Wednesday, March 17, attend a meeting to discuss significant changes to the Sunshine Ordinance Task Force, such as investing the task force with the power to subpoena and the ability to issue penalties. If the changes are passed (either by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors or at the ballot), the task force would establish a new standard of open government and be renamed the Open Government Commission. For more information see "New Rays of Sunshine," 3/10/04. 4 p.m., City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 408, S.F. (415) 554-4305.

Boost voter turnout

Wednesday, March 17, due to the fact that a scant 36 percent of registered voters participated in this month's primary election (down from 59 percent in October's recall election), the San Francisco Elections Commission holds a hearing to seek input from the public on ways the city might encourage greater turnout. 7 p.m., City Hall, Room 400, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, S.F. (415) 554-4305.

Make art, stop war

Wednesday, March 17, attend an art-making party and get geared up for the frenzy of actions, on the anniversary of the war in Iraq, protesting the invasion and the continued presence of U.S. troops and corporations in Iraq. Make your own signs and banners and help make large report cards and prescriptions (which reflect the pro-education and pro-health care theme of the demonstration) for the Bush administration. Supplies provided. 6-10 p.m., Art and Revolution Space, Redstone Bldg., 16th and Capp Streets, first floor, S.F. Free. (415) 820-9649. www.actagainstthewar.org.

Protest-march prep

Thursday, March 18, in preparation for the March 19 action (see below) at the Embarcadero, Direct Action to Stop the War asks that a member of each affinity group attend a spokescouncil action-coordination meeting. Unaffiliated individuals can also attend. For information on how to form an affinity group (such as Dog Walkers Against the War), go to www.actagainstthewar.org/article.php?id=14. Protesters may also want to attend a training session in preparation for the week's nonviolent direct actions and acts of civil disobedience against the war. Training 5-7 p.m., meeting 6 p.m., St. Boniface Church, 133 Golden Gate, S.F. (415) 820-9649. www.actagainstthewar.org

The youth vote

Thursday, March 18, attend a panel discussion sponsored by Inforum on the decline in voter turnout, the participation of younger generations in the political process, and the new wave of grassroots organizations emerging via the Internet. Marika Olson of MoveOn.org, Ted Halstead of the New America Foundation, Angela Courtin of Rock the Vote, and other voter-turnout organizers participate. Panel 6:30 p.m., reception 7:45 p.m., Commonwealth Club of California, 595 Market, S.F. $18, $10 Commonwealth Club members, $5 students. (415) 597-6705.

Honoring casualties

Friday, March 19, according to the Iraq Body Count Database (www.iraqbodycount.net/bodycount.htm), more than 10,000 Iraqi civilians have died as a result of the U.S. invasion and occupation. Approximately 500 U.S. troops have lost their lives. The People's Nonviolent Response Coalition, American Muslim Voice, Military Families Speak Out, and other organizations invite you to join them in remembering the dead, come rain or shine. 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Oakland Federal Bldg., 1301 Clay, Oakl. (510) 839-5877, www.pnvrc.org.

Protest war profiteering

Friday, March 19, Bechtel prospers, and Americans without access to adequate health care and quality education suffer. Direct Action to Stop the War, which holds that America cannot be both an empire and a democracy, sponsors a direct action to protest war profiteering and cuts in social spending. 7 a.m., Justin Herman Plaza, between Washington and Clay Streets near Embarcadero, S.F. (415) 820-9649, www.actagainstwar.org.

Wellness for Asian women

Friday, March 19, The Asian and Pacific Islander Wellness Center presents its third annual event providing health information and resources to local Asian and Pacific Islander women (transgendered included). The event features a mini-health fair with free acupuncture, massage, pregnancy tests, pap smears, oral HIV testing, information from health services, food, and entertainment. 2-7 p.m., Asian and Pacific Islander Wellness Center, 730 Polk, fourth floor, S.F. Free. (415) 292-3420, ext. 331.

District One town hall meeting

Saturday, March 20, Sup. Jake McGoldrick holds a town hall meeting to discuss public safety in District One. Newly appointed police chief Heather Fong and staff answer your questions. 10 a.m.-noon, Richmond Recreation Center, 251 18th Ave., S.F. (415) 554-7410.

Global antiwar protest

Saturday, March 20, join the massive, worldwide day of antiwar and antioccupation protest. People in more than 50 countries plan to protest the Bush administration, the situation in Iraq, and infringements on human rights everywhere at this global event organized by International ANSWER, United for Peace and Justice, Not in Our Name, and countless other groups that make up the earth's other superpower: peace activists. Assemble 11 a.m., Dolores Park, 18th and Dolores Streets, and march to Civic Center Plaza, Larkin between Grove and McAllister Streets, S.F. (415) 821-6545.

Post-demo screenings

Saturday, March 20, cap off the day's antiwar protest with a free screening of Robert Greenwald's Uncovered ... and IndyMedia's ... In a Time of War. A second program of media-art pieces and eyewitness accounts from Iraq screens later, with Mark Brecke presenting a slide show of his visit to Iraq and the world premiere of Mike Kavanagh's Weapons of Mass Deception, key clips culled from thousands of hours of Aljazeera and other satellite sources. War Pigs, by Jeff Taylor and James Ficklin, and The Twin Towers also screen at this Other Cinema event. Free screening 7 p.m., second program 8:30 p.m., Artists' Television Access, 992 Valencia, S.F. $5. (415) 824-3890.

Good day, 'Sunshine'

Tuesday, March 23, attend a meeting to discuss significant changes to the Sunshine Ordinance Task Force, such as investing the task force with the power to subpoena and the ability to issue penalties. If the changes are passed (either by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors or at the ballot), the task force would establish a new standard of open government and be renamed the Open Government Commission. For more information see "New Rays of Sunshine," 3/10/04. 4 p.m., City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 408, S.F. (415) 554-4305.

Help African AIDS orphanage

Tuesday, March 23, dine at Unicorn Pan Asian Cuisine restaurant and a quarter of your meal's cost goes to the AIDS orphanage in Golomola, Uganda. Priority Africa Network and ACT UP East Bay sponsor this event. Lunch 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m., dinner 5-10 p.m., Unicorn Pan Asian Cuisine, 2533 Telegraph, Berk. (510) 841-8098. -