Happenings

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For more events, see Community Listings.

THURSDAY 21

DEBATE-WATCHING PARTIES Watch the Obama-Clinton debate with Texans for Obama at Scholz Garten (1700 San Jacinto), 5pm, or join Keep Austin Blue at Mother Egan's, (715 W. Sixth), 6:30pm. Debate begins at 7pm.

THE STATE OF BLACK AUSTIN The Austin chapter of the National Black MBA Association hosts a panel on the economic, cultural, and educational trends affecting Austin's African-American community. 6-8pm. University of Phoenix-Austin, 10801 MoPac. Free. www.austinblackmba.org.

TOWN HALL MEETING: CITY WEBSITE REDESIGN 7pm. ACC Pinnacle Campus, 7748 Hwy. 290 W. Free.

TRANSITIONS IN THE CUBAN REVOLUTION In anticipation of the Cuban revolution's 50th anniversary (and coincidentally on the heels of Fidel Castro's recent resignation), this two-day conference addresses Cuba's impact on the Americas. Feb. 21-22. Thu., 9am-6pm; Fri., 4:30-6pm. UT campus, 232-2409. Free. www.utexas.edu/cola/insts/llilas/conferences/cuban_revolution/index.

FRIDAY 22

OUR ENERGY FUTURE The Hot Science – Cool Talks series presents Michael Webber, of UT's Center for International Energy & Environmental Policy, who will discuss various energy sources and their implications. Webcast: www.esi.utexas.edu/ outreach/ols/lectures/Webber. 5:45-8:30pm. UT campus, Welch Hall, 2.224. Free.

WHAT MAINSTREAM MEDIA DON'T TELL US ABOUT IRAN, IRAQ, & FOREIGN POLICY Former U.N. weapons inspector Scott Ritter joins Iraq war veteran Hart Viges to speak in support of Iraq Veterans Against the War. Afterward, Ritter signs copies of his book Target Iran: The Truth About the White House's Plans for Regime Change. 7:30-9pm. Friends Meeting House, 3701 E. MLK. $10 suggested donation. www.ustourofduty.org.

SATURDAY 23

AFRICAN AMERICAN MEN & BOYS/WOMEN & GIRLS CONFERENCE focuses on campus-violence prevention, life skills, employment, responsible relationships, and more. 10am-2pm. Dobie Middle School, 1200 Rundberg, 585-6696. Free. www.aambharvestfoundation.com.

BARACK OBAMA RUN/WALK Obama supporters are invited to join in a three-mile jaunt around Lady Bird Lake. Also, policy experts will field questions from the Obama-curious. 9am. Meet at the MoPac footbridge near Austin High, 1715 W. Cesar Chavez.

PROGRESSIVE POPULIST CAUCUS discusses the November elections with a keynote address from progressive economist James K. Galbraith. 1-3pm. Conley-Guerrero Senior Center, 808 Nile, 441-2507. Free. austin@texaspopulists.org, www.texaspopulists.org.

RON PAUL The Texas Chapter of Students for Ron Paul hosts an afternoon of live music in support of the Republican presidential candidate; Paul speaks at 5pm. 2-8pm. UT campus, Main Mall.

SUNDAY 24

BETTER AUSTIN TODAY FUNDRAISER Better Austin Today is working to bring Austin's progressive groups together, and it begins with an evening of theatre, contests, food, and music. 5-8pm. Jovita's, 1619 S. First, 447-7825. www.betteraustintoday.org.

LOVE HILLARY RALLY Join Rep. Donna Howard, the Rev. Lydia Hernandez, National Women's Political Caucus representative Alicia del Rio, and more. E-mail to RSVP. 5-7pm. Love. Boutique, 1000 S. First. Free. love.hillary.rally@gmail.com.

PANHANDLING & HOMELESSNESS: DEVELOPING CARING RESPONSES Faith Presbyterian hosts this community forum on homelessness. 4-5:30pm. Faith Presbyterian Church, 1314 E. Oltorf, 444-1314. Free.

POSITIVE STRATEGIES FOR IMMIGRANT STUD­ENTS A roundtable discussion on the needs of immigrant students in the area. 4-6pm. Mexican American Cultural Center, 600 River St., 478-6222. Free.

THE SAVE OUR SPRINGS ALLIANCE & SAVING THE EDWARDS AQUIFER SOS Executive Director Bill Bunch speaks. 11:30am-12:30pm. First Uni­tar­ian Universalist Church, 4700 Grover, 452-6168.

MONDAY 25

D.A. CANDIDATE DEBATE The Cat Mountain Home­owners Association and Austin Neighborhoods Council sponsor this debate between the four candidates. 7:30-9:30pm. Dell Jewish Community Center, 7300 Hart, 735-8000. www.ancweb.org.

TOWN HALL MEETING: CITY WEBSITE REDESIGN 7pm. LCRA Hancock Bldg., 3700 Lake Austin Blvd.

TUESDAY 26

A BOLD VISION: THE EFFECT OF AUSTIN AREA COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES ON CLOSING THE GAP A panel of university and college presidents address the education gap. 11:30am-1pm. Beto Lecture Hall, Concordia University, 3400 N. I-35.

REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION WELCOM­ING COMMITTEE ROADSHOW invites all rebels to join in on crashing the­ Republican National Con­ven­tion this fall in Minneapolis. 8-11pm. MonkeyWrench Books, 110 E. North Loop, 407-6925. Free. www.rncwelcomingcommittee.org.

WEDNESDAY 27

GOV. RICK PERRY signs copies of his new book, On My Honor: Why the American Values of the Boy Scouts Are Worth Fighting For. 7pm. BookPeople, 603 N. Lamar, 472-5050. Free.

THE GREEN SCARE: HOW CORPORATIONS CREATED THE 'ECO-TERRORIST' MENACE Award-winning journalist Will Potter speaks. 7pm. UT campus, Jackson Geological Sciences Building, Room 2.327, 471-1990. Free.

THURSDAY 28

BEYOND CAPITALISM: PARTICIPATORY ECO­NOM­ICS & THE ECONOMIC JUSTICE MOVEMENT The Austin Project for a Participatory Society hosts. 8pm. MonkeyWrench, 110 E. North Loop, 407-6925. www.austinpps.org.

ONGOING

EARLY VOTING for the March 4 Texas primaries. (See Chronicle endorsements and voting locations) Through Feb. 29. www.co.travis.tx.us/county_clerk/election.

VOTEXAS.ORG answers myriad voting-related questions. www.votexas.org.