LET IT SNOW The annual snow day in the Gourmet Ghetto will be held on Sunday, Dec. 8 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the parking lot at 1673 Shattuck Ave. The Snow Queen will listen to holiday wishes, there will be decorated live ponies to ride, and you can make holiday crafts like greeting cards and (slightly late) dreidels. Hot cider and chewy cookies are provided by Andronico’s. Boots and mittens or gloves recommended. (If it rains, the event is postponed for a week.)
SMALL IS BEAUTIFUL The Escapist joins with FDR to promise “a day that will live in infamy” for its second annual Small Press Fest, on Saturday, Dec. 7 at 6 p.m. Readings and signings will feature independent Bay Area comic creators including Thien Pham (Sumo, I like Eating), Peter Hoey (Coin-Op), Nomi Kane (Goodbye Ruby Soho), Colin Anderson (White Noise), Kane Lynch (Aerial Structures, Relics), Beth Dean (Pregnant with Desire, Loose in San Francisco), Wahab Algarmi (Society of Unordinary Young Ladies), Michael Olivo (Swamr), and Andy Warner (Everyday Objects). A limited edition, special anthology has been printed to commemorate the event. The Escapist, 3090 Claremont Ave.
THE PLUNGER IS YOUR FRIEND The Tool Lending Library at Berkeley’s South Branch Library is offering a free plumbing basics class on Saturday, Dec. 7 from 10 a.m. to noon. The class will be taught by Jac Weber of Women’s Plumbing Repair. It’s open to everyone, with “a special invitation to mothers, grandmothers, daughters and sisters.” Attendees will learn how to use tools from the lending library to make minor plumbing repairs. The class is sponsored by the Friends of the Berkeley Public Library. South Branch Meeting Room, 1901 Russell St.
FOR THE BIRDS Golden Gate Audubon is leading a free family bird walk at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 8 at Aquatic Park in West Berkeley. Led by nature educators, the area will be scouted for pelicans, hummingbirds, raptors, and visiting waterfowl. A walk across the bike bridge will enable a search for migratory shorebirds on the Bay. Bring snacks (although some will be provided), water, layers of clothes and a lunch for afterward. Golden Gate Audubon will have quality binoculars and field guides available. Meet in front of the playground at the south end of Bolivar Drive.
GO BEARS Cal’s men’s soccer team faces Maryland in the quarterfinals of the NCAA tournament on Saturday, Dec. 7, at 1:30 p.m. at Edward’s Stadium. A win would take the Bears (14-4-2) to the College Cup for the first time in the team’s history. The Terps (15-3-5) were ACC regular season co-champions and tournament champions. Cal, ranked number 1 nationally for part of the season, finished third in the Pac-12, behind UCLA and league winner Washington.
Don’t miss these other events recently featured on Berkeleyside:
Go local, small, popup and artisanal for holiday shopping (11.27.13)
Berkeley open studios offer holiday gift goldmine (11.27.13)
Big Screen Berkeley: Sweet Dreams (12.04.13)
Wiseman’s ‘At Berkeley’ shows a university under strain (12.05.13)
Zambomba Gitana: An Andalusian Christmas in Berkeley (12.05.13)
Check out Berkeleyside’s event calendar for many more events, and make sure to post your community happenings there too.
