FRIDAY, MARCH 31

Cesar Chavez. Founded by United Farm Workers, this day celebrates the life and contributions of Cesar Chavez, Mexican American labor leader and activist, who became a nationally respected voice for social justice.

6 PM. Join Northwest Asian Weekly Foundation in honoring high school students from across Western Washington who have reached across racial and cultural boundaries at the 13th annual Diversity Makes a Difference Award Dinner. Five $1,000 scholarships will be awarded by the foundation, which serves young people of all races and ethnicities through scholarship programs, art and essay contests, and more. $40. Jumbo Chinese Restaurant, 4208 Rainier Ave S, Seattle. Info and tickets: 206-223-0623 or rsvp@nwasianweekly.com.

Thru April 2. 6 PM. Opening night of Northwest Indigenous Film Festival. Community Gala featuring a salmon dinner by local native caterer Nu-Wa-Domie, art show, storytelling, and music. Films "Homeland" and "Tattoo on My Heart" to be followed by panel discussion with veterans of Wounded Knee 1973 who will share personal stories of the struggle for Native human rights. $15, $10 students (for entire evening's events). Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center, 104 17th Ave S. Info and related events: 206-686-6684.

Thru April 6. 7 PM. Opening night of 7th Seattle Arab & Iranian Film Festival featuring films from Morocco to Iran and all points in between. Opening film James Longley's "Iraq in Fragments," winner of Best Director, Best Cinematography, and Best Editing in the documentary category at 2006 Sundance Film Festival. Cinerama, Belltown, Seattle. Tickets: ticketwindowline.com or 206-325-6000. Info and related events: saiff.com or 206-322-0882.

SATURDAY, APRIL 1

10 AM-3 PM. Fairview shoreline work party to replace invasives with wildlife-friendly native plants lead by Eastlake Community Council. Join in removal of a century's worth of trash, invasive plants, and invasive ground cover. Rain or shine. Bring work gloves and sturdy shoes. 1500 and 1600 blocks of Fairview Ave E, between NOAA and Lake Union Dry Dock, Seattle. Info: 206-322-5463 or cleman@oo.net.

1-4 PM. Nonviolent Action Community of Cascadia (NACC) hosts a basic war tax resistance (WTR) workshop. Intended for those new to WTR, workshop will cover basic how-tos, how-comes, what-ifs, etcetera. University Friends Meeting House, 4001 9th Ave, U-District, Seattle. Info: 206-547-0952 or seanacc.org.

4 PM. Wing Luke Asian Museum presents Images Through the Ages. Join Sikh community members in a sound and light program that depicts historic figures and reenacts incidents from Sikh history. Donations welcome. Theatre Off Jackson, 409 7th Ave S, Seattle. Info: wingluke.org or 206-623-5124.

4 PM. The Jewish Reform Congregation of Beth Am, B'nai Torah and Temple DeHirsch Sinai collaborate to present the 2nd in a series of forums on Separation of Church and State. This installment entitled "Faith-Based Initiatives and Their Effect on Other Issues During This 2006 Election Year." Followed by a brief Havdallah service. Temple B'nai Torah, 15727 NE 4th St, Bellevue. Info: 425-603-9677, info@templebnaitorah.org, pgerson@aol.com.

6-10 PM. Facing the Truth About 9/11 with speakers Barrie Zwicker and Webster Tarpley of 9/11 Visibility Project. These internationally known researchers will address unresolved questions surrounding the events of September 11, 2001. Keynote addresses the film "Towers of Deception: 9/11 and the Media Cover-up" by Barrie Zwicker. $15, $10 students/seniors. University of Washington Hub Auditorium, Seattle. Tickets: brownpapertickets.com or 1-800-838-3006. Info: septembereleventh.org or Kim Kerrigan at kimkerrigan@comcast.net.

MONDAY, APRIL 3

7 PM. World Affairs Council presents: Palestine and Israel Post Election. Recent elections raise important questions about the future of the "peace process" in the Middle East and the role of the US. Ed Abington of Bannerman & Associates (a lobbying firm that has represented the Palestinian Authority) and Jonathan Jacoby, executive director of the Israel Policy Form, engage in conversation. $15, $10 students. Town Hall, 1119 8th Ave at Seneca, Seattle. Tickets and Info: 206-441-5910 or world-affairs.org.

7 PM. Call to Duty Tour presents a forum on How "Don't Ask Don't Tell" Really Affects Soldiers' Lives. Tour is a platform for the renewed debated on DADT policy in the 21st century featuring the voices of young service members--it is not anti-war or anti-military. Sponsored by the Evans School of Public Affairs. Kane Hall, Room 120, University of Washington, Seattle. Info: calltodutytour.org or info@calltodutytour.org.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5

9 AM-5:30 PM. People for Puget Sound present: Toxics in Puget Sound Forum--Connecting the Marine Environment to Human Health and the Economy. Topics include storm water, air pollution, contamination of the food chain, environmental justice, and implications for the economy and industry. Presentation of the latest scientific research and policy issues. Town Hall, 1119 8th Ave at Seneca, Seattle. Info, registration, and related events: pugetsound.org/toxics-foum.html or 206-382-7007.

7-10 PM. October 22nd Coalition to Stop Police Brutality, Seattle Affiliate presents "Every Mother's Son," a documentary film recounting the efforts of the mothers of Amadou Diallo, Anthony Baez, Gary Busch--all killed by NYPD officers. In response to the lies and cover-ups the mothers discover, they transform themselves from grieving parents into activists for police accountability. Discussion to follow. Donations appreciated. Safeco Jackson St. Center, 1 block N of 23rd Ave S and S Jackson St, Seattle. Info: oct22seattle@hotmail.com, stolenlives.org, 206-264-5527.

THURSDAY, APRIL 6

Thru April 8. Native Voices, American Indian Studies, Canadian Studies Center, and the Ethnic Cultural Center present Transcending the Boundaries: The 5th Annual Native Voices Film Festival and Showcase of Native Scholarship. All events free and open to the public. University of Washington Ethnic Cultural Center/Theatre, Seattle. Info and specific events: 206-616-7498 or depts.washington.edu/nvoices.

FRIDAY, APRIL 7

7-9:30 PM. Wallingford Neighbors for Peace and Justice present Friday Night and the Meaningful Movies and the film "Nuclear Winter." Followed by facilitated discussion. Donations appreciated. Keystone Church, 5019 Keystone Pl, W of I-5, N of 50th. Metro routes 16, 26, 44, 82. Info: wnfp@bridgings.org or snowcoalition.org/events.php?h_id+31.

SATURDAY, APRIL 8

2 PM. Seattle Public Library Tribute to poet and activist June Jordan. Co-sponsored by Copper Canyon Press and Elliot Bay Books. Downtown branch, Seattle Public Library. Info: spl.org.

4 PM. Mothers for Police Accountability annual Paul Robeson Awards Program with Zeek Green Spoken Word. Honoring Puget Sound Katrina Relief Coalition, Jeff Robinson, Maikoiyo Alley-Barnes, and Lonnie Nelson. Miller Community Center, downstairs, 330 19th Ave E, Seattle. Metro routes 12, 43. Info: mforpa@aol.com.

6-11 PM. The Central District Forum for Arts & Ideas, Seattle's premier organization for African-American art and culture, presents its 3rd annual Food as Art Fundraising Gala spotlighting Seattle's top African-American chefs. Proceeds go toward expanding the capacity of the Forum to offer inspirational theatre, music, readings, lectures, and discussions about the black experience in American to the Seattle community. Event will also feature speakers, music, and a silent auction. $100-150. Bell Harbor International Conference Center, Seattle. Tickets: brownpapertickets.com/event/2926. Info: 206-323-4032 or cdforum.org/gala-event.php.

7:30 PM. Foolproof presents Kevin Phillips in a talk about his new book, "American Theocracy: The Peril and Politics of Radical Religion, Oil, and Borrowed Money in the 21st Century." Phillips, political and economic commentator and White House strategist during the Nixon administration, believes that the current political coalition led by George Bush is driving the US to the brink of disaster. $15. Tickets and info: foolproof.org/2005/season/kevinphillips.html or 206-325-3554.

THURSDAY, APRIL 13

7:30 PM. Science Lecture: Tim Flannery on The Weather Makers. Most suspect that climate change is happening, but is it a terrible threat or an exaggeration? Flannery argues passionately for the urgent need to address the implications of global climate change now. Flannery is an acclaimed field zoologist and one of Australia's leading thinkers and writers. $5 at the door. Town Hall, 1119 8th Ave at Seneca, Seattle. Info: townhallseattle.org.

FRIDAY, APRIL 14

7:30 PM. Indian Classical Artists present a benefit concert for Chaya, an organization serving South Asian women and families in crisis and dedicated to ending domestic violence in South Asian families. Dancers, storyteller, musicians in "Nayika." $12, $20, $30. Eastshore Unitarian Church, 12700 SE 32nd St, Bellevue. Info: Neha Chandola at neha@nwirp.org or 206-331-6186.

For an excellent and much, much longer compilation of upcoming and ongoing progressive events in Seattle, check out Jean Buskin's Peace Calendar: http://www.scn.org/activism/calendar/ or e-mail her at bb369@scn.org. Also, check out www.seattleactivism.org.

Eat the Airwaves

Hear Eat the State! political commentary on Mind Over Matters every Saturday morning from 8:30 to 9:00 on KEXP 90.3 FM. If we can get up that early, the least you can do is turn on your radio and listen! If you can't - you can listen to archived programs on the web.