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

Meet the candidates

The Center for Disability Rights and the Regional Center for Independent Living will sponsor a candidate forum on disability issues at 6 p.m. on Monday, October 19, at the Central Library, Kate Gleason Auditorium, 115 South Avenue. Organizers have invited candidates running for City Council, Rochester School Board, and the mayor.

Marcellus Shale and you

The Rochester Regional Group-Sierra Club, Genesee Valley Audubon Society, and the League of Women Voters, as well as several co-sponsors will present a public forum: "Natural Gas Production: At What Cost to New York?" at 7 p.m. on Monday, October 19, at Brighton Town Hall, 2300 Elmwood Avenue. The impact of hydraulic fracturing in the Marcellus Shale on water and the environment will be discussed.

Rochester's economic future

The Small Business Council of Rochester will host "Eyes on the Future 2009," a regional economic summit, at 7 a.m. on Friday, October 16, at St. John Fisher College. A panel of local and regional economic experts will discuss how effectively aligning our work force and resources will create a strong and competitive economy.

Save America's arctic

The Sierra Club will present "Chill the Drills: Oil Development and Climate Change in America's Arctic," a discussion with the Sierra Club's Kit McGurn, at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, October 20, at Brighton Town Park, 777 Westfall Road.

End racism workshop

Metro Justice will hold a "Racial Justice Workshop" from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, October 17, at 167 Flanders Street. The workshop will explore personal, institutional, and structural racism and white privilege. Reservations: 325-2560. Lunch donation: $5.

Preventing violent crime

RIT's Department of Criminal Justice will present Robert Sampson, a noted criminal justice scholar, at 7 p.m. on Thursday, October 15, in RIT's Ingle Auditorium. Sampson will talk about the impact of crime and violence on communities, and the methods government institutions can use to strengthen city and suburban neighborhoods.

Composting class

The Cornell University Cooperative Extension at 249 Highland Avenue will host "Composting Information Day" from 9 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 17. The public is invited to come and see a variety of methods used to create a useful soil additive out of yard and kitchen waste. Cost: $5 per person; $10 per family.

Community farming

The Center for Sustainable Living will present a discussion with Erin Bullock about community supported agriculture, a way to market the produce you grow. Bullock started Mud Creek Farm, growing organic vegetables for more than 65 families in Rochester. The presentation is at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, October 21, at Victor Library, 16 West Main Street.

Separation of church and state

The Rochester Chapter of Americans United for Separation of Church and State will present a talk by Mikey Weinstein, founder and president of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation and co-author of "With God on our Side: One Man's War Against an Evangelical Coup in America's Military," at 8 p.m. on Sunday, October 18, at RIT's Ingle Auditorium.  

Connections to the homeless

The city and the county will hold "Project Homeless Connect," the first communitywide initiative aimed at delivering essential services and assistance to the homeless at one venue. The event is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday, October 15, at Blue Cross Arena. Information: homelessconnectrochester.org.

Support city students

The Rochester Education Foundation will hold its fourth annual Rochester Education Foundation Partnership Awards Dinner on Tuesday, October 20, at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center. The dinner is a showcase for individuals and companies that support city schools students. The dinner is also a fund-raiser for REF's work to support the students. Tickets: $50. Reservations: 271-5790.

Tree-hugging diva

Breathe, a yoga center in Pittsford, will host environmental activist and author Julia Butterfly Hill's "In Conversation with Julia Butterfly Hill," on Friday, October 16, at 7 p.m. at the Harley School, 1981 Clover Street. Suggested donation: $10. Hill will also be the guest chef at a farm-to-table benefit event on Saturday, October 17, at 7 p.m. at Breathe that utilizes products from local sustainable farms. Cost: $25 per person. Reservations: 248-9070.

Peace vigil

Peace advocates will hold a Bring them Home Vigil from Iraq and Afghanistan on Wednesday, October 21, from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. on the corners of Park Avenue of Culver Road.