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

Demonstration and rally

Rochester-area peace activists will hold a "No More Business as Usual" demonstration and rally to protest continued US military involvement in Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere. It's at 5 p.m. on Thursday, March 19, at the Genesee River Crossroads Park, 69 Andrews Street, behind the Federal Building.

Lecture series continues

The Rochester Downtown Development Corporation's Repositioning Rochester lecture series continues on Monday, March 16, with Robert Fishman, professor of architecture and urban planning at the University of Michigan. The title of the lecture is "The Fifth Migration," and it is from 7 to 9 p.m. at Downtown United Presbyterian Church, 121 N. Fitzhugh Street. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. To purchase: 271-0520 or www.rrcdc.org.

Honoring military families

The fourth annual Operation Local Soldier event is from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday, March 13, at Hilton's Merton Williams Middle School, 200 School Lane. The event recognizes members of area families serving in the military. Student pre-registration begins at 5:30 p.m. A $1 donation is suggested. More information: 392-1000 Ext. 4338.

Driscoll, on the county

Jack Driscoll, Henrietta representative in the Monroe County Legislature, will attend an open meeting to discuss county issues with members of the public. It's from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 21, in the Community Room of the Henrietta Public Library, 455 Calkins Road.

March on the Pentagon

Rochester Against War will be sending two busloads of demonstrators to Washington, D.C. to join a national march on the Pentagon on Saturday, March 21. Buses leave Friday night and tickets are $50 per seat. The march is to end US military action in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Palestine. Tickets are available at the Anti-War Storefront, 658 Monroe Avenue. E-mail bus@rochesteragainstwar.org or call: 309-3440.

War weary

A video, "War Made Easy," narrated by Sean Penn, and a discussion will be from 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, March 19, at Gilbert Hall, First Unitarian Church, 220 S. Winton Road. It is free and open to the public.

Cycling talk

"Let's Talk Cycling," a discussion to help reduce your carbon footprint, is at 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 19, at Brighton Town Auditorium, 2300 Elmwood Avenue. The event is free and open to the public, and is sponsored by the Sierra Club, the Rochester Bicycling Club, and is presented by the Monroe County Office of Traffic Safety.

Water for Sudan

Student leaders of the Holocaust, Genocide, and Human Rights Project at MCC will host a Walk for Water fund raiser to support the drilling of a fresh-water well in Southern Sudan. The walk begins at noon on Saturday, March 14, at the PAC Center on MCC's Brighton Campus, 1000 East Henrietta Road. Pre-register by March 13 by calling 354-5330. Walk-ins welcome. A $35 per person donation is suggested.

Diary of a diplomat

Nazareth College's Center for Interfaith Studies and Dialogue presents "Nudging Peace: Notes from a Diplomat's Diary," from 7 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, March 12, at Nazareth's Shults Center Forum. The lecture, with keynote speaker Lois Cecsarini, will examine lessons of peacemaking in Angola, Rwanda, South Africa, and Israel/Palestine. It is free and open to the public. Information: 389-2963.

Focus on LGBT health

The third annualRochester LGBT Health Awareness Week is March 14 through March 20, and features a full week of events designed to educate, advocate and improve the health and wellness of LGBT people. Information: elibey@aidsrochester.org  or (585) 442-2220 Ext. 3042.