alerts

by deborah giattina

Meet SF Dems

Wednesday, Jan. 4, join San Francisco for Democracy in a discussion on the Mill Corporation's development plans for Piers 27 through 31. Melanie Nutter, of Citizens to Save the Waterfront, and John Rizzo, chair of the San Francisco Bay chapter of the Sierra Club, reveal the details of the project. Afterward, participate in a letter-writing campaign in support of the California Clean Money and Fair Elections Act AB583. 7-9 p.m., Schroeder's 240 Front, SF. Free. (415) 789-8008, communications@sf4democracy.com.

Rage against the machine

Thursday, Jan. 5, are psycho workplace killers actually postindustrial rebels raging against the oppressive social and economic realities of being enslaved by their jobs? That's what Mark Ames argues in his book Going Postal. Hear all about it at a book signing and talk. 7:30 p.m., Modern Times Bookstore, 888 Valencia, SF. Free. (415) 282-9246.

Campaign for Clean Money

Friday, Jan. 6, come to a fundraiser for the campaign for the California Clean Money and Fair Elections Act AB583 with one of the bill's sponsors, Assemblymember Loni Hancock. 6-8 p.m., location to be announced, Oakl. $25. 1-800-566-3780, moira.brennan@caclean.org.

Clean Money forum

Saturday, Jan. 7, attend a forum with the Progressive Democrats of the East Bay on the California Clean Money and Fair Elections Act AB583. Assemblymember Loni Hancock also discusses how this proposed legislation could make for a better democracy. 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Oakland City Hall, Council Chambers, 1 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Oakl. (510) 559-1406.

Compost in the city

Saturday, Jan. 7, put leftovers to good use and learn the difference between backyard composting and worm composting. 10 a.m.-noon, Garden for the Environment, Seventh Ave. and Lawton, SF. Free. (415) 731-5627.

Train to be an activist

Saturday, Jan. 7-Saturday, Jan. 21, participate in a two-week intensive activist training course led by seasoned local activists Starhawk, Erik Ohlsen, and Penny Livingston-Stark and learn how to fight effectively for environmental causes. $1,100-$1,600 sliding scale; scholarships available. (707) 583-2300, ext. 119, mer@starhawk.org.

Veggie oil ride

Saturday, Jan. 7, bid bon voyage to the Sustainable Solutions Caravan, which for its third year in a row will make its way through Mexico, Central America, all the way to Costa Rica on biofuel in order to raise awareness about planet-friendly energy options. Joining the party are Big Tadoo Puppet Crew, DJ Little John, Lydia's Organics, Santa Cruz Samba Troupe, and others. 8 p.m., CELLspace, 2050 Bryant, SF. $15 sliding scale. (323) 828-2480, seacloud252@hotmail.com, www.veggiecaravan.com.

Stick up for animals

Sunday, Jan. 8, get involved with animal advocacy at an interactive workshop organized by Bay Area Vegetarians that teaches how to perform effective leafleting, letter writing, and tabling around issues that effect our fellow mammalians. 3 p.m., CELLspace, 2050 Bryant, SF. Free (donations accepted). RSVP at www.evite.com/sfbaveg@yahoo.com/cl_jan2006.

Rev. Lucius Walker speaks

Monday, Jan. 9, listen to longtime humanitarian Rev. Lucius Walker, executive director since 1979 of the Interreligious Foundation for Community Organization, discuss his trip to New Orleans as part of the Pastors for Peace caravan and the prospects for rebuilding and community empowerment in the devastated area. The reverend also talks about efforts to end the embargo and travel restrictions to Cuba. 7 p.m., 522 Valencia, third floor, SF. $5 donation. june@globalexchange.org, www.ifconews.org.

Walk in MLK's footsteps

Tuesday, Jan. 10-Tuesday, Jan. 17, take an eight-day trip down to the Gulf Coast with Downs United Methodist Church and Cosmopolitan Baptist Church in the name of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The group, led by Revs. Kelvin Sauls and Larry Ashley, brings relief to the area and looks at rebuilding the area through faith-based community. $700; scholarships available. To register, send $100 deposit to Downs UMC/Louisiana Trip, 6026 Idaho, Oakland, CA 94608. (510) 654-5858, ext. 12.

Animal Liberation Front story

Wednesday, Jan. 11, get the full story on the Animal Liberation Front at a screening of Animal Liberation: History in the Making presented by Christine Morrissey. See the legendary group raid British labs and factory farms and collide with whaling ships. Jake Conroy gives a special presentation on the seven members of the liberationist group Stop Huntington Animal Cruelty who are being indicted under the Federal Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act for vandalizing Huntington Life Sciences, a British drug company that tests its products on animals.. 7 p.m., Humanist Hall, 390 27th St., Oakl. (510) 451-5818, humanisthall@yahoo.com, www.humanisthall.net, www.shac7.com.

Black Film Fest deadline

Wednesday, Feb. 1, Don't miss the deadline to turn in your film or screenplay for the eighth annual San Francisco Black Film Festival, which will be happening in the city from June 6 through 11. To obtain entry forms and guidelines, write to PO Box 15490, San Francisco, CA 94115, call (415) 771-9271, go to www.sfbff.org, or e-mail avem@sbcglobal.net.

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.