Sustainable-commerce forum

Wednesday, Dec. 3, the World Affairs Council presents "Business Forum on Sustainable Global Commerce," hosted by Tom Weidemeyer, chief operating officer of UPS. The panel explores business alternatives that will provide inspiration to both activists and people in the corporate world. 6 p.m., Hilton San Francisco, 333 O'Farrell, S.F. $30, $12 students. (415) 293-4600.

Hallinan's '39th' birthday

Wednesday, Dec. 3, celebrate District Attorney Terence Hallinan's (ahem) 39th birthday at "Party to the Max," sponsored by the Committee to Re-Elect Terence Hallinan DA 2004. Refreshments will be served, and special guests include Aqua Velvet, Heidi Fleiss, Extra Action Marching Band, and others. 8 p.m.-midnight, Cafe Cocomo, 650 Indiana, S.F. $100, $250, $500, or $750 donation. (415) 567-8934.

'Afghanistan Unveiled'

Thursday, Dec. 4, the Asia Foundation presents "Afghanistan Unveiled," a documentary about the lives of Afghani women under the Taliban and after the collapse of the regime. The 14 women who made the film were the first female journalists ever to be trained in digital media in Afghanistan. 7 p.m., Zeum, 221 Fourth St., S.F. Limited seating, free with reservation. (415) 743-3347.

'Favelas' and globalization

Thursday, Dec. 4, Brazilian filmmakers Daniela Broitman and Fernando Salis present their documentary Voices from the Edge: The Favela Goes to the World Social Forum. The film depicts the efforts of community leaders from the favelas, or slums, outside Rio de Janeiro to participate in the World Social Forum, an international meeting to discuss social justice. The cast of characters includes Brazilian president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, linguist Noam Chomsky, and Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez. 7:30 p.m., La Peña Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck, Berk. $12-$18 requested donation to fund distribution of the film. (510) 849-2568.

Political comix

Thursday, Dec. 4, award-winning comic book artist-journalist Joe Sacco (Palestine, Notes from a Defeatist) reads from his new book, The Fixer. The book, a cross between a graphic novel and a journalistic dispatch, tells of how in states of war, people known as "fixers" carve out a living by selling their stories to foreign journalists. The tragedy and moral outrage that make headlines in Western newspapers, Sacco shows, are often bought with Levi's jeans and cartons of cigarettes. 7:30 p.m., Modern Times Bookstore, 888 Valencia, S.F. Free. (415) 282-9246.

The Patriot Acts

Friday, Dec. 5, American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California field organizer Sanjeev Bery discusses the implications of the Patriot Acts for Americans' constitutional freedoms at "The Patriot Acts and Civil Liberties: An ACLU Response." While prisoners at Guantanamo Bay are being denied trial in court and incarcerated without counsel, the Bush administration maintains that U.S. citizens need to trade some of their freedoms for national security. This forum addresses what citizens can do to protect civil liberties. 7-9:30 p.m., Rising Hope Church, 3005 Van Buren, Alameda. Call for price. (510) 523-6525.

Iraq forum

Friday, Dec. 5, Bay Area United for Peace and Justice sponsors a forum called "Alternatives to Occupation in Iraq." More than six months after the "official" end of the war, U.S. troops in Iraq continue to face dozens of guerrilla attacks each day, and Iraqis still have no control over their government or resources. Is this costly occupation really the best solution? The forum attempts to answer this question through presentations and discussions with military and human rights experts. Featured speakers include Col. Dan Smith, senior fellow on military affairs at the Friends Committee on National Legislation, and Dr. Ayad Al-Qazzaz, Iraqi professor of sociology at California State University, Sacramento. 7 p.m., Veterans Building, 401 Van Ness, second floor, S.F. $5-$15 sliding scale (no one turned away for lack of funds). (415) 575-5552.

Restricted freedoms

Saturday, Dec. 6, radical activist and writer Clark Kissinger presents "Defending the Rights of the People in the Age of Ashcroft," a discussion about the restrictions on and roundups of Arab, Muslim, and South Asian immigrants since 9/11. Kissinger, who was national secretary of Students for a Democratic Society in the '60s, addresses the recent restrictions on dissent, the erosion of civil liberties, and increased government surveillance. The event is sponsored by Refuse and Resist!. 7 p.m., First Congregational Church of Oakland, 2501 Harrison, Oakl. Call for price. (510) 704-5293.

Progressives go posh

Saturday, Dec. 6, Progressives United for Gonzalez join with Anon Salon and Sups. Aaron Peskin and Chris Daly to host a swanky shindig in a Pacific Heights penthouse – the heart of Gavin Newsom territory – to benefit Matt Gonzalez's mayoral campaign. With catering by Miss P. Segel (formerly of Caffe Proust), music by the Steven Andrew Kacsmar Band, guitarist Spencer Southerland, and the Pine Box Boys, and appearances by Gonzalez and surprise celebrity guests, the event promises to rival anything Newsom's camp is serving up. 6-9 p.m., 3220 Building, 3220 Sacramento, S.F. $20 minimum donation. (415) 252-7459.

Reading for Middle East peace

Tuesday, Dec. 9, Rabbi Michael Lerner, editor of Tikkun magazine, reads from his new book, Healing Israel/Palestine. Addressing historical, philosophical, and political questions about the Middle East conflict, Lerner's book is a good resource for people interested in promoting peace and justice in the region – whether by organizing or simply discussing. The book offers a "progressive middle path" toward justice for both Israelis and Palestinians, opposing all forms of war and terrorism. Lerner's analysis is firmly rooted in spiritual values. 7:30 p.m., Modern Times Bookstore, 888 Valencia, S.F. Free. (415) 282-9246.