Conscientious objector benefit dinner

Wednesday, July 30, Stephen Funk, a Bay Area native and U.S. marine lance corporal, faces a court-martial in New Orleans for claiming conscientious objector status during the war in Iraq. Join other peace activists and renowned Gulf War I refusenik Jeff Paterson at a benefit dinner for Funk's legal fees hosted by the Not in Our Name Project. 6:30-9 p.m., Berkeley Unitarian Universalists Fellowship Hall, 1924 Cedar, Berk. Donations accepted. (510) 444-6466.

Al-Jazeera and world news

Thursday, July 31, Mohammed El-Nawawy, professor of journalism at Stonehill College, and Adel Iskander, professor of communications at the University of Kentucky, discuss their book Al Jazeera: How the Free Arab News Network Scooped the World and Changed the Middle East. The authors examine the rise of Al-Jazeera in the world of international news since the Sept. 11 attacks as well as the implications for news broadcasting in the Middle East. Also, during the program Al-Jazeera video footage of Osama bin Laden will be shown. 6 p.m., World Affairs Council of Northern California, 312 Sutter, Suite 200, S.F. $12, $7 for members, $5 for students. (415) 293-4600.

'Making Media, Making Change'

Friday, Aug. 1, the Bay Area chapter of Action Coalition for Media Education presents "Making Media, Making Change," a salon for local independent media makers. Find out the latest on the Federal Communications Commission deregulation and how activists are challenging corporate media consolidation. 7-10 p.m., 3220 Sacramento, S.F. Free. (415) 563-3817.

Women's community fair

Saturday, Aug. 2, the Women's Resource Fair, sponsored by the San Francisco Women's Building, connects women and their families with information concerning health care, economic empowerment, and career development. There will be more than 40 exhibitors on hand as well as workshops on such topics as starting a small business and alternative health practices. For a list of organizations participating in the fair and a schedule of events, contact the Community Resource Room at the number below. Child care will be provided. 10 a.m.-3 p.m., San Francisco Women's Building, 3543 18th St., S.F. Free. (415) 431-1180, ext. 11.

Forgiveness Day

Sunday, Aug. 3, celebrate Forgiveness Day (the first Sunday of August), begun by Mill Valley attorney Robert W. Plath in 1996, as Mayor Willie Brown presents the Hero of Forgiveness Award to Rick Walker, who was recently released after spending 12 years in prison for a murder he did not commit. Other award winners join Walker, Brown, and members of Plath's organization, the Worldwide Forgiveness Alliance, for a day of reggae, gospel, and choir music. 1-5 p.m., Golden Gate Park Bandshell, S.F. Free. (415) 381-3372.

War-tax resistance

Sunday, Aug. 3, attend the monthly potluck dinner of the Northern California War Tax Resisters. Find out more about this form of conscientious objection aimed at keeping your tax dollars away from the U.S. military machine. Learn about creative legal protests, ways to redirect your tax dollars, and possible consequences. 4-6 p.m., 234 Sanchez, S.F. Free. (510) 843-9877.

'Back to School with Healthy Kids'

Saturday, Aug. 2, and Sunday, Aug. 3, Oakland's Assemblymember Wilma Chan hosts "Back to School with Healthy Kids," at select East Bay farmers markets and community events. The Chan van, Chan's mobile district office, passes out information on children's health, from nutrition to affordable insurance, as well as other local legislative issues. Free Frisbees and tote bags are available. Sat/2, 10 a.m.-noon, Grand Lake Farmers Market, Lake at Grand, Oakl. Sun/3, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Park Street Wine and Art Faire, Park at Central, Alameda. Free. (510) 286-1670.

I-Hotel documentary and vigil

Sunday, Aug. 3, and Monday, Aug. 4, on Sunday view a screening of Curtis Choy's classic documentary Fall of the I-Hotel, sponsored by the Manilatown Heritage Foundation, followed by a panel discussion on the struggle of the tenants evicted from the historic building Aug. 4, 1977, and a multimedia presentation of the plans for the new Manilatown Center. On Monday gather for a candlelight vigil for the displaced tenants and those who've suffered similar situations. Sun/3, 1 p.m., San Francisco Public Library, Main Branch, Koret Auditorium, 100 Larkin, S.F. Free. Mon/4, 10 a.m.-10 p.m., Columbus at Washington, S.F. (415) 777-1130, www.manilatown.org.

District Three town hall meeting

Monday, Aug. 4, Sup. Aaron Peskin gathers his constituents for a District Three town hall meeting, offering citizens a chance to voice concerns on issues ranging from parking and traffic to construction to clean streets. Also in attendance are representatives from the San Francisco Police Department, the San Francisco Fire Department, the Department of Public Works, Muni, the Parks and Recreation Department, the Department of Public Health, and the Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Services. 6-8 p.m., Pier One, Bayside Conference Room, S.F. Free. (415) 554-7453.

Benefit play for KPFA and Amnesty International

Monday, Aug. 4, and Tuesday, Aug. 5, The Inkwell Communiqués, written by Ignis Fatuus and staged by Randall Stuart, is based on the true story of a man who spent years voicing dissent, writing letters, withholding taxes, and doing other acts of noncompliance. The two-night engagement, the second in the "Art Is Peace" series of Upon These Boards, is a fundraiser for Amnesty International and local radio station KPFA. Reservations are strongly advised at www.frantix.net. 7:30 p.m., Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Thrust Stage, 2025 Addison, Berk. $20 donation. (415) 621-1216 or (866) 372-6849.

'Life and Debt'

Tuesday, Aug. 5, the film Life and Debt examines the detrimental effects of the World Trade Organization, the International Monetary Fund, and the World Bank on free trade and foreign debt for Jamaicans. The film is followed by a discussion featuring guest speakers from a recent Global Exchange-sponsored tour of Jamaica and members of the local Jamaican community. 7 p.m., New College Theater, 777 Valencia, S.F. Donations accepted. (415) 575-5529.

Food Not Bombs: Then and now

Wednesday, Aug. 6, Food Not Bombs cofounder Keith McHenry discusses the history of the legendary group and its relation to the current peace movement. McHenry, coauthor of the book Food Not Bombs: How to Feed the Hungry and Build Community, started FNB with seven friends in Boston before moving to San Francisco. He has been arrested more than 100 times and has spent 500-plus nights in jail for serving free food to the needy. In 1995 Amnesty International and the United Nations Human Rights Commission worked for his release when he was facing a 25-year-to-life sentence under the Three Strikes law. 8:30 p.m., Brainwash Cafe, 1126 Folsom, S.F. Free. (800) 884-1136.