Hetch Hetchy

Wednesday, April 30, the Finance Committee of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors decides whether to allot $5.2 million to a partnership of private contractors tasked with managing the $4 billion reconstruction of the ailing Hetch Hetchy water system. Also, the supervisors are expected to name Harlan Kelly, the chief staffer to the Department of Public Works, as the lead in the project. 12:30 p.m., City Hall, room 263, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, S.F. Free. (415) 554-5184.

'Health Consequences of War'

Wednesday, April 30, through Thursday, May 8, the teach-in series "The Health Consequences of War," presented by the UCSF medical community, features prominent local and international physicians, investigators, journalists, and activists. Wed/30, noon-1 p.m., "Lasting Impact of U.S. Use of Depleted Uranium Ammunition," Reese Erhlich; Thurs/1, noon-1 p.m., "Environmental Outcomes of War," Ross Mirkarimi; Thurs/1, 5:30-6:30 p.m., "Effects of War Costs on U.S. Health Care," Thomas Bodenheimer, M.D.; Mon/5, noon-1 p.m., "Psychological Effects of War and Displacement," Harvey Weinstein, M.D.; Tues/6, noon-1 p.m., "Socio-cultural Disruption in War," presenter TBA; Wed/7, noon-1 p.m., "Health Care under Military Occupation," Jess Ghannam, Ph.D.; Thurs/8, noon-1 p.m., "UCSF Community: Where Do We Go from Here?," panel discussion. University of California San Francisco, Toland Hall, 513 Parnassus, S.F. Free. (415) 514-9343.

Creative May Day

Thursday, May 1, bring art, zines, musical instruments, projects, and ideas to share at this creative celebration of May Day. 1 p.m., meet at 24th St. at Mission, procession to Dolores Park, 18th St. at Dolores; 2-7 p.m., creative gathering. S.F. (415) 252-5728.

Instant runoff voting

Thursday, May 1, get the information you need about instant runoff voting and how it can make a difference in San Francisco elections at this public forum hosted by the Center for Voting and Democracy. 7 p.m., San Francisco Women's Building, 3543 18th St., S.F. Free. (415) 824-2735.

International workers demo

Thursday, May 1, celebrate solidarity in resistance to capitalism, worker layoffs, evictions, homelessness, and police repression at this May Day demonstration. 7 p.m., Downtown Berkeley BART, 2160 Shattuck, Berk. (510) 207-8118.

May Day poetry

Thursday, May 1, local poets read their work as well as selections from the new anthology Poetry Against the War, compiled by Sam Hamill. Hamill collected the poems after First Lady Laura Bush canceled his poetry symposium at the White House for fear it would turn into an antiwar protest. 7 p.m., Walden Pond Books, 3316 Grand, Oakl. Free. (510) 763-8204.

Transbay Terminal workshop

Thursday, May 1, help the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency and the San Francisco Planning Department develop design guidelines for the new Transbay Terminal containing a downtown extension of Caltrain. The workshop is sponsored by Transbay Citizens Advisory Committee. 5:30-8:30 p.m., Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, 701 Mission, S.F. Free. (415) 749-2439.

Young workers

Thursday, May 1, make your voice heard about working conditions and unfair wages for young workers at this public hearing held by the San Francisco Youth Commission and the Young Worker Project. 5 p.m., City Hall, Legislative Chambers, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, S.F. (415) 621-4155.

Poets for employment

Friday, May 2, hear readings by local poets at this fundraiser for People Organized to Win Employment Rights (POWER). Proceeds from the benefit will go to furthering the cause of employee rights. 6:30-9 p.m., Center for Political Education, 522 Valencia, third floor, S.F. $5-$20 sliding scale. (415) 864-8372.

Socialists against war

Friday, May 2, the Bay Area Freedom Socialist Party presents the May Day celebration "Voices of Power Speak Out Against War." Performers, journalists, and activists voice their thoughts, followed by an audience speak-out. Proceeds will benefit the Freedom Socialist newspaper. 7 p.m., New Valencia Hall, 1908 Mission, S.F. $2 donation. (415) 864-1278.

Antiglobalization films

Saturday, May 3, Artists' Television Access reclaims May Day with a program of short films dedicated to the fight against globalization and the repression of workers around the world. Street Rec's "Re-Tooling Dissent," The Yes Men's "Incredibly Stupid Stunt," and Whispered Media's "Lord of the Rings of Free Trade" and "Re-Code" will all be shown. 8 p.m., ATA Gallery, 992 Valencia, S.F. $5. (415) 824-3890.

Global warming

Saturday, May 3, a broad coalition of religious faiths discuss the realities and consequences of global warming at the conference "A Religious Response to Global Warming," sponsored by California Interfaith Power and Light. 12:30-5 p.m., University of San Francisco, Xavier Hall, 650 Parker, S.F. Free. (510) 444-4078.

Middle East Children's Alliance

Saturday, May 3, Edward Peck, former U.S. ambassador to Iraq, appears at a reception hosted by the Middle East Children's Alliance. Take the opportunity to hear vital information on Iraq from a former diplomat. 3-5 p.m., Middle East Children's Alliance, 901 Parker, Berk. $20 donation. (510) 548-0542.

'Humanizing Israel-Palestine Conflict'

Sunday, May 4, Berkeley Tikkun presents "Humanizing the Israel-Palestine Conflict: Day of Mutual Recognition," an event featuring prominent Israeli and Palestinian activists and scholars and including a Middle Eastern dinner reception. 1-6 p.m., dinner 6 p.m., UC Berkeley, International House Auditorium, Oxford at University, Berk. Free. (510) 301-2777.

'Freedom of the Press?'

Tuesday, May 6, three local journalists, Brenda Payton of the Oakland Tribune, Becky O'Malley, managing editor of the Berkeley Daily Planet, and Henry Norr, formerly with the San Francisco Chronicle, give their perspectives on how current news is being delivered and received at "Freedom of the Press? Bay Area Perspectives," sponsored by the Friends of the Library. 7 p.m., Berkeley Public Library, Central Community Room, 2090 Kittredge, Berk. Free. (510) 981-6100.

Medical marijuana

Wednesday, May 7, Ed Rosenthal, the Bay Area medicinal marijuana grower facing 5 to 20 years in federal prison, speaks about his plight and the issues facing citizens in similar situations. Also, copies of Rosenthal's new book, Why Marijuana Should Be Legal, are available. 7:30 p.m., Temple Israel of Alameda, 3183 Mecartney, Alameda. Free. (510) 522-9355.