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

How Haiti copes

The Rochester Committee on Latin America will present "Update on the People of Haiti" at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, October 1, at Downtown Presbyterian Church, 121 North Fitzhugh Street. Sarah Brownwell and Kevin Foos will discuss the conditions in Haiti following the recent hurricane.

Oil is not the answer

The Federation of Monroe County Environmentalists will hold "Our Energy Future: We Can't Pump our Way Out of this Crisis," a forum on energy, at 7 p.m. on Monday, October 6, at the Brighton Town Hall auditorium, 2300 Elmwood Avenue.

Journalists talk

The United Nations Association of Rochester will host "Journalists from Around the World," at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 4, at Nazareth College. Tickets: $30 adults, $20 students. Call 473-7286.

The human race

Moving Beyond Racism will hold a book discussion concerning "The Journey of Man: A Genetic Odyssey" by Spencer Wells at 7 p.m. on Monday, October 6, at Barnes & Noble, Pittsford Plaza, at 7 p.m.

Global warming discussion

Animal Rights Advocates of Upstate NY will host environmentalist and author Anthony Marr who will discuss "Global Warming and Mass Extinction" at 7 p.m. on Thursday, October 2, at the Brighton Town Hall auditorium, 2300 Elmwood Avenue.

Obama 2008

Rochester for Obama will host "Rochester Women for Obama" meetings on Wednesday, October 8, and Wednesday, October 22, at 6 p.m. at the RFO offices, 51 Mortimer Street. There will also be meetings on Tuesdays and Saturdays throughout the month of October for volunteer training and orientation. Information: www.rochesterforobama.com or 284-0507.

MCC board meeting

The MCC Board of Trustees will meet at 5 p.m. on Monday, October 6, in the R. Thomas Flynn Campus Center Forum (3-130), 1000 East Henrietta Road.

Adult tech skills

The Community Computer Academy, a city program, will be accepting applications through Tuesday, October 14, for adult computer training. Fee: $10. Applications and information: 244-1430.

College Town hearing

The city Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on the proposed Mt. Hope Avenue zoning amendment for the UR College Town development at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, October 6, City Hall, Council chambers.

Tortured prisoner remembers

Nazareth College will present "Audacity to Believe: The Witness of a Political Prisoner," a lecture by Sheila Cassidy, on Thursday, October 2, in the Otto Shults Community Center at 7 p.m. Cassidy is a physician, psychotherapist, and writer who chronicled her experience of being captured and tortured by Chile's Pinochet regime.