ANTI-DEATH-PENALTY ALTERNATIVE SPRING BREAK
Open to students and nonstudents alike, this weeklong program shows you what it takes to be an activist. You'll attend workshops, write press releases, speak in public, and more, as well as meet former prisoners who spent time on death row, family members of murder victims, and many others. Register online.
Mon.-Fri., March 15-19.
UT campus, 210/601-7231.
Free.
www.springbreakalternative.org
(Civic Interest)
DOWNTOWN GHOST TOURS
offer nooks-and-crannies walking tours that spotlight the dead to bring Austin's history and geography to life.
Fri.-Sat., 8pm.
853-9826.
www.austinghosttours.com
EMANCIPET FREE DAYS
This mobile spay/neuter clinic might be in your neighborhood today. Check www.emancipet.org to find out.
Fri.-Sat., check-in begins 8am (first come, first served).
587-SPAY.
Free.
FUP DUCK
is puppet theatre, but don't think that means the kids are invited. There's enough swearing, drinking, and gambling to offend even adults. The Trouble Puppet Theater Company also invites the White Ghost Shivers to supply the soundtrack.
Wed.-Sat., March 17-20, 8pm.
Salvage Vanguard Theater, 2803 Manor Rd, 573-2540.
$12.
www.troublepuppet.com
JUNG SOCIETY OF AUSTIN
Dr. Sanford Drob discusses Carl Jung's Kabbalistic visions of 1944 and how they affected his philosophies.
7pm.
First Unitarian Church, 4700 Grover, 305-6386.
$15 ($12, members).
www.jungsociety.org
(Meetings & Instruction)
YWCA HALLMARK SPEAKERS SERIES
Health and medical professionals, social workers, youth mentors, and counselors are encouraged to attend this educational session addressing the effects of war on returning female veterans and their families.
9am-1pm.
George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center, 1165 Angelina, 472-4809.
$60 ($25, students).
www.ywcaaustin.org
23RD STREET ARTIST'S MARKET
This Drag stalwart features original handcrafted work from local artisans.
23rd Street & Guadalupe.
www.austinartistsmarket.com
AMERICAN SABOR: LATINOS IN U.S. POPULAR MUSIC
focuses on five major American urban centers of Latino popular music production following World War II. The exhibition comes to life through films, interactive kiosks, and more.
Through May 9.
Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum, 1800 Congress, 936-4639.
$4-7.
www.thestoryoftexas.com
AMERICARES
has been providing medical and humanitarian aid to Haiti since 1984, so it knows its way around. For every dollar you donate, AmeriCares can provide $35 worth of aid.
www.americares.org
(Civic Interest)
BARTON SPRINGS AUDIO TOUR
Take a self-guided tour of Austin's favorite swimming hole. All you have to do is download the audio files and map from the Save Our Springs Alliance website, and off you go.
Barton Springs, 2101 Barton Springs Rd, 476-9044.
www.sosalliance.org
CANCER CONNECTION VOLUNTEER TRAINING
is for cancer survivors and their loved ones who are interested in providing emotional support to patients currently battling the disease. Apply online at www.thecancerconnection.org.
Fri., May 7, 5:45-9pm; Sat., May 8, 8:45am-4pm.
342-0233.
$25 (scholarships available).
(Volunteer Calls)
CARBON FOOTPRINT CALCULATOR
You too can know the extent to which you are killing the planet, courtesy of the Austin Climate Protection Program. Go online and let them do the math for you. After that, it's up to you to change your ways or live with the guilt.
www.coolaustin.org
(Civic Interest)
CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES
Catholic Charities of Central Texas recommends donating to the national organization, Catholic Relief Services, at www.crs.org or Catholic Relief Services c/o Haiti Earthquake, PO Box 17090, Baltimore, MD, 21203
(Civic Interest)
CENTRAL MARKET COOKING SCHOOL
Whether you need to brush up your knife skills or throw together a romantic Thai dinner for two, these guys have you covered year round with an eclectic array of classes spanning all skill levels.
Central Market North, 4001 N. Lamar, 206-1000.
www.centralmarket.com
(Meetings & Instruction)
CHILDREN OF ALL NATIONS
continues to fund an orphanage in Haiti and needs your money now more than ever to help evacuate the children to a safer location. Go to www.gwca.org/donate/general-donation/donate.php to make a donation.
(Civic Interest)
CHILEAN EARTHQUAKE RELIEF
UT students have set up a fund to aid the earthquake relief efforts in Chile. Support a grassroots charitable group and your fellow humans abroad. Options for donating are available online.
www.austinhelpschile.org
(Call for Donations)
CLASSES FOR COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS/NONPROFITS
The Austin Community College Center for Community-Based and Nonprofit Organizations offers a variety of classes to help philanthropic organizations achieve success. Visit their website for details.
5930 Middle Fiskville Rd., 223-7076.
www.nonprofitaustin.org
(Meetings & Instruction)
COATS FOR CUBS
is accepting real fur be it a coat, trim, or other type of clothing to be used as bedding for orphaned or injured wildlife. From now till Earth Day ( April 22), you may drop off your furs at Buffalo Exchange (just tell them they're for Coats for Cubs).
Buffalo Exchange, 2904 Guadalupe, 480-9925.
www.humanesociety.org
(Call for Donations)
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
ECKANKAR CENTER WORKSHOPS
The Eckankar Center of Austin hosts seminars and discussions of all things spiritual. Connect with the divine, interpret your dreams, conquer fear, master change, and more at one of its myriad free gatherings. Call or go online for a complete schedule.
Austin Eckankar Center, 223 W. Anderson Ste. 206-B, 453-0331.
www.eckankar-texas.org
(Other Realms)
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, 483-3582.
www.familyeldercare.org
(Volunteer Calls)
FAMILY ELDERCARE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Help a disabled adult or elderly person as a bill payer or guardian advocate. Go online to check for an orientation session that fits your schedule.
Family Eldercare, 2210 Hancock, 483-3582.
www.familyeldercare.org
(Volunteer Calls)
FINANCIAL COACHING
Mondays through Saturdays, individuals earning less than $25,000 and families earning less than $50,000 can get free, one-on-one help reducing debt, fixing credit, and clarifying other money matters.
Community Financial Center, 2600 W. Stassney, 610-4026.
financialcoach@foundcom.org
www.foundcom.org
FREE TAX SERVICES
Eight area Community Tax Centers are providing free tax-preparation services to income-qualifying individuals and households this spring, and they're also offering low-fee, refund-anticipation loans. See www.communitytaxcenters.org for participating locations, hours, and details on income qualifications, or just call 211.
(Announcements)
GERMAN SHEPHERD RESCUE OF CENTRAL TEXAS
needs volunteers to help feed and care for the animals, assist with coordinating special events, and other duties.
Dripping Springs, 512/264-2478.
www.gsdrescuectx.com
(Volunteer Calls)
GOOGLE'S GIGABITS IN AUSTIN
Do you want Google to build a bigger, faster Internet ... right here in Austin? If so, Google wants to know, because they plan to go where theyre most wanted. Go online to learn more and help roll out the welcome mat.
www.biggigaustin.org
(Civic Interest)
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
needs funds to do what it does best, build shelter for those in need. Go to www.habitat.org for more info and donation instructions.
(Civic Interest)
HAITI EMERGENCY RESPONSE FUND
an international humanitarian aid group that works with impoverished women and families has launched the Haiti Emergency Response Fund with the goal of raising $10 million for immediate and long-term aid. Donate at www.care.org.
(Civic Interest)
HALF-PINT LIBRARY BOOK DRIVE
gives books to families and children in need. Any new or gently used books suitable for kids should be dropped off at any Half-Price Books location.
Through March 31.
www.halfpricebooks.com
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)
HILL COUNTRY PHOTO CONTEST
Start exploring the 17 counties that make up the Hill Country, and find one of the myriad natural and picturesque spots. Snap it and submit it to the Hill Country Alliance online, where you will also find a complete list of rules. Deadline for submissions is May 31.
560-3135.
www.hillcountryalliance.org
(Announcements)
HOST A CREEK CLEANUP
Is the creek you love filled with beer cans and six-pack rings? All you have to do is gather some friends to clean it up, and Keep Austin Beautiful and Watershed Protection and Development Review will give you all the guidance and materials you need.
391-0617.
Free.
www.keepaustinbeautiful.org
(Civic Interest)
HUMAN POTENTIAL CENTER
This South Austin nonprofit has oodles of classes and workshops from yoga and Reiki to art classes and dream interpretation just waiting to maximize your potential. Check out the website for more info.
Human Potential Center, 2007 Bert, 441-8988.
www.humanpotentialcenter.org
(Meetings & Instruction)
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)
LAND GRANTS OF THE TEXAS REVOLUTION
The latest exhibit, "A Hero's Reward," displays artifacts and historical documents that illuminate how soldiers of different races and backgrounds were compensated for their participation in Texas' struggle for independence.
Capitol Visitors Center, 112 E. 11th, 305-8400.
Free.
www.texascapitolvisitorscenter.com
MONOLITHIC DOMES FOR HAITI
Help Haiti build much-needed homes. And not just homes but earthquake-proof domes. Check the dome-related websites to find out about the plans for rounded homes in Haiti and what you can do to help.
www.onedomeatatime.org,
www.dftw.org
NATURAL HEALTH CENTER
has workshops in locations all over town, most of which are free of charge. Learn to balance hormones and alleviate allergies and migraines the natural way. Call for upcoming courses.
892-3366.
www.naturalhealthaustin.com
PARTNERS IN HEALTH
works to provide health care services in impoverished areas around the world and has been in Haiti for 25 years. Donations can be made at www.standwithhaiti.org.
(Civic Interest)
PETFINDER.COM
Several Austin-area shelters post to this website, which has thousands of homeless animals available for adoption, complete with photos, medical histories, personality descriptions, and more. Just type in what kind of pet you're looking for, including size, age, and sex, and up pop dozens of irresistable animals waiting for you to take them home.
(Announcements)
PROJECT HOPE
is delivering medical supplies, medicine, and volunteers to Haiti. Donate via the website: www.projecthope.org.
(Civic Interest)
RED CROSS
The city of Austin recommends sending donations to the Central Texas Red Cross at www.centex.redcross.org or directly to the Red Cross at www.redcross.org. You can even text in your donation by sending the message Haiti to 90999 to send $10.
800/RED-CROSS.
(Civic Interest)
RICHARD DAWKINS FOUNDATION
Just when you think atheists are a bunch of hyperintellectual windbags, they show you they really care. Donate via the website, and Richard Dawkins will personally handle the PayPal fees, which means 100% of your donation goes to Doctors Without Borders and the International Red Cross.
givingaid.richarddawkins.net
(Civic Interest)
SHADES OF PURPLE PARTY
Decide what the programming at the Long Center is worth to you. For $75 you get a concert from Hall & Oates (worth the cost alone) and an invitation to the many afterparties with complimentary drinks and food. The high-rollers can drop more dough for a preparty with Ray Benson and other perks.
Sat., March 27, 8pm.
Long Center for the Performing Arts, 701 W. Riverside, 474-5664.
$75-1,250.
www.thelongcenter.org
SHELTERBOX
provides tents, equipment, and more in a handy box for those in need.
941/907-6036.
www.shelterboxusa.org
(Civic Interest)
SOLES4SOULS
is accepting new and gently worn shoes especially work boots, tennis shoes, walking shoes, and childrens footwear at Total Relief Footwear in the Woodland Shopping Center, 13492 Hwy. 183 N. #250. A $2 donation with each drop-off is appreciated for shipping costs; call 996-0002 or visit www.totalrelieffootwear.com for more info.
(Civic Interest)
WHITE HOUSE EARTHQUAKE RELIEF
In case you forgot that the government can, in fact, do the right thing, see what the White House says about the crisis in Haiti. Former presidents Bush (Jr.) and Clinton are accepting funds via www.clintonbushhaitifund.org, or you can text "quake" to 20222 to donate $10 to the cause.
www.whitehouse.gov
(Civic Interest)
YÉLE HAITI
If you prefer your donation to have a bit of star power, Wyclef Jean's organization ( www.yele.org) gives you that without losing any of your donation's effect. You can also text "yele" to 501501 to donate $5.
(Civic Interest)
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