This week's calls to action include the following events and activities. (All are free and open to the public, unless otherwise noted.)

Climate change chat

SUNY Brockport alumnus Frederick Stoss will speak about former Vice President Al Gore's work on climate change on Thursday, September 20. Stoss' presentation, "Climate Change: The Environmental Question of our Time," examines global warming from a New York and Great Lakes perspective. The event, which is sponsored by SUNY Brockport's department of environmental science and biology, will be held at Edwards Hall, room 100 at 7:30 p.m.

Penfield road work   

The town of Penfield and the New York State Department of Transportation will hold a public meeting on Thursday, September 20 to provide information on proposed improvements to the intersection of Route 286 and Blossom Road. The meeting is in the lobby of Family First Credit Union, 2520 Browncroft Boulevard. from 5 to 7 p.m.

Lessons from the West Bank

Ibrahim Issa, co-director of the Hope Flowers School in the West Bank, will be speaking in Rochester from September 23 to October 1. The school, founded by Issa's father, Hussein, is multi-cultural with a focus on non-violence, conflict resolution and democratic principles. Issa's speaking engagements are sponsored by the US Friends of Hope-Flowers School. For a complete list of the engagements: www.hope-flowers.org or call Peter Waasdorp at 275-0122.

Bush on film

Alexandra Pelosi's documentary, "Journeys with George," will be shown on Thursday, September 20. Pelosi, daughter of Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi, films George W. Bush on his 2000 presidential campaign trail. The film will be shown at the UR's Morey Hall on the River Campus, room 321 at 7 p.m. and is sponsored by the UR's Humanities Project.

Murder on the border

The story of a border patrolman who murders a Mexican cow hand in "The Three Burials of Melquiades Estradea," will be shown on Friday, September 21 and Sunday, September 23. The film, directed by actor Tommy Lee Jones, shows the hopelessness and poverty along Mexico's border with Texas. Sponsored by the Labor Film Festival, the film will be shown both evenings at the Dryden Theater, 900 East Avenue at 7 p.m. Ticket prices: general admission, $6; students, $5; and Eastman House members, $4.

Charter schools hearing

The city school district will be holding a public hearing on Tuesday, September 25 on two proposals before the New York State Board of Regents regarding charter schools. The Board of Regents has received an application to establish the Academy Charter School and an application to create an after-school academic program at the Urban Choice Charter School. The meeting will be held at the district's central office, 131 West Broad Street, at 5:30 p.m.