Lectures & Lit Search
Safe Oakland Speaker Series
Lectures Wed., June 19, 7-9 p.m.510-436-1113
When considering ways to improve the fraught system of policing in Oakland, the examples set by other cities may prove useful. Join the Safe Oakland Speaker Series and its founder, Oakland City Councilmember Libby Schaaf, at Holy Names University's Valley Center for the Performing Arts (3500 Mountain Blvd., Oakland), for a look at what Los Angeles has done. Gerald Chaleff, LAPD Special Assistant for Constitutional Policing, will speak to how the elimination of excessive force and comprehensive accountability across the entire police force helped Los Angeles earn its release from a court-ordered consent decree akin to the settlement agreement handed to OPD following the Riders Case.
freeJonathan Alter
Literary Events Wed., June 19, 7:30-9:30 p.m.510-845-6830
If you're missing the drama and antics of the 2012 election, Jonathan Alter's your man. The former Newsweek editor of nearly thirty years interviewed more than two hundred sources for his assiduously reported new book, The Center Holds: Obama and His Enemies, an account that picks up a year after his previous book, The Promise, which detailed President Obama's first year in office, and follows him through the 2012 campaign. In so doing, Alter seeks to shed light on the Obama administration's current woes, but the book may have been published a bit too early considering some of the concerns about government surveillance making headlines recently. Future history books will likely paint a less-rosy side of the administration, and the president. In the meantime, join Alter as he reads from his book at St. John's Presbyterian Church (2727 College Ave., Berkeley).
freePoeti Della Notte
Literary Events, Culinary & Wine Tue., June 25, 8-10 p.m.510-652-4888
What better way to enjoy an evening of poetry than by pairing it with equally transcendent food, wine, music, and company? On Tuesday, Pizzaiolo (5008 Telegraph Ave., Oakland) will host the first of its three-part summer series in its enchanted garden patio. The Poeti Della Note kickoff will feature five local poets reading over a soundtrack played by Jesse Burson. Local musician Garrett Pierce will also perform, and guests are invited to purchase delicious drinks and bites from the restaurant.
freeRebecca Solnit
Literary Events Wed., June 26, 7-8:30 p.m.Longtime San Francisco resident Rebecca Solnit is one of those few gifted essayists who can seamlessly link together issues as disparate as the environment, politics, art, and -- her particular favorite -- place, all without giving you any indication that those things aren't usually discussed so easily in the same breath. Her new book, The Faraway Nearby, is the follow-up to her much-beloved compendium of essays, A Field Guide to Getting Lost, and focuses loosely around the theme of storytelling. Solnit weaves together fairy tales, feats of arctic explorers, potent anecdotes from her own life, and more, but it's the larger picture she creates that's truly powerful. Join the author as she discusses her book at Montclair Presbyterian Church (5701 Thornhill Dr., Oakland).
freeFriday Night Launch
Religion & Spirituality, Social Events, Spoken Word Fridays, 7 p.m.510-859-3150
Every Friday, the Launching Pad (2649 Russell St., Berkeley) hosts the Friday Night Launch, featuring spiritually focused spoken word, discussions, and music for young adults. The events start at 7 p.m. and are free, although donations are accepted; there's a group vegetarian dinner available at 6 p.m., too. 510-859-3150 or LaunchingPadBerkeley.com
free/donationWrite for Your Life
Literary Events Mondays, 9:15-11:45 a.m.510-525-0302
There are far worse ways to spend a Monday than doing some writing as meditation. Write for Your Life happens every Monday morning at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley (1 Lawson Rd., Berkeley), with participants writing in response to a reading at the top of the session. Reading aloud to the group is optional. 9:15-11:45 a.m., free. 510-524-2858 or UUCB.org
freeThe Shout
Spoken Word Second Monday of every month, 7:30 p.m.510-922-1507
From a man whose family ended up in the Federal Witness Protection Program to a woman who once had a job caring for a fortune-telling chicken in Guinea Bissau to someone's unforgettable encounter with a bee on a golf course, the stories told at The Shout are the stuff of fiction, but drawn from real life. Much like The Moth StorySLAM events, The Shout is crowdsourced storytelling: Stories have few guidelines besides being true, less than ten minutes long, and worth the time it takes to tell the tale. Featured storytellers are selected beforehand, but audience members can put their names in a hat in hopes of sharing their own six-minute yarns. Join hosts Rami Margron and Cassidy Brown at Grand Lake Coffee House (440 Grand Ave., Oakland) on Monday, Jan. 14 -- and the second Monday of every month -- for some riveting tidbits of real life. 7:30-9:30 p.m., $5-20. TheShoutStorytelling.com
$5-20 sliding scaleThe Golden State Poetry Slam and Open Mic
Spoken Word First and Third Sunday of every month, 6:30-10 p.m.662-589-8577
Twice a month you can earn points to qualify for the 2012 slam team at the Golden State Poetry Slam and Open Mic, hosted by three-time Grand Slam winner Sean "Ner City" Gullatt and Earring Diva D'Dra White. DJ Harvey Kent provides the tunes. Every first and third Sunday at Grand Lake Coffee House (440 Grand Ave., Oakland). 6:30-10 p.m. $5-$7. 662-589-8577 or GSSlam.com
$5-$7This Week's Feature
FEATURE
Tunnel Vision Part Two: Rivers in Peril
How Jerry Brown's plan to build two giant water tunnels, along with legislation in Congress, could ultimately spoil the last of Northern California's wild and scenic rivers.
