alerts

by deborah giattina

Modern African times

Wednesday, Dec. 14, see Tableau Ferraille, a film capturing the urban life of Dakar residents, as part of the "African Metropolis" series, which aims to dispel stereotypes of Africans as impoverished rural people. 7:30 p.m., Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, 701 Mission, SF. $7, $5 for students and seniors. (415) 978-2787, www.ybca.org.

Art and peace

Thursday, Dec. 15, artists Judy Gussmann and Joy Hilden discuss how to create dialogue on the subject of the Middle East and how discussion can be used to help bring about peace, as part of the series "Justice Matters: Artists Consider Palestine. 7 p.m., Berkeley Art Center, 1275 Walnut, Berk. Free. (510) 644-6893, www.berkeleyartcenter.org.

Groovy activists

Thursday, Dec. 15, two of the Bay Area's most notorious '60s rabble-rousers, Wavy Gravy and Diamond Dave Whitaker, talk about how they became involved in countercultural movements, at the latest installment of the monthly series "So How'd You Become an Activist?" 7 p.m., New College of California, 777 Valencia, SF. $5, $3 for students. (415) 927-1645.

Racial justice party

Thursday, Dec. 15, join the Center for Third World Organizing for its annual year-end party, with performances by rapper Jus Rhyme, poet Leroy Moore, DH Soul Selecta, and others. 8 p.m., 1218 E. 21st St., Oakl. $10 suggested donation. (510) 533-7583, ext. 21.

Save local animals

Thursday, Dec. 15, learn about efforts to pass a resolution through the Berkeley City Council that could protect endangered species, at a slide show and discussion. 7-9 p.m., Ecology Center, 2530 San Pablo, Berk. Free. (510) 548-2220, ext. 233, www.ecologycenter.org.

Shut it down

Thursday, Dec. 15, demand Pacific Gas and Electric Co. finally close the polluting Hunters Point power plant, at a protest and rally organized by Greenaction for Health and Environmental Justice. Hold the wasteful power company to the next planned closure date, in March 2006. 4:30-6:30 p.m., PG&E headquarters, 77 Beale, SF. (415) 248-5010.

Protect sex workers

Thursday, Dec. 15-Saturday, Dec. 17, attend a community discussion, a memorial for slain sex workers, a panel discussion on how to end violence and discrimination against sex workers, and a vigil, all part of the International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers, which has expanded this year to three days and takes place in 30 cities worldwide. Memorial and community discussion Thurs/15, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists, 1924 Cedar, Berk; panel Sat/17, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., YWCA, 1515 Webster, Oakl.; vigil at dusk, Civic Center Plaza, Grove and Polk, SF. (415) 341-7656. To volunteer or donate, e-mail robyn@swop-usa.org, kelly@swop-usa.org.

Art at City Hall

Friday, Dec. 16, Sup. Ross Mirkarimi invites you to attend his regular art opening, this month exhibiting work by District 5 children from neighborhood youth groups Raising the Standard, Fulton Street Neighborhood Fair, and John Muir Community Learning Garden. 5-8 p.m., City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Pl., Room 282. Free. (415) 554-7630.

Wal-Mart doc

Friday, Dec. 16, find out just how much Wal-Mart costs taxpayers in public welfare funds for employees, business-tax breaks, and depleted property values at a screening of Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price, an informative and harrowing documentary of the Wal-Martization of the country. 7 p.m., Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists, R.E. Building, second floor, 1606 Bonita, Berk. $10 sliding scale. (510) 410-0638.

Ecology Center benefit

Saturday, Dec. 17, help raise money for the Ecology Center by shopping at the Berkeley Farmers Market Crafts Fair, which features local jewelers, textile makers, potters, and other crafters. Musicians perform all day, and the Farmers Market serves organic meals. 10 a.m.-4 p.m., MLK Jr. Civic Center Park, Center and MLK Jr. Way. (510) 548-3333, www.ecologycenter.org.

Korean strike forum

Sunday, Dec. 18, watch a video about the nine-day general strike held by the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions in protest of part-time jobs without benefits, and discuss the ramifications during a forum organized by the Bay Area Labor Action Coalition. 3 p.m., Fellowship of Humanity, 390 27th St., Oakl. $3 donation requested. (415) 867-0628, www.laboraction.org.

Support live music

Monday, Dec. 19, attend a rally (organized by the Live Music Task Force) prior to a matinee performance of the Oakland Ballet's Nutcracker, which will be performed to prerecorded music, in order to draw attention to the decline in use of live musical accompaniment for performances. 12:30 p.m.-2 p.m., Paramount Theatre, 2025 Broadway, Oakl. (415) 575-0777, ext. 308; www.livemusictaskforce.org.

Media critic talk

Tuesday, Dec. 20, author Lila Rajiva discusses her book The Language of Empire, Abu Ghraib and the American Media (Monthly Review Press). 7 p.m., Niebyl-Proctor Marxist Library, 6501 Telegraph, Oakl. (510) 658-1448, www.newsandletters.org.

Mail items for Alerts to the Bay Guardian Building, 135 Mississippi St., SF, CA 94107; fax to (415) 255-8762; or e-mail alerts@sfbg.com. Please include a contact telephone number. Items must be received at least one week prior to publication date. Call (415) 255-3100, ext. 573, for more information. For more events, see the Benefits listings in the Calendar section.