The President's Office sponsors William Howell's speech, "The Education Gap: Vouchers and Urban Schools." Howell is an education theorist, associate professor of government at Harvard University and the author of "Power Without Persuasion: The Politics of Direct Presidential Action." He has written widely on separation-of-powers issues and American political institutions with a general focus on the presidency. (Wed., 7:30 p.m., Babbott Room, Octagon.)

New WORLD Theater presents its 2005 fall season with the premiere of "Caliente! Circle Around the Sun." This red-hot Asian-Latin-Indo poetry and music performance incorporates a variety of rhythms and voices from around the world. This event is the work of three modern, revolutionary artists: poet, playwright, performer and arts educator Magdalena Gomez; Chinese-American baritone saxophonist, composer, writer and producer Fred Ho; and poet and activist cultural worker Raul Salinas. (Fri., 8 p.m., Top of the Campus, UMass. For more information call 545-1972.)

Tom Monte will read from and sign copies of his new book, "Unexpected Recoveries." Monte has co-authored more than 30 books and many articles on different areas of health. He specializes in creating a bridge of understanding between ancient and modern forms of healing. (Sat., 1 p.m., Jeffery Amherst Bookshop. No admission charge. For more information call 253-3381.)

A Winternship Info Session will be held for students interested in Manhattan or Washington, D.C., internships over interterm. Former Winternship participants as well as the Winternship coordinators will be on hand to provide background about the program and answer questions. Also, Peer Career Advisors from the Career Center will be there with a sign up sheet for drop-in sessions to review resumes the following week. (Tues., 7 p.m., Front Room, Keefe Campus Center.)

A workshop entitled "Loving Relations Don't Just Happen" will be sponsored by the Human Awareness Institute (HAI). This event is open to people of all sexual orientations. Light refreshments will be served. (Wed., 7 p.m., 39 Main Street, Northampton. For more information call 587-0007 or e-mail eastcoast-office@hai.org.)

Editors' DVD Pick of the Week

In 1994 "Forrest Gump" won Best Picture at the Academy Awards. Even 11 years later, it is still a great movie to watch and will make you laugh and cry all over again. This classic movie is arguably Tom Hanks' best performance as he plays a man with a below-average IQ but a good heart. As a college football player, a military man, a professional ping-pong player and a shrimper, Forrest has an extraordinary life even though he is faced with many hardships.