Alternative politics talk

Wednesday, Aug. 25, hear Ahmed Shawki, editor of the International Socialist Review; Peter Camejo, a candidate for president; and Jess Ghannam of Arab Americans for Nader speak on how to build a progressive alternative to the mainstream, two-party system. 7 p.m., Haymarket Books Library, second floor, 110 Capp, S.F. Free. (415) 651-5648, andrewlibson@yahoo.com.

Tys Sniffen campaign benefit

Wednesday, Aug. 25, support the campaign of Tys Sniffen for District Five supervisor. The president of the North of Panhandle Neighborhood Association serves drinks at this fundraiser. 7 p.m., Club Waziema, 543 Divisadero, S.F. Donations accepted. (415) 346-6641, www.tyssniffen.com.

Berkeley Farmers' Market grand opening

Thursday, Aug. 26, the Berkeley Farmers' Market celebrates the grand opening of its new north Shattuck location, featuring organically grown produce, with special guests chef Alice Waters and Berkeley mayor Tom Bates. 3-7 p.m., North Shattuck Farmers' Market, Shattuck at Rose, Berk. Free. (510) 548-3333, www.ecologycenter.org.

Bush bashing

Thursday, Aug. 26, comedian Ian Jensen, appearing as George W. Bush, hosts an evening of political humor with the San Francisco All Stars. 8:30 p.m., San Francisco Comedy Club, 50 Mason, S.F. $10. (415) 398-4129, www.spaghettiman.com.

Indybay-'Fault Lines' benefit

Thursday, Aug. 26, see the San Francisco premiere of The Miami Model: Free Trade Police State, which documents protests of the Free Trade Area of the Americas meeting held in November 2003 in Miami and the attendant police crackdown on freedom of speech. This benefit for Indybay and Fault Lines newspaper also features an exhibit by Indymedia photographer Matt Fitt and a talk on globalization by Jesse Swanhuyser of California Coalition for Fair Trade and Human Rights. 7 p.m., Station 40, 3030B 16th St., S.F. $5-$10 sliding scale. (415) 596-8408.

Nonprofit housing seminar

Thursday, Aug. 26, learn about the process of developing mixed-use housing at this month's Land Use Seminar Series presented by the San Francisco Green Party. Joseph Smooke, housing director of the Bernal Heights Neighborhood Center, and Rami Dare, project manager of Mercy Housing, talk about financing, neighborhood concerns, and other hurdles faced by nonprofit housing developers. 7-9 p.m., New College of California, 777 Valencia, S.F. Free. (415) 826-2140, drwsf@sbcglobal.net.

Annalee Newitz talk

Saturday, Aug. 28, Techsploitation columnist and former Bay Guardian culture editor Annalee Newitz delivers a lecture, "The Problem with Cyberspiritualism," at the next meeting of San Francisco Atheists. 6 p.m., Elephant and Castle Pub, 424 Clay, S.F. Free. (650) 359-6874, www.sfatheists.com.

'Freedom from Tobacco' workshop

Saturday, Aug. 28, learn how to quit smoking with Berkeley's Tobacco Prevention Program, which offers a new three-hour smoking-cessation class followed by the option of acupuncture to assist in quitting. 9:30 a.m-12:30 p.m., Alta Bates Medical Center, Ashby Campus, 2450 Ashby, Berk. Free. (510) 981-5330, quitnow@ci.berkeley.ca.us.

Vietnam War exhibition

Saturday, Aug. 28, the Oakland Museum of California opens a new exhibit looking at the impact of the Vietnam War on California life and culture. More than 500 historical artifacts, photographs, and documents, along with film clips, music, and oral histories from veterans and former refugees, are on display. Wed.-Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (first Friday of the month, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.); Sun., noon-5 p.m., Oakland Museum of California, 10th and Oak Sts., Oakl. $13 for adults, $9 for seniors and students, free for children five and under ($4-$5 for seniors second Sunday of the month). (510) 238-2200, www.museumca.org.

Trans art and film

Saturday, Aug. 28-Sunday, Aug. 29, the New College of California hosts two showcases of trans art and film: "Parts," with photos by Emma Ramstad, Shana Agid, and Del LaGrace Volcano, and "Trannies on Film," a two-day program of shorts, documentaries, and features by tranny, intersex, and queer filmmakers dedicated to creating multigendered justice through humor, eroticism, and critical consciousness. Sat/28, 2:30-6 p.m.; Sun/29, 1:30-4 p.m., New College of California Cultural Center, 766 Valencia, S.F. $5. (415) 437-3447.

S.F. privatization meeting

Sunday, Aug. 29, join the Campaign Against Taft-Hartley and Privatization and local activists at "The Selling Off of San Francisco and Privatization Scams That Threaten Our Lives and Basic Services," a panel discussion. 2 p.m., Women's Building, Audre Lorde Room, 3543 18th St., S.F. Donations accepted. (415) 867-0628.

Bridging arts and neighborhoods

Monday, Aug. 30, six local artists and arts leaders discuss the Bay Area's art scene and how artists and arts organizations are making a difference in communities from the Mission to the Marina. 6 p.m., Commonwealth Club of California, second floor, 595 Market, S.F. $18, free for members. (415) 597-6705.

I-Hotel film

Tuesday, Aug. 31, come to a screening of The Fall of the I-Hotel, a film about the eviction of the International Hotel's tenants in 1977 that ended a decade-long battle for housing in San Francisco. The I-Hotel was the former site of the heart of Manilatown and home to more than 10,000 people in the 1950s until its demolition more than 20 years ago. 8 p.m., El Rio, 3158 Mission, S.F. Donations requested. (415) 282-3325, www.cpasf.org.

Sea turtle benefit

Tuesday, Aug. 31, the Sea Turtle Restoration Project sponsors the first Bay Area screening of "Last Journey for the Leatherback?" – a new video about the survival of the leatherback sea turtle in the Earth's oceans – at a benefit for its Save the Leatherback Campaign. Director Stan Minasian and oceanographer Dr. Sylvia Earle attend the prescreening reception. Reception 6 p.m., screening 8 p.m., Jewish Community Center, Pacific and California, S.F. $8, $6 for STRP members, screening only; $60, $40 for Salmon Protection and Watershed Network and STRP members, reception and screening. (415) 488-0370, info@seaturtles.org.

Talk about hope

Wednesday, Sept. 1, Paul Loeb, author of The Impossible Will Take a Little While: Hope in a Time of Fear, discusses what keeps us going during tough times. Joining Loeb are book contributors Susan Griffin, Toni Mirosevich, and Mark Hertsgaard, who share their stories about overcoming obstacles like South African apartheid, Eastern European dictatorship, and Mississippi segregation. 7 p.m., New College of California, 777 Valencia, S.F. Free. (415) 437-3425. www.theimpossible.org.