March 5 2003

Bike-plan workshop

Wednesday, March 5, attend the first of five neighborhood-based workshops to gather community input and support for refining and expanding the city's bike network. Each workshop addresses specific supervisorial districts; the first is for Districts Four and Seven. 6:30-8 p.m., West Portal Elementary School, 5 Lennox, S.F. Free. (415) 431-2453, ext. 22.

Eastern and Western perspectives

Thursday, March 6, attend a public forum presenting Eastern and Western perspectives through the eyes of the Tibetan Buddhist and Jesuit Christian traditions. 7-8:30 p.m., University of San Francisco, St. Ignatius Church, 650 Parker, S.F. Free. (415) 422-6357.

Philippines' petrochemical problems

Thursday, March 6, Francesca Francia of Global Community Monitor reports back from Pandacan, Philippines, concerning a potentially hazardous oil depot affecting 80,000 residents and the lengths to which citizens have gone to thwart this impending petrochemical disaster. 7-9 p.m., Ecology Center, 2530 San Pablo, Berk. $5-$10 sliding scale, no one turned away for lack of funds. (510) 548-2220, ext. 233.

Postgenocide Rwanda

Friday, March 7, hear directly from Rwandan president Paul Kagame about the nation's progress and struggles in the face of reconstruction after the horrors of genocide. Noon, World Affairs Council, 312 Sutter, Ste. 200, S.F. $15, $10 members. (415) 293-4600.

Antiwar women

Saturday, March 8, attend an International Women's Day forum sponsored by Bay Area Radical Women that addresses the ways in which militant working women around the world are leading opposition to the looming U.S. war against Iraq. It also covers ideas for strengthening civil liberties and stopping corporate globalization. Buffet 6 p.m., program 7:30 p.m., New Valencia Hall, 1908 Mission, S.F. $2 donation (buffet for $8.50 donation). (415) 864-1278.

International Women's Day celebration

Saturday, March 8, join women from all walks of life for a celebration of global peace at an International Women's Day event. Bring drums and instruments for an open mic session, followed by a "global peace prayer." 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Golden Gate Park, Music Concourse Bandshell, near Fulton and Eighth Ave., S.F. Free. (510) 233-6813.

'Let Haiti Live'

Saturday, March 8, while the conflict with Iraq dominates headlines, a war on democracy in Haiti has waged since the election of Jean-Bertrand Aristide two years ago. Learn about the situation in Haiti at "Let Haiti Live! Kite Ayiti Viv," an event whose speakers include grassroots medical organizers, victim-relief workers, and others. 7:30 p.m., New College of California, 766 Valencia, S.F. $5-$15 donation. (510) 483-7481.

Women's liberation and socialist forum

Saturday, March 8, Amy Rath, former editor of Women and Revolution, presents "Iraq: Women's Liberation and the Fight for Socialist Revolution," a forum sponsored by the Spartacist League celebrating International Women's Day and Women's History Month. 4 p.m., Centro del Pueblo, 474 Valencia, S.F. Free. (510) 839-0851.

Global TV

Monday, March 10, meet local media experts, learn about their work, and discuss the effect of American television on foreign cultures at the KQED Media Salon "TV and World Cultures." A screening of Frontline/World's Bhutan: The Last Place opens the event. 7-9 p.m., KQED, 2601 Mariposa, S.F. Free. (415) 553-2390.

African activism

Tuesday, March 11, George Houser, a pacifist activist who has fought racial discrimination in the United States and Africa since the 1940s, presents "Guns and Gandhi: The Challenge of Africa's Liberation Struggle for Nonviolent Activists." The program looks at Houser's life's work and its relevance to the situation in Africa today. Friends Meeting House, 65 Ninth St., S.F. Donations accepted. (415)751-0302.

Europe versus U.S.?

Tuesday, March 11, Dr. Charles A. Kupchan, author of The End of the American Era, discusses his contention that the age of U.S. global domination is drawing to a close. Kupchan claims a rising Europe, ready to part ways with the United States, is the catalyst for this change, and not the Islamic world or a rapidly ascending China. 6 p.m., World Affairs Council, 312 Sutter, Ste. 200, S.F. $12, $5 students, free for members. (415) 293-4600.

Mission residents against war

Tuesday, March 11, join neighborhood group Mission for Peace for a discussion of the impending war, sanctions on Iraq, and the defense of civil liberties at home. 7-9 p.m., New College of California, Art room, 741 Valencia, S.F. Free. (415) 923-1185.

Gays and lesbians in the military

Wednesday, March 12, join Servicemembers Legal Defense Network for a discussion of the status of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and how it affects the gay and lesbian community in the face of a campaign against Iraq. 7 p.m., San Francisco LGBT Community Center, 1800 Market, S.F. Free. (415) 420-3896.