Stop GGP road expansion

Thursday, Nov. 18, the San Francisco Recreation and Park Commission is likely to approve a plan today to widen Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, which enters Golden Gate Park at Ninth Avenue and Irving, to four lanes for increased access to the new M.H. de Young Museum and underground parking garage. Join newly elected District 5 supervisor Ross Mirkarimi in calling for the commission to hold hearings and allow the Board of Supervisors to offer input on the plan before the commission summarily approves it. 2 p.m., City Hall, Room 416, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Pl., S.F. www.sfpix.com.

Grotto author event

Wednesday, Nov. 17, head to writers collective workplace the Grotto to find out how the food industry is killing our planet. Former Bay Guardian city editor Christopher D. Cook discusses his book Diet for a Dead Planet, just published by New Press. Refreshments and snacks are provided. 6-8 p.m., Grotto, 26 Fell, S.F. Free. www.dietforadeadplanet.com.

Human rights in Sudan

Wednesday, Nov. 17, learn the real story of what's going on in the Darfur region of Sudan. Dr. William F. Schulz delivers the lecture "Distress, Denial, and Disappointment in Sudan." Cocktails 6-6:30 p.m., lecture 6:30-8 p.m., Sinbad's, Pier 2, Embarcadero, S.F. $15-$25 sliding scale (includes new membership to Amnesty International), free for A.I. members. (415) 921-9233, ext. 202.

Israel and the media

Wednesday, Nov. 17, when it comes to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, are the U.S. and British media unduly influenced by Israel? Benefiting Left Turn magazine, a screening of Peace, Propaganda, and the Promised Land examines this issue by matching clips from mainstream media with commentary by Noam Chomsky, Robert Fisk of the Independent, Hanan Ashrawi of Miftah, and others. 7 p.m., Freedom Archives, 522 Valencia, S.F. $5-$15 sliding scale. sustainbayarea@yahoogroups.com.

'Naturally Native' doc

Wednesday, Nov. 17, attend a screening of Naturally Native, a 1999 documentary written, directed, and produced by Native American women that depicts the story of three sisters from the Mashantucket Pequot tribe who start their own cosmetics venture. 7 p.m., Humanist Hall, 390 27th St., Oakl. Donations accepted. (510) 451-5818.

Free Thanksgiving dinner

Thursday, Nov. 18, the Alameda County Homeless Youth Collaborative holds an early Thanksgiving dinner open to all homeless youths. 1 p.m., Adeline Service Center, 3334 Adeline, Berk. Free. (510) 652-4411.

Prop. Y aftermath

Thursday, Nov. 18, in the wake of Oakland's Proposition Y passing by a narrow margin, Education Not Incarceration invites locals to a meeting with Jeffrey Thomas, a member of Rep. Barbara Lee's staff, and other community leaders at Lee's office to discuss strategies for directing funds to education rather than incarceration and rebuilding a coalition in favor of that agenda. 4 p.m., Federal Building, Ste. 1000, 1301 Clay, Oakl. (510) 654-8613.

LGBT parents workshop

Saturday, Nov. 20, Our Family Coalition holds a workshop for gay and transgender parents on choosing primary schools for their kids. Call ahead to arrange child care. 1:30-5:30 p.m., San Francisco LGBT Community Center, 1800 Market, S.F. Free. (415) 981-1960.

Uphold human rights

Saturday, Nov. 20, as part of a monthly series on social and political advocacy organized by Gray Panthers of San Francisco, activist and KPFA-FM local board chair Riva Enteen speaks on homeland security and civil rights. 2 p.m., Marina Senior Center, 890 Beach, S.F. Free. (415) 552-8800.

Support hotel workers

Saturday, Nov. 20, and Sunday, Nov. 21, support local hotel workers and attend a rally sponsored by the Million Worker March Committee, the San Francisco Labor Council, and UNITE HERE Local 2 on Saturday and/or join a weekly picket of one of the 14 hotels in the city that have locked out the workers while negotiations for union contracts are pending. Rally Sat/20, 11 a.m., Union Square, Geary between Powell and Stockton, S.F. (415) 771-2028, www.millionworkermarch.org or www.unitehere.org. Picket Sun/21, 7 p.m., Union Square (meet at corner of Powell and Geary), S.F. (510) 549-1968, indybay.org/labor.

Break U.S. oil addiction

Sunday, Nov. 21, join a rally organized by Global Exchange, the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition, Rainforest Action Network, and Bluewater Network on the opening day of the San Francisco Auto Show to challenge the Ford company to make more fuel-efficient cars and encourage motorists to stop U.S. dependence on oil. Noon-1:30 p.m., Moscone Center, 747 Howard, S.F. (415) 558-9490.

Iraqi film screening

Sunday, Nov. 21, follow formerly exiled Iraqi writer and poet Sinan Antoon on his journey through a cross-section of Iraqi society as people he encounters reflect on their troubled past and uncertain present, in the film About Baghdad. The screening benefits the San Francisco Bay Area Independent Media Center. 7:30 p.m., Station 40, 3030B 16th St., S.F. $5-$10 donation. www.indybay.org.

Next steps toward peace

Tuesday, Nov. 23, discuss the Iraq war and the role of the peace movement in postelection Iraq with members of International ANSWER. 7 p.m., Women's Building, 3543 18th St., S.F. $3-$10 donation. (415) 821-6545.