Exit exam protest

Wednesday, May 7, Youth Making a Change and the Community Task Force on Assessment sponsor a speak-out and press conference protesting high school exit exams and the general state of San Francisco schools. Speak-out and press conference 7 p.m., planning meeting 8-11 p.m., Mission High School, 3750 18th St., S.F. Free. (415) 239-0161, ext. 20.

Stop Medicaid cuts

Wednesday, May 7, join concerned citizens all over the country in calling (toll free) members of Congress to stop the devastating Medicaid cuts that nearly all states are considering. Call Rep. Nancy Pelosi and ask that she "put families first" on All Call Day, organized by the Service Employees International Union. Capitol switchboard 1-888-280-6279.

Green cars?

Thursday, May 8, the discussion titled "The Greening of the Automobile Market: Consumer Voices and Alternative Choices" addresses the rising tide of consumers demanding cleaner, more efficient cars, and automobile makers' inability to meet the demand. The event includes representatives from environmental groups and car makers. Registration 6 p.m., program 6:30 p.m., Commonwealth Club of California, 595 Market, second floor, S.F. $15, $10 members. (415) 597-6705 or (415) 597-6706.

Marxism vs. imperialism

Thursday, May 8, UC Berkeley professor Richard Walker presents "The Empire Has No Clothes? Economic Woes and Military Solutions," a Marxist analysis of the current period of U.S. imperialism. The event is sponsored by the Committee of Correspondence for Democracy and Socialism. 7 p.m., American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee office, 522 Valencia, S.F. $5-$10 sliding scale. (415) 863-6637.

The future of our youth

Friday, May 9, join Bay Area youth organizations, educators, and the media for a forum discussing the future of our youth in uncertain times rife with war, an unstable economy, educational cutbacks, and a diluted mainstream media. 9 a.m.-noon, Commonwealth Club of California, 595 Market, second floor, S.F. Free. (415) 503-4170, ext. 241.

Peace studies

Friday, May 9, world-renowned Norwegian peace researcher Professor Johan Galtung shares his perspectives on attaining peace, globally and locally. 7:30 p.m., UC Berkeley, 155 Dwinelle Hall, Oxford at University, Berk. Free. (510) 232-4493.

Antiwar gender roles

Saturday, May 10, attend a workshop titled "Challenging Male Supremacy," designed for "gender-privileged men" and organized by men, which teaches how people can challenge patriarchal institutions and practices and support women's role in social justice work. 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m., First Congregational Church of Oakland, 2501 Harrison, Oakl. Free. (415) 431-4204, ext. 210.

'Rainbow-A-Fair'

Saturday, May 10, the families and neighbors of Commodore Sloat Elementary School sponsor this event celebrating diversity and promoting cultural understanding with multiethnic food, global music, and children's activities. 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Commodore Sloat Elementary School, 50 Darien, S.F. Free. (415) 939-0216.

Mother's peace day

Sunday, May 11, join Berkeley's Interfaith Women for Peace in an antiwar celebration of Mother's Day. Prayer, songs, and a ceremony mark the day dedicated to mothers, especially those with children in the armed forces. 1 p.m., Martin Luther King Jr. Civic Center Park, Allston at Center, Berk. Free. (415) 255-7291.

FCC commissioner

Monday, May 12, following recent Federal Communications Commission hearings in San Francisco concerning media deregulation, FCC commissioner Michael Copps discusses the regulation standards of broadcast news in this time of war. This event is cosponsored by the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism. Check-in 11:15 a.m., program noon, Commonwealth Club of California, 595 Market, second floor, S.F. $12, free for members. (415) 597-6705 or (415) 597-6706.

Juvenile justice alternatives

Monday, May 12, protest the San Francisco Board of Supervisors Budget Committee's proposed $250,000 cuts to community-based juvenile justice alternatives and ask the supes to reallocate some of the $2 million in the Juvenile Probation Department's budget for options that work better than incarceration. 4-7 p.m., Mission YMCA, 4080 Mission, S.F. Free. (415) 239-0161, ext. 21.

'Oil and Terrorism'

Monday, May 12, KQED Media Salon presents "You Decide: Oil and Terrorism," a discussion of the question "Would Americans would be safer from terrorism if we consumed less oil?" 7-9 p.m., KQED, 2601 Mariposa, S.F. Free. (415) 553-2390.

Protest war profiteering

Monday, May 12, return to the Oakland docks in protest of SSA Corp.'s three-year contract with the U.S. government to rebuild Umm Qasr, Iraq's major port. Stand up to Oakland mayor Jerry Brown and the Oakland Police Department and show them their abusive actions won't work. 5-9 p.m., West Oakland BART, 1451 Seventh St., Oakl. Free. (415) 820-9649.

Constitutional rights teach-in

Tuesday, May 13, learn your Constitutional rights under the USA PATRIOT Act and the proposed "Patriot Act II." Presentations by members of the American Civil Liberties Union, the Western States Legal Foundation, and others will help you understand these laws and how they affect you. 6:30 p.m., First Unitarian Church of Oakland, 685 14th St., Oakl. Free. (510) 533-8358.

Youth and the military

Wednesday, May 14, the Peoples NonViolent Response Coalition presents "Youth and Military: Your Rights and Your Options," a panel discussion featuring veterans, conscientious objectors, and school representatives and focusing on the future of youths who do not support war. 6-8:30 p.m., First Congregational Church in Oakland, 2501 Harrison, Oakl. Free. (510) 841-4755.

Bike to Work Day

Thursday, May 15, is official Bike to Work Day, sponsored by the Regional Bicycle Advocacy Coalition and numerous other alternative transportation organizations. So leave your car at home and do something good for yourself, the community, and the environment – ride a bike to work. For more information, contact the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition at (415) 431-2543, www.sfbike.org.

Public power forum

Monday, May 19, the third in a series of public power activist forums focuses on an organizational form the group and other upcoming agenda items. 5:30 p.m., International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers, Local 21, 1182 Market, S.F. Free. (415) 864-2100.