Font ResizeSecond Annual "Blood History, Our History." Blood drive and celebration with free food, art workshops and kids' magic show, raffle prizes, and live performances by Grammy-nominated producer/singer Ira Walker and Reggae artist Zion Roots Sound. All blood donors will receive a T-shirt with an autographed photo and chance to meet former San Francisco 49ers' tackle Bubba Paris. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 23. RTF Educators' Institute, 525 4th, Oakland. Free. To schedule an appointment, call 415-354-1381, www.bloodheroes.com, www.bloodcenters.org.
The Book is the Body. The first cohort of the MFA in Book Art and Creative Writing opens their thesis show at with Rob Borges, Kat Howard, Mirabelle Jones and Kate Robinson. 6 p.m. Feb. 23. Swarm Gallery, 560 Second St., Oakland. Free. 510-839-2787, www.paperlesspost.com.
Toddler Storytime. Songs, active rhymes and stories especially for ages 18 months to 3 years. 10:30 a.m. Saturdays. Melrose Branch Library, 4805 Foothill Blvd., Oakland. 510-535-5623, www.oaklandlibrary.org.
Chess at the Library. A weekly chess program offers instruction for beginners and a place for patrons of all ages and levels to play with each other. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays. César E. Chávez Branch, 3301 E. 12th St., Oakland. 510-535-5620,
Off the Hook Knitting Group. The Melrose Knitting Group meets the second and fourth Saturday every month. 3 to 5 p.m. Melrose Branch Library, 4805 Foothill Blvd., Oakland. 510-535-5623, www.oaklandlibrary.org.
Superior Court Volunteers Needed. Alameda County Superior Court needs eager volunteers to support the information kiosks in the Oakland, Hayward, and Fremont courthouses. Training provided. Call for details 510-891-6921 or jsalerno@alameda.courts.ca.gov.
Author and Activist Angela Davis. Author and activist Angela Davis discusses her latest book, "The Meaning of Freedom and Other Difficult Dialogues." 6:30 to 8 p.m. March 1. Marcus Books, 3900 Martin Luther King Jr Way, Oakland. Free. 510-652-2344.
