Iraqi oil here?

Anytime, ChevronTexaco is shipping Iraqi oil to its refinery in Richmond. Stay informed about short-notice direct actions at www.actagainstwar.org, organized by Direct Action to Stop the War to bring national attention to war profiteering by the oil conglomerate. Organizers are also planning an action at the Richmond refinery Sept. 9 (details will be available in next week's issue).

Berkeley civil rights anniversary

Thursday, Aug. 21, Berkeley residents who were present at the original civil rights march in Washington, D.C., with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. are asked to reaffirm their commitment to civil rights, while those who weren't in attendance are invited to take the pledge for the first time. 7 p.m., Berkeley City Hall, 2180 Milvia, Berk. (510) 981-7170.

District Three mayoral forum

Thursday, Aug. 28, confirmed mayoral candidates Tom Ammiano, Angela Alioto, and Susan Leal appear courtesy of the District 3 Democratic Club. Candidates field questions at this event open to the public. 7 p.m., Shrine of Saint Francis of Assisi Auditorium, 610 Vallejo, S.F. Free. (415) 928-4044.

MLK and civil rights celebration

Thursday, Aug. 21, celebrate the 40th anniversary of the national civil rights march in Washington, D.C., best remembered for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech. Local actor and activist Danny Glover is on hand along with the St. Benedict's Gospel Choir and Dr. Clayborne Carson, who presents "Martin Luther King on War, Peace, and Justice." Also, those present at the original 1963 march are invited to a pre-event reception from 6 to 7:15 p.m. 7:30-9 p.m., Lakeshore Avenue Baptist Church, 3534 Lakeshore, Oakl. Free. (510) 383-1067.

Women in business

Thursday, Aug. 28, The San Francisco and Silicon Valley Black Chambers of Commerce present the Inforum program "Women in Business: Lessons Learned." The panel discussion, featuring businesswomen from the technology, media, travel, and financial industries, highlights the truths and myths of female role models in corporate America. Reception 6 p.m., program 6:30 p.m., Commonwealth Club of California, 595 Market, second floor, S.F. $18, $10 for club and chambers members. (415) 597-6705 or (415) 597-6706.

'Black August'

Saturday, Aug. 30, enjoy live music and guest speakers at a multicultural event honoring African leaders who risked their lives in slave revolts, prison rebellions, and liberation struggles, in particular those involved in Haiti's war for independence from 1791 until 1804. Even with its independence, Haiti continues to suffer economic hardships largely due to U.S. and European actions. Donate school supplies to Black August's Haitian literacy campaign. 6-11 p.m., Berkeley Community Theater, 1930 Allston, Berk. $10, $5 for children. (415) 391-3844.

Save the buffalo

Saturday, Aug. 30, join author Ernest Callenbach and activists from the Buffalo Field Campaign and hear about the latest efforts to protect the country's last wild, free-range buffalo pack in Yellowstone National Park. The campaign is trying to save the buffalo under the Endangered Species Act; the state of Montana has killed 3,500 buffalo since 1985. Callenbach is the author of the 1996 book Bring Back the Buffalo! A Sustainable Future for the Great Plains. 7-9 p.m., Ecology Center, 2530 San Pablo, Berk. Free. (510) 548-2220, ext. 233.

Environmental vaudeville

Saturday, Aug. 30, through Monday, Sept. 1, bring the family to Golden Gate Park's Sharon Meadow for three days of juggling, music, singing, comedy, and acrobatic displays at EarthCapades Environmental Vaudeville's "A Waste Reduction Production." The production is part of the 19th annual "A la Carte, a la Park," a benefit for the Friends of Recreation and Parks with food, beverages, and entertainment. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. daily, Golden Gate Park, Sharon Meadow, S.F. $12, $10 in advance at www.inhousetickets.com or (415) 478-2277. (415) 458-1988.

Labor Day festival

Monday, Sept. 1, local musicians Holly Near, Linda Tillery, the Labor Rockin' Solidarity Chorus, and others join storyteller Utah Phillips to honor San Francisco's legendary labor movement at this Labor Day event. Also, face painting, balloon art, and the Sun and Moon Puppet Ensemble are available for kids. 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Yerba Buena Gardens, 701 Mission, S.F. Free. (415) 543-1718.

WTO and free trade

Tuesday, Sept. 2, attend the panel discussion "From Seattle to Cancún: Resistance to 'Free Trade' Is Growing ..." in preparation for the World Trade Organization's September summit in Cancún. The discussion, featuring international activists, focuses on how free trade affects low-income people in the United States and abroad. Also, the evening serves as the launch of Food First's new book, Shafted: Free Trade and America's Working Poor. 7-9 p.m., New College Theater, 777 Valencia, S.F. Donations accepted. (510) 654-4400, ext. 229.

Digital storytelling

Wednesday, Sept. 3, Jane Stevens, a recognized national leader in multimedia journalism and lecturer at UC Berkeley's Graduate School of Journalism, discusses the newest advances in technology and how to take advantage of them to intertwine text, audio, and video to give readers more interactive and exciting points of entry into the story. 7:30 p.m., UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism Library, Hearst at Euclid, Berk. Free. (925) 674-1520.

Mail items for Alerts to the Bay Guardian Building, 135 Mississippi St., S.F., CA 94107; fax to (415) 255-8762; or e-mail corbett@sfbg.com. Please include a contact telephone number. Items must be received at least one week prior to publication date. Call (415) 255-3100, ext. 573, for more information. For more events, see the Benefits listings in the Calendar section.