. 9:30 a.m.-noon Mon. - Thurs.; 9:30 a.m. Fri.; 9:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Sat.; 5 p.m. Sunday. Self-guided tours last two hours. No reservations required for weekday tours; reservations required for Friday and Saturday tours. Plant sales follow the tours. $7; free children under age 12.  

Gardens open only for tours and special events listed on the garden's telephone information line. 1500 Bancroft Road, Walnut Creek. (925) 210-9663, www.ruthbancroftgarden.org.< 

SHADOW CLIFFS REGIONAL RECREATION AREA ongoing. The 296-acre park includes an 80-acre lake and a four-flume waterslide, with picnic grounds and a swimming beach. Water slide fees and hours: (925) 829-6230. 

$6 per vehicle; $2 per dog except guide and service dogs. May 1 through Labor Day: daily, 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.; shortened hours for fall and winter. Stanley Boulevard, one mile from downtown, Pleasanton. (510) 562-PARK, www.ebparks.org.< 

SULPHUR CREEK NATURE CENTER A wildlife rehabilitation and education facility where injured and orphaned local wild creatures are rehabilitated and released when possible. There is also a lending library of animals such as guinea pigs, rats, mice and more. The lending fee is $8 per week. "Toddler Time," ongoing. Learn about animals by listening to stories and exploring. Themes vary by month. Call for schedule. $7 per family.  

"Day on the Green Animal Presentations," ongoing. Meet an assortment of wild and domestic animals. Wildlife volunteers will present a different animal each day from possums to snakes, tortoises to hawks. Saturday and Sunday, 2:30 p.m. 

CHILDREN'S EVENTS -- Ongoing.  

Free. Park: Tuesday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Discovery Center: Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Animal Lending Library: Saturday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; Wildlife Rehabilitation Center: daily, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. 1801 D St., Hayward. (510) 881-6747, www.haywardrec.org/sulphur_creek.html.< 

SUNOL REGIONAL WILDERNESS This park is full of scenic and natural wonders. You can hike the Ohlone Wilderness trail or Little Yosemite. There are bedrock mortars that were used by Native Americans, who were Sunol's first inhabitants."Sunol Sunday Hike," ongoing. Sundays, 1:30-3 p.m. A natural history walk in the wilderness. 

"Sunol Sunday Hike," ongoing. Sundays, 1:30-3 p.m. A natural history walk in Sunol Regional Wilderness. 

Free unless otherwise noted; $5 parking; $2 dog fee. Geary Road off Calaveras Road, six miles south of Interstate Highway 680, Sunol. (510) 652-PARK, www.ebparks.org.<

ASIAN ART MUSEUM OF SAN FRANCISCO The Asian Art Museum-Chon-Moon Lee Center for Asian Art and Culture recently unveiled its new building in San Francisco's Civic Center. The building, the former San Francisco Public Library, has been completely retrofitted and rebuilt to house San Francisco's significant collection of Asian treasures. The museum offers complimentary audio tours of the museum's collection galleries. "In a New Light," ongoing. There are some 2,500 works displayed in the museum's new galleries. They cover all the major cultures of Asia and include Indian stone sculptures, intricately carved Chinese jades, Korean paintings, Tibetan thanksgas, Cambodian Buddhas, Islamic manuscripts and Japanese basketry and kimonos.  

ONGOING FAMILY PROGRAMS --  

Storytelling, Sundays and the first Saturday of every month, 1 p.m. This event is for children of all ages to enjoy a re-telling of Asian myths and folktales in the galleries. Meet at the Information Desk on the Ground Floor. Free with general admission.  

"Target Tuesday Family Program," first Tuesday of every month. Free with general admission.  

"Family Art Encounter," first Saturday of every month, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Drop in to make art related to the museum's collection. Children must be accompanied by an adult. In the Education Studios. Free with admission.  

DOCENT-LED ART TOURS -- The museum's docents offer two types of tours: a general introduction to the museum's collection and a highlight tour of specific areas of the collection. Free with museum admission.  

ARCHITECTURAL GUIDES -- Tuesday through Sunday at noon and 2:30 p.m., Thursday at 6:30 p.m. Learn about the former Main Library's transformation into the Asian Art Museum on this 40-minute tour. Free with museum admission.  

RESOURCE CENTER -- Tuesday through Sunday, 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Watch a video, or learn more about Asian art with slide packets, activity kits and books. Free with museum admission.Ongoing. Free with general admission unless otherwise noted.  

$7-$12; free children under age 12; $5 Thursday after 5 p.m.; free to all first Sunday of each month. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday through Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Thursday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. 200 Larkin St., San Francisco. (415) 581-3500, www.asianart.org.< 

BEAT MUSEUM Formerly located on the California coast in Monterey, the Beat Museum now sits in historic North Beach. The Museum uses letters, magazines, pictures, first editions and more to explore the lives of leading beat figures such as Jack Kerouac, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, Allen Ginsberg, Neal Cassady and many others. A gift shop and bookstore are open to the public free of charge."North Beach Walking Tour,", ongoing. A 90-minute walking tour of North Beach with Beat Museum curator Jerry Cimimo. See the bars, coffeehouses, homes, and other Beat-related highlights of North Beach. Call for info. $15.Ongoing.  

$4-$5. Monday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. CLOSED MONDAY. 540 Broadway, San Francisco. (800) KER-OUAC, www.kerouac.com.< 

CABLE CAR MUSEUM The museum is located in the historic Cable Car Barn and Powerhouse. Visitors can see the actual cable winding machinery, grips, track, cable and brakes, as well as three historic cable cars, photo displays and mechanical artifacts. The best way to get to this museum is by cable car; street parking is practically non-existent.Ongoing.  

Free. April 1-Sept. 30: daily, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 1-March 31, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 1201 Mason St., San Francisco. (415) 474-1887, www.cablecarmuseum.org.< 

CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES  

"Nightlife," ongoing. 6 p.m. Thursdays. Every Thursday night, the Academy transforms into a lively venue filled with provocative science, music, mingling and cocktails, as visitors get a chance to explore the museum.  

"Where the Land Meets the Sea," ongoing. Exhibition features sculpture by Maya Lin.  

BENJAMIN DEAN LECTURE SERIES -- Ongoing.  

$14.95-$24.95. Daily, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Golden Gate Park, San Francisco. (415) 379-8000, www.calacademy.org.< 

CALIFORNIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY  

HISTORY WALKABOUTS -- Ongoing. A series of monthly walking tours that explore the history, lore and architecture of California with veteran tour guide Gary Holloway. 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. Tour price includes admission to the Museum.  

MUSEUM -- Ongoing. The museum's permanent collection is made up of the Fine Arts Collection, consisting of 5,000 works of art that represent the history of California from pre-Gold Rush days to the early decade of the 20th century; and The Photography Collection, containing nearly a halfmillion images in an array of photographic formats documenting the history of California in both the 19th and 20th centuries. The Library and Research Collection contain material relating to the history of California and the West from early exploration time to the present including texts, maps, and manuscripts.  

"Landscape and Vision: Early California Painters from the Collections of the California Historical Society," open-ended. An exhibit of oil paintings including a large number of early landscapes of California, from the museum's collection.  

"Think California," through Feb. 5, Wed.-Sat. noon-4:30 p.m. An exhibition highlighting the colorful history of California through the institution's remarkable collection of artwork, artifacts and ephemera. Themes include: Coming to California, Scenic Splendors, Earthquakes, Floods and Volcanoes, and more. $1-$3; members are always free. 

"Think California," through Feb. 5. Exhibition features artworks, artifacts and ephemera exploring California's colorful history.  

$1-$3; free children under age 5. Wednesday-Saturday, noon-4:30 p.m. 678 Mission St., San Francisco. (415) 357-1848 X229, www.californiahistoricalsociety.org.< 

CHINESE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA The CHSA Museum and Learning Center features a permanent exhibition, "The Chinese of America: Toward a More Perfect Union'' in its Main Gallery, and works by Chinese-American visual artists in its Rotating Galleries. "Leaders of the Band," ongoing. An exhibition of the history and development of the Cathay Club Marching Band, the first Chinese American band formed in 1911.Ongoing.  

$1-$3; free children ages 5 and under; free for all visitors first Thursday of every month. Tuesday-Friday, noon-5 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, noon-4 p.m. 965 Clay St., San Francisco. (415) 391-1188, www.chsa.org.< 

DE YOUNG MUSEUM The art museum has now reopened in a new facility designed by Swiss architecture firm Herzog and de Meuron and Fong and Chan Architects in San Francisco. It features significant collections of American art from the 17th through the 20th centuries; modern and contemporary art; art from Central and South America, the Pacific and Africa; and an important and diverse collection of textiles. 

"Van Gough, Gauguin, Cezanne and Beyond: Post-Impressionist Masterpieces from the Musee d'Orsay," ongoing. Exhibit open through Jan. 18, 2011.  

LECTURES AND SYMPOSIA -- Ongoing.  

"Pat Steir: After Hokusai, after Hiroshige," through Jan. 30. Exhibition shows the continued influence of the Japanese print on Western artists into the late twentieth century.  

"To Dye For: A World Saturated in Color," through Jan. 9. Exhibition features over 50 textiles and costumes from the Fine Arts Museums' comprehensive collection of textiles from Africa, Asia and the Americas.  

$6-$10; free for children ages 12 and under; free for all visitors the first Tuesday of every month. Tuesday-Thursday and Saturday-Sunday, 9:30 a.m.-5:15 p.m.; Friday, 9:30 a.m.-8:45 p.m. Golden Gate Park, 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive, San Francisco. (415) 863-3330, www.deyoungmuseum.org.< 

GLBT HISTORICAL SOCIETY AND MUSEUM The museum is a project of the GLBT (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender) Historical Society.Ongoing.  

EXHIBITS Ongoing.  

$2-$4. Tuesday-Saturday, 1-5 p.m. 657 Mission St., Suite 300, San Francisco. (415) 777-5455, www.glbthistory.org.< 

INTERNATIONAL MUSEUM OF WOMEN Ongoing.  

101 Howard Street, Suite 480, San Francisco. (415) 543-4669, www.imow.org/home/index.< 

LEGION OF HONOR MUSEUM DOCENT TOUR PROGRAMS -- Tours of the permanent collections and special exhibitions are offered Tuesday through Sunday. Non-English language tours (Italian, French, Spanish and Russian) are available on different Saturdays of the month at 11:30 a.m. Free with regular museum admission. (415) 750-3638.  

ONGOING CHILDREN'S PROGRAM --  

"Doing and Viewing Art," ongoing. For ages 7 to 12. Docent-led tours of current exhibitions are followed by studio workshops taught by professional artists/teachers. Students learn about art by seeing and making it. Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to noon; call to confirm class. Free with museum admission. (415) 750-3658. 

ORGAN CONCERTS -- Ongoing. 4 p.m. A weekly concert of organ music on the Legion's restored 1924 Skinner organ. Saturday and Sunday in the Rodin Gallery. Free with museum admission. (415) 750-3624.In the Gould Theater unless otherwise noted. $4 after museum admission unless otherwise noted. (415) 682-2481. 

"Sunday Jazz Brunch," ongoing. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. $21-$53. 

"Japanesque: The Japanese Print in the Era of Impressionism," Nov. 27, 1 p.m. Doris Chun gives a free art lecture. Free.  

"Just Desserts: Sugar To Spice, Cheese To Chocolate," Nov. 27, 2:15 p.m. Marsha Holm gives a free art lecture. Free.  

$6-$10; free for children ages 12 and under; free for all visitors on Tuesdays. Tuesday-Sunday, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Lincoln Park, 34th Avenue and Clement Street, San Francisco. (415) 750-3600, (415) 750-3636, www.legionofhonor.org.< 

MARKET STREET RAILWAY MUSEUM ongoing. The museum will permanently display a variety of artifacts telling the story of San Francisco's transportation history, including dash signs, fare boxes, a famed Wiley "birdcage'' traffic signal and more. 

Free. Wednesday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. 77 Steuart St., San Francisco. (415) 956-0472, www.streetcar.org.< 

MEXICAN MUSEUM ongoing.  

THE MEXICAN MUSEUM GALLERIES AT FORT MASON CENTER ARE CURRENTLY CLOSED --  

The Mexican Museum holds a unique collection of 12,000 objects representing thousands of years of Mexican history and culture within the Americas. The permanent collection, the Museum's most important asset and resource, includes five collecting areas: Pre-Conquest, Colonial, Popular, Modern and Contemporary Mexican and Latino, and Chicano Art. The Museum also has a collection of rare books and a growing collection of Latin American art. 

Fort Mason Center, Building D, Buchanan Street and Marina Boulevard, San Francisco. (415) 202-9700, www.mexicanmuseum.org.< 

MUSEO ITALOAMERICANO ongoing. The museum, dedicated to the exhibition of art works by Italian and Italian-American artists, has a small permanent collection of paintings, sculptures, photographs and works on paper by such renowned artists as Beniamino Buffano, Sandro Chia, Giorgio de Chirico and Arnaldo Pomodoro.  

DOCENT TOURS -- Wednesdays, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Free. 

$2-$3; free children under age 12; free to all first Wednesday of the month. Wednesday-Sunday, noon -4 p.m.; first Wednesday of the month, noon-7 p.m. Fort Mason Center, Building C, Buchanan Street and Marina Boulevard, San Francisco. (415) 673-2200, www.museoitaloamericano.org.< 

MUSEUM OF ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS AT SAN FRANCISCO STATE UNIVERSITY Ongoing.  

Free. Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Humanities Building, Room 510, SFSU, Font Boulevard and Tapia Drive, San Francisco. (415) 405-0599, www.sfsu.edu/~museumst/.< 

MUSEUM OF PERFORMANCE AND DESIGN Ongoing.  

Free. Wednesday-Saturday, noon-5 p.m. Veterans Building, 401 Van Ness Avenue at McAllister, 4th Floor, San Francisco. (415) 255-4800, www.mpdsf.org.< 

MUSEUM OF THE AFRICAN DIASPORA A new museum exploring and celebrating the influence of the African Diaspora on global art and culture through interactive, permanent and changing exhibits and special programs. The museum occupies the first three floors of the new St. Regis Hotel at Third and Mission streets.  

PERMANENT EXHIBITS --  

"Celebrations: Rituals and Ceremonies," "Music of the Diaspora,'' "Culinary Traditions,'' 'Adornment,'' "Slavery Passages,'' and "The Freedom Theater.''Ongoing.  

"Urban Kidz Film Series," ongoing. Noon-3 p.m. An offshoot of the San Francisco Black Film Festival, featuring a striking assemblage of short and feature films designed to spark the imaginations of the 5-to-12-year-old set. $10 adults; children free. (415) 771-9271.Ongoing.  

$5-$8; free children age 12 and under. Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Thursday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sunday, noon-5 p.m.; CLOSED MARCH 13 THROUGH MARCH 21. 685 Mission St., San Francisco. (415) 358-7200, www.moadsf.org.< 

NATIONAL MARITIME MUSEUM LIBRARY (THE J. PORTER SHAW MARITIME LIBRARY) ongoing. Closed on federal holidays. The library, part of the San Francisco Maritime National Historic Park, focuses on sail and steam ships on the West Coast and the Pacific Basin from 1520 to the present. The museum library holdings include a premiere collection of maritime history: books, magazines, oral histories, ships' plans and the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park's 250,000 photographs. 

Free. By appointment only, Monday-Friday, 1-4 p.m., and the third Saturday of each month 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Fort Mason Center, Building E, Third Floor, Buchanan Street and Marina Boulevard, San Francisco. (415) 560-7080, (415) 560-7030, www.nps.gov/safr.< 

PACIFIC HERITAGE MUSEUM ongoing. The museum presents rotating exhibits highlighting historical, artistic, cultural and economic achievements from both sides of the Pacific Rim. The museum features a permanent display documenting the history and significance of the Branch Mint and Subtreasury buildings. 

Free. Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 608 Commercial St., San Francisco. (415) 399-1124.< 

RANDALL MUSEUM "Earthquake Exhibit," ongoing. Learn about plate tectonics. Make a small quake by jumping on the floor to make a "floor quake'' that registers on the seismometer in the lobby. See the basement seismometer that registers quakes around the world. Walk through a full-size earthquake refugee shack that was used to house San Franciscans after the 1906 earthquake that destroyed so many homes.  

"Creativity and Discovery Hand in Hand," ongoing. A photography exhibit that gives visitors a look into the wide variety of programs the Museum offers in the way of classes, workshops, school field trips, and special interest clubs.  

"Toddler Treehouse," ongoing. Toddlers may comfortably climb the carpeted "treehouse'' and make a myriad of discoveries, from the roots to the limbs.  

"Live Animal Exhibit," ongoing. Visit with more than 100 creatures including small mammals, amphibians, reptiles, raptors and small birds, insects, spiders and tide pool creatures. "Saturdays Are Special at the Museum," ongoing. Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. A series of drop-in ceramics and art and science workshops. All ages are welcome, though an adult must accompany children under age 8. $3 per child, $5 per parent-child combination.  

"Bufano Sculpture Tours," first and third Saturdays of the month, 10:15 a.m. A tour of the giant animal sculptures of Beniamino Bufano. The sculptures were carved out of stone in the 1930s and include a giant cat and a mother bear nursing her cubs.  

"Animal Room," ongoing. Visit some of the animals that live at the museum, including reptiles, raptors, tide pool creatures and small mammals.  

"Meet the Animals" Saturdays, 11:15 a.m. to noon. See the Randall's animals close-up and in person.  

"Animal Feeding," Saturdays, noon. Watch the animals take their meals.  

"Golden Gate Model Railroad Exhibit," Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

DROP-IN ART AND SCIENCE WORKSHOPS -- Ongoing. 1-4 p.m.  

$3-$5. "Third Friday Birders," ongoing. 8 a.m. The hike through Corona Heights Park allows participants to enjoy the early morning views and learn more about the feathered inhabitants of the area. Children aged 10 and older if accompanied by adult. 

"Meet the Animals," ongoing. Saturdays, 11:15 a.m. Learn about the animals that live at the Randall Museum. 

"Film Series for Teenagers," ongoing. Fridays, 7 p.m. 

"Drop-in Family Ceramics Workshop," ongoing. Saturday, 10:15-11:15 a.m. $5. 

"Golden Gate Model Railroad Exhibit," ongoing. Saturday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. 

"Meet the Animals," ongoing. 11:15 a.m.-noon. 

"Animal Feeding," ongoing. Saturday, noon. 

"Drop-in Family Ceramics Workshop," ongoing. Saturday, 1:15-2:15 p.m. 

Free. All ages welcome; an adult must accompany children under age 8. Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; CLOSED ON CHRISTMAS. 199 Museum Way, San Francisco. (415) 554-9600, www.randallmuseum.org.< 

SAN FRANCISCO CABLE CAR MUSEUM ongoing. The museum is located in the historic Cable Car Barn and Powerhouse. Visitors can see the actual cable winding machinery, grips, track, cable and brakes, as well as three historic cable cars, photo displays and mechanical artifacts. The best way to get to this museum is by cable car; street parking is practically non-existent. 

Free. October 1-March 31: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Daily; Closed on New Year's Day, Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving and Christmas. 1201 Mason St., San Francisco. (415) 474-1887, www.cablecarmuseum.com.< 

SAN FRANCISCO MARITIME NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK One of only a few "floating'' national parks, the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park includes four national landmark ships, a maritime museum, a maritime library and a World-War-II submarine named the USS Pampanito.  

HYDE STREET PIER -- Demonstrations, ship tours, programs, music and special events offered throughout the day. Check ticket booth for schedule. At the foot of Hyde Street, Hyde and Jefferson streets.  

Entering the Pier is free but there is a fee to board the ships.  

HISTORIC SHIPS AT THE HYDE STREET PIER -- The historic ships at the Pier are the 1886 square-rigger "Balclutha,'' the 1890 steam ferryboat "Eureka,'' the 1895 schooner "C.A. Thayer'' (not available at this time due to restoration), the 1891 scow schooner "Alma,'' the 1907 steam tug "Hercules,'' and the 1914 "Eppleton Hall,'' a paddlewheel tug.  

"Balclutha." This historic ship, a three-mast square-rigger, has undergone extensive repairs and preservation work. She now contains more original materials and fittings than any other historic merchant square-rigger in the United States. The Balclutha is a designated National Historic Landmark. At Hyde Street Pier.  

"Eureka." Explore this 1890 ferryboat with a 40-foot walking-beam engine. The boat once carried passengers and autos across the San Francisco Bay. At Hyde Street Pier. Daily, call for times of boat tour.  

"C.A. Thayer." A three-mast schooner used in the lumber and cod fishing trades. At Hyde Street Pier.  

"Alma." Between 1850 and the early 1900s, the best highways around the San Francisco Bay area were the waterways and the delivery trucks and tractortrailer rigs of the time were the flat-bottomed scow schooners. Able to navigate the Sacramento/San Joaquin Delta region's shallow creeks, sloughs and channels, the scows' sturdy hulls could rest safely and securely on the bottom providing a flat, stable platform for loading and unloading. Made of inexpensive Douglas fir, scow's designs were so simple they could be built by eye or without plans.  

"Hercules." Tugs in the early part of the 20th century towed barges, sailing ships and log rafts between Pacific ports. Because prevailing north/west winds generally made travel up the coast by sail both difficult and circuitous, tugs often towed large sailing vessels to points north of San Francisco. In 1916 Hercules towed the C.A. Thayer to Port Townsend, Wash., taking six days to make the trip. At the end of the sail era, the Hercules was acquired by the Western Pacific Railroad Company and shuttled railroad car barges back and forth across San Francisco Bay until 1962.  

"Eppleton Hall." Built in England, the steam side-wheeler plied the Wear and Tyne rivers of Northeast England. Designed to tow ocean-going colliers (coal-carrying sail vessels) the tugs saved transit time getting the sail vessels upriver to load. The side-wheelers were also used to tow newly built ships out to sea. From 1969 to 1979, the Eppleton Hall served as a private yacht. She was modified for an epic steam via the Panama Canal to San Francisco, passing through the Golden Gate in March of 1970.  

HISTORIC SHIP AT FISHERMAN'S WHARF --  

"USS Pampanito." This World-War-II-era submarine is berthed at Fisherman's Wharf. The submarine celebrated her 50th anniversary in November of 1993 and is perhaps best known for her participation in a "wolf pack'' attack on a convoy of enemy ships during World War II. The entrance fee includes a taped audio tour that describes what life on this submarine was like. At Pier 45, near foot of Taylor Street. Monday through Thursday, Sunday and holidays, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. $9 general; $5 seniors, $4 active duty military, $4 youth ages 6 to 12; free children under age 6. (415) 775-1943. "Historic Ship Volunteer Work Party," Saturday, 9 a.m. Become part of an effort to preserve four of the park's nautical treasures. Work on a different ship each Saturday. Bring work clothes, work shoes and lunch. Call for meeting place. (415) 332-8409.  

Unless noted otherwise, events take place on the Hyde Street Pier, located at the foot of Hyde Street on Jefferson Street.Ongoing. Current Exhibits at the Visitor Center:  

"What's Your Pleasure? Recreational Boats of California's Past," openended. This exhibit includes 1940s Sacramento Hydroplanes, a Russian River launch from the 19th century, classic wooden motor launches and motor boats, and other smaller crafts.  

"Hydroplanes and Racing Boats," open-ended. A small exhibit showcasing 1930s racing engines and hydroplane boats.  

"Frisco Bound," an exhibition about immigration to San Francisco, clipper ships, and the Gold Rush era.  

"Hyde Street Ship Models," an exhibit of models of the historic ships at the Hyde Street Pier.  

"Discovery Room," a preview of the Maritime Library where visitors can look up documents and photographs.  

(415) 447-5000.Ongoing.  

"Adventures at Sea: Life Aboard a 19th century Sailing Ship," ongoing. Daily, 2:15 p.m.-3 p.m. Take a guided tour of the sailing ship Balclutha and learn about the hardships and awards of the sailors show fought for survival during the treacherous Cape Horn passage. Vessel admission. 

"Sailing Adventure Aboard Scow Schooner ALMA," ongoing. 12:30-4:30 p.m. Three-hour educational, hands-on sailing program. Takes place on various days throughout the month; see website for full details. $20-$40; children under 6 are free. 

"Historic Waterfront Walking Tour," ongoing. 10:30-11:30 a.m. Park Rangerled, hour long tour of San Francisco's northern waterfront. Tour takes place on various days throughout November; see website for full details. Free. 

VISITOR CENTER -- Ongoing. 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Daily  

Entering the Pier is free but there is a fee to board the ships. The fee allows access to all ships and is good for seven days. $5; free children under age 16. May 28-Sept. 30: daily, 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m.; Oct. 1-May 27: Daily, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Foot of Hyde Street, San Francisco. (415) 561-7100, www.nps.gov.< 

SAN FRANCISCO MUSEUM OF CRAFT AND DESIGN A museum celebrating and promoting the art of contemporary craft and design. The museum showcases diverse exhibitions from regional, national and international artists, working in mediums such as wood, clay, fiber, metal and glass.Ongoing. TEMPORARILY CLOSED.  

$2-$4; free youths under age 18. Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 550 Sutter St., San Francisco. (415) 773-0303, www.sfmcd.org.< 

SAN FRANCISCO PERFORMING ARTS LIBRARY AND MUSEUM ongoing. "Dance in California: 150 Years of Innovation," ongoing. This permanent exhibit traces the history and artistic range of modern dance in California, with photographs and documents highlighting the achievements of Lola Montez, Isadora Duncan, Ruth St. Denis, Martha Graham, the Christensen brothers, the Peters Wright School, the company of Lester Horton, Anna Halprin and Lucas Hoving.  

"Maestro! Photographic Portraits by Tom Zimberoff," ongoing. This permanent exhibit is a comprehensive study of a generation of national and international conductors. In Gallery 5.  

"San Francisco 1900: On Stage," ongoing. In Gallery 4.  

"San Francisco in Song," ongoing. In Gallery 3. 

Free. Tuesday-Friday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday, 1-5 p.m. San Francisco War Memorial Veteran's Building, 401 Van Ness Ave., Fourth Floor, San Francisco. (415) 255-4800, www.sfpalm.org.< 

SEYMOUR PIONEER MUSEUM ongoing. The museum, owned by The Society of California Pioneers, houses a permanent research library, art gallery and history museum. Exhibits include a photography collection documenting California history. 

$1-$3. Wednesday-Friday and the first Saturday of the month, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Society of California Pioneers, 300 Fourth St., San Francisco. (415) 957-1859, www.californiapioneers.org.< 

TREGANZA ANTHROPOLOGY MUSEUM AT SAN FRANCISCO STATE UNIVERSITY ongoing. The museum, founded in 1968, houses collections of archaeological and ethnographic specimens from Africa, Oceania, Asia, and North America as well as small collections from Central and South America. There are also collections of photographs, tapes and phonograph records from Africa and Europe. In addition, there is an archive of field notes and other materials associated with the collections. The museum also houses the Hohenthal Gallery that is used for traveling exhibits as well as exhibits mounted by students and faculty. 

Free. Museum office: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-noon and 1 p.m.-4 p.m.; Hohenthal Gallery, SCI 388: Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Science Building, SFSU, 1600 Holloway Ave., San Francisco. (415) 338-2467, www.sfsu.edu/~treganza/.< 

WALT DISNEY FAMILY MUSEUM  

"Memories of Walt: A Conversation with Legends," Dec. 5, 3 p.m. Join the museum as they welcome several guests who worked with Walt Disney, including Alice Davis, costume designer, and Marge Champion, live action reference for characters such as Snow White.  

104 Montgomery St., San Francisco. (415) 345-6800, www.disney.go.com/disneyatoz/familymuseum/index.html.< 

ZEUM Zeum is a technology and arts museum for children and families featuring exhibits and workshops that cover a variety of fascinating subjects.Ongoing.  

$8-$10. 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Wednesday-Sunday. 221 Fourth St., San Francisco. (415) 820-3220, www.zeum.org.<

AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSEUM AND LIBRARY AT OAKLAND ongoing. The Oakland Public Library's museum is designed to discover, preserve, interpret and share the cultural and historical experiences of African Americans in California and the West. In addition, a three-panel mural is on permanent display. 

Free. Tuesday-Saturday, noon-5:30 p.m. 659 14th St., Oakland. (510) 637-0200, www.oaklandlibrary.org.< 

ALAMEDA MUSEUM ongoing. The museum offers permanent displays of Alameda history, the only rotating gallery showcasing local Alameda artists and student artwork, as well as souvenirs, books and videos about the rich history of the Island City. 

Free. Wednesday-Friday and Sunday, 1-4 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. 2324 Alameda Ave., Alameda. (510) 521-1233, www.alamedamuseum.org.< 

BADE MUSEUM AT THE PACIFIC SCHOOL OF RELIGION The museum's collections include the Tell en-Nasbeh Collection, consisting of artifacts excavated from Tell en-Nasbeh in Palestine in 1926 and 1935 by William Badh, and the Howell Bible Collection, featuring approximately 300 rare books (primarily Bibles) dating from the 15th through the 18th centuries. 

"Tell en-Nasbeh," ongoing. This exhibit is the "heart and soul" of the Bade Museum. It displays a wealth of finds from the excavations at Tell en-Nasbeh, Palestine whose objects span from the Early Bronze Age (3100-2200 BC) through the Iron Age (1200-586 BC) and into the Roman and Hellenistic periods. Highlights of the exhibit include "Tools of the Trade" featuring real archaeological tools used by Badh and his team, an oil lamp typology, a Second Temple period (586 BC-70 AD) limestone ossuary, and a selection of painted Greek pottery.  

"William Frederic Bade: Theologian, Naturalist, and Archaeologist," ongoing. This exhibit highlights one of PSR's premier educators and innovative scholars. The collection of material on display was chosen with the hopes of representing the truly dynamic and multifaceted character of William F. Badh. He was a family man, a dedicated teacher, a loving friend, and an innovative and passionate archaeologist.  

Free. Tuesday-Thursday, 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Holbrook Hall, Pacific School of Religion, 1798 Scenic Ave., Berkeley. (510) 848-0528, www.bade.psr.edu/bade.< 

BERKELEY ART MUSEUM AND PACIFIC FILM ARCHIVE  

"Thom Faulders: BAMscape," through Nov. 30. This commissioned work, a hybrid of sculpture, furniture, and stage, is the new centerpiece of Gallery B, BAM's expansive central atrium. It is part of a new vision of the gallery as a space for interaction, performance, and improvised experiences.  

"Himalayan Pilgrimage," through Dec. 19. Exhibition features sculpture and painting dating from the ninth to the eighteenth centuries and drawn from a private collection on long-term loan to the Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive.  

"Hauntology," through Dec. 5. Drawn primarily from the museum's recent acquisitions of contemporary art, this exhibition explores a wide range of art through the lens of the concept of "hauntology,'' a term coined by the French philosopher Jacques Derrida in 1993 to refer to the study of social, psychological, and cultural conditions in the post-Communist period.  

2626 Bancroft Way, Berkeley. < 

BLACKHAWK MUSEUM ongoing.  

AUTOMOTIVE MUSEUM -- The museum's permanent exhibition of internationally renowned automobiles dated from 1897 to the 1980s. The cars are displayed as works of art with room to walk completely around each car to admire the workmanship. On long-term loan from the Smithsonian Institution is a Long Steam Tricycle; an 1893-94 Duryea, the first Duryea built by the Duryea brothers; and a 1948 Tucker, number 39 of the 51 Tuckers built, which is a Model 48 "Torpedo'' four-door sedan. "International Automotive Treasures," ongoing. An ever-changing exhibit featuring over 90 automobiles.  

"A Journey on Common Ground," ongoing. An exhibit of moving photographs, video and art objects from around the world exploring the causes of disability and the efforts of the Wheelchair Foundation to provide a wheelchair for every person in need who cannot afford one. Free Public Tours, Saturday and Sunday, 2 p.m. Docent-led guided tours of the museum's exhibitions. 

$5-$8; free for children ages 6 and under. Wednesday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 3700 Blackhawk Plaza Circle, Danville. (925) 736-2280, (925) 736-2277, www.blackhawkmuseum.org.< 

CALIFORNIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY  

HISTORY WALKABOUTS -- Ongoing. 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.< 

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. 

"Beyond Blastoff: Surviving in Space," ongoing. An interactive exhibit that allows you to immerse yourself into the life of an astronaut to experience the mixture of exhilaration, adventure and confinement that is living and working in space.  

"Chabot Observatories: A View to the Stars," ongoing. Explore the history of the Chabot observatories and how its historic telescopes are used today. Daytime visitors can virtually operate a telescope, experiment with mirrors and lenses to understand how telescopes create images of distant objects and travel through more than a century of Chabot's history via multimedia kiosks, historical images and artifact displays. Ongoing.  

"Live Daytime Planetarium Show," ongoing. Saturdays, 2:30 p.m. Ride through real-time constellations, stars and planets with Chabot's full-dome digital projection system. 

"Galaxy Explorers Hands-On Fun," ongoing. Saturday, noon-4 p.m. The Galaxy Explorers lead a variety of fun, hands-on activities, such as examining real spacesuits, creating galaxy flipbooks, learning about telescopes, minerals and skulls and making your own comet. Free with general admission. 

"Daytime Telescope Viewing," ongoing. Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. View the sun, the moon and the planets through the telescopes during the day. Free with general admission. 

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.< 

HABITOT CHILDREN'S MUSEUM A museum especially for children ages 7 and under. Highlights include "WaterWorks,'' an area with some unusual water toys, an Infant Tree for babies, a garden especially for toddlers, a child-scale grocery store and cafe, and a costume shop and stage for junior thespians. The museum also features a toy lending library. "Waterworks." A water play gallery with rivers, a pumping station and a water table, designed to teach about water.  

"Little Town Grocery and Cafe." Designed to create the ambience of shopping in a grocery store and eating in a restaurant.  

"Infant-Toddler Garden." A picket fence gated indoor area, which includes a carrot patch with wooden carrots to be harvested, a pretend pond and a butterfly mobile to introduce youngsters to the concept of food, gardening and agriculture.  

"Dramatic Arts Stage." Settings, backdrops and costumes coincide with seasonal events and holidays. Children can exercise their dramatic flair here.  

"Wiggle Wall." The floor-to-ceiling "underground'' tunnels give children a worm's eye view of the world. The tunnels are laced with net covered openings and giant optic lenses. 

"Architects at Play," ongoing. This hands-on, construction-based miniexhibit provides children with the opportunity to create free-form structures, from skyscrapers to bridges, using KEVA planks. Ongoing.  

$6-$7. Wednesday and Thursday, 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Closed Sunday-Tuesday. 2065 Kittredge St., Berkeley. (510) 647-1111, www.habitot.org.< 

HALL OF HEALTH ongoing. A community health-education museum and science center promoting wellness and individual responsibility for health. There are hands-on exhibits that teach about the workings of the human body, the value of a healthy diet and exercise, and the destructive effects of smoking and drug abuse. "Kids on the Block'' puppet shows, which use puppets from diverse cultures to teach about and promote acceptance of conditions such as cerebral palsy, Down Syndrome, leukemia, blindness, arthritis and spina bifida, are available by request for community events and groups visiting the Hall on Saturdays. "This Is Your Heart!" ongoing. An interactive exhibit on heart health.  

"Good Nutrition," ongoing. This exhibit includes models for making balanced meals and an Exercycle for calculating how calories are burned.  

"Draw Your Own Insides," ongoing. Human-shaped chalkboards and models with removable organs allow visitors to explore the inside of their bodies.  

"Your Cellular Self and Cancer Prevention," ongoing. An exhibit on understanding how cells become cancerous and how to detect and prevent cancer. 

Suggested $3 donation; free for children under age 3. Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 2230 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley. (510) 549-1564, www.hallofhealth.org.< 

HAYWARD AREA HISTORICAL SOCIETY MUSEUM The museum is located in a former post office and displays memorabilia of early Hayward and southern Alameda County. Some of the features include a restored 1923 Seagrave fire engine and a hand pumper from the Hayward Fire Department, founded in 1865; a Hayward Police Department exhibit; information on city founder William Hayward; and pictures of the old Hayward Hotel. The museum also alternates three exhibits per year, including a Christmas Toys exhibit and a 1950s lifestyle exhibit.Ongoing.  

50 cents-$1. Tuesday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. 22701 Main St., Hayward. (510) 581-0223, www.haywardareahistory.org.< 

JUDAH L. MAGNES MUSEUM The museum's permanent collection includes objects of Jewish importance including ceremonial art, film and video, folk art and fine art, paintings, sculptures and prints by contemporary and historical artists. 

"Projections," ongoing. Multimedia works from the museum's extensive collections of archival, documentary and experimental films. Located at 2911 Russell Street. Ongoing.  

$4-$6; free for children under age 12. Sunday-Wednesday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Thursday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. CLOSED APRIL 3-4 AND 9-10; MAY 23-24 AND 28; JULY 4; SEPT. 3, 13 AND 27; OCT. 4; NOV. 22; DEC. 24-25 AND 31. 2911 Russell St., Berkeley. (510) 549-6950, www.magnes.org.< 

LAWRENCE HALL OF SCIENCE "NanoZone," ongoing. 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," ongoing. 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," ongoing. 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," ongoing. 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," ongoing. 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," ongoing. Play some of the world's most popular math games, such as Hex, Kalah, Game Sticks and Shongo Networks.  

"Math Rules," ongoing. Use simple and colorful objects to complete interesting challenges in math through predicting, sorting, comparing, weighing and counting.  

"Animal Discovery Room,,' ongoing. 1:30-4 p.m. Visitors of all ages can hold and touch gentle animals, learn about their behavior and habitats and play with self-guided activities and specimen models.  

"Forces That Shape the Bay," ongoing. This science park shows and explains why the San Francisco Bay is the way it is, with information on water, erosion, plate tectonics and mountain building.  

"Ingenuity in Action," ongoing. Summer 2010. Enjoy the best of the Ingenuity Lab. Engage your creative brain and use a variety of materials to design, build and test your own innovations.  

"Kapla," ongoing. Play with simple, versatile building blocks that can be used to build very large, high and stable structures.  

"KidsLab," ongoing. This multisensory play area includes larger-than-life blocks, a crawl-through kaleidoscope, the Gravity wall, a puppet theater and a reading area.  

"NanoZone," ongoing. Discover the science of nanotechnology through handson activities and games.  

"Planetarium," ongoing. Explore the skies in this interactive planetarium.  

"Science on a Sphere," ongoing. Catch an out-of-this-world experience with an animated globe. See hurricanes form, tsunamis sweep across the oceans and city lights glow around the planet. Ongoing.  

"Scream Machines The Science of Roller Coasters, through Jan. 2. This head-spinning, stomach-churning exhibition for thrill-seekers features interactive exhibits, artifacts and images to explore.  

$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.< 

LINDSAY WILDLIFE MUSEUM This is the oldest and largest wildlife rehabilitation center in America, taking in 6,000 injured and orphaned animals yearly and returning 40 percent of them to the wild. The museum offers a wide range of educational programs using non-releasable wild animals to teach children and adults respect for the balance of nature. The museum includes a state-of-the art wildlife hospital which features a permanent exhibit, titled "Living with Nature,'' which houses 75 non-releasable wild animals in learning environments; a 5,000-square-foot Wildlife Hospital complete with treatment rooms, intensive care, quarantine and laboratory facilities; a 1-acre Nature Garden featuring the region's native landscaping and wildlife; and an "Especially For Children'' exhibit.  

WILDLIFE HOSPITAL -- September-March: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The hospital is open daily including holidays to receive injured and orphaned animals. There is no charge for treatment of native wild animals and there are no public viewing areas in the hospital.Ongoing.  

SPECIAL EVENTS Ongoing.  

$5-$7; free children under age 2. June 16-Sept. 15: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wed.-Sun.; Sept. 16-June 15: noon.-5 p.m. Wed.-Fri., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat.-Sun. 1931 First Ave., Walnut Creek. (925) 935-1978, www.wildlife-museum.org.< 

MEYERS HOUSE AND GARDEN MUSEUM The Meyers House, erected in 1897, is an example of Colonial Revival, an architectural style popular around the turn of the century. Designed by Henry H. Meyers,the house was built by his father, Jacob Meyers, at a cost of $4000.00.Ongoing.  

$3. Fourth Saturday of every month. 2021 Alameda Ave., Alameda. (510) 521-1247, www.alamedamuseum.org/meyers.html.< 

MUSEUM OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN TECHNOLOGY SCIENCE VILLAGE ongoing. A science museum with an African-American focus promoting science education and awareness for the underrepresented. The science village chronicles the technical achievements of people of African descent from ancient ties to present. There are computer classes at the Internet Cafi, science education activities and seminars. There is also a resource library with a collection of books, periodicals and videotapes. 

$4-$6. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday, noon-6 p.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m.-6 p.m. 630 20th St., Oakland. (510) 893-6426, www.ncalifblackengineers.org.< 

MUSEUM OF CHILDREN'S ART A museum of art for and by children, with activities for children to participate in making their own art.  

ART CAMPS -- Hands-on activities and engaging curriculum for children of different ages, led by professional artists and staff. $60 per day.  

CLASSES -- A Sunday series of classes for children ages 8 to 12, led by Mocha artists. Sundays, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.  

OPEN STUDIOS -- Drop-in art play activities with new themes each week.  

"Big Studio." Guided art projects for children age 6 and older with a Mocha artist. Tuesday through Friday, 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. $5.  

"Little Studio." A hands-on experience that lets young artists age 18 months to 5 years see, touch and manipulate a variety of media. Children can get messy. Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. $5.  

"Family Weekend Studios." Drop-in art activities for the whole family. All ages welcome. Saturday and Sunday, noon to 4 p.m. $5 per child.  

FAMILY EXTRAVAGANZAS -- Special weekend workshops for the entire family.  

"Sunday Workshops with Illustrators," Sundays, 1 p.m. See the artwork and meet the artists who create children's book illustrations. Free.Ongoing.  

"Saturday Stories," ongoing. 1 p.m. For children ages 2-5. Free. 

"Seventh Annual Mr. Potato Head Beauty Pageant," Nov. 27, 1-4 p.m. Everyone in the family can take part in this fun contest to dress up and create a character out of a garden variety vegetable. $8 per child.  

Free gallery admission. Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, noon-5 p.m. 538 Ninth St., Oakland. (510) 465-8770, www.mocha.org.< 

MUSEUM OF THE SAN RAMON VALLEY The museum features local artifacts, pictures, flags and drawings commemorating the valley's history. It also houses a historical narrative frieze. In addition to a permanent exhibit on the valley's history, the museum sponsors revolving exhibits and several guided tours. The restored railroad depot that houses the museum was built on the San Ramon Branch Line of the Southern Pacific Railroad 108 years ago.Ongoing.  

Free. August: Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. The Depot, West Prospect and Railroad avenues, Danville. (925) 837-3750, www.museumsrv.org.< 

MUSEUM ON MAIN STREET Located in a former town hall building, this museum is a piece of local history. It has a photo and document archive, collection of artifacts, local history publications for purchase, and a history library. It is supported by the Amador-Livermore Valley Historical Society.Ongoing.  

$2. Wednesday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sunday, 1 p.m.-4 p.m.; CLOSED DEC. 23-JAN. 8. 603 Main St., Pleasanton. (925) 462-2766, www.museumonmain.org.< 

OAKLAND MUSEUM OF CALIFORNIA "Art a la Carte," Wednesdays, 12:30 p.m. Art docents offer a variety of specialized tours focusing on one aspect of the museum's permanent collection. Free with museum admission.  

"Online Museum," Thursdays, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Explore the museum's collection on videodisks in the History Department Library.  

Docent Gallery Tours, Saturday and Sunday, 1:30 p.m. 

"Explore our New Gallery," through Dec. 2. The new Gallery of California Art showcases more than 800 works from OMCA's collection-one of the largest and most comprehensive holdings of California art in the world.  

"Gallery of California History," through Dec. 2. This new gallery is based on the theme of Coming to California.  

OPENING -- "Pixar: 25 Years of Animation," through Jan. 9. Exhibition presents an unprecedented look at the Emeryville-based animation company.  

$5-$8; free for children ages 5 and under; free to all on the second Sunday of the month. Special events are free with museum admission unless noted otherwise. Wednesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, noon-5 p.m.; first Friday of the month, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. 1000 Oak St., Oakland. (510) 238-2200, www.museumca.org.< 

PARDEE HOME MUSEUM ongoing. The historic Pardee Mansion, a three-story Italianate villa built in 1868, was home to three generations of the Pardee family who were instrumental in the civic and cultural development of California and Oakland. The home includes the house, grounds, water tower and barn. Reservations recommended. Group tours may be arranged between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Tues.-Sun.  

Private Tours and Teas: Take a private tour followed by tea in the Pardee family dining room (available for 4-12 persons).  

Tour with light tea: $12 per person  

Tour with high tea: $25 per person.  

High tea without tour: $20 per person. 

$5-$25; free children ages 12 and under. House Tours: 10:30 a.m. every Wednesday and second Saturday of each month; 2 p.m. the second Sunday or each month. 672 11th St., Oakland. (510) 444-2187, www.pardeehome.org.< 

SAN LEANDRO HISTORY MUSEUM AND ART GALLERY ongoing. The museum showcases local and regional history and serves as a centerpiece for community cultural activity. There are exhibits on Ohlone settlements, farms of early settlers, and contributions of Portuguese and other immigrants. There will also be exhibits of the city's agricultural past and the industrial development of the 19th century. "Yema/Po Archeological Site at Lake Chabot," ongoing. An exhibit highlighting artifacts uncovered from a work camp of Chinese laborers, featuring photomurals, cutouts and historical photographs. 

Free. Thursday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. 320 West Estudillo Ave., San Leandro. (510) 577-3990, www.ci.sanleandro. ca.us/sllibrarymuseum.html.< 

SHADELANDS RANCH HISTORICAL MUSEUM Built by Walnut Creek pioneer Hiram Penniman, this 1903 redwood-framed house is a showcase for numerous historical artifacts, many of which belonged to the Pennimans. It also houses a rich archive of Contra Costa and Walnut Creek history in its collections of old newspapers, photographs and government records.Ongoing.  

$1-$3; free-children under age 6. Wednesday and Sunday, 1 p.m.-4 p.m.; Closed in January. 2660 Ygnacio Valley Road, Walnut Creek. (925) 935-7871, www.ci.walnut-creek.ca.us.< 

SMITH MUSEUM OF ANTHROPOLOGY AT CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, HAYWARD The museum houses significant collections of archaeological and ethnographic specimens from Africa, Asia and North America and small collections from Central and South America. The museum offers opportunities and materials for student research and internships in archaeology and ethnology.Ongoing.  

Free. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Meiklejohn Hall, Fourth Floor, 25800 Carlos Bee Blvd., Hayward. (510) 885-3104, (510) 885-7414, www.isis.csuhayward.edu/cesmith/acesmith.html.< 

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY HEARST MUSEUM OF ANTHROPOLOGY ongoing. "Native California Cultures," ongoing. This is an exhibit of some 500 artifacts from the museum's California collections, the largest and most comprehensive collections in the world devoted to California Indian cultures. The exhibit includes a section about Ishi, the famous Indian who lived and worked with the museum, Yana tribal baskets and a 17-foot Yurok canoe carved from a single redwood.  

"Recent Acquisitions," ongoing. The collection includes Yoruba masks and carvings from Africa, early-20th-century Taiwanese hand puppets, textiles from the Americas and 19th- and 20th-century Tibetan artifacts.  

"From the Maker's Hand: Selections from the Permanent Collection," ongoing. This exhibit explores human ingenuity in the living and historical cultures of China, Africa, Egypt, Peru, North America and the Meditteranean. 

$1-$4; free for children ages 12 and under; free to all on Thursdays. Wednesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Sunday, noon-4:30 p.m. 103 Kroeber Hall, Bancroft Way and College Avenue, Berkeley. (510) 643-7648, www.hearstmuseum.berkeley.edu.< 

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY MUSEUM OF PALEONTOLOGY ongoing. "Tyrannosaurus Rex," ongoing. A 20-foot-tall, 40-foot-long replica of the fearsome dinosaur. The replica is made from casts of bones of the most complete T. Rex skeleton yet excavated. When unearthed in Montana, the bones were all lying in place with only a small piece of the tailbone missing.  

"Pteranodon," ongoing. A suspended skeleton of a flying reptile with a wingspan of 22 to 23 feet. The Pteranodon lived at the same time as the dinosaurs.  

"California Fossils Exhibit," ongoing. An exhibit of some of the fossils that have been excavated in California. 

Free. During semester sessions, hours generally are: Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-10 p.m.; Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, 1 p.m.-10 p.m. Hours vary during summer and holidays. Lobby, 1101 Valley Life Sciences Building, #4780, University of California, Berkeley. (510) 642-1821, www.ucmp.berkeley.edu.< 

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. "Limited Access Day," ongoing. Due to ship maintenance, tours of the navigation bridge and the engine room are not available. Tuesdays.  

"Flight Deck Fun," ongoing. 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," ongoing. 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.Ongoing. Closed on New Year's Day. 

"Family Day," ongoing. 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. 

"History Mystery After Hours Tour," ongoing. 7 p.m.-10 p.m. Explore the USS Hornet after hours and learn the history of this ship while it is illuminated in red lights used for "night ops." Also, hear stories about the ships' legendary haunts. Reservations required. (510) 521-8448 X282. 

"Flashlight Tour," ongoing. 8:30 a.m. 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. $30-$35 per person. 

$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.<

"BROADWAY PLAZA'S PARADE OF LIGHTS," -- Dec. 2. A holiday parade, along with caroling, live entertainment, tree lighting and more. See website for directions and complete details. 

6 p.m.www.walnut-creek.com.< 

ALAMEDA COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS  

"Tri-Valley Toy, Comic Book and Collectible Show," Dec. 5, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.  

$1-$3. www.toyhavoc.com. 

4501 Pleasanton Ave., Pleasanton. (925) 426-7600, www.alamedacountyfair.com.< 

ARDENWOOD HISTORIC FARM Ardenwood farm is a working farm that dates back to the time of the Patterson Ranch, a 19th-century estate with a mansion and Victorian Gardens. Today, the farm still practices farming techniques from the 1870s. Unless otherwise noted, programs are free with regular admission.  

ONGOING PROGRAMS --  

"Blacksmithing," Thursday, Friday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Watch a blacksmith turn iron into useful tools.  

"Horse-Drawn Train," Thursday, Friday and Sunday. A 20-minute ride departs from Ardenwood Station and Deer Park.  

"Animal Feeding," Thursday-Sunday, 3-4 p.m. Help slop the hogs, check the henhouse for eggs and bring hay to the livestock.  

"Victorian Flower Arranging," Thursday, 10:15-11:30 a.m. Watch as Ardenwood docents create floral works of art for display in the Patterson House. "Potato Harvesting," ongoing. Learn the spectacular history of this New World native as you dig with your spade and help find the spuds. 

"Toddler Time," ongoing. Tuesdays, 11-11:30 a.m. Bring the tiny tots out for an exciting morning at the farm. Meet and learn all about a new animal friend through stories, chores and fun.  

"Animal Feeding," ongoing. Thursday-Sunday, 3 p.m. Feed the pigs, check for eggs and bring hay to the livestock. 

"Country Kitchen Cookin'," ongoing. Sundays, 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Enjoy the flavor of the past with treats cooked on Ardenwood's wood burning stove. Sample food grown on the farm and discover the history of your favorite oldtime snacks. 

"Horse-Drawn Train Rides," ongoing. Thursday, Friday and Sunday, 10:15 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Meet Jigs or Tucker the Belgian Draft horses that pull Ardenwood's train. Check the daily schedule and meet the train at Ardenwood Station or Deer Park. 

"Christmas at Ardenwood," Dec. 4 and Dec. 5, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Celebrate the holiday season in Victorian style, with Christmas carols, live music, crafts and more. $5-$8; children three and under free.  

$1-$5; free children under age 4. Tuesday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 34600 Ardenwood Blvd., Fremont. (510) 796-0199, (510) 796-0663, www.ebparks.org.< 

ASHKENAZ  

"Family Square Dance with The Squirrelly Stringband," Nov. 28, 3 p.m. $4-$6. 

"Flemenco Family Holiday Show with Roberto Granados," Dec. 5, 7:30 p.m. $10. 

Colibri, Dec. 5, 3-4:30 p.m. $4-$6. 

1317 San Pablo Ave., Berkeley. (510) 525-5054, www.ashkenaz.com.< 

BAY POINT LIBRARY  

"Monthly Craft Night," ongoing. 4-5 p.m. Last Friday of every month. Each month features a different themed craft.  

Riverview Middle School, 205 Pacifica Ave., Pittsburg. (925) 458-9597.< 

BAYFAIR CENTER  

"Bayfair Center's Holiday Season," through Dec. 24. A variety of holiday events are planned at the center, including the arrival of Santa on Nov. 20, photos with Santa throughout the month, and a host of different entertainers. See website for complete details.  

15555 14th St., San Leandro. www.shopbayfair.com.< 

BERKELEY REPERTORY THEATRE  

"Lemony Snicket's The Composer is Dead," Nov. 26 through Jan. 15, 8 p.m. Tue. and Fri.; 7 p.m. Wed.; 2 and 8 p.m. Thu., Sat.; 2 and 7 p.m. Sun.; 8 p.m. Dec. 1. A deliciously silly world premiere for the holidays, written by Lemony Snicket, directed by Tony Taccone. $14.50-$73.  

2025 Addison St., Berkeley. (510) 647-2949, (888) 4BR-Ttix, www.berkeleyrep.org.< 

BLACKHAWK MUSEUM ongoing.  

AUTOMOTIVE MUSEUM -- The museum's permanent exhibition of internationally renowned automobiles dated from 1897 to the 1980s. The cars are displayed as works of art with room to walk completely around each car to admire the workmanship. On long-term loan from the Smithsonian Institution is a Long Steam Tricycle; an 1893-94 Duryea, the first Duryea built by the Duryea brothers; and a 1948 Tucker, number 39 of the 51 Tuckers built, which is a Model 48 "Torpedo'' four-door sedan. "International Automotive Treasures," ongoing. An ever-changing exhibit featuring over 90 automobiles.  

"A Journey on Common Ground," ongoing. An exhibit of moving photographs, video and art objects from around the world exploring the causes of disability and the efforts of the Wheelchair Foundation to provide a wheelchair for every person in need who cannot afford one. Free Public Tours, Saturday and Sunday, 2 p.m. Docent-led guided tours of the museum's exhibitions. 

$5-$8; free for children ages 6 and under. Wednesday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 3700 Blackhawk Plaza Circle, Danville. (925) 736-2280, (925) 736-2277, www.blackhawkmuseum.org.< 

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. 

ASK JEEVES PLANETARIUM -- Ongoing. The planetarium features one of the most advanced star projectors in the world. A daily planetarium show is included with general admission. Call for current show schedule.  

"Immersive Space: Fly Through the Cosmos," ongoing. Fridays, 8 p.m. Experience the "digital universe'' in a new full-dome system. Travel to the nearest star and beyond in seconds. 

"Space NOW!", ongoing. Each week, this real-time ride through constellations, stars, and planets will reflect current happenings in our sky. Space NOW! will also tie in activities going on throughout the center. This is Chabot's first daytime guided tour of the universe. 

"Astronaut," ongoing. What does it take to be part of the exploration of space? Experience a rocket launch from inside the body of an astronaut. Explore the amazing worlds of inner and outer space, from floating around the International Space Station to maneuvering through microscopic regions of the human body. Narrated by Ewan McGregor. 25 min. 

"Sunshine," ongoing. A 15-minute planetarium show for children ages 5 and under. In the show, Sunshine, a lovable animated cartoon of the Sun, urges children to sing and play along with his tricks. In the process, he introduces the colors of the day sky and the other suns of the night sky. Free with regular general admission. 

"Secret of the Cardboard Rocket," ongoing. Take a journey through the solar system with two young adventurers who turn an old cardboard box into a rocket. Recommended for ages 5-10. 

"The Search for Life: Are We Alone?" ongoing. A voyage from the ocean deep to the outer reaches of the cosmos in search of life, narrated by Harrison Ford. 

"The Sky Tonight," ongoing. Saturdays, 8 p.m. Take a live tour of the starry sky overhead on the night of your visit. The show includes a look at constellations, planets and special celestial objects. 

"Sonic Vision," ongoing. Friday-Saturday, 9:15 p.m. This show uses the latest digital technology to illuminate the planetarium with colorful computer-generated imagery set to today's popular music, including Radiohead, U2, David Bowie, Coldplay, Moby and more. 

"Tales Of The Maya Skies," ongoing. "Tales of the Maya Skies'' is a new full-dome planetarium show that explores the cosmology of the ancient Maya, along with their culture and their contributions to astronomy. Starts November 21. 

"Black Holes: The Other Side of Infinity," ongoing. Take a ride to the inside of a massive black hole and learn about the latest scientific evidence, which suggests that black holes are real. Narrated by Liam Neeson. Suitable for age 12 and older. Free with General Admission ticket.Ongoing.  

"Chabot Observatories: A View to the Stars," ongoing. This new permanent exhibit honors the 123-year history of Chabot and its telescopes. The observatory is one of the oldest public observatories in the United States. The exhibit covers the three different sites of the observatory over its history as well as how its historic telescopes continue to be operated today. Included are informative graphic panels, multimedia kiosks, interactive computer programs, hands-on stations, and historic artifacts. 

"Dinner, Movie and the Universe," ongoing. Every Friday and Saturday evening. Enjoy a bistro-style dinner, then cozy up for a film in the 70-foot MegaDome theater and end the evening with a telescope viewing. Call to purchase general admission tickets and to make dinner reservations. (510) 336-7373. 

Telescope Visions Class, ongoing. 7 p.m. This course introduces participants to the astronomer's main tool: the telescope. Classes are held in the Galileo Room twice monthly. $85-$95; reservations required. (510) 336-7373. 

TIEN MEGADOME SCIENCE THEATER -- Ongoing. A 70-foot dome-screen auditorium. Show times subject to change. Call for current show schedule. Price with paid general admission is $6-$7. Theater only: $7-$8. (510) 336-7373, www.ticketweb.com. 

"The Human Body," ongoing. This show explores the daily biological processes that go on in the human body without our control and often without our notice. This amazing story is revealed in detail on the giant screen. 

"The Living Sea," ongoing. The film celebrates the beauty, power and importance of the ocean. Produced in association with The National Maritime Center, the Ocean Film Network and Dr. Robert Ballard. 

"Dinosaurs Alive," ongoing. A global adventure of science and discovery, featuring the earliest dinosaurs of the Triassic Period to the monsters of the Cretaceous, "reincarnated" life-sized for the giant screen. Audiences will journey with some of the world's preeminent paleontologists as they uncover evidence that the descendents of dinosaurs still walk (or fly) among us. From the exotic, trackless expanses and sand dunes of Mongolia's Gobi Desert to the dramatic sandstone buttes of New Mexico, the film will follow American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) paleontologists as they explore some of the greatest dinosaur finds in history. 

"Forces of Nature," ongoing. This film showcases the awesome spectacle of earthquakes, volcanoes, and severe storms as scientists continue their quests to understand how these natural disasters are triggered. 

"Cosmic Voyage," ongoing. A breathtaking journey through time and space. Zoom from the surface of the Earth to the largest observable structures of the Universe and back down to the sub-nuclear realm, a guided tour across some 42 orders of magnitude. Explore some of the greatest scientific theories, many of which have never before been visualized on film. 

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.< 

CHILDREN'S FAIRYLAND A fairy tale theme park featuring more than 30 colorful fantasy sets. Designed especially for children ages 10 and under, there are gentle rides, a train, the "Peter Rabbit Village,'' puppet shows, story-telling and lots of slides and animals. Admission price includes unlimited rides, special shows, guest entertainers and puppet shows.  

OLD WEST JUNCTION -- Children's Fairyland's newest attraction is a Wild West-themed town sized just for children, with a livery stable, bank, jail and a water tower slide.  

PUPPET SHOWS -- Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. All shows are at the Open Storybook Theatre. Free with regular Fairyland admission.  

ARTS AND CRAFTS CENTER -- Activities on Saturday and Sunday, noon to 3 p.m.  

ANIMAL OF THE DAY -- Saturday and Sunday, 1-1:20 p.m. at the Humpty Dumpty Wall. Learn about one of Fairyland's animal friends."Animal of the Day!" ongoing. Saturdays and Sundays, 1-1:20 p.m. Come up close and learn about Fairyland's creatures. 

"Arts and Crafts," ongoing. Noon-3 p.m. Event features arts and crafts projects for children and their families. $6. 

$6; free for children under age 1; $2 for a Magic Key. No adult admitted without a child and no child admitted without an adult. Summer (June through Labor Day): Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Fall and Spring: Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Winter: Friday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. CLOSED DEC. 25-JAN. 4. 699 Bellevue Ave., Oakland. (510) 452-2259, www.fairyland.org.< 

CIVIC PARK, WALNUT CREEK  

"Walnut Creek On Ice," through Jan. 17. A special holiday time outdoor ice skating rink. See website for complete details. www.walnut-creek.com. 

1375 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek. < 

CRAB COVE VISITOR CENTER At Crab Cove, you can see live underwater creatures and go into the San Francisco Bay from land. You can also travel back in time to Alameda's part. The goal is to increase understanding of the environmental importance of San Francisco Bay and the ocean ecosystem. Crab Cove's Indoor Aquarium and Exhibit Lab is one of the largest indoor aquariums in the East Bay."Sea Squirts," ongoing. 10-11:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Discover the wonders of nature with your little one. Registration is required. $6-$8. 

"Catch of the Day," ongoing. Sundays, 2-3 p.m. Drop by to find out more about the Bay and its wildlife through guided exploration and hands-on fun. 

"Sea Siblings," ongoing. Tuesdays, 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. Explore the natural world and take part in a theme related craft. Designed for the 3-5 year old learner. Registration is required.  

$4. (888) 327-2757. 

Free unless otherwise noted; parking fee may be charged. 1252 McKay Ave., Alameda. (510) 521-6887, www.ebparks.org.< 

DUNSMUIR HOUSE AND GARDENS HISTORIC ESTATE ongoing. 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 -- Ongoing. 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.< 

FOREST HOME FARMS ongoing. The 16-acre former farm of the Boone family is now a municipal historic park in San Ramon. It is located at the base of the East Bay Hills and is divided into two parts by Oak Creek. The Boone House is a 22-room Dutch colonial that has been remodeled several times since it was built in 1900. Also on the property are a barn built in the period from 1850 to 1860; the Victorian-style David Glass House, dating from the late 1860s to early 1870s; a storage structure for farm equipment and automobiles; and a walnut processing plant. 

Free unless otherwise noted. Public tours available by appointment. 19953 San Ramon Valley Blvd., San Ramon. (925) 973-3281, www.ci.sanramon. ca.us/parks/boone.htm.< 

FREMONT SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA  

"The Nutcracker," Dec. 4 through Dec. 5, 2 and 7 p.m. Sat.; 2 p.m. Sun. The beloved holiday classic comes to life on stage. $20-$48.  

Jackson Theater, Smith Center for the Fine and Performing Arts, Ohlone College, 43600 Mission Blvd., Fremont. (510) 794-1659, www.fremontsymphony.org.< 

HABITOT CHILDREN'S MUSEUM A museum especially for children ages 7 and under. Highlights include "WaterWorks,'' an area with some unusual water toys, an Infant Tree for babies, a garden especially for toddlers, a child-scale grocery store and cafe, and a costume shop and stage for junior thespians. The museum also features a toy lending library. "Waterworks." A water play gallery with rivers, a pumping station and a water table, designed to teach about water.  

"Little Town Grocery and Cafe." Designed to create the ambience of shopping in a grocery store and eating in a restaurant.  

"Infant-Toddler Garden." A picket fence gated indoor area, which includes a carrot patch with wooden carrots to be harvested, a pretend pond and a butterfly mobile to introduce youngsters to the concept of food, gardening and agriculture.  

"Dramatic Arts Stage." Settings, backdrops and costumes coincide with seasonal events and holidays. Children can exercise their dramatic flair here.  

"Wiggle Wall." The floor-to-ceiling "underground'' tunnels give children a worm's eye view of the world. The tunnels are laced with net covered openings and giant optic lenses.Ongoing.  

$6-$7. Wednesday and Thursday, 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Closed Sunday-Tuesday. 2065 Kittredge St., Berkeley. (510) 647-1111, www.habitot.org.< 

HALL OF HEALTH ongoing. A community health-education museum and science center promoting wellness and individual responsibility for health. There are hands-on exhibits that teach about the workings of the human body, the value of a healthy diet and exercise, and the destructive effects of smoking and drug abuse. "Kids on the Block'' puppet shows, which use puppets from diverse cultures to teach about and promote acceptance of conditions such as cerebral palsy, Down Syndrome, leukemia, blindness, arthritis and spina bifida, are available by request for community events and groups visiting the Hall on Saturdays. "This Is Your Heart!" ongoing. An interactive exhibit on heart health.  

"Good Nutrition," ongoing. This exhibit includes models for making balanced meals and an Exercycle for calculating how calories are burned.  

"Draw Your Own Insides," ongoing. Human-shaped chalkboards and models with removable organs allow visitors to explore the inside of their bodies.  

"Your Cellular Self and Cancer Prevention," ongoing. An exhibit on understanding how cells become cancerous and how to detect and prevent cancer. 

Suggested $3 donation; free for children under age 3. Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 2230 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley. (510) 549-1564, www.hallofhealth.org.< 

HAYWARD SHORELINE INTERPRETIVE CENTER Perched on stilts above a salt marsh, the Center offers an introduction to the San Francisco Bay-Estuary. It features exhibits, programs and activities designed to inspire a sense of appreciation, respect and stewardship for the Bay, its inhabitants and the services they provide. The Habitat Room offers a preview of what may be seen outside. The 80-gallon Bay Tank contains some of the fish that live in the Bay's open waters, and the Channel Tank represents habitats formed by the maze of sloughs and creeks that snake through the marsh. The main room of the Center features rotating exhibits about area history, plants and wildlife. Part of the Hayward Area Recreation and Park District. "Exploring Nature," ongoing. An exhibit of Shawn Gould's illustrations featuring images of the natural world.Ongoing.  

"Nature Detectives," ongoing. 11 a.m.-noon. An introduction and exploration of the world of Black-Crowned Night-Herons. Ages 3-5 and their caregivers. Registration required. 

"Weekend Weed Warriors," ongoing. 1-4 p.m. Help the shoreline to eliminate the non-native plants that threaten its diversity. Ages 12 and older. Registration required. 

"Waterfowl of the Freshwater Marsh," ongoing. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Join an expert birder to go "behind the gates'' to areas of the marsh that are not open to the public. 

Free. Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 4901 Breakwater Ave., Hayward. (510) 670-7270, www.hard.dst.ca.us/hayshore.html.< 

JACK LONDON SQUARE  

"Jack London Square Lights Up for the Holidays," Dec. 3, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Join in the family fun at this holiday kick off event, with the lighting of the 55 foot tall tree, decorated with thousands of energy efficient LED lights that make this tree truly "green.''  

free. Foot of Broadway, Oakland. (866) 295-9853, www.jacklondonsquare.com.< 

JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER OF THE EAST BAY  

"Shabbat Celebration for Young Children," ongoing. Saturday, 10:30 a.m.-noon. Join other families with young children to sharethis weekly Jewish holiday of joy and renewal.  

1414 Walnut St., Berkeley. (510) 848-0237, www.jcceastbay.org/.< 

JULIA MORGAN CENTER FOR THE ARTS  

"Cinderella," by Rodgers and Hammerstein, through Dec. 5. Featuring Grammynominated Broadway star, Frenchie Davis; directed by Elizabeth McKoy. See website for full performance listing. $15-$33. www.berkeleyplayhouse.org. 

2640 College Ave., Berkeley. (510) 845-8542, www.juliamorgan.org.< 

JUNIOR CENTER OF ART AND SCIENCE ongoing. A center dedicated to encouraging children's active wonder and creative response through artistic and scientific exploration of their natural urban environment. The center's classes, workshops, exhibits and events integrate art and science. Three educational exhibits are mounted in the "Children's Gallery'' each year. A docent-led tour, demonstrations, hands-on activities and art projects are available to school groups throughout the year.  

"Jake's Discovery Garden," ongoing. Jake's Discovery Garden is a new interactive studio exhibit designed for preschool-aged children and their adult caregivers that teaches young visitors about the natural environments found in their backyards, playgrounds and neighborhoods.Ongoing.  

Free; programs and special exhibits have a fee. September through May: Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. June through August: Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. 558 Bellevue Ave., Oakland. (510) 839-5777, www.juniorcenter.org.< 

LAKE CHABOT REGIONAL PARK ongoing. The 315-acre lake offers year-round recreation. Services include canoe and boat rental, horseshoe pits, hiking, bicycling, picnicking and seasonal tours aboard the Chabot Queen. For boat rentals, call (510) 247-2526. 

Free unless noted otherwise; $5 parking; $2 per dog except guide/service dogs. Daily, 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. 17930 Lake Chabot Road, Castro Valley. (510) 562-PARK, www.ebparks.org.< 

LAWRENCE HALL OF SCIENCE "NanoZone," ongoing. 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," ongoing. 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," ongoing. 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," ongoing. 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," ongoing. 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," ongoing. Play some of the world's most popular math games, such as Hex, Kalah, Game Sticks and Shongo Networks.  

"Math Rules," ongoing. Use simple and colorful objects to complete interesting challenges in math through predicting, sorting, comparing, weighing and counting.  

HOLT PLANETARIUM Ongoing. 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.< 

LESHER CENTER FOR THE ARTS  

"Contra Costa Ballet presents Story of the Nutcracker," Dec. 2 through Dec. 4, 7:30 p.m. Thu.; 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. Fri.; 2, 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. Sat. The beloved holiday classic is brought to life live on stage. $22-$32.  

1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek. (925) 943-7469, www.lesherartscenter.com.< 

LINDSAY WILDLIFE MUSEUM This is the oldest and largest wildlife rehabilitation center in America, taking in 6,000 injured and orphaned animals yearly and returning 40 percent of them to the wild. The museum offers a wide range of educational programs using non-releasable wild animals to teach children and adults respect for the balance of nature. The museum includes a state-of-the art wildlife hospital which features a permanent exhibit, titled "Living with Nature,'' which houses 75 non-releasable wild animals in learning environments; a 5,000-square-foot Wildlife Hospital complete with treatment rooms, intensive care, quarantine and laboratory facilities; a 1-acre Nature Garden featuring the region's native landscaping and wildlife; and an "Especially For Children'' exhibit.  

WILDLIFE HOSPITAL -- September-March: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The hospital is open daily including holidays to receive injured and orphaned animals. There is no charge for treatment of native wild animals and there are no public viewing areas in the hospital.Ongoing.  

$5-$7; free children under age 2. June 16-Sept. 15: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wed.-Sun.; Sept. 16-June 15: noon.-5 p.m. Wed.-Fri., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat.-Sun. 1931 First Ave., Walnut Creek. (925) 935-1978, www.wildlife-museum.org.< 

MUSEUM OF CHILDREN'S ART A museum of art for and by children, with activities for children to participate in making their own art.  

ART CAMPS -- Hands-on activities and engaging curriculum for children of different ages, led by professional artists and staff. $60 per day.  

CLASSES -- A Sunday series of classes for children ages 8 to 12, led by Mocha artists. Sundays, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.  

OPEN STUDIOS -- Drop-in art play activities with new themes each week.  

"Big Studio." Guided art projects for children age 6 and older with a Mocha artist. Tuesday through Friday, 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. $5.  

"Little Studio." A hands-on experience that lets young artists age 18 months to 5 years see, touch and manipulate a variety of media. Children can get messy. Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. $5.  

"Family Weekend Studios." Drop-in art activities for the whole family. All ages welcome. Saturday and Sunday, noon to 4 p.m. $5 per child.  

FAMILY EXTRAVAGANZAS -- Special weekend workshops for the entire family.  

"Sunday Workshops with Illustrators," Sundays, 1 p.m. See the artwork and meet the artists who create children's book illustrations. Free.Ongoing.  

"Saturday Stories," ongoing. 1 p.m. For children ages 2-5. Free."Saturday Stories," ongoing. 1 p.m. For ages 2-5. Free. 

"Seventh Annual Mr. Potato Head Beauty Pageant," Nov. 27, 1-4 p.m. Everyone in the family can take part in this fun contest to dress up and create a character out of a garden variety vegetable. $8 per child.  

Free gallery admission. Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, noon-5 p.m. 538 Ninth St., Oakland. (510) 465-8770, www.mocha.org.< 

PIXIELAND AMUSEMENT PARK ongoing. This amusement park for children features pixie-sized rides such as a dragon roller coaster, swirling tea cups, a carousel, red baron airplanes, an antique car ride and a miniature train among other attractions sure to please the little ones. Classic carnival-style food and souvenirs round out the experience. Admission to the park is free; ride tickets are $1.25 each or 10 tickets for $10; Day wrist band for unlimited rides, $25. Specials and season passes are also available. 

Nov. 2010: 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; closed Nov. 25-26. 2740 E. Olivera Road, Concord. (925) 689-8841, www.pixieland.com.< 

POINT PINOLE REGIONAL SHORELINE ongoing. The 2,315-acre parkland bordering Pinole, Richmond and San Pablo offers views of Mount Tamalpais, the Marin shoreline and San Pablo Bay. There are trails through meadows and woods, and along the bluffs and beaches of San Pablo Bay. Visitors can hike, ride bikes or take the park's shuttle bus to reach the 1,250-foot fishing pier at Point Pinole. 

$5 per vehicle; $4 per trailered vehicle; $2 per dog (guide/service dogs free). Daily, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., unless otherwise posted. Giant Highway, Richmond. (510) 562-PARK, www.ebparks.org.< 

PREWETT FAMILY WATERPARK ongoing. There are pools and water slides for all ages, from the Tad Pool for toddlers to Boulder cove for older swimmers. In addition to fun pools and slides there are fitness pools for lessons and exercise, lawns for relaxing, locker rooms, community room and kitchen. Lap lanes are open year round. Food and beverages are not permitted in the park. Picnic tables are available outside the park. 

$4-$11. Sunday through Friday: 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; Saturdays, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; closed Aug.23-27, 30-31. 4701 Lone Tree Way, Antioch. (925) 776-3070, www.ci.antioch.ca.us/CitySvcs/Prewett.< 

ROBERT SIBLEY VOLCANIC REGIONAL PRESERVE ongoing. East Bay residents have several volcanoes in their backyard. This park contains Round Top, one of the highest peaks in the Oakland Hills. 

Free. Daily, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. 6800 Skyline Blvd., Oakland. (510) 562-PARK, www.ebparks.org.< 

SHADOW CLIFFS REGIONAL RECREATION AREA ongoing. The 296-acre park includes an 80-acre lake and a four-flume waterslide, with picnic grounds and a swimming beach. Water slide fees and hours: (925) 829-6230. 

$6 per vehicle; $2 per dog except guide and service dogs. May 1 through Labor Day: daily, 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.; shortened hours for fall and winter. Stanley Boulevard, one mile from downtown, Pleasanton. (510) 562-PARK, www.ebparks.org.< 

SULPHUR CREEK NATURE CENTER A wildlife rehabilitation and education facility where injured and orphaned local wild creatures are rehabilitated and released when possible. There is also a lending library of animals such as guinea pigs, rats, mice and more. The lending fee is $8 per week. "Toddler Time," ongoing. Learn about animals by listening to stories and exploring. Themes vary by month. Call for schedule. $7 per family.  

"Day on the Green Animal Presentations," ongoing. Meet an assortment of wild and domestic animals. Wildlife volunteers will present a different animal each day from possums to snakes, tortoises to hawks. Saturday and Sunday, 2:30 p.m. 

CHILDREN'S EVENTS -- Ongoing.  

Free. Park: Tuesday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Discovery Center: Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Animal Lending Library: Saturday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; Wildlife Rehabilitation Center: daily, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. 1801 D St., Hayward. (510) 881-6747, www.haywardrec.org/sulphur_creek.html.< 

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. "Limited Access Day," ongoing. Due to ship maintenance, tours of the navigation bridge and the engine room are not available. Tuesdays.  

"Flight Deck Fun," ongoing. 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," ongoing. 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.Ongoing. Closed on New Year's Day. 

"Family Day," ongoing. 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. 

"History Mystery After Hours Tour," ongoing. 7 p.m.-10 p.m. Explore the USS Hornet after hours and learn the history of this ship while it is illuminated in red lights used for "night ops." Also, hear stories about the ships' legendary haunts. Reservations required. (510) 521-8448 X282. 

"Flashlight Tour," ongoing. 8:30 a.m. 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. $30-$35 per person. 

$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.< 

WATERWORLD CALIFORNA ongoing. ` 

$19.95-$31.95 General Admission; Season pass: $39.99-$59.99. Park closes in October and reopens in May. 1950 Waterworld Parkway,, Concord. (925) 609-1364, www.waterworldcalifornia.com.< 

YOSHI'S  

Ahmad Jamal, Nov. 26 through Nov. 28, 8 and 10 p.m. Fri.-Sat.; 2 and 7 p.m. Sun. $5-$30. 

Ravi Coltrane, Dec. 3 through Dec. 5, 8 and 10 p.m. Fri.-Sat.; 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Sun. $5-$20. 

Shows are Monday through Saturday, 8 and 10 p.m.; Sunday, 2 and 7 p.m., unless otherwise noted. 510 Embarcadero West, Oakland. (510) 238-9200, www.yoshis.com.<

"BERKELEY ARTISANS HOLIDAY OPEN STUDIOS," -- Nov. 27 through Dec. 19. More than 100 artists and craftspeople will be showing their works, including glass, ceramics, furniture, photography, paintings, and much more. 

Free.11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sat.-Sun.www.berkeleyartisans.com.< 

"BROADWAY PLAZA'S PARADE OF LIGHTS," -- Dec. 2. A holiday parade, along with caroling, live entertainment, tree lighting and more. See website for directions and complete details. 

6 p.m.www.walnut-creek.com.< 

ALAMEDA COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS  

"Tri-Valley Toy, Comic Book and Collectible Show," Dec. 5, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.  

$1-$3. www.toyhavoc.com. 

4501 Pleasanton Ave., Pleasanton. (925) 426-7600, www.alamedacountyfair.com.< 

ALTARENA PLAYHOUSE  

"Brian Copeland's Not A Genuine Black Man," Dec. 4, 8 p.m. Local awardwinning playwright and performer returns to perform his one man show about growing up in San Leandro. $50.  

1409 High St., Alameda. (510) 523-1553, www.altarena.org.< 

ARDENWOOD HISTORIC FARM Ardenwood farm is a working farm that dates back to the time of the Patterson Ranch, a 19th-century estate with a mansion and Victorian Gardens. Today, the farm still practices farming techniques from the 1870s. Unless otherwise noted, programs are free with regular admission.  

ONGOING PROGRAMS --  

"Blacksmithing," Thursday, Friday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Watch a blacksmith turn iron into useful tools.  

"Horse-Drawn Train," Thursday, Friday and Sunday. A 20-minute ride departs from Ardenwood Station and Deer Park.  

"Animal Feeding," Thursday-Sunday, 3-4 p.m. Help slop the hogs, check the henhouse for eggs and bring hay to the livestock.  

"Victorian Flower Arranging," Thursday, 10:15-11:30 a.m. Watch as Ardenwood docents create floral works of art for display in the Patterson House.  

"Christmas at Ardenwood," Dec. 4 and Dec. 5, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Celebrate the holiday season in Victorian style, with Christmas carols, live music, crafts and more. $5-$8; children three and under free.  

$1-$5; free children under age 4. Tuesday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 34600 Ardenwood Blvd., Fremont. (510) 796-0199, (510) 796-0663, www.ebparks.org.< 

ARMANDO'S  

Mark Hummel & Friends, Nov. 27, 8 p.m. $10. 

707 Marina Vista Ave., Martinez. (925) 228-6985, www.armandosmartinez.com.< 

ASHKENAZ  

Lavay Smith & Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers, Nov. 27, 9 p.m. $12-$15. 

1317 San Pablo Ave., Berkeley. (510) 525-5054, www.ashkenaz.com.< 

BERKELEY REPERTORY THEATRE  

"Lemony Snicket's The Composer is Dead," Nov. 26 through Jan. 15, 8 p.m. Tue. and Fri.; 7 p.m. Wed.; 2 and 8 p.m. Thu., Sat.; 2 and 7 p.m. Sun.; 8 p.m. Dec. 1. A deliciously silly world premiere for the holidays, written by Lemony Snicket, directed by Tony Taccone. $14.50-$73.  

2025 Addison St., Berkeley. (510) 647-2949, (888) 4BR-Ttix, www.berkeleyrep.org.< 

CAL PERFORMANCES All performances in Zellerbach Hall unless otherwise noted. 

"Mummenschanz: 3x11," Nov. 26 through Nov. 28, 2 p.m. Fri.; 2 and 8 p.m. Sat.; 3 p.m. Sun. The world-renowned Swiss pantomime group performs a retrospective on the company's 33 years of original theater. $22-$52.  

Takacs Quartet, Dec. 5, 3 p.m. Concert takes place in Hertz Hall. $56.  

Zellerbach Hall, University of California, Berkeley, Bancroft Way at Telegraph Avenue, Berkeley. (510) 642-9988, www.calperformances.net.< 

CIVIC PARK, WALNUT CREEK  

"Walnut Creek On Ice," through Jan. 17. A special holiday time outdoor ice skating rink. See website for complete details. www.walnut-creek.com. 

1375 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek. < 

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF BERKELEY  

"Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra presents Handel's Messiah," Dec. 4 and Dec. 5, 7:30 p.m. Sat.; 7 p.m. Sun. $35-$95. 

2345 Channing Way, Berkeley. (510) 848-3696, www.fccb.org.< 

JACK LONDON SQUARE  

"Jack London Square Lights Up for the Holidays," Dec. 3, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Join in the family fun at this holiday kick off event, with the lighting of the 55 foot tall tree, decorated with thousands of energy efficient LED lights that make this tree truly "green.''  

free. Foot of Broadway, Oakland. (866) 295-9853, www.jacklondonsquare.com.< 

JULIA MORGAN CENTER FOR THE ARTS  

"Cinderella," by Rodgers and Hammerstein, through Dec. 5. Featuring Grammynominated Broadway star, Frenchie Davis; directed by Elizabeth McKoy. See website for full performance listing. $15-$33. www.berkeleyplayhouse.org. 

2640 College Ave., Berkeley. (510) 845-8542, www.juliamorgan.org.< 

LESHER CENTER FOR THE ARTS  

"Smiun Ballet presents The Christmas Ballet, 2010 Edition," Nov. 26 and Nov. 27, 8 p.m. Fri.; 2 and 8 p.m. Sat. Performance includes two new works by Amy Seiwert and Amy London, along with older favorites. $20-$62.  

"White Christmas," by Irving Berlin, Nov. 26 through Dec. 4, 8 p.m. Nov. 26, 27, Dec. 3, 4; 7:30 p.m. Nov. 28; 2:30 p.m. Nov. 27, 28, Dec. 4. The Diablo Theatre Company presents the holiday classic, featuring songs such as "I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm.'' $20-$42. www.diablotheatrecompany.org. 

"Contra Costa Ballet presents Story of the Nutcracker," Dec. 2 through Dec. 4, 7:30 p.m. Thu.; 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. Fri.; 2, 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. Sat. The beloved holiday classic is brought to life live on stage. $22-$32.  

1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek. (925) 943-7469, www.lesherartscenter.com.< 

ORACLE ARENA  

Roger Waters, Dec. 3, 8 p.m. $50-$400. 

7000 Coliseum Way, Oakland. (510) 625-8497, (925) 685-8497, (415) 421-8497, www.ticketmaster.com or www.theoaklandarena.com.< 

PARAMOUNT THEATRE  

Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir, Dec. 4, 7:30 p.m. $10-$40. 

2025 Broadway, Oakland. (510) 465-6400, (415) 421-8497, www.paramounttheatre.com or www.ticketmaster.com.< 

TOMMY T'S COMEDY AND STEAKHOUSE  

Tommy Davidson, Nov. 24 and Nov. 26 through Nov. 24, 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. Wed., Fri.; 7 and 9:30 p.m. Sat.; 7 p.m. Sun. $20-$30. 

5104 Hopyard Road, Pleasanton. (925) 227-1800, www.tommyts.com.< 

YOSHI'S  

Ahmad Jamal, Nov. 26 through Nov. 28, 8 and 10 p.m. Fri.-Sat.; 2 and 7 p.m. Sun. $5-$30. 

Shows are Monday through Saturday, 8 and 10 p.m.; Sunday, 2 and 7 p.m., unless otherwise noted. 510 Embarcadero West, Oakland. (510) 238-9200, www.yoshis.com.<