Page One
Calendar of Events & Activities
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
2-by-2 Committee
12:30 p.m.
Executive Conference Room, Third Floor, 1900 Addison St.
City and school district representatives will discuss a series of items, including possible fall bond measures; high school-related topics, including post-fire plans for the Health Center; and school traffic plans for Oxford School and St. Joseph the Worker School.
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
“Legends of Ancient India”
3:30 p.m.
West Branch Berkeley Public Library, 1125 University Ave.
Armin Palkhivala will present picture books and stories for children ages 3 through 9 highlighting ancient Indian legends and culture, and will incorporate the many and various festivals celebrated in India.
510-644-6870
John Muir Elementary School Reading Extravaganza
6-8 p.m.
John Muir School, 2955 Claremont Ave.
Two workshops will be offered: Raising a Reader, and Grammar 101. Author Donnell Rubay will also be on hand to read an autograph her book, “Stickeen: John Muir and the Brave Little Dog.”
510-594-9484
“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.
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
Malcolm X Arts and Technology Magnet School reunion
5:30 p.m.
Malcolm X School cafeteria, 1731 Prince St.
The is the school’s first-ever reunion, and the school is also creating the MX Alumni Association. A benefit concert at 7 p.m., with performances by the MX Jazz band and chorus and jazz drummer Eddie Marshall and his band, will follow the reception, open to former students and teachers.
510-644-6517
Berkeley High School jazz concert
7:30 p.m.
Schwimmley Little Theater, BHS campus, Allston Way side of campus
Berkeley High School’s award-winning Jazz Ensemble, Combos, and Lab Band will perform. This concert features the program’s nine seniors, who have performed in Europe and Japan in the last four years. Tickets for the event are $8 for general admission and $3 for students, seniors and Berkeley High School teachers. Proceeds help fund the Jazz Program.
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
Saturday, May 20
Playground construction
8 a.m.-9 p.m.
East side of Aquatic Park
Today is the third “build day” for the new community playground at Aquatic Park.
510-649-9874; http://www.bpfp.org/AquaticPlayground
Ohlone Greenway walk
10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Begins at the Berkeley BART station; ends at the El Cerrito Del Norte BART station
The Greenbelt Alliance is leading this eight-mile walk along the Greenway, and along the way, local activists will share the story of the Greenway. Event is free, but reservations are required.
415-255-3233
Berkeley Farmers’ Market
10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Center Street between Martin Luther King Jr. Way and Milvia Street
Today’s market will feature strawberry tastings from participating farmers who sell the fresh fruit.
510-548-3333
Shasta and Tamalpais Roads Architecture and History Tour
10 a.m.-noon
With a limit of 30 people, the tour begins at the top of Rose Walk Steps, above Euclid Avenue, where the steps meet LeRoy Avenue. This walk, led by Ken Cardwell and John Underhill, will follow the loop of Shasta and Tamalpais Roads, explaining the history and architecture unique to this area. Price is $5 for the tour for Historical Society members, $10 for non-members. Call ahead for reservations.
510-848-0181
National Public Works Week event
11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Civic Center Park, Downtown Berkeley
At this event, public works professionals will be on hand to answer questions and increase awareness of its programs and services.
Thousand Oaks School 25th Annual Spring Carnival
11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Thousand Oaks School at the Franklin site, 1150 Virginia St., near San Pablo
This annual event will featured food, games, AstroJump, cake walk, quilt raffle and silent auction. Entertainment includes the T.O. student Talent Show, “Uncle Eye” and Brazilian Dancing. Paint a tile for the new school building on Colusa, which opens in September. Proceeds benefit Thousand Oaks PTA-sponsored programs.
510-524-1553
Washington Elementary School’s Annual Spring Garage Sale and Fair
11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Washington School, corner of Martin Luther King Jr. and Bancroft ways
Events will include a Dinosaur Jump, drumming performances, hat-making and face painting, a raffle and the garage sale. Proceeds will benefit the Washington PTA.
