January 15, 2003

Golden Gate parking

Thursday, Jan. 16, come to the city's Recreation and Park Commission meeting if you're concerned about the fate of the historic underground pedestrian tunnels located around the music concourse in Golden Gate Park. The final design for the parking garage will be discussed, as well as how existing pedestrian rights of ways, disabled access, and historic features will be affected in the park. The current proposal calls for two of the tunnels to be torn down and one filled in. 2 p.m., City Hall, Room 416, 1 Carlton B. Goodlett, S.F. Free. (415) 554-5184.

Jesse Helms retirement party

Thursday, Jan. 16, celebrate the retirement of Sen. Jesse Helms at the San Francisco Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Community Center. The event includes a comic review of Helms's legacy as a staunch opponent of gay rights. 6:30-8:30 p.m., San Francisco Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Community Center, 1800 Market, S.F. $7. (415) 865-5555.

MLK celebration

Thursday, Jan. 16, sign up to read from Martin Luther King Jr.'s "Why I Oppose the War" (also known as "Beyond Vietnam") speech at the second annual collective reading sponsored by War Resisters League West. Volunteers read portions of the speech, followed by live performances inspired by the civil rights leader's work. 7-10 p.m., 225 Potrero, S.F. Donations accepted. (415) 282-6580.

Deportation speaker

Friday, Jan. 17, hear Roger Calero, associate editor of Perspectiva mundial, a Spanish-language newsmagazine published in New York, speak about his detention by the Immigration and Naturalization Service and his pending deportation to Nicaragua. reception 6 p.m., program 7 p.m., New College Cultural Center, 766 Valencia, S.F. $5 donation. (415) 584-2135.

Western workers festival

Friday, Jan. 17-Sunday, Jan. 19, take your pick of performances, workshops, or arts exchanges at the 17th annual Western Workers Labor Heritage Festival. Fri/17, 6 p.m.; Sat/18, 9 a.m.; Sun/19, 9 a.m., Union Halls, 1511 Rollins Rd., Burlingame. $40. (650) 572-8848.

Fight cell phone antennae

Saturday, Jan. 18, attend the premiere screening of Bad Reception: The Wireless Revolution in San Francisco, a documentary that follows the group San Francisco Neighborhood Antenna-Free Union in its efforts to fight the cellular industry and keep cell phone antennae out of our neighborhoods. 8-9:30 p.m., Artists' Television Access, 992 Valencia, S.F. $5. (415) 885-1981.

Oil-free peace parade

Saturday, Jan. 18, take part in the "Oil-Free Transport Zone" of the Great Green Peace Parade, if you have an electric auto, a bike, a skateboard, or just a pair of feet. The parade will head to Civic Center Plaza at noon to meet up with the antiwar rally at 1 p.m. Parade starts 11 a.m., Grace Cathedral, 1100 California, S.F. (415) 369-2107.

Queer antiwar contingent

Saturday, Jan. 18, join the queer Out Against the War Coalition at the rally opposing Bush's war on Iraq. Bring banners and signs, and wear the color lavender. 10:30 a.m., Drumm at Market, S.F. Free. (415) 541-9658.

Community speak-out

Monday, Jan. 20, celebrate Martin Luther King Day at a community speak-out on police violence, parolee harassment, one-strike evictions, and drug-war prisoners. 7-9 p.m., Oakland YWCA, 515 Webster, Oakl. Free. (415) 255-7036, ext. 312.

Colombia's drug war

Tuesday, Jan. 21, hear human rights investigator Robin Kirk discuss her book Massacres, Drugs, and America's War in Colombia, which details the social, political, economic, and human devastation inflicted by the drug war in Columbia. Kirk offers an insider's view of the politics that shape the war on drugs and the growing U.S. military presence in Latin America. 6 p.m., World Affairs Council, 312 Sutter, Suite 200, S.F. Free for members, $12 nonmembers, $5 students. (415) 293-4600.

Fascism or freedom?

Tuesday, Jan. 21, attend a talk by veteran progressive activist James Cosner, who discusses how people of conscience can resist global domination by the United States. Cosner claims this American enterprise is simply a continuation of how the United States first built its wealth and power: genocide of indigenous peoples, land theft, slavery of Africans, and destruction of nature. 7:30 p.m., Fellowship of Humanity, 390 27th St., Oakl. Free. (510) 393-5685.

Homeless protest

Tuesday, Jan. 21, participate in a homeless funeral procession and protest calling for the San Francisco Department of Public Health to reactivate the homeless death study. Demand the DPH reinstitute the homeless people's oversight committee to make recommendations for changes in policy and adhere to the existing definition of homelessness in the study. 2 p.m., Powell at Market, S.F. Free. (415) 775-5639.

Union organizing 101

Tuesday, Jan. 21, find out how to organize a union in your workplace and how to use collective bargaining to get the wages and benefits you deserve. If you work in a low-wage job without benefits, this seminar, sponsored by the San Francisco chapter of the National Organization for Women, could help. 7 p.m., Unitarian Center, 1187 Franklin, S.F. Free. (415) 861-8880.

Mail items for Alerts to the Bay Guardian Building, 135 Mississippi St., S.F., CA 94107; fax to (415) 255-8762; or e-mail corbett@sfbg.com. Please include a contact telephone number. Items must be received at least one week prior to publication date. Call (415) 255-3100, ext. 573, for more information. For more events, see the Benefits listings in the Calendar section.