Consequences of war

Wednesday, May 28, the panel discussion titled "Consequences of the War in Iraq, Both Here and Abroad" brings together local activists to discuss regional struggles facing the Middle East, the rights of Arabs and Muslims in the United States, and Native American views on forced relocation, both past and present. This event, sponsored by the East Bay Coalition to End Sanctions in Iraq and the New College of California Center for Education and Social Action, features Marley Shebala, journalist for Navajo Times, Lynn McMichaels of the Iraqi Peace Team, and Zulfiqar Ahmad of the Nautilus Institute for Security and Sustainable Development and the War Tax Resisters. 6-9 p.m., New College Theater, 777 Valencia, S.F. $10-$15 sliding scale, no one turned away for lack of funds. (415) 285-9564.

Tidal power

Wednesday, May 28, Peter O'Donnell, manager of renewable energy and conservation at San Francisco's Department of the Environment, discusses the May 6 San Francisco Board of Supervisors vote to implement a tidal-power electrical generation plant in the San Francisco Bay. Tidal resources, site selection, technologies, the various environmental impacts, and the feasibility of the board's decree that the one-megawatt plant be connected to the power grid by January 1, 2006, are among the topics O'Donnell addresses. 7 p.m., Sierra Club National Headquarters, Yosemite Room, 85 Second St., S.F. Free. (415) 203-2781.

Colombian report

Thursday, May 29, slides and a radio documentary compliment National Radio Project's report back from Colombia, which explores the effects of U.S. military aid on civil conflicts. 7 p.m., La Peña Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck, Berk. $5-$10 sliding scale. (510) 251-1332, ext. 106.

FCC and Clear Channel protests

Thursday, May 29, protest further possible media deregulation by the Federal Communication Commission at a rally in front of KMEL-FM. KMEL is owned by Clear Channel Communications, already the largest radio broadcaster in the country, with more than 1,200 stations. Clear Channel stands to broaden its control of media outlets at the expense of alternative press voices like Media Alliance, sponsors of the rally. 5 p.m., KMEL-FM, 340 Townsend, S.F. (415) 546-6334 or (415) 546-6491.

Activists and Mumia

Friday, May 30, poet-activists Wanda Sabir, Frances Hillyard, and Adam David Miller share their experiences along with an update on the case of Mumia Abu-Jamal at the event "So How Did You Become an Activist, and What Now?" This benefit for the Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists' Social Justice Committee also features improvisational music by Gael Alcock and singers Alex and Harriet Bagwell. 7-9 p.m., Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists, 1924 Cedar, Berk. $5 donation. (510) 526-4402.

Future of journalism at KPFA and Pacifica

Saturday, May 31, KPFA-FM's new general manager, Gus Newport, former mayor of Berkeley, presents his vision of the future for Pacifica Radio, specifically KPFA. Joining Newport are Eva Georgia, manager of Pacifica's KPFK-FM in Los Angeles, and veteran KPFA journalist Mitch Jeserich. This event is sponsored by the Media Studies M.A. Program at New College of California in conjunction with Pacifica Radio's national seminar "Rethinking the News." 7:30 p.m., New College Theater, 777 Valencia, S.F. $45 donation. (415) 437-3425.

Mideast panel discussion

Saturday, May 31, join Dennis Bernstein of KPFA-FM, Dr. Hatem Bazian of Center for Middle East Studies at UC Berkeley, Penny Rosenwasser of Middle East Children's Alliance, and others for the panel "ISM at the Crossroads," a discussion on the political and strategic implications of the International Solidarity Movement's work. 1:30 p.m., Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists, 1924 Cedar, Berk. $10-$20 donation, no one turned away for lack of funds. (510) 236-4250.

Protest Ford Motor Company

Saturday, May 31, take the antiwar slogan "No Blood for Oil" to a new level by protesting Ford Motor Co., which is celebrating its 100th anniversary in June. The reliance on oil played a central role in the U.S war on Iraq. Demand that Ford kick the petroleum habit and increase the fuel efficiency of its cars at this protest sponsored by Global Exchange. Noon, Ford Dealership, Market at Dolores, S.F. (415) 558-9490 or (415) 398-4404.

Schools Not Jails hip-hop concert

Saturday, May 31, enjoy live performances by JT the Bigga Figga, Company of Prophets, Kiwi, MIA, Mandela Arts Center Youth Performers, Aztec and Polynesian dancers, breakdancers, and others at this event sponsored by Students Supporting Students of City College of San Francisco and Schools Not Jails. Noon-5 p.m., McLaren Park Ampitheater, John Shelley Dr. at Mansell, S.F. Free. (415) 239-3660.

Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence fundraiser

Saturday, May 31, Sister Betty Does of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence launches her Road Trip 2003, a fundraiser for the Sisters' Economic and Social Justice Scholarship Fund and the American Friends Service Committee, at a bon voyage breakfast. Supporters are asked to pledge a penny-per-mile for Betty's cross-country trip in a Mini Cooper. Attend the breakfast or pledge online at www.sisterbetty.org/roadtrip/. 8 a.m., 195 Collingwood, S.F. Donations requested. (415) 503-1556.

Teach-in to stop Bechtel

Sunday, June 1, Bechtel Corp.'s $680 million contract to rebuild Iraq's water and sewer systems after the U.S. invasion raises questions on the bidding process and the rest of the international community's involvement in postwar Iraq. Attend this teach-in, sponsored by Direct Action to Stop the War and Forum Committee of the Unitarian Universalist Church, to kick off four days of action against Bechtel and other corporations profiting from the war on Iraq. For more information go to Direct Action to Stop the War's Web site, www.actagainstwar.org. 7 p.m., Unitarian Universalist Church, 1187 Franklin, S.F. (415) 776-4580.