Naked City

On Friday, May 16, representatives of BookPeople, Waterloo Records, and other local businesses will join author/columnist/radio commentator Jim Hightower at 5pm for a "Keep Austin Weird" rally in front of Waterloo, at Sixth and Lamar. Hightower will sign copies of his new spoken-word CD, The People Are Revolting! (in the very best sense of the word). Also on hand will be representatives from the Austin Independent Business Alliance, which encourages consumers to buy local. Call Waterloo at 474-2500 for more info. For the latest news on Sixth + Lamar, see facing page.

Spelt addicts and tofu fanatics won't want to miss the Organic Trade Association's All Things Organic conference and trade show, under way at the Austin Convention Center through Saturday, May 17. Conference visitors will get to sample the latest organic products and attend workshops on subjects ranging from the economics of farm viability to current legislation affecting the organic industry -- projected to produce $20 billion in sales by 2005 (compared to just $1 billion in 1990). Passes to the trade show, noon-6pm Friday and 10am-4pm Saturday, cost $30 on site. More info at www.atoexpo.com.

Following right on the ATO's heels at the Convention Center is Windpower 2003, the American Wind Energy Association's annual conference. It's $50 for exhibits-only registration, either on site or online at www.awea.org. Exhibits will be open May 19-21, 8am-5pm Monday and Tuesday, and 8am-2pm Wednesday.

And while on the subject, Austin filmmaker Michelle Voss' documentary, Velocity: Exploring Sustainability Through Wind Power, will have its world premiere Saturday, May 17, at the Alamo Drafthouse Downtown (see Wind Power Gains 'Velocity').

Travis County Constable Bruce Elfant's 11th Annual Ice Cream Social takes place Sunday, May 18, 3-5pm, at the AFL-CIO Hall, 11th and Lavaca. Tickets are $15, sponsorships are $25, $50, $100, and $250. Proceeds benefit Disability Assistance of Central Texas. Call 477-7500 for more info.