Cupid on wheels

Wednesday, Feb. 4, the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition is looking for cyclists to pass out invitations on Valencia, Market, and Fell Streets to the SFBC's annual Valentine's Day bash. To volunteer call (415) 431-BIKE, ext. 2. Party Feb. 13, 6-9 p.m., Cafe du Nord, 2170 Market, S.F. $7, free for members. (415) 861-5016.

Protest school closures

Wednesday, Feb. 4, Richmond and San Pablo community members lead a "Two-Mile March for Our Kids" to protest the proposed closure of four West Contra Costa schools. Meet 4:30 p.m., march 5 p.m., Downer Elementary School, 1777 Stanford, San Pablo. School board meeting 6:30 p.m., Dejean Middle School, 3400 MacDonald, Richmond. (510) 388-3587.

Rate Fairness Board meeting

Wednesday, Feb. 4, the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission's Rate Fairness Board meets. 10 a.m.-noon, City Hall, Room 421, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, S.F. (415) 554-1539.

Understanding defense policy

Wednesday, Feb. 4, the Commonwealth Club of California presents a discussion with filmmaker Errol Morris and former secretary of defense Robert McNamara. Morris's new film, The Fog of War, follows McNamara on an insider's journey through 20th-century U.S. history. Check-in 7 p.m., program 7:30 p.m., Zellerbach Hall, UC Berkeley, Bancroft at Telegraph, Berk. $10, $5 members. (415) 597-6705.

America's slick plans

Thursday, Feb. 5, Bay Area journalist Larry Everest discusses his new book, Oil, Power and Empire: Iraq and the U.S. Global Agenda. He is introduced by writer and activist Daniel Ellsberg. 7 p.m., St. Joseph the Worker Church, 1640 Addison, Berk. $15. (510) 548-0452, www.mecaforpeace.org.

Anticolonial film screening

Thursday, Feb. 5, the ANSWER Film Series presents Lumumba: Death of a Prophet, a feature-length documentary on one of the legendary figures of modern African politics. It traces the yearlong term of Zaire's first and only democratically elected prime minister. 7:30 p.m., Artists' Television Alliance, 992 Valencia, S.F. $5 donation. (415) 821-6545.

Labor-solidarity music

Thursday, Feb. 5, help locked-out and striking grocery workers in southern California by attending this benefit concert with musician Dave Rovics and sponsored by LaborFest, New College of California, and others. 7:30 p.m., New College of California, 777 Valencia, S.F. $10-$20 sliding scale. (415) 642-8066.

The truth about 9/11

Thursday, Feb. 5, the Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists hosts a discussion about 9/11 and the pretexts for the war on terror. Researchers Jim Hoffman and Don Paul argue that members of the U.S. government perpetrated the attacks on the twin towers and present physical evidence for their claim. Filmmaker Ken Jenkins screens "9/11 Perspective," which examines how conspiracy theories about Pearl Harbor and the JFK assassination relate to the war on terror. 7-10 p.m., Unitarian Universalist Church, 1924 Cedar, Berk. $5 (no one turned away for lack of funds). (510) 841-4824.

Philanthropy today

Friday, Feb. 6, the members of the Coro Fellows Program in Public Affairs present their findings on the state of philanthropy. The fellowship, a nine-month leadership-training program, gives students the opportunity to come up with innovative solutions to community problems. Check-in 11:30 a.m., program noon, Commonwealth Club of California, 595 Market, second floor, S.F. Free. (415) 597-6705.

HIV-prevention volunteers

Friday, Feb. 6-Sunday, Feb. 8, the Reach Program of the UC San Francisco AIDS Health Project trains volunteers to facilitate HIV-prevention groups. The weekend-long training focuses on enhancing listening skills and creating a safe environment for sharing. Call to get a training application. AIDS Health Project, 1930 Market, S.F. (415) 502-7579.

Rally for affordable housing

Saturday, Feb. 7, Sups. Matt Gonzalez, Tom Ammiano, and Aaron Peskin host a kickoff rally for the No on Proposition J campaign. Learn more about how Prop. J, the "Work-Farce Housing Initiative," undermines the struggle for affordable housing. Rally 10 a.m. (precinct mobilization until 1 p.m.), Progressive Nerve Center, 1751 Mission, S.F. Free. (415) 864-1316.

Gather signatures for mental health

Saturday, Feb. 7, and Saturday, Feb. 14, the Mental Health Association of San Francisco needs volunteers to gather signatures for a ballot measure to expand coverage for children and adults and to support programs for housing and early intervention. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Kucinich for President Campaign Headquarters, 1751 Mission, S.F. (415) 241-2926.

Ending religious violence

Sunday, Feb. 8, Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays presents "Soul Force," an afternoon of discussion and teaching about ways to stop religious violence against gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people. Break into support groups preceding the discussion. A Spanish-speaking facilitator is available for one of the groups. Support groups 2-3 p.m., "Soul Force" 3-4 p.m., St. Francis Lutheran Church, 152 Church, S.F. Free. (415) 921-8850.

Exercise your rights

Sunday, Feb. 8, participate in artist Sheryl Oring's project "I Wish to Say ..." by voicing your opinion. As part of a series presented by the First Amendment Project, this installation piece allows participants to have their answers to questions the artist poses distributed and possibly published in a book. Noon-2 p.m., Canvas Gallery and Lounge, 1200 Ninth Ave., S.F. Free. (510) 208-7744.

Tax-resistance workshop

Sunday, Feb. 8, with U.S. defense and military spending on the rise to pay for the war in Iraq, Northern California War Tax Resistance hosts a workshop on ways to respond. Topics include creative legal protests, how to refuse to pay taxes, and possible consequences of nonpayment. Workshop organizers also discuss local support networks for war-tax resisters. 2:30-5:30 p.m., 225 Potrero, S.F. Donation requested. (510) 843-9877.

El Salvador benefit

Tuesday, Feb. 10, the Bay Area Committee in Solidarity with the People of El Salvador holds a benefit party – with DJs spinning hip-hop, salsa, and Latin house – to send its members to monitor the presidential election in El Salvador. 7 p.m.-midnight, El Rio, 3158 Mission, S.F. $5-$25 sliding scale (no one turned away for lack of funds). (415) 648-8222.

Youth perspectives

Tuesday, Feb. 10, Children of Lesbians and Gays Everywhere presents "Hear It from Us: Perspectives of Youth with LGBT Parents," a panel of youth activists sharing their stories about growing up with lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender parents. 7-8:30 p.m., San Francisco LGBT Community Center, 1800 Market, S.F. Free. (415) 861-5437.