Brandon Holmes and Jessica Tudor plant a redbud tree behind the theater as Bonnie MacKenzie, a member of friends of the Cerrito Theater, ensures proper orientation

On Greening El Cerrito Day, three members of Friends of the Cerrito Theater along with three people who help run our favorite theater, planted two redbud trees in the sidewalk strip behind the theater on Kearney Street.

Kudos are due to Friends Bonnie MacKenzie, whose in-depth knowledge of gardening was a godsend, and to Art Tressler and Dave Weinstein. Besides planting the trees, we weeded and removed debris.

But more needs to be done! There is agapanthus to divide, groundcover to install, and general upkeep. We may also want to do some native plantings in the future to supplement the native species that are already growing these.

This is a great chance to make a contribution to the community! Are you interested in helping green our favorite theater?

Contact Dave Weinstein, 510-524-1737 or davidsweinstein@yahoo.com.

Movie fans who enjoy kicking back with a light meal and a brew can now enjoy half of that equation, as our favorite movie theater has rolled out its long-promised menu!

Pizza by the pie, ranging from a classic margherita to pizza with bay shrimp, artichoke vegetarian, and more, plus such snacks as nachos and quesadillas, sandwiches ranging from burgers and chicken cordon bleu to cheddar cheese, salads, desserts and more.

Once the ABC license comes through, soon we hope, expect to enjoy both beer and wine.

Consider these special events

You can catch high-definition, filmed productions of London’s National Theater this fall at the Cerrito. The theater is offering a three-play series of Shakespeare’s “All’s Well that Ends Well.” (Monday, October 19 and Wednesday, October 21 at 7:30 p.m.), Mark Ravenhill’s “Nation” (Monday, February 15 and Wednesday, February 17 at 7:30 p.m., and Alan Bennett’s “The Habit of Art” (Monday, May 3 and Wednesday, May 5 at 7:30 p.m.).

Also, for the readers among you, will be the theater’s presentation of filmed interviews with great authors.

“Times Talks Live: A Conversation with novelist John Irving,” produced by the New York Times, will be presented Monday, November 2, at 7. On Monday November 16, “Times Talk Live” feature master of chills Stephen King.

For tickets or information, visit the website. Also, if you have not done so, be sure to sign up for their weekly newsletter that provides all this news and more.

See you at the Cerrito!

Do you enjoy gardening? Are you willing to get your hands dirty to help the Cerrito Theater – and the wider community?

On Saturday, Oct. 17, from 9 a.m. to noon, Friends of the Cerrito Theater, working with Rialto Cinemas, will plant two street trees in the sidewalk strip behind the theater on Kearney Street. This is part of the city’s Greening El Cerrito Day. Teams sponsored by the Environmental Quality Committee will be planting trees across town from 9 to noon, and then will enjoy the “Making El Cerrito Greener Environmental Showcase” from noon to 4 at City Hall.

Join us!

We need volunteers on that day – and volunteers beforehand, to make the soil ready. Then – we need people to water, tend, divide agapanthus – to keep the theater’s new community garden beautiful!

The city will supply the trees. We need to dig holes, plant and water.

Are you interested in helping green our favorite theater?

Contact Dave Weinstein, 510-524-1737 or davidsweinstein@yahoo.com.