Discuss media credibility

Wednesday, May 26, create a stronger relationship between the media and the public at a discussion on press credibility and accountability. San Francisco Chronicle editorial page editor John Diaz, San Jose Mercury News deputy managing editor Matt Mansfield, and KQED-FM news director Raul Ramirez sit on a panel sponsored by the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism and the World Affairs Council. Check-in 5:30 p.m., program 6 p.m., World Affairs Council, Ste. 200, 312 Sutter, S.F. Free. (415) 293-4600.

Town hall on Iraq

Wednesday, May 26, voice your opinions at a town hall forum on the abusive treatment of Iraqi detainees recently brought to public attention. Retired major general of the U.S. Marine Corps Michael Myatt, Joan Kelley-Williams of the American Red Cross, Professor Maziar Behrooz of San Francisco State University, and Professor Craig Haney of UC Santa Cruz lead a discussion on the short- and long-term political and psychological effects of these incidents. Check-in 11:30 a.m., program noon, Commonwealth Club of California, second floor, 595 Market, S.F. Free. (415) 587-6700.

O'Connor campaign launch

Thursday, May 27, nightclub owner, small-business advocate, and youth development organizer Michael O'Connor officially launches his campaign in the increasingly crowded race for Matt Gonzalez's District Five seat on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. Performers and supporters include the Marcus Shelby Trio, spoken word artist Jason Mateos, Clinton administration staffer and soul musician Chris Gallagher, and many others. 8 p.m.-1 a.m., Independent, 628 Divisadero, S.F. For more information e-mail divisadero628@earthlink.net.

Party with McGoldrick

Thursday, May 27, Sup. Jake McGoldrick holds a party featuring music by Flying Venus and a discussion on local politics. 8-9:30 p.m., Ireland's 32, 3920 Geary, S.F. Free. (415) 386-2706.

Rent-control agreement

Thursday, May 27, the San Francisco Green Party and New College of California continue their housing and land-use seminar series with "Landlords, Tenants, and Rent Control: Is Consensus Ever Possible?" Janin New, executive director of the San Francisco Apartment Association, and Ted Gullicksen, office manager of the San Francisco Tenants Union, lead the workshop. 7-9 p.m., New College of California, 777 Valencia, S.F. Free. (415) 826-2140.

Rosa Luxemburg film

Thursday, May 27, as part of a new film series, attend a screening of Margarethe von Trotta's 1986 documentary Rosa Luxemburg. Organizers and local musicians Jewlia Eisenberg and Devin Hoff promise live music, popcorn, anarcho-syndicalists, and no rubber bullets. 8 p.m., Artists' Television Access, 992 Valencia, S.F. $5. (415) 824-3890. For more information go to www.charminghostess.us/radicalfilm.html.

Water rights slide show

Thursday, May 27, watch a narrated slide show covering California's complex water issues. Presenters Cleo Woelfle-Erskine and Andrea del Moral focus on Central Valley agriculture, East Bay creeks, and sewers as they present local solutions developed by the Graywater Guerrillas. 7-9 p.m., Ecology Center, 2530 San Pablo, Berk. Free. (510) 548-2220.

Writer-activist engagement

Thursday, May 27, pioneering writer-activist Merle Woo holds a discussion presented by Bay Area Radical Women. The meeting concerns such topics as academic freedom, the Iraq war, and the importance of feminists coming to the defense of Mumia Abu-Jamal. Dinner 6:15 p.m., meeting 7 p.m., New Valencia Hall, 1908 Mission, S.F. $6.50 donation (dinner). (415) 864-1278.

Celebrate the Mayan new year

Saturday, May 29, participate in a celebration of Waqxaqib B'atz', the end of the 260-day Mayan sacred cycle, at a traditional sunrise ceremony sponsored by Grupo Maya Qusamej Junan with marimba music, Aztec dancers, and a Native American drum corps. 6-9 a.m., Dolores Park, Dolores between 18th and 20th Sts., S.F. Free. (415) 824-2534.

Stop street violence

Saturday, May 29, remember the victims of violence at the Ronald DeVoyce Blackburn From the Cradle to the Grave Memorial Project's pre-Memorial Day Victims of Violence Memorialization/Support Group, organized by DeVoine Entertainment and Anjanae N. Blackburn, the LoveLife Foundation, and Brothers Against Guns. At this community-building event, the sponsors seek an end to domestic and street violence, as well as justice (not revenge) for the death of slain Officer Isaac Espinoza. Noon-3 p.m., African-American Art and Culture Complex, Nia Room, second floor, 762 Fulton, S.F. Free. (415) 292-5157 or (415) 922-2049.

Fight big biotech

Sunday, May 30, fight corporate power and help prepare a direct action to shut down BIO2004, the biggest annual meeting of corporate executives and lobbyists in the biotech pharmaceutical industry, which takes place June 8 at the Moscone Center. Direct Action to Stop the War sponsors this action. 4-6 p.m., St. Boniface Church, 133 Golden Gate, S.F. Free. (877) 806-2871. For more information go to www.reclaimthecommons.net.

Mail items for Alerts to the Bay Guardian Building, 135 Mississippi St., S.F., CA 94107; fax to (415) 255-8762; or e-mail alerts@sfbg.com. Please include a contact telephone number. Items must be received at least one week prior to publication date. Call (415) 255-3100, ext. 573, for more information. For more events, see the Benefits listings in the Calendar section.