Naked City

A Valentine's Day fundraiser for local Iraq peace efforts will be held Friday in conjunction with the opening of "Faces of Iraq," a photo exhibit by Alan Pogue. The event is 6-10pm at 1604 E. 11th; $25 admission includes chocolates, champagne, and a silent auction. Call 478-8387 for more info.

Also Friday, a "Freak Fest for Peace" benefiting Adopt-a-Minefield (which raises money to clear minefields) will be held at Elysium, 705 Red River, 9pm-2am. $5 per person or $8 per couple (age 21 and over only). To donate raffle items, e-mail [email protected].

On Saturday, Feb. 15, at 1pm, an anti-war protest (coordinated with other protests around the nation) will be held on the south steps of the Capitol, followed by a march down Congress Avenue. For more info, go to www.austinagainstwar.org.

Alamo Drafthouse Downtown (409-B Colorado) will be showing a pair of documentaries this weekend. Defying Gravity: Texans Take On Longhorn Pipeline will be shown Saturday, Feb. 15, 4:30pm, in conjunction with a public forum hosted by Iconmedia with attorneys, community activists, and local political leaders. $6 admission. For more info, call 441-9454 or go to www.iconmedia.org. On Sunday, Feb. 16, Jenin Jenin focuses on Israeli army activities and the Palestinian inhabitants of the notorious refugee camp. Admission is $5. Contact [email protected].

Public school districts from all over the state are organizing a Capitol rally in support of school finance, Monday, Feb. 17, at 1pm. Citizens, teachers, administrators, and students will ask the Lege to increase the state's share of school funding (currently about 40%) to a minimum of 50%. "The entire community of Austin ISD is invited to attend these rallies," reads the announcement, "and let the members of the Texas Legislature know how important it is for the state to fulfill its financial obligation to the children of Texas."

Austinite Michael Badnarik will kick off his campaign for the Libertarian Party's 2004 presidential nomination on Monday, Feb. 17, 9am, at the Speaker's Committee Room at the state Capitol. That night, U.S. Rep. Ron Paul, R-Surfside -- himself a former Lib presidential candidate -- will speak at the UT Law School (East Campus Drive and Dean Keeton) on threats to privacy created by the Homeland Security Dept. and the USA PATRIOT Act. Sponsored by the ACLU, the Libertarian Party, the Republican Liberty Caucus, Contumacy, and the Young Conservatives of Texas. For more info, go to www.rlctexas.org or call 577-8842.

The Austin chapter of the Drug Policy Forum of Texas is holding a rally to serve eviction papers on local Drug Enforcement Administration agents, Feb. 18 at 12:15pm in front of the Federal Building at 300 E. Eighth. Organized by Americans for Safe Access, the rally is one of 50 like it across the country to protest the DEA and Bush administration policies of "harassing and arresting" medical marijuana patients. Howard Wooldridge, former Michigan cop turned Texas lobbyist for NORML, will be serving the notice to the DEA. For more info, go to www.dpftaustin.org.