Slavery history lecture

Wednesday, Nov. 3, distinguished social historian Professor David Brion Davis delivers a talk titled "Exodus, Black Colonization, and Promised Lands." 4:10 p.m., UC Berkeley, Barrows Hall, Lipman Room, Bancroft at Telegraph, Berk. Free. (510) 643-7413.

Honor Moscone and Milk

Thursday, Nov. 4, in honor of the 25th anniversary of Community United Against Violence, celebrate the legacy of former mayor George Moscone and former supervisor Harvey Milk – whose contributions to the city inspired the organization – at an evening of storytelling and remembrance. 6:30-9 p.m., War Memorial Veterans Building, Green Room, 401 Van Ness, S.F. $100. (415) 677-8688 or (415) 777-5500, ext. 318.

Peltier documentary

Thursday, Nov. 4, view a documentary reconstructing the events surrounding the arrest of Leonard Peltier, the American Indian Movement leader convicted of the 1974 killings of two Federal Bureau of Investigation agents, who still sits on death row in spite of evidence suggesting his innocence. 7:30 p.m., Artists' Television Access, 992 Valencia, S.F. $5 donation. (415) 821-6545.

Postindustrial future

Thursday, Nov. 4, journalist and educator Richard Heinberg discusses his new book, Powerdown: Options and Actions for a Post-Carbon World, which explores the future of a postindustrial world. 7 p.m., New College of California, Theater, 777 Valencia, S.F. $5-$10. (415) 437-3425.

Support music in schools

Thursday, Nov. 4, raise money for music programs in Bay Area schools at a talent show sponsored by Music in Schools Today. Singers, dancers, poets, and comedians of all stripes compete for a cash prize. The event includes a cocktail hour and dinner. Cocktails 6 p.m., dinner 7 p.m., talent show 9:30 p.m., Town Hall, 342 Howard, S.F. $150. (415) 908-3900.

Israeli peace activist speaks

Thursday, Nov. 4-Friday, Nov. 5, hear Uri Avnery, an Israeli peace activist and founder of Gush Salom, the Peace Bloc, speak. Thurs/4, 5:30 p.m., UC Berkeley, Wurster Hall, Room 101, Bancroft at Telegraph, Berk. Free. Fri/5, 7 p.m., Unitarian Universalist Church, 1187 Franklin, S.F. $10-$20 donation. (415) 565-0201, ext. 26.

Carlsson reading

Friday, Nov. 5, Chris Carlsson, activist and avid Critical Mass participant, reads from his novel After the Deluge, a tale of suspense and conflict set in a futuristic car-free society. 7 p.m., AK Press, 674A 23rd St., Oakl. Free. (510) 208-1700.

John Ross on the campaign trail

Friday, Nov. 5, join John Ross – poet, activist, and author of Covering the Election from the Ground Up – as he discusses his experiences on the campaign trail and reflects on what lies beyond Election Day. 7 p.m., New College of California, Theater, 777 Valencia, S.F. Free. (415) 437-3425.

Peace conference

Friday, Nov. 5-Sunday, Nov. 7, attend the "Peace Is Possible" conference to discuss the need for the United States to create a Department of Peace. The three-day event features keynote addresses and panel discussions with Rep. Dennis Kucinich and author Marianne Williamson, among others. Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School, Auditorium, 1781 Rose, Berk. $150-$300 sliding scale (or $30-$60 Fri/5, $70-$140 Sat/6, $50-$100 Sun/7), $75 students. (586) 754-8105, www.dopcampaign.org.

Military mom speaks out

Sunday, Nov. 7, attend a talk by Cindy Sheehan, who lost her son in Iraq and has been speaking out about the war and occupation as well as her visits to swing states. 10:30 a.m., Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists, 1924 Cedar, Berk. Free. (510) 524-6064.

Afghanistan emergency rescue

Monday, Nov. 8, the San Francisco Paramedic Association screens unfinished documentary footage of emergency rescue workers in Afghanistan filmed by Joe Public Films producer Tom Jackson and emergency medical technician Megan Bartlett. 7-9 p.m., San Francisco Paramedic Association, 657 Mission, Ste. 302, S.F. Donations requested. (415) 282-6580, wrlwest@riseup.net.

Rent control hearing

Monday, Nov. 8, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors' Land Use Committee holds an important public hearing on the Family and Domestic Partners Protection Act and Ellis Act protections. 1:00 p.m., City Hall, Room 210, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Pl., S.F. (415) 554-7723.

Daniel Ellsberg in Oakland

Tuesday, Nov. 9, Daniel Ellsberg, the former government analyst who leaked the Pentagon Papers, helped end the Nixon presidency, and almost went to jail for his efforts, discusses the Truth-Telling Project, which urges government officials to reveal wrongdoing and cover-ups. 7:30 p.m., College Preparatory School, Buttner Auditorium, 6100 Broadway, Oakl. $10, $5 students. (510) 658-5202, lisa@katovich.com.

The fight for free, clean water

Tuesday, Nov. 9, see Defending the Commons, Tom Jackson's new documentary on the Nicaraguan people's resistance to World Bank and International Monetary Fund pressure on their government to privatize water. Vandana Shiva, Maude Barlow, and representatives from Nicaragua provide commentary. 7:30 p.m., 536 45th St., Oakl. Donations requested. (415) 282-6580, wrlwest@riseup.net.

Activist talk

Wednesday, Nov. 10, Voices in the Wilderness founder Kathy Kelly, a three-time Nobel Peace Prize nominee for her work among the Iraqi people, speaks at a benefit for KPFA-FM and Pace e Bene Nonviolence Service. 7:30 p.m., First Congregational Church, 2501 Harrison, Oakl. $15, $12 in advance (tickets available at independent bookstores). (510) 848-6767, ext. 609.

Take back KPFA, again

Wednesday, Nov. 10, attend a panel moderated by Solange Echeveria of Flashpoints about continuing issues of representation and free speech that face the community radio station. Panelists include KPFA Local Station Board chair Riva Enteen, former KPFA development director Maria Gilardin, Gerald Sander of the KPFA Local Station Board and Pacifica National Board, and other station representatives and former employees. An open mic follows the panel discussion. 7 p.m., La Peña Cultural Center, 3105 Shattuck, Berk. Free. (510) 849-2568.