COFFEE JOLT & THINK TANK Third Wednesdays of the month are the time to get the brain juices and coffee flowing. Talk local and national politics, knock back some joe, and keep your gray matter from turning to poi. 8am. Emerald City Press, 915 N. Lamar, 970-3100.

METROPOLITAN BREAKFAST CLUB This week, Derrick Chubbs, executive director of the American Red Cross of Central Texas, will talk about what the Red Cross can do for our community when there isn't a disaster. 7am. Darrell Royal Memorial Stadium, UT Club, sixth floor, 2108 E. Robert Dedman, 479-9460. $15. www.mbcaustin.org

ORTHOPEDIC SURGERY PROFESSOR LECTURE Learn the latest in limb-lengthening and deformity-correction technology from the pros. 5:30pm. Texas Medical Association Bldg., 10th floor, 401 W. 15th, 409/747-5757. Free. www.utmb.edu

REEL WOMEN MEETING Bob Hudgins of the Texas Film Commission and Jeannette Scott of the Texas Motion Picture Alliance talk about the local movie biz while you schmooze. 7pm. Picture Box Studio, 701 Tillery Ste. A. Free. (Meetings & Instruction)

RINGLING BROS. BOYCOTT Yes, we recognize the hypocrisy of listing both the circus and its protest and embrace it. Enjoy the spectacle, or arrive an hour early, and help inform the masses of the elephant abuse. It's your conscience; we're just giving you the options. Frank Erwin Center, 1701 Red River, 879-7437. www.actionforanimalsaustin.org (Civic Interest)

TEX-ITALIA WINE CELEBRATION Every week, the proceeds from the evening's wine sales go to a charitable organization. Four wineries present their wares each night for you to purchase by the bottle or glass at reduced prices. Who knew you could be charitable and get buzzed at the same time? Wednesdays & Thursdays, 6-9pm. Cannoli Joe's, 4715 Hwy. 290 W, 892-4444. www.cannolijoes.com

WINE & CHEESE TASTINGS Each week of blind tastings features wines bound by a theme or region. If that's not classy enough for you, there will also be cheeses to sample. And if that's not enough food, you can spend another $25 for a three-course meal at the end of the evening. Wednesdays, 6:45pm. Green Pastures, 811 W. Live Oak, 961-6151. $25. www.winebat.com

ACCESSIBILITY INTERNET RALLY Web professionals and nonprofits in need of a website face-lift should sign up online for the 11th annual AIR-Austin conference scheduled for Oct. 18. Making sites accessible to those with disabilities will be at the top of the agenda, but knowledge sharing will be the order of the day. www.knowbility.org

AUSTIN IN ACTION Originally known for their website's "Freebie of the Day" feature, Austin in Action now has an entire list of fun, free things to do around Austin. So even if today's Freebie doesn't float your boat, surely something free will. www.austininaction.com

BARTON SPRINGS STEWARD NOMINATIONS The Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District is looking for nominations in numerous categories for individuals and businesses who put the health of the aquifer high on their daily agendas. Call or go online for a nomination form or more information about the award categories. Applications are due before Tue., Sept. 30. 282-8441. www.bseacd.org (Announcements)

BUTLER AWARD NOMINATIONS Nominate that special civic leader or community organization in your life. Choose from three categories – Community Leadership, Bridge Builder, and Spirit of Collaboration – then go online for award details and nomination forms. www.caction.org (Civic Interest)

CAT ADOPTION SPECIALS The Adopt-a-Shelter-Cat Summer is upon us, and to celebrate, the Town Lake Animal Center will be lowering the adoption fees. $35 for cats younger than 5 years old, while older cats can be adopted at no cost. The offer continues through August. Town Lake Animal Center, 1156 W. Cesar Chavez. www.cityofaustin.org

CITIZEN POLICE ACADEMY Learn the many functions and operating procedures of the Austin Police Department. The classes run Sept. 30-Dec. 9 and meet on Tuesdays, 5:30-9:30pm. For more information or an application visit the APD Web site at www.cityofaustin.org/police. Applications are due before Sept. 15. Read Nora Ankrum's experience with the program at austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/Issue/story?oid=oid%3A424299. 974-6202. joe.munoz@ci.austin.tx.us (Civic Interest)

COLLEGE STUDENTS WITH ASPERGER'S, ADHD, AND LEARNING DISABILITIES Take advantage of the academic, independent-living, and social-skills assistance provided by College Living Experience. CLE's services are now available for special-needs students who attend ACC, UT, St. Edward's, or Concordia. 800/486-5058. www.cleinc.net

COMMUNITY POLICING SURVEY The Travis County Sheriff’s Office is looking for citizen input to guide our local law enforcement. Got a beef or a suggestion for the cops (keep it civil), now's your chance. Go online, and find a link to your neighborhood's survey, or call 854-7786 for a paper survey. Deadline for inclusion is Mon., Sept. 15. www.tcsheriff.org (Civic Interest)

DONATION REQUEST FOR ARCH Serving 400 homeless a day, the soap desk at the ARCH is in need of all manner of toiletries (feminine-hygiene products, disposable razors, etc.), magazines, activity books (crosswords, etc.), gift cards, and phone cards. Check their website or call for specific items. ARCH, 500 E. Seventh, 305-4174. www.frontsteps.org (Call for Donations)

FAMILY ELDERCARE Help Family Eldercare prevent exploitation of disabled adults and the elderly by volunteering as a bill payer or guardian advocate. Eldercare's clients have neither family support nor the ability to fully manage their own care or financial management; it takes as little as two hours a month for volunteers to make a big difference in their lives. No experience necessary; training is provided. Family Eldercare, 2210 Hancock Dr, 483-3582. www.familyeldercare.org (Volunteer Calls)

GOODWILL AMBASSADORS NEEDED FOR STUDENT EXCHANGE PROGRAM The nonprofit Northwest Services Peace Program is sponsoring five- and ten-month U.S. stays for students ages 15-18 from Germany, Brazil, Belgium, Mongolia, Korea, Italy, Japan, Vietnam, Albania, and Turkey. NSPP considers its exchange students to be goodwill ambassadors, both introducing their culture to the U.S. during their stay and introducing our culture to their home countries when they return. You can be a goodwill ambassador, too, by providing room, board, and friendship to one of these students. 866/634-3977. www.nw-services.com (Volunteer Calls)

HELPING HANDS CENTER needs strong, dependable males to help load/unload groceries twice monthly. Helping Hands Center, 1151 San Bernard St, 472-2298. (Volunteer Calls)

HOST A FOREIGN EXCHANGE STUDENT House a student (age 15-18) for a semester or two. Call or go online, and see if your hosting skills are up to snuff. 877/439-7862. www.fitamerica.org (Volunteer Calls)

INDEPENDENT TEXANS MEETING The organization that seeks to mobilize independent and split-ticket voters. See their Web site for details on their bimonthly meetings. 454-7200. www.indytexans.org (Meetings & Instruction)

JUNETEENTH: A CELEBRATION OF FREEDOM The Carver is the first museum in the nation to feature a permanent exhibit honoring Juneteenth. Up all year round, the museum's core exhibit is dedicated to the history and evolution of Juneteenth, told through a combination of visual and interactive activities. Mon.-Fri., 10am-4pm. Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center, 1165 Angelina, 472-4809. Free.

NEIGHBORHOOD HABITAT CHALLENGE Get the neighborhood organized, and start making your yard more hospitable to wildlife. If your neighborhood ends up with the largest number of certified wildlife habitats … well, isn't that enough? Through Oct. 31. 327-8181 x29. www.keepaustinwild.com

PERMACULTURE DESIGN CERTIFICATE COURSE This series will teach you how to create sustainable human environments through gardening, green building, activism, alternative business models, and more. See www.permie.us for further details. Early registration is required. Full certification course: Sept. 27-Nov. 22, $500. Basics course: Sept. 27-28, $120. 619-5363. austinperm@permie.us (Meetings & Instruction)

POWER WHEELCHAIRS AVAILABLE If you're permanently disabled and 65 or older and nonambulatory then you could be eligible for a free motorized wheelchair. Wishes on Wheels will talk you through the process. 800/823-5220. www.threewishes2.com (Announcements)

SAFEPLACE DONATION DRIVE Families utilizing emergency shelters are often forced to leave basic necessities behind. SafePlace can always use diapers, shampoo, deodorant, and feminine hygiene products. Give what you can. Even better, why not host a donation drive at your workplace or event? 356-1567. pswift@safeplace.org www.safeplace.org (Call for Donations)

SPORE WARS STORY CONTEST Finally you can unleash that story you've been saving about a mutated mushroom that fights rabbits and ants in a battle for the back yard and beyond. That's a summary for the future release of the locally created video game Mushroom Men. Austin's own sci-fi/humor zine, Space Squid, is offering publication and a free Wii for the best story about the game's characters. Check out all the submission details at www.spacesquid.com/free_wii.htm. (Announcements)

THE DREAM CENTER AUSTIN is struggling to provide groceries and household staples to the nearly 650 people, many of them kids, who attend their Thursday Have a Heart of Compassion Food Pantry. They need those with compassion in their hearts to donate stuff: canned goods, boxed foods, paper products, money, etc., so that they will be able to offer some relief to the families of South Austin. Hop to it. The Dream Center, 4800 S. First, 448-4500 or 448-4512. www.dreamcenteraustin.org (Civic Interest)

TOUR OF KOREA FOR VETS Veterans of the Korean War are invited to revisit the battlefields of their youth. The South Korean government wants to pay homage to the participants in what has been called the "forgotten victory" by paying for meals, hotels, and tour costs. Tour dates continue through November, but call or go online for details or to sign up. 800/722-9501. www.miltours.com (Civic Interest)

VOTER REGISTRATION VOLUNTEERS Become a deputized voter registrar (it's easy), and help the Travis County Democratic Party get out the vote. Four volunteer sessions are offered weekly and start with a quick training session before you head out as part of a fine-tuned registering team. Saturdays, 9am-1pm & noon-4pm. Wednesdays, 2-6 & 6-9pm. Travis County Coordinated Campaign, I-35 & East 11th. keh303@gmail.com www.traviscountydemocrats.org (Civic Interest)

WEEKLY ACTIVITIES FOR SENIORS The Baca Center has classes in Sittercise, tai chi, line dancing, and more for only $3, plus plenty of free fun, from canasta, bridge, and dominoes to wood carving, bingo, and day-trip clubs. Call for details and schedules. Allen R. Baca Center, 301 W. Bagdad Ave. Bldg. 2Round Rock, 512/218-5499.

YOUTH EXCHANGE & STUDY Open your home to a foreign exchange student from countries with significant Muslim populations and build some bridges between the cultures. 800/AFS-INFO. www.afsusa.org (Volunteer Calls)