1. Persian Student's Association Movie Screening: "So Close, So Far", a multi award winning film by director Reza Mirkarimi; THR Nov 3, 7-9pm, Stanford Univ, Bldg 420 (Jordan Hall) located in the main Quad, Room 041(basement); Tickets $5, movie in Persian.
2. BAM/PFA presents: "Earthquake Triology" movie screenings of Abbas Kiarostami starting Nov 5 in Berkeley.2575 Bancroft Way (between Telegraph and Bowditch) in Berkeley. SAT, Nov 5, 6pm & SUN, Nov 6 5pm Where Is the Friend's Home? SAT, Nov 12, 6pm, & SUN, Nov 13 3pm And Life Goes On . . . SAT, Nov 19, 6pm, & SUN, Nov 20, 4:30pm Through the Olive Trees http://bampfa.berkeley.edu/filmseries
3. Berkeley Lecture Series, in partnership with Omid Advocates for Human Rights, presents "Behind the Dust and Dirt: The Promise of an Iranian Spring," a talk by Amir, co-author of "Zahra’s Paradise"; SUN, Nov 6, 4pm, 110 barrows Hall, UC Berkeley; lecture in English, suggested donation of $10:00. http://www.berkeleylectures.org
4. Monika Jalili Concert, SUN Nov. 6, 7pm at Yoshi's in San Francisco, 1330 Fillmore St, SF; proceeds benefit Golestan Kids, a Persian preschool in Berkeley. http://golestankids.com/MonikaJaliliConcert.php
5. PSA presents a talk by Bijan Gheiby, on "The Veil: its history & iconography in ancient Iran & Islam"; he is a phd in Iranian studies & teaches Zoroastrianism in Univ of Hamburg, Germany, Stanford Univ, Pigott Hall, Bldg 260, Wed Nov 9 at 6:30 pm.
Two Iranian American candidates are on the verge of making history by winning their respective elections for District Attorney and Sheriff of San Francisco. Their success will have a profound impact on the Iranian American story in the US and will pave the path for future generations of Iranian American leaders to serve as Members of Congress, Governors, Supreme Court Justices, and a host of other public service positions.
SHARMIN BOCK, Candidate for District Attorney of San Francisco
Sharmin Bock has worked in the law enforcement community for more than two decades. She is a tireless prosecutor and a nationally recognized leader on cutting edge criminal prosecutions including DNA cold cases and human exploitation and trafficking.
Endorsed by Congresswoman Jackie Speier, the National Women’s Political Caucus, San Francisco Firefighters Union, and an extensive coalition of community leaders who support her law enforcement credentials, Bock has a real opportunity to become the first American of Iranian descent to serve as a District Attorney in the United States.
The San Francisco Bay Guardian has recommended that San Franciscans vote for her, calling her an "experienced prosecutor" and "independent". San Francisco election law allows voters to select multiple candidates on Election Day, allowing candidates who are the 2nd or 3rd choices of voters the possibility of being elected if no candidate has a majority of 1st choice votes.
As the only woman in this race, this voting system could tilt the electoral field heavily in her favor. Help Sharmin Bock win the election and become the first Iranian American District Attorney in the United States!
ROSS MIRKARIMI, Candidate for Sheriff of San Francisco
Ross Mirkarimi has called San Francisco home for 27 years. A graduate of San Francisco's Police Academy, Mirkarimi served nine years as an armed San Francisco District Attorney Investigator. Elected to the Board of Supervisors in 2004, Mirkarimi served twice as Chair of the Public Safety Committee and passed landmark community policing, police reform and re-entry legislation.
San Francisco Sheriff Mike Hennessey, Police Commission President Thomas Mazzucco, and the San Francisco Democratic Party, are among the many community leaders, public officials, and organizations that have endorsed Mirkarimi’s campaign.
"When he took office in 2005, District Five ... was plagued with violent crime. He personally appeared at every homicide scene, pushed for more police on the streets and for foot patrols and worked to organize the community around crime -- and it worked. The murder rate dropped dramatically," explained the San Francisco Bay Guardian in a ringing endorsement of Mirkarimi’s campaign.
Significantly, the Guardian withheld a recommendation to vote for any other candidate in this race where voters may cast ballots for 2nd and 3rd choices as well. Help Ross Mirkarimi win the election and become the first Iranian American Sheriff in the United States.
You have a significant role to play in helping Iranian Americans be elected to public office. Voter turnout and name recognition will be the key to Ross Mirkarimi and Sharmin Bock’s victories on November 8th.
However, to see Iranian Americans in elected office, we must do more than offer our wishes of success.Your contribution of $250, $100, $50, or even $25 will help carry them to victory on Election Day!
MAKE 2011 A TURNING POINT FOR THE IRANIAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY BY HELPING ELECT SHARMIN BOCK AND ROSS MIRKARIMI!
Spread the word, encourage your friends, family, and colleagues to support and vote for these two highly qualified candidates. Both Mirkarimi and Bock were endorsed and supported by the Iranian American Political Action Committee (IAPAC), the connected PAC of PAAIA. IAPAC supports and promotes the election of candidates for federal, state, and local office, regardless of party affiliation, who are attuned to the domestic needs of the of the Iranian American community. IAPAC also encourages and Iranian Americans to actively participate in the American electoral process and supports Iranian American candidates for public office.
DETAILS FROM CANDIDATES THEMSELVES:
A. Sharmin Eshraghi Bock for SF District Attorney:
I am in the final days of my race for San Francisco District Attorney. I have an excellent chance of winning this race, and my victory will be a win for Iranians everywhere, not just those of us in the US. Women in Iran are also talking about my run and a victory for an Iranian woman in America will inspire them.
We have a rare opportunity to send an important and long overdue message that will be heard around the world: Iranian Americans are organized and politically engaged--a force to be reckoned with...& all women count!
We have ONE WEEK left until Election day on November 8. I am currently running a TV ad on English/Chinese stations, which is getting amazing traction. In order to get my message out to every voter in the city, I really need your help to keep this ad on TV for the next week.
That costs money - $35,000 per week to be exact. If you have not already given, please go online today and give whatever you can. Contributing is easy online at: www.sharminbock.com.
The maximum donation per person is $500, and I am hoping that you will consider giving the maximum $500 donation. If you have already given, please ask your family and friends to give whatever they can so that we can reach as many as possible and raise the money we need for the TV ad.
Anyone living anywhere in the US, who is over 18 years of age and who has a green card, can give.
Last upcoming event I hope you can attend: Laguna Beach - FRI NOV 4, 6-8pm hosted by Melahat Rafiei at the home of Jane Manolakas at 2560 Monaco Drive, Laguna Beach, Orange County. To RSVP please call 415-402-0303 or respond to svp@sgrconsultants.com.
We have a rare opportunity to make history and elect the first ever Iranian American District Attorney in the US. You can make history with your generous donation of $500, $250, or $125 today. We need all contributions as soon as possible but no later than November 5.
Please forward this information to your network and ask others to give to ensure our victory in the home stretch. If we unite and work together, just think what we can accomplish for all Iranians in America and abroad as well as for future generations!
B. Ross Mirkarimi for SF Sherrif
We are now a week away from the election. The journey we started back so many months ago is coming to its end, and victory is in sight. Team Ross has been hitting the pavement every day in multiple locations throughout the city, showing San Franciscans the depth and breadth of our grassroots support, and voters are responding favorably.
As we head into this last week, we need to continue and expand our momentum, so it's not too late to get involved with the campaign. There's something to do every day, and every minute or every dollar that you can chip in will make the difference in these final days.
All the details on our volunteer opportunities are below. We're also inviting you to a special fundraiser featuring Sheriff Michael Hennessey, your last chance to join Ross at a fundraising event before the election.
Please join retiring SF Sheriff Mike Hennessey for a special fundraising event in support of Ross for Sheriff: Suggested Donation $50-$500 WED, Nov 2nd from 5:30-7:30 pm At Medjool, 2522 Mission Street, San Francisco
Please bring as many friends as you can and spread the word to make it our most successful fundraiser yet -- we hope to see you there! To RSVP (prepaid), please call (415) 690-8781, or email rossforsheriff@gmail.com
A. Golestan Center for Language Immersion & Cultural Education, where the only language spoken is Persian, our goal is to teach each child the following qualities: Integrity, curiosity, altruism, dignity,generosity, compassion, confidence, kindness, and community. http://www.GolestanKids.com
B. Persian(Farsi)classes, group and private with Shohreh Terman at Persian Center. Info: or 510.222.6587 http://web.mac.com/shohrehterman
C. Sahaja Yoga Meditation: free classes at Persian Center, Mondays 7- 8:15pm; Info: 510.846.7761
D. ADULT CAMP: Pleasant Hill Home--room, board, & care for Seniors. PHH has been established to provide care for seniors with a warm & caring domestic atmosphere for your loved ones. It is accompanied by assistance with bathing, dressing, feeding, laundry, housekeeping, medication supervision, & three nutritious home-cooked meals plus snacks.Contact INFO: Zohreh Samouti 925-934-7742
SHARMIN BOCK, Candidate for District Attorney of San Francisco 
ROSS MIRKARIMI, Candidate for Sheriff of San Francisco 