Public Agenda - Discuss Worker Rights

A panel of politicians and workers’ rights advocates will meet on Mon., Nov. 14, after a screening of the documentary Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price, to answer questions about how workers are treated in Georgia. The film addresses issues such as Wal-Mart’s failure to provide adequate health care to employees and their families. The panelists hope the screening will inspire the audience to ask questions and get more information about the problems raised in the film impact — and the impact of those problems on the average Georgian. Panelists include state Rep. Stephanie Stuckey Benfield, D-Decatur, co-sponsor of legislation calling for more transparency in Georgia’s health care process; Richard Ray, president of the Georgia AFL-CIO; and Dr. Henry Kahn, board member of Georgians for a Common Sense Health Plan.

The event will be held at the Rialto Center for the Performing Arts, 80 Forsyth St. The screening will begin at 7 p.m., with the Q&A to follow at the theater. Free, but seating is limited. For more info, call 678-714-3500 or visit atlantawand.org/events.htm.

· Atlanta Planning Advisory BOARD The APAB discusses land use, transportation, and parks. Every third Saturday, 10 a.m.-noon, Committee Room No. 2, City Hall, 68 Mitchell St. 404-330-6899. www.atlantaga.gov.

· Buckhead Young Republicans BYR is open to members between the ages of 18 and 40, but visitors of all ages are welcome. Second Monday of every month, 7 p.m. Copeland’s Famous New Orleans Restaurant, 3365 Piedmont Road. 770-265-5268. www.buckheadyr.org.

· Chamblee City Council City Council discusses local issues and future plans for the city. Third Tuesday of every month, 7:30 p.m. Chamblee Civic Center, 3540 Broad St., Chamblee. www.chambleega.com. 770-986-5013.

· Drinking Liberally Meet fellow Democrats to discuss politics and whatever else comes up after a few drinks. Thursdays, 7 p.m. Thinking Man Tavern, 537 W. Howard Ave., Decatur. 404-370-1717. www.drinkingliberally.org.

· Druid Hills Civic Association The DHCA’s monthly meetings are open to the public. Third Wednesday of every month, 7 p.m. St. John’s Lutheran Church, 1410 Ponce de Leon Ave. 404-523-DHCA. www.druidhills.org.

· East Cobb Dems The East Cobb Democratic Alliance works to get progressive Democrats elected by discussing campaign strategies. Free and open to the public. Second Friday of every month, 7 p.m. East Cobb Government Center, 4400 Lower Roswell Road, Marietta. 770-499-4444. www.eastcobbdems.com.

· Fulton Commissioners Come to the commission meeting at the beginning of the month to hear zoning cases or the end of the month to hear commissioner and county manager issues. First Wednesday of the month, 10 a.m.; third Wednesday, 10 a.m. Fulton County Government Center, Assembly Hall, 141 Pryor St. 404-730-8200. www.co.fulton.ga.us/commissioners.

· Grant Park Neighbors Residents of Grant Park are encouraged to attend neighborhood meetings. Third Tuesday of every month, 7:30-9 p.m. Georgia Hill Neighborhood Center, 250 Georgia Ave. grantpark.org.

· Gwinnett Dems Breakfast Speakers are typically invited to provide topics for discussion. $6. Second Saturday of every month, 8:30-10 a.m. Atlanta Bread Company, 5456 Jimmy Carter Boulevard, Norcross. 678-938-0980. www.gwinnettdemocrats.com.

· Jump on the Train The Georgia Association of Railroad Passengers lobbies for trains to play a larger role ferrying us to and fro. Join them to help make it happen. Second Saturday of every month, 10 a.m. Towne Square Condos’ community room, 225 E. Ponce de Leon Ave., Decatur. 404-373-7530. www.trainweb.org/garp.

· Kirkwood Neighbors Kirkwood residents are invited to discuss community business. Meet on the 10th of every month, 7-8:30 p.m. Turner Monumental A.M.E. Church, 66 Howard St. 404-378-5970. www.historic-kirkwood.com.

· Lake Claire Neighbors Lake Claire Neighbors provides a community voice to city reps. Third Thursday of every month, 7 p.m. Frazer Center, 1815 Ponce de Leon Ave. www.lakeclaire.org.

· Neighborhood Planning Unit The city’s NPUs are citizen-run councils that advise the mayor and Atlanta City Council. Each NPU meets monthly to solicit community concerns. Membership is open to anyone 18 years or older who lives in the NPU, or any business within the NPU. To find out which NPU you belong to and when it meets, visit www.atlantaga.gov. 404-330-6899.

· Run for Justice Atlanta Legal Aid Society will host its annual Run for Justice to benefit the organization, which provides legal services to low-income families. The run starts at Fire Station No. 19 in Virginia-Highland at 9 a.m. on Sat., Nov. 12. Registration is $25. 404-327-7738. www.rungeorgia.com.

· Sierra club discussion The Atlanta Sierra Club will host a premiere of the transit documentary Taken For a Ride, followed by a discussion with Ryan Gravel of the Beltline Partnership; Michael Walls, chair of the MARTA Board of Directors; Emory McClinton, of the State Transportation Board; and Lyle Harris, of the AJC. Thurs., Nov. 10, 7:30 p.m. Midtown Art Cinema, 931 Monroe Drive. www.georgia.sierraclub.org/atlanta.

· CL events:

· Political Party Join CL Editor Ken Edelstein and a panel of local politicos and players at the next Political Party on Wed., Dec. 14. The event, which is open to the public, encourages discussion of issues facing metro Atlanta. Second Wednesday of every month, 8 p.m. (doors open at 7:30) at Dad’s Garage Theater, 280 Elizabeth St. atlanta.creativeloafing.com/politicalparty.

· Air Loaf Hear CL’s writers and critics discuss their stories during “Air Loaf” on 1690 AM Air Atlanta. Discussions are aired just after the news on weekdays at 7 a.m., noon, 5 and 9 p.m. A two-hour show, on Saturdays from 10 a.m.-noon, features local topics and well-known guests.

· Sugg’s News Hour Find out the news behind the news on CL Group Senior Editor John Sugg’s “Progressive News Hour” every Thursday at noon on WRFG-FM (89.3).

· Want to publicize a political or civic event? E-mail publicagenda@creativeloafing.com.