Urban Action 12/4 

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

Play reading

Downtown United Presbyterian Church will present a reading of Joanna McClelland Glass's "Palmer Park" at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 10, at 121 North Fitzhugh Street. The play raises questions about what would happen if the have-nots become the haves. The play will be directed by Maria Scipione and features a team of professional actors.

Flying Squirrel film series

The Flying Squirrel Community Center will hold a film series and fund raiser called "Expanding Democracy, Shrinking Corporatism." "The Corporation" will be shown at 6:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. on Friday, December 6. The film looks at the history and the rise to power of the US corporate institution. "Beyond Elections: Redefining Democracy in the Americas" examines the variations and nature of democracies across the Americas. The film will be shown at 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, December 7. And "This is What Democracy Looks Like" will be shown at 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, December 8. The film uses footage from media activists to depict the 1999 World Trade Organization protests in Seattle. All films will be shown at 285 Clarissa Street. Tickets: $2 per film.

Public feedback on rec centers

The City of Rochester's Department of Recreation and Youth Services will hold open houses on Thursday, December 5, and Thursday, December 12, to solicit public feedback on the type and quality of programs available. All meetings begin at 6 p.m. The Thursday meetings will be held at the Humboldt Street Recreation Center, 1045 Atlantic Avenue; and the Avenue D Community Center, at 200 Avenue D. The Friday meetings will be held at the Thomas P. Ryan Community Center, at 530 Webster Avenue; the Roxie Ann Sinkler Recreation, at 75 Grover Street; and at the Carter Street Community Center, at 500 Carter Street. Information: 428-6755.

Vatican's wartime past

St. John Fisher will present "Pope Pius XII and World War II" at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, December 6. A compilation of international evidence revealing the Vatican's wartime acts will be presented and discussed in Basil Hall.

Penfield public meeting on fracking

The Town of Penfield will hold a legislative and public meeting at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, December 4. Penfield Citizens Concerned about Hydrofracking, an anti-fracking advocacy group, is encouraging residents to attend the meeting to address the first item on the agenda, which is the extension of Local Law No. 1 of 2013. The law would extend the town's one-year moratorium on and prohibition of fracking for natural gas. The meeting will be held at 3100 Atlantic Avenue.