Public endorsement forum

Wednesday, Sept. 8, come to a forum about the New Progressive Left Movement's proposed endorsements for the upcoming election. 6 p.m., Women's Building, 3543 18th St., S.F. $5 donation requested. (415) 452-9992.

District Five candidate forum

Thursday, Sept. 9, District Five candidates discuss their reasons for seeking office at a Q&A session sponsored by the Haight Ashbury Neighborhood Council. 7-9 p.m., Park Branch Library, 1833 Page, S.F. (415) 286-1039.

Maureen Dowd on Bush

Thursday, Sept. 9, New York Times columnist and 1999 Pulitzer Prize-winner Maureen Dowd covers the presidential campaign at an event sponsored by City Arts and Lectures. 8 p.m., Herbst Theatre, 1955 Sutter, S.F. $20. (415) 392-4400.

Radical love workshop

Thursday, Sept. 9, learn to love openly and freely at a workshop with Wendy-O Matik, author of Redefining Our Relationships: Guidelines for Responsible Open Relationships. 7:30 p.m., AK Press Warehouse, 674A 23rd St., Oakl. Free. (510) 208-1700, www.akpress.org.

Benefit for SHAC 7

Friday, Sept. 10, support three Bay Area activists, who were indicted by a federal grand jury for speaking out against the treatment of animals in labs, at a benefit featuring vegan desserts, speakers, and a silent auction. 8 p.m., 1884 Market, S.F. $10-$15. info@ardac.org or www.shac7.com.

Election protection training

Saturday, Sept. 11, train to become an election protection volunteer at this session led by civil rights organizations and sponsored by Working Assets, Mother Jones magazine, and People for the American Way Foundation. 2-5 p.m., Yerba Buena Gardens, Mission between Third and Fourth Sts., S.F. Free. www.workingforchange.com/electionprotection.

Life in Hunters Point

Saturday, Sept. 11, learn about the challenges and issues District 10 residents face at this discussion with five African American women who live in the neighborhood. 3-5 p.m., Potrero Hill Public Library, 1616 20th St. (415) 822-2744.

Rally against war

Saturday, Sept. 11, join Northern California 9/11 Truth Alliance's rally and march for peace, truth, and civil rights. The march ends at Golden Gate Park's "Power to the Peaceful" festival, featuring a performance by Michael Franti and Spearhead. Rally 10 a.m., Ashbury and Haight Sts., S.F.; festival 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Speedway Meadow, near 25th Ave. and Fulton, S.F. Free. (866) 268-2320.

Volunteer for Ammiano

Saturday, Sept. 11, help Tom Ammiano get reelected to the Board of Supervisors at a volunteer mobilization and rally. 10 a.m., 1417 Valencia, S.F. (415) 647-9900.

Waterfront's future

Saturday, Sept. 11, join Sup. Sophie Maxwell, elected officials, and community members for a kickoff party held by Imagine the Way, which will lead a public planning process for the creation of a greenway along the waterfront from south of Market Street to the city border. The event features live music, views of the restored wetlands, and a biking tour hosted by Friends of the Urban Forest. 11 a.m., Heron's Head and India Basin Parks, Evans Ave. and Hunters Point Blvd., S.F. Free. (415) 621-3260.

Green Party primer

Sunday, Sept. 12, find out why politically active Muslim Americans often vote Green at a forum held by Greens from this community. 5-6:30 p.m., Niebyl-Proctor Marxist Library, 6501 Telegraph, Oakl. (510) 595-7917.

Marriage rights lecture

Sunday, Sept. 12, according to author and gay rights activist Davina Kotulski, there are 1,049 rights granted to married couples that same-sex partners don't have. Find out what they are at a lecture sponsored by Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays. 2-3 p.m., St. Francis Lutheran Church, 152 Church, S.F. Free. (415) 921-8850.

Phil Bronstein speaks

Sunday, Sept. 12, San Francisco Chronicle executive editor and vice president Phil Bronstein lectures on the role of the news media post-9/11 and its impact on the public. 9:30-10:30 a.m., Grace Cathedral, Gresham Hall, 1100 California, S.F. Free (donations accepted). (415) 749-6300, www.gracecathedral.org.

Rauda Morcos appearance

Sunday, Sept. 12, Rauda Morcos, political activist, poet, and founder of Aswat (Voices) – a group of young Palestinian gay women in Israel and Palestine – speaks on her group's efforts to increase freedom for women in her community. 4-6 p.m., Middle East Children's Alliance, 901 Parker, Berk. $7-$20 sliding scale. (510) 548-0542.

School board candidate forum

Sunday, Sept. 12, find out about candidates' positions at this San Francisco Unified School District School Board forum sponsored by the Gay Asian Pacific Alliance. 4:30-6 p.m., Metropolitan Community Church, 150 Eureka, S.F. (650) 794-1810.

Youth Speaks benefit

Sunday, Sept. 12, this version of the Second Sundays art and activism series is a benefit for Youth Speaks and features performances by Michael Franti, Will Da-RealOne, Queen Sheba, and the Youth Speaks teen poetry all-stars. 7 p.m., Independent, 628 Divisadero, S.F. $15 sliding scale. 21 or older. (415) 255-9035.

Candidates at the Mint

Monday, Sept. 13, meet candidates for the Board of Supervisors at the old U.S. Mint at an event sponsored by San Franciscans for Preservation Planning. 5:30-7:30 p.m., 88 Fifth St., S.F. $20 suggested minimum donation. RSVP (415) 929-5201, sf4pp@earthlink.net.

Volunteer for Streetside

Monday, Sept. 13, attend a Streetside Stories volunteer meeting and orientation to learn how to help students write and tell their own stories. 6-7:30 p.m., Streetside Stories, 1360 Mission, Suite 200, S.F. (415) 864-5221, www.streetside.org.

Racial profiling forum

Tuesday, Sept. 14, learn the results of Amnesty International's yearlong study on racial profiling at a forum and community discussion. 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Amnesty International, 350 Sansome, Suite 630, S.F. Free. Reservations recommended. (415) 291-9233, ext. 201, or clip@aiusa.org.

The war at home

Tuesday, Sept. 14, ANSWER holds a forum on police terror, environmental hazards, and gentrification in Hunters Point and how the community can fight back. 7 p.m., Women's Building, 3543 18th St., S.F. (415) 821-6545.

Talk about 'Bad Subjects'

Wednesday, Sept. 15, explore media, race, sexual politics, globalization, and alternative communities with editors and contributors to Collective Action: A Bad Subjects Anthology, including Joel Schalit, Megan Prelinger, Rick Prelinger, Elizabeth Hurst, and Bay Guardian contributor Annalee Newitz. 7 p.m., City Lights Bookstore, 261 Columbus, S.F. Free. (415) 362-8193.