Sunshine law review

Wednesday, Oct. 15, today's hearing is the first of four by the San Francisco Sunshine Ordinance Task Force Compliance and Amendments Committee intended to gather public input to improve the city's open-meetings and public records laws. 7:30 p.m., Bayview Opera House, 4705 Third St., S.F. Free. (415) 554-7724.

D.A. candidates on drugs and civil liberties

Thursday, Oct. 16, the San Francisco Late Night Coalition sponsors "The RAVE Act: The War on Drugs and Civil Liberties in San Francisco," a forum with district attorney candidates Terence Hallinan, Bill Fazio, and Kamala Harris. The SFLNC was instrumental in the creation of the Entertainment Commission, which works closely with the District Attorney's Office. 7-10 p.m., SomArts Gallery, 934 Brannan, S.F. Free. (415) 820-3256.

'Is America an Empire?'

Thursday, Oct. 16, Niall Ferguson, author of Empire: The Rise and Demise of the British World Order and the Lessons for Global Power, discusses the global impact of recent actions by the United States in his presentation, "Is America an Empire? Should It Be One?" 5:45-7 p.m., University of San Francisco, Lone Mountain Campus, 2800 Turk, S.F. Free. (415) 422-6357.

Bayview-Hunters Point mayoral forum

Friday, Oct. 17, candidates for mayor discuss issues at a Bayview-Hunters Point forum sponsored by the Southeast Youth Consortium. 6-9 p.m., Southeast Community College, Alex Pitcher Community Room, 1800 Oakdale, S.F. Free. (415) 826-8624.

'Musicians for Matt Gonzalez'

Friday, Oct. 17, local musicians Julie Dillon and Renee Padgett present live music and art in a benefit for Board of Supervisors president Matt Gonzalez's mayoral candidacy. 8 p.m.-midnight, Club Waziema, 543 Divisadero, S.F. Donations requested. (415) 613-7164.

'The ADL, Anti-Semitism, Zionism and Israel'

Saturday, Oct. 18, and Sunday, Oct. 19, on Saturday the Middle East Radio Project presents "The ADL, Anti-Semitism, Zionism and Israel," a discussion led by Lenni Brenner, author of Zionism in the Age of Dictators. On Sunday the MERP and Students for Justice in Palestine present Brenner, joined by CounterPunch editor Alexander Cockburn and authors Jeffrey Blankfort and Scott Handleman. Sat/18, 7:30 p.m., 522 Valencia, S.F. $5 donation. (510) 287-5869. Sun/19, 7 p.m., UC Berkeley, Dwinelle Hall, Room 145, Oxford at University, Berk. $5-$10 donation. (415) 255-9182.

Barsamian on Said

Saturday, Oct. 18, David Barsamian, founder and director of Alternative Radio, discusses his latest book, Culture and Resistance: Conversations with Edward W. Said. Said, an internationally renowned Palestinian activist and intellectual, passed away recently. Barsamian also talks about the current U.S. occupation of Iraq in relation to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. 2 p.m., 110 Capp, S.F. Free. (415) 336-5034.

Green Aid benefit

Saturday, Oct. 18, help Green Aid celebrate and honor Ed Rosenthal, the Oakland medical marijuana activist. The event, a benefit for Green Aid and for Rosenthal's legal defense, features live music, dance, food, and an open bar. 8 p.m.-midnight, SomArts Cultural Center, 934 Brannan, S.F. $75. (415) 753-6602.

Tenderloin transportation workshop

Saturday, Oct. 18, help determine investment strategies for $10 billion in transportation funding at a workshop sponsored by the Tenderloin Neighborhood Development Corp., the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition, and the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, which will put together the final proposal in the "Transportation 2030 Plan." 11 a.m.-12:45 p.m., 201 Turk, S.F. Free. (415) 358-3956.

'Matt Gonzalez for Mayor Jazz and Blues Revue'

Sunday, Oct. 19, Lavay Smith and Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers join other local blues and jazz musicians to raise money for Matt Gonzalez's mayoral bid. Also on the bill are Miss Carmen Gettit, Kim Nalley, and Denise Perrier. 9 p.m., Cafe du Nord, 2160 Market, S.F. $20 donation. (415) 861-5016.

Japanese constitution and peace

Monday, Oct. 20, experts on Japanese politics and history discuss the issues behind amending Article Nine of the Japanese constitution, which limits Japan's ability to use force to settle international disputes. With North Korea almost certainly obtaining nuclear weapons, does Japan need to reexamine its constitution, as written by U.S. occupation forces? 5:45 p.m., University of San Francisco, Lone Mountain Campus, 2800 Turk, S.F. Free. (415) 422-6357.

Colombian rights benefit

Tuesday, Oct. 21, celebrate indigenous Colombians' rights and culture at this fundraiser for U'wa youth. The event features music and dance, as well as films and a report-back by activists from Colombia. 7-9 p.m., La Peña Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck, Berk. $5-$20 donation. (510) 849-2568.

Mayor Tom Ammiano?

Wednesday, Oct. 22, join the Tom Ammiano for Mayor campaign for a previctory celebration. The official vote won't come in until Nov. 7, but Ammiano's campaign wants to celebrate whom it thinks will be San Francisco's next mayor. 6-8 p.m., San Francisco Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Community Center, fourth floor, 1800 Market, S.F. Donation requested. (415) 665-5417.

Stop police brutality

Wednesday, Oct. 22, wear black for a march and rally for the eighth national Day of Protest to Stop Police Brutality, Repression, and the Criminalization of a Generation. The event is sponsored by the October 22 Coalition, the Idriss Stelley Foundation, and Bay Area PoliceWatch. Meet at 24th and Mission Sts. 3 p.m., march to City Hall 4 p.m., rally at City Hall 5:30 p.m., 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, S.F. (415) 864-5153.