Deliver Christmas meals

Wednesday, Dec. 24, get in the spirit this year by volunteering to deliver and serve Christmas meals to homebound and hungry people. San Francisco Rescue Mission delivers Christmas groceries in the Tenderloin and serves hot meals outdoors in two neighborhood locations. Parents with kids will also get toys. Volunteers should call and preregister. Check-in 8:30 a.m., street party 10 a.m.-1 p.m.. Meet at Jones between Ellis and Eddy or at Boeddeker Park, Jones and Eddy, S.F. (415) 292-1770.

Postcards for Alaskan wolves

Sunday, Dec. 28, between Christmas and New Year's, Friends of Animals will be holding a number of "Howl-In" events in protest of the state-sponsored aerial wolf-shooting program in Alaska. The animal rights organization will have postcards for the public to sign addressed "Special Delivery for Governor Frank Murkowski, Alaska." The message pledges that the sender will boycott travel to Alaska until the state cancels its wolf population-control program. 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Union Square, Powell between Geary and Post, S.F. bill@friendsofanimals.org.

Picket the Public Utilities Commission

Monday, Dec. 29, join the Coalition for Justice and Human Rights, PUC-S.F. Stop Covering Up Racism, and other groups in a protest against the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission's Hunter's Point-Bayview S.E. pollution control plant. International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 39, members Leticia Brown and Carmi Johnson and International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers, Local 21, member Anita Labossiere have all testified at SFPUC board meetings about racism in the workplace. Meanwhile, managers at the plant are calling for the privatization of the SFPUC system. 4:30 p.m., City Hall steps, Polk St. entrance, S.F. (415) 867-0628, a_labossiere1@yahoo.com, carltv214@aol.com.

Marxist and poststructuralist theory

Tuesday, Dec. 30, enhance your understanding of Marxism and poststructuralism by attending author Jason Read's discussion of his book The Micro Politics of Capital, Marx and the Prehistory of the Present (SUNY Press). Reed is assistant professor of philosophy at the University of Southern Maine. Niebyl-Proctor Marxist Library, 6501 Telegraph, Oakl. Free. (510) 595-7417, www.marxistlibr.org.

Dance, dance, revolution

Wednesday, Dec. 31, this event has a beat, so it must be taking a cue from Emma Goldman. A benefit for Direct Action to Stop the War, "Dance Down the Empire" offers "words to inspire, music to make you perspire," which translates to spoken word, Afro-Cuban funk grooves, guerrilla art, and veggie hors d'oeuvres. 8 p.m., El Rio, 3158 Mission, S.F. $20-$50 sliding scale (no one turned away for lack of funds). (415) 282-3325.

Keep blues music in the schools

Wednesday, Dec. 31, grab your sweetie and get a room at the Marriott in Livermore this New Year's Eve. The Bay Area Blues Society and the Courtyard by Marriott-Livermore holds a "Tri-Valley New Year's Eve Bash." The Oakland-based organization presents this fundraiser in support of blues history curricula in schools. Music is performed by the Bay Area Blues Society and Caravan of Allstars, and DJs spin blues, R&B, Motown, and '50s doo-wop. Attend just the party or pay extra and spend the night. 9 p.m., Courtyard by Marriott-Livermore, 2929 Constitution Dr., Livermore. $100 couples ($150 room included), $65 singles. (925) 243-1000.

Zapatista uprising anniversary party

Wednesday, Dec. 31, join a global celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Zapatista uprising and the 20th birthday of the EZLN. The Chiapas Support Committee and Rebel Magazine celebrate with live music and dancing, featuring rock en español group Orixa, Cumbias Bodhi Busick Band, Latin folk rock from Son de la Tierra, and traditional son jarocho from Veracruz, plus Aztec dancers and spoken word. All proceeds benefit the committee's sister Zapatista county, San Manuel, Mexico. 8:30 p.m., Humanist Hall, 390 27th St., Oakl. $15. (510) 654-9587, cezmat@igc.org, www.chiapas-support.org.

Donate food

Ongoing, donate nonperishable food to the San Francisco Food Bank or call to find out which local supermarkets are also collecting donations. San Francisco Food Bank, 900 Pennsylvania, S.F. (415) 282-1900.

Fight naughty with naughty

Ongoing, in honor of its winning the Sweatshop Retailer of the Year award, for the second time in a row, 'tis the season for filling Wal-Mart's inbox with a little Christmas un-cheer. Go to the Send Coal to Wal-Mart Web site and order a lump of coal online to be sent to the retail giant. The sponsors of this idea, Maquila Solidarity Network, have set up the process in such a way that you can include a personalized note. www.sendcoaltowalmart.com.