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

Reports from Haiti and Latin America

The Rochester Committee on Latin America will host presentations by Rose-Marie Chierici, who just returned from Haiti; Arnie Matlin, who just returned from Nicaragua; and Tom Ward, who just returned from Guatemala at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, February 3, at Downtown Presbyterian Church, 121 North Fitzhugh Street.

The American Dream has changed

The Rochester Regional Community Design Center will present "the New American Dream," a talk by urban land strategist Christopher Leinberger at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, February 10, at the Jewish Community Center, 1200 Edgewood Avenue. Tickets: $15 in advance; $20 at the door; $5 for students. Information: 271-0520 or www.rrcdc.org.

Talking with black scholars

The UR will hold "Thinking Black Intellectuals," a conference featuring some of the country's most important scholars in Africana studies on Friday, February 5, and Saturday, February 6. Scholars Jeffrey Tucker of the UR, Grant Farred of Cornell, and Valentin Mudimbe of Duke will be participating. For a complete schedule: www.rochester.edu/college/humanities/projects/?intellectuals or call 276-3256.

Join a community garden

The Unitarian Universalist Church of Canandaigua will sponsor an orientation and sign-up meeting for Community Supported Agriculture at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, February 9, at 3024 Cooley Road, Canandaigua. The program offers 24 weeks of fresh-picked organic fruits and vegetables, and grass-fed meat and eggs at nearby farms starting May 24 and ending November 1. Costs vary. Information: 396-3399.

What is permaculture?

Gardening instructors Dave Feasey and Patty Love will teach a Permaculture Design Certificate course this spring. Students will learn the fundamentals of sustainable design and learn how to create resilient, diverse gardens using land, energy, and materials efficiently. The first of the five-module course will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, February 6, and Sunday, February 7. The cost of each module is $175. Information and registration: www.greenerminds.com.

Peace vigils

Faith community advocates for peace will hold vigils at 7:30 a.m. on Thursday, February 4, at Park Avenue and Culver Road; and at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, February 9, in front of the First Unitarian Church, 220 South Winton Road.