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

Water shortages

The Sierra Club Rochester Regional Group will present "Water Scarcity in the Great Lakes: Is the World's Water Supply a Public Right or a Commodity?" - a discussion with Wayne Howard, Great Lakes committee chair, at the Gleason Auditorium of the Rochester Library, 115 South Avenue, at noon on Thursday, August 28. The Lower Link Gallery also has a water conservation exhibit on display.

School district public hearings

The board of education for the city school district will hold public hearings on the Contract for Excellence and Career Mentoring Charter High School on Thursday, September 4, at the school district's central office, 131 West Broad Street, at 7 p.m.

Fidel's influence

The Rochester Committee on Latin America will present the film "Fidel: the Untold Story," a moving portrait of the Cuban leader, on Wednesday, September 3, at Downtown United Presbyterian Church, 121 North Fitzhugh Street, at 7 p.m.

Big-screen Obama

The Rochester Faith Community for Obama will hold a convention watch party and voter registration rally on Thursday, August 28, at the Main Street Armory, 900 East Main Street, at 7 p.m.

DC Walk for Change

Rochester for Obama supporters are invited to participate in the Washington, DC Walk for Change on Saturday, September 13. A charter bus will depart from Rochester. RSVP is required: travel@rochesterforobama.com or Mary Hussong-Kallen, communications coordinator, 637-5183.

Duffy sighting

Mayor Bob Duffy will meet with residents at the Beechwood Neighborhood Association on Thursday, September 4, at St. Mark's and St. John's Church, 1245 Culver Road, at 7 p.m.

‘Tipping Point' discussion  

Climate Change Central will hold a discussion of Malcom Gladwell's "Tipping Point" on Tuesday, September 2, at 545 Park Avenue, at 6:30 p.m.

Celebrating hard work

Rochester's unions will hold a Labor Day parade on Monday, September 1, at 11 a.m. Assembly for those people who would like to march with Metro Justice is at Sibley Place at 10:30 a.m.

‘SICKO' subjects speak

Donna and Larry Smith, subjects of Michael Moore's film "SICKO," will support a rally for universal health care on Friday, September 5, at St. Joseph's Neighborhood Center, 417 South Avenue, at 10:15 a.m. The Smiths will tell their story of bankruptcy following open heart surgery and cancer, despite having health insurance.