Haight history project

Thursday, May 12, learn about the Haight Oral History project at an event sponsored by the Haight-Ashbury Neighborhood Council that also celebrates 96 years of service from the neighborhood's Park Branch Library. 7-9 p.m., Park Branch Library, 1833 Page, S.F. Free. (415) 752-8520.

Human Rights Awards

Thursday, May 12, join Global Exchange in honoring recipients of the Human Rights Awards: the Center for Constitutional Rights, which is spearheading actions to hold U.S. leaders accountable for the incidents at Abu Ghraib; Camila Mejia, a sergeant who refused to return to duty in Iraq; and Dr. Paul Farmer, who administered health care to Haiti's impoverished. The celebration, which also benefits Global Exchange, includes dinner and dancing. 6 p.m., Gift Center Pavilion, 888 Brannan, S.F. $150. (415) 255-7296, www.globalexchange.org.

Poetic justice

Thursday, May 12, poet-activist Mark Nowak reads from Shut Up Shut Down, his latest collection. Fellow poets David Buuck and Dennis Somera join him in a lively discussion of how poets play a role in social justice issues. 6:30 p.m., AK Press Warehouse, 674A 23rd St., Oakl. Free. (510) 208-1700, www.akpress.org.

'Speak Out' screening

Thursday, May 12, attend a screening of Speak Out: I Had an Abortion, a new documentary directed by Jennifer Baumgardner and Gillian Aldrich. Exhale (a women's counseling center) and New College's Center for Education and Social Action sponsor the event. 7 p.m., New College of California, 777 Valencia, S.F. Call for price. www.speakoutfilms.com.

Sustainable terror networks

Thursday, May 12, former Fulbright scholar and Italian economist Loretta Napoleoni discusses her new book, Terror, Incorporated: Tracing the Dollars Behind the Terror Network, from 7 Stories Press. 7 p.m., City Lights Booksellers and Publishers, 261 Columbus, S.F. Free. (415) 362-8193, www.citylights.com.

Celebrate fake news

Friday, May 13, laud the arrival of the Onion, which hits San Francisco's newsstands Thurs/12, at a party sponsored by Inforum and Craigslist. Onion editors moonlight as DJs Apertif and Digestif. Dead Hensons perform. 10 p.m., 12 Galaxies, 2565 Mission, S.F. Free. (415) 597-6719.

Fun for foster youths

Saturday, May 14, in recognition of Foster Care Month, the Honoring Emancipated Youth group puts on "Voices of Youth: Celebrating Foster Youth and Their Families," a free event featuring games, food, and music. Noon-4 p.m., Justin Herman Plaza, corner of Steuart and Market, www.heysf.org.

Rwanda survivor speaks

Saturday, May 14, Dr. Tharisse Seminega and his wife, Chantel, share their experiences as survivors of the 1994 Rwanda Tutsi genocide. They recount going into hiding with the help of a Hutu family and reflect on the legacy of the genocide. 2 p.m., West Oakland Branch Library, 1801 Adeline, Oakl. Free. (510) 238-7352.

Run naked for peace

Sunday, May 15, take advantage of Bay2Breakers to demonstrate for peace with Nudes4Peace. Wearing nothing but your peace sign, drum, or flag, watch the runners pass Hayes and Octavia. Then join in with the walkers and end by demonstrating at Ocean Beach. 8 a.m., meet on the north side of Hayes Street, near Octavia, S.F. Free. (415) 922-2986, groups.yahoo.com/group/sfbarea.

Shirin Ebadi lecture

Monday, May 16, Iranian activist and Nobel Peace Prize recipient Shirin Ebadi lectures and receives an honorary doctoral degree from the University of San Francisco. Ebadi became the first female judge in Iran in 1969; she sponsored a law prohibiting violence against children, which was ratified by the Islamic Consultative Assembly in 2002. 4:30 p.m., USF McLaren Center, 2130 Fulton, Room 250, S.F. Free. (415) 422-4463.

Housing benefit

Tuesday, May 17, join the Community Housing Partnership, a nonprofit providing housing and services, for its "A Night with the Stars" talent show. The benefit features performances by formerly homeless entertainers, a silent auction, and snacks. 6 p.m., Great American Music Hall, 859 O'Farrell, S.F. $75, sponsorships begin at $250. (415) 241-9015, ext. 304; www.chp-sf.org.

Reclaim Oakland schools

Tuesday, May 17, mark the 51st anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education by participating in "Take Back Our Schools Day," a protest aimed at reversing the shutdown of Oakland schools. Coordinated by Organize da Bay, a coalition of Youth Together, Californians for Justice, and other youth groups, the day includes rallying at the Oakland City Center and teach-ins (on issues like the effects on Oakland students of high school exit exams). Rally noon-1 p.m., Frank Ogawa Plaza at City Hall, 14th St. and Broadway, Oakl.; teach-ins 1-4 p.m., locations TBA; rally 4:30-6:30 p.m., State Building, 15th St. and Clay, and Oakland Unified School District Headquarters, 1025 Second Ave. Free. (510) 593-3956. www.oaklandrising.com.