Discuss waterfront plans

Wednesday, Feb. 11, Telegraph Hill residents and Citizens to Save the Waterfront invite you to a community meeting to discuss the proposed waterfront development at Piers 27/31 over concerns that the plan allots too much space to businesses and not enough to public recreation. 6-8 p.m., Telegraph Hill Neighborhood Center, 660 Lombard, S.F. (415) 981-1212.

Advocacy training for parents

Thursday, Feb. 12, Coleman Advocates for Children and Youth hosts a workshop on voter education, the city budget, and how parents can get politically involved. A light dinner is served. 8 p.m., 459 Vienna, S.F. Free. Child care available by arrangement. (415) 239-0161, ext. 12.

Fight the PATRIOT Act

Thursday, Feb. 12, Sup. Jake McGoldrick discusses Proposition E and how it can be used to help San Francisco avoid enforcing the USA PATRIOT Act. 7 p.m., Royal Grounds Cafe, 5301 Geary, S.F. Free. (415) 386-2706.

Props. H and J forum

Thursday, Feb. 12, the Haight-Ashbury Neighborhood Council hosts a forum in which representatives for and against the public education fund (Proposition H) and the Workforce Housing Initiative (Proposition J) discuss the pros and cons of each measure. 7 p.m., Park Branch Library, 1883 Page, S.F. Free. (415) 292-7739.

Influence campaign messages

Friday, Feb. 13, two members of the American Friends Service Committee in New Hampshire share ways to promote messages of peace and justice in the upcoming primaries and national campaigns. 7 p.m., American Friends Service Committee-Quaker Meetinghouse, 65 Ninth St., S.F. Free. RSVP, (415) 565-0201, ext. 12.

Lives of the activists

Friday, Feb. 13, antiglobalization activists Kevin Danaher of Global Exchange and Anuradha Mittal of Food First discuss their experiences, influences, and goals for the future. 7 p.m., 1924 Cedar, Berk. $5, $3 students. (415) 927-1645.

Charitable eating

Friday, Feb. 13-Sunday, Feb. 16, Under One Roof holds its annual "Cook Something up for Your Honey" food sale to benefit 42 AIDS and HIV service organizations. Fri.-Sat., 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sun. 11 a.m.-7 p.m., 4071 18th St., S.F. (415) 503-2300.

Political art put to use

Saturday, Feb. 14, attend a panel discussion by prominent members of the local arts community on the relevance of political art in the wake of the war with Iraq. 2 p.m., Meridian Gallery, 545 Sutter, Suite 201, S.F. Free. (415) 398-7229.

Sweethearts of the streets

Saturday, Feb. 14, reclaim our city's public spaces from corporations, cars, and other creativity-crushing forces by joining the Valentine's Day Renegade Street Party. Meet at the corner of Haight and Stanyan Streets (in pirate-wear, if you can), then march to an undisclosed location for unsanctioned partying. For more information go to www.rts-sf.org.

Liberation, not terrorism

Sunday, Feb. 15, local activists discuss how peasants, women, students, and workers in Nepal and the Philippines are fighting to create new and liberating societies. 3 p.m., Revolution Books, 2425 Channing Way, Berk. Free. (510) 848-1196.

Civil rights leader in person

Tuesday, Feb. 17, Civil rights leader Dr. Dorothy Height speaks about her long history of activism for racial equality and social justice. 6 p.m., Commonwealth Club of California, 595 Market, second floor, S.F. $15, $9 members. (415) 597-6705.

Demystifying Islam

Tuesday, Feb. 17, Omar Ahmad of the Council on American-Islamic Relations leads a forum on the history of Islam and a Muslim perspective on the U.S. involvement in the Middle East. 9:30 a.m., Grace Cathedral, Gresham Hall, 1100 California, S.F. Free. (415) 749-6308.

Rent stabilization hearing

Tuesday, Feb. 17, the San Francisco Rent Board commissioners hold a hearing for the public to comment on proposed changes to rent stabilization rules involving petitions to raise rent under extraordinary circumstances. 6:30 p.m., 25 Van Ness, Suite 70, lower level, S.F. Free. (415) 252-4600.

Human rights film fest

Tuesday, Feb. 17-Thursday, Feb. 19, the University of San Francisco hosts the annual Human Rights Watch Traveling Film Festival, showcasing stories of activists from around the world. Tues. and Thurs., 5:30 p.m.; Wed., 6 p.m., University of San Francisco, Presentation Theater, 2350 Turk, S.F. Free. (415) 422-6900, www.usfca.edu/mediastudies/hrw.

Oakland Uptown hearing

Wednesday, Feb. 18, the Oakland Planning Commission hears public comments on the final environmental-impact report for the Uptown Mixed-Use Project between Telegraph and San Pablo Avenues. 6:30 p.m., Oakland City Hall, 1 City Hall Plaza, Hearing Room 1, Oakl. (510) 238-6168.

Women making waves

Wednesday, Feb. 18, the Women's Building presents "Women in Politics: Women Leaders Making Change," with a panel discussion about the contributions of women legislators. Panelists include District Attorney Kamala Harris, San Francisco School Board member Sarah Lipson, and women members of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. 6:30-8:30 p.m., Women's Building, auditorium, 3543 18th St., S.F. $10 sliding scale. Free child care available with advance reservations. (415) 431-1180, ext. 15.

Assistance by Dan Engber and Christy Harrison.