Protect housing in Oakland

Wednesday, Jan. 7, join a group of voters who will sign up to speak at the Planning Commission meeting in opposition to unlimited condominium conversions in Oakland. Under current laws, apartment buildings cannot be converted to condos until new rental units become available; a proposed amendment would eliminate regulation of condo conversions, making it impossible to secure renters' rights in the city. 6:15 p.m., Oakland City Hall, 1 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Hearing Room 1, Oakl. (510) 763-1085.

Environmental meeting

Thursday, Jan. 8, attend the Community Environmental Advisory Commission's regular meeting for the Planning and Development Department of Berkeley. This month's meeting focuses on a discussion of air quality warning signs at the Harrison Field in West Berkeley. 7 p.m., Planning and Development Department, First-Floor Conference Room, 2118 Milvia, Berk. (510) 981-7460.

Grassroots journalist speaks

Thursday, Jan. 8, author and journalist Eesha Williams discusses his book Grassroots Journalism: A Practical Manual for Doing the Kind of Newswriting That Doesn't Just Get People Angry, but Active – That Doesn't Just Inform, but Inspires (Apex Press), which has received praise from Ralph Nader and the Columbia Journalism Review, among others. 7 p.m., New College Theater, 777 Valencia, S.F. Free. (415) 437-3425.

Neighborhood council meeting

Thursday, Jan. 8, voice your opinion at the Haight Ashbury Neighborhood Council's monthly meeting. Bay Guardian executive editor Ted Redmond and HANC board member Calvin Welch lead a panel on the San Francisco mayoral runoff election. 7-9 p.m., San Francisco Public Library, Park Branch, 1833 Page, S.F. Free. (415) 355-5656, www.hanc-sf.org.

Public works meeting

Thursday, Jan. 8, attend a meeting of Berkeley's Public Works Commission. On the agenda this time is a staff presentation on Public Works Department funding and a discussion of changing commission priorities based on the current city budget crisis. 7 p.m., North Berkeley Senior Center, 1901 Hearst, Berk. (510) 981-5200.

Stop Starbucks

Thursday, Jan. 8, the San Francisco Planning Commission holds a public hearing to determine whether to allow a proposed new Starbucks to open in the Sunset District. 1:30 p.m, City Hall, Room 263, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, S.F. (415) 558-6377.

Economic forecast

Friday, Jan. 9, Paul Erdman, a well-known economist and financial market observer, gives his forecast for the economic future at this Commonwealth Club of California event. Luncheon 11:45 a.m., program 12:30 p.m., Hyatt Regency, 5 Embarcadero Center, S.F. $60, $40 members. (415) 597-6705 (reservations).

Edward Said memorial

Friday, Jan. 9, the Arab Cultural and Community Center hosts a memorial to remember and honor Dr. Edward Said, an acclaimed literary critic, a professor of English and comparative literature at Columbia University, and an inspirational leader of the Palestinian movement for freedom. 7:30 p.m., Arab Cultural and Community Center, 2 Plaza, S.F. Free. (415) 664-2200.

Antiwar assembly

Saturday, Jan. 10, join Direct Action to Stop the War in its 2004 assembly and help do everything possible to end the occupation of Iraq. Take stock of the past year and share your vision with other Bay Area activists. 11 a.m.-5 p.m., St. Boniface Church, 133 Golden Gate, S.F. www.actagainstwar.org.

Celebrate the dream

Saturday, Jan. 10, the city of Oakland kicks off a monthlong series of events in honor of the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who would have been 75 years old this month. Dr. King's son, Martin Luther King III, who has worked with the Center for Nonviolent Social Change and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, delivers the keynote speech. In addition to music, dance, and spoken word by local performers, Oakland youth read excerpts from the civil rights activist's speeches. 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Oakland City Hall, Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Oakl. Free. (510) 444-CITY, www.oaklandnet.com/celebrations.

Free-trade forum

Saturday, Jan. 10, come to a discussion on free-trade agreements such as the Central American Free Trade Agreement, which was recently finalized between the United States and four Central American countries but has yet to be ratified by Congress. The Frente Farabundo Martí para la Liberación Nacional holds a panel discussion after screening a short documentary, "Uprooted: Refugees of the Global Economy." 2-5 p.m., Center for Political Education, 522 Valencia, S.F. Free. (415) 420-4203, www.fmln.org.sv.

Media training

Saturday, Jan. 10, help shape media coverage of Colombia and the effects of U.S. military aid at this workshop featuring Rosi Reyes from the SPIN Project, media studies professor Mario Murillo, and media critic Phillip Cryan. 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., California Institute for Integral Studies, 1453 Mission, Ste. 305, S.F. $20 (no one turned away for lack of funds). (415) 495-6334.

Town hall meeting

Saturday, Jan. 10, District 10 supervisor Sophie Maxwell leads a town hall meeting on public safety, traffic, Muni, clean streets, and other important issues. Representatives from the San Francisco Police Department, the Recreation and Park Department, the Department of Parking and Traffic, the Department of Public Health, the Housing Authority, and other city departments answer questions. 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., Southeast Community Facility, Alex Pitcher Room, 1800 Oakdale, S.F. (415) 554-7670.

Storyteller training

Monday, Jan. 12, through Saturday, Jan. 31, learn the art of storytelling and help improve Oakland's literacy. Professional storyteller Gay Ducey leads a volunteer-training program. Volunteers must attend all seven sessions. Jan. 12-28, 6-8:30 p.m.; Jan. 31, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Oakland Public Library, Rockridge Branch, 5366 College, Oakl. (510) 238-7453.

Writing volunteer orientation

Tuesday, Jan. 13, attend a volunteer orientation for Streetside Stories, a nonprofit arts education organization that uses storytelling, creative writing, and theatrical improvisation to help San Francisco public middle school students develop their reading, writing, and speaking skills. Go to www.streetside.org/volunteer.html for an application form. 6-7:30 p.m., Streetside Stories, 285 Ninth St., S.F. (415) 864-5221.

Land-use planning

Monday, Jan. 12, come to an informational hearing held by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors' Land Use Committee on developing a "public benefit zoning" policy for the city, which would require developers to provide affordable housing, money for open space, and other projects in exchange for the right to build taller, denser buildings than the law allows. 1 p.m., City Hall, Room 263, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, S.F. (415) 554-4445.

Become an activist

Tuesday, Jan. 13, Mission for Peace holds its next meeting to discuss world events and how to organize to stop U.S. wars, end the occupation of Iraq, and defend civil liberties. 7-9 p.m., New College of California, Art Room, 741 Valencia, S.F. (415) 437-3400.