by corbett miller

Conscientious objector rally

Thursday, Sept. 4, attend a rally in support of Stephen Funk, the gay Filipino Marine Corps service member facing a court martial in New Orleans for being a conscientious objector to the war in Iraq. This rally for Funk, a native San Franciscan, is sponsored by Global Exchange, Not in Our Name, the Harvey Milk LGBT Democratic Club, and other groups. 5 p.m., Harvey Milk Plaza, Castro at Market, S.F. Free. (415) 255-7296.

Mayoral candidates forum

Thursday, Sept. 4, Coleman Advocates for Children and Youth sponsor a forum on children's issues with mayoral candidates Angela Alioto, Tom Ammiano, Susan Leal, Gavin Newsom, Matt Gonzalez, and Tony Ribera. Come hear their ideas for schools, health care, child care, parks, housing, and safety. 7-9 p.m., State Building, auditorium, 455 Golden Gate, S.F. Free. (415) 239-0161.

Protest FCC ownership rules

Thursday, Sept. 4, lend your voice to the struggle to reclaim U.S. airwaves at a protest on the day new Federal Communications Commission ownership rules go into effect. The rules, approved by the FCC June 2, allow even further media monopolization by a small group corporations. 5 p.m., KPIX-TV, KGO-TV, and Fox News Channel studios, 855 Battery, S.F. Free. (415) 575-5555.

Recall public forum

Thursday, Sept. 4, attend "The California Recall: A Public Forum," featuring prominent political consultants, former politicians, and law professors for a discussion covering the recall. Noon, Commonwealth Club, 595 Market, second floor, S.F. Free. (415) 597-6712 or (415) 597-6719.

Stop new Potrero power plants!

Thursday, Sept. 4, and Tuesday, Sept. 9, learn what you can do to hold the city accountable for locals' health and San Francisco's environment by attending these public workshops in response to the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission's plan to build three to four new power plants in Potrero Hill. Thurs/4, 12 p.m., San Francisco Main Library, Latino B Room, 100 Larkin, S.F. Tues/9, 6:30 p.m., Southeast Community Center, 1800 Oakdale, S.F. Free. (415) 550-7155.

Peace festival

Saturday, Sept. 6, the fifth annual 911 Power to the Peaceful Festival is here, featuring live music by Michael Franti and others, along with a social justice rally. 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Golden Gate Park, Speedway Meadow, S.F. Free. (415) 289-1285.

Tenant Convention II

Saturday, Sept. 6, this convention was organized by tenant groups to discuss ways to reform the city's Rent Board in response to the Board of Supervisors' March 29 rejection of a bid to place an elected Rent Board plan before S.F. voters. 11 a.m.-4 p.m., San Francisco Main Library, Koret Auditorium, 100 Larkin, S.F. Free. (415) 282-5525.

Police brutality meeting

Sunday, Sept. 7, prepare for the Oct. 22 National Day of Protest to Stop Police Brutality, Repression, and the Criminalization of a Generation at this group planning meeting. 3 p.m., Grassroots House, 2022 Blake, Berk. Free. (415) 864-5153.

Religious right and politics

Monday, Sept. 8, Barry W. Lynn, Americans United for Separation of Church and State executive director, presents a discussion titled "Religious Right: Radically Wrong." Lynn, an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ, offers his views on the role of religion in government, public policy, and civil liberties. In light of the 10 Commandments debacle in Alabama, Lynn's presentation is timely. 6 p.m., Commonwealth Club, 595 Market, second floor, S.F. $15, free for members. (415) 597-6712 or (415) 597-6719.

Another mayoral forum

Tuesday, Sept. 9, a number of neighborhood groups, including the Duboce Triangle, Hayes Valley, Buena Vista, Mt. Olympus, and Castro Area Neighborhood Associations, bring you tonight's mayoral candidate forum, featuring candidates giving statements as well as answering questions from the sponsoring organizations and public audience. 6:30-8:30 p.m., Davies Medical Center, North Tower, auditorium, Castro at Duboce, S.F. Free. (415) 431-2359.

And another mayoral forum

Wednesday, Sept. 10, the Neighborhood Parks Council, Friends of the Urban Forest, and San Francisco Beautiful present their own mayoral candidate forum for locals to get acquainted with this November's mayoral candidates and their positions on the issues. 5:30-8:15 p.m., Randall Museum Theater, 199 Museum Way, S.F. Free. (415) 621-3260.

Guerrilla video seminar

Wednesday, Sept. 10, get the skills you need to shoot a socially responsible documentary at the "Geopolitical Guerrilla Video Seminar." This three-hour session includes clips from "A Place Called Chiapas," "We're Not Stopping Traffic, We Are Traffic" and videos to help teach how to cover protests and other politically tense situations. 7-10 p.m., Bay Area Video Coalition, 2727 Mariposa, second floor, S.F. $30. (415) 861-3200.

Salvadoran documentary

Wednesday, September 10, the documentary "We Are Salvadorans!" explores the troubles and resilience of three survivors of the El Salvador civil war, followed by a discussion panel and a Q&A session with the filmmaker and community representatives. Children under 17 should be accompanied by an adult. 7:30 p.m., La Pena Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck, Berk. $5-$10 sliding scale donation. (510) 757-4208.