Page One
Calendar of Events & Activities
Wednesday, May 17
Chinese Club meeting
1:15 p.m.
Caregivers group for Alzheimer’s/Dementia
1:30 p.m.
North Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst Ave.
510-644-6107
Commission on Aging
1:30 p.m.
South Berkeley Senior Center, 2939 Ellis St.
The agenda includes discussion of the warm water and the rent ordinance proposal which would protect seniors and the disabled from owner move-in evictions.
Berkeley Housing Authority meeting
6 p.m.
North Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst Ave.
This is the first in a series of Town Hall meetings to discuss the Berkeley Housing Authority - how it operates now, how we as tenants can help to improve it and impact its planning process for the federally-required Public Housing Authority.
1-800-773-2110; 510-549-2970
Citizens Humane Commission
7 p.m.
North Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst Ave.
The agenda will include the euthanasia policy at the Berkeley Animal Shelter and a discussion of a revised spay/neuter ordinance.
Special Planning Committee Meeting
7 p.m.
North Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst Ave.
The commission will hold a public workshop on the relationship between the Southside plan and the Underhill Area Project and continue the public hearing on the Underhill Area Project.
BUSD school board meeting
7:30 p.m.
Board/Council Chambers, 2134 Martin Luther King Jr. Way
Improvisational theater
7:30-9:30 p.m.
The “Improvsters” is a group of intermediate-level improvisational players who meet weekly. The group is looking for additional members; there is no charge to join them. Call the group for specific location.
510-848-4357
The French Revolution, Napoleon and the Jewish People
7:30-9 p.m.
Berkeley Richmond Jewish Community Center, 1414 Walnut St.
This two-session course will be led by Lee Marsh, chair of the Jewish Learning Center. Cost is $12 for BRJCC members, $15 for the public. The second session will be held May 24.
510-848-0237, ext. 236
Thursday, May 18
Playground construction
8 a.m.-9 p.m.
East side of Aquatic Park
Today is the first “build day” for the new community playground at Aquatic Park. The Dream Land for Kids – its name was chosen by 9-year-old Joseph Newell – is designed by and for Berkeley’s schoolchildren and will be built entirely by the community. Build days continue through Sunday, and a second series of days will be held May 31 through June 4. Everyone is welcome to volunteer, regardless of age or skills. Older children can help, childcare is provided for younger, toilet-trained children. Bring work gloves and tools if you have them. Lunch is at noon, Dinner at 5 p.m. Bring a dish to share or a sack lunch if you can.
510-649-9874; http://www.bpfp.org/AquaticPlayground
Free computer class for seniors
1-4 p.m.
South Berkeley Senior Center, 2939 Ellis St.
This free course offers basic instruction in keyboarding, Microsoft Word, Windows 95, Excel and Internet access. Space is limited; the class is offered Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. Call ahead for a reservation.
510-644-6109
Film: “Housing is a Human Right: Housing and Section 8”
1 p.m.
North Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst Ave.
The film will be shown and housing activist Helen Lima, will discuss this documentary. The video is closed-captioned, and the program is free. Lima began the Save Low-Income Seniors’ Section 8 Housing movement in 1997 as a self-help, grassroots effort in behalf of low-income “seniors” who rent - or need to be able to rent - federally-subsidized apartments.
510-549-2970
Prostate support group
3 p.m.
North Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst Ave.
510-644-6107
“Education for Social Justice: Teaching the Next Generation of Activists”
7:30 p.m.
La Peña Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck Ave.
As part of its 25th anniversary series, La Peña is sponsoring this event for and by teachers. Educators will share and discuss ideas that connect students to issues in their world and motivate them to work for social justice. Admission is $3 donation at the door.
510-653-7882
Design Review Committee
7:30 p.m.
North Berkeley Senior Center
1901 Hearst Ave.
Among the projects to be reviewed by the board is the construction of a four-story, 47 unit mixed-use project, with ground floor retail space at 2700 San Pablo Ave. and the design of 801 Grayson St.
Jews ‘n’ Jazz
7:30-9 p.m.
Berkeley Richmond Jewish Community Center, 1414 Walnut St.
This three-session course will examine the role that Jewish immigrants at the turn of the century played in the developing musical genre of jazz. The first session examines “Background and Theory.” The second session, on May 25, looks at “Early Jewish Jazz Pioneers.” The third session, on June 1, focuses on “Swing, Bebop, Latin and Modern.” Performer and educator Mark Levy leads the series. Cost is $25 for BRJCC members and $30 for the general public.
510-848-0237, ext. 236
Friday, May 19
City offices closed for Malcolm X Day
Playground construction
8 a.m.-9 p.m.
East side of Aquatic Park
Today is the second “build day” for the new community playground at Aquatic Park. The Dream Land for Kids – its name was chosen by 9-year-old Joseph Newell – is designed by and for Berkeley’s schoolchildren and will be built entirely by the community. Build days continue through Sunday, and a second series of days will be held May 31 through June 4. Everyone is welcome to volunteer, regardless of age or skills. Older children can help, childcare is provided for younger, toilet-trained children. Bring work gloves and tools if you have them. Lunch is at noon, Dinner at 5 p.m. Bring a dish to share or a sack lunch if you can.
510-649-9874; http://www.bpfp.org/AquaticPlayground
“Women’s Role in China”
Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave.
Annie Soo, historian with the Chinese-American Historical Society, will speak during this week’s meeting of the City Commons Club. Social hour begins at 11:15 a.m. Luncheon is served from 11:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Speaker starts promptly at 12:30 p.m. Lunch is $11 or $12.25; admission to the speech is $1, free for students.
510-848-3533
“From the Ground Up”
11:30 a.m.
KQED, Channel 9
A documentary produced by Berkeley filmmaker Yoav Potash will be broadcast at this time. The film follows the work of a multicultural group of UC Berkeley students who helped rebuild burned African-American churches in Alabama. The documentary is being broadcast during this time slot to allow schools to show it during the school day.
www.jfed.org/groundup
Circle dancing
7:45-10 p.m.
Finnish Brotherhood Hall, 1970 Chestnut St.
This session will feature simple folk dancing in a circle, with a certain attitude (Findhorn style). Beginners are welcome, and a variety of dance styles will be demonstrated, including Scottish, Israeli and Greek. The event is sponsored by the Bay Area Circle Dancers.
510-528-4253
