Happenings

For more events, see Community Listings.

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THURSDAY 18

KEEP AUSTIN BLUE MEET-UP Dinner, drinks, and a talk from foreign-policy expert Dan Grant. 6:30pm. Mother Egan's Irish Pub, 715 W. Sixth, 478-7747. www.keepaustinblue.org.

LEGACY OF TORTURE: THE WAR AGAINST THE BLACK LIBERATION MOVEMENT This documentary examines the continuing struggles of the Black Panther members who were tortured in 1973 during a police-shooting interrogation. (See Special Screenings) 8pm. MonkeyWrench Books, 110 E. North Loop, 407-6925. Free. www.freethesf8.org.

MODERN TIMES: 1860-1865 Baylor museum studies professor Ken Hafertepe presents Austin in Black & White: The Servants & the Served. 6pm. Neill-Cochran House Museum, 2310 San Gabriel, 478-2335. $10. www.neill-cochranmuseum.org.

TOWN MEETING State Rep. Donna Howard hosts this informal gathering for House District 48 residents. 6-8pm. Howson Library, 2500 Exposition. Free.

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FRIDAY 19

BRIDGING DIVIDES DINNER The UT Project on Conflict Resolution presents Willie Nelson with the inaugural Bridging Divides Award at a dinner hosted by Texas Monthly Editor Evan Smith and featuring performances from Ray Wylie Hubbard, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, and Willie Nelson's daughter Amy. 7pm. Frank Erwin Center, 1701 Red River, 471-1954. $300. www.utpcr.org.

LUNCHEON: BOOM TO BEST? THE FUTURE OF CENTRAL TEXAS New Urbanists Andrés Duany and Hank Dittmar lead a discussion of Central Texas' planning challenges. 10:30am-1pm. Four Seasons Hotel, 98 San Jacinto, 478-4500. $45. www.envisioncentraltexas.org.

WORKERS DEFENSE PROJECT ANNIVERSARY PARTY WDP celebrates five years of service with a silent auction and oldies dance party. 7-11pm. AFL-CIO Hall, 1106 Lavaca, 477-6195. $15 ($12, in advance). www.workersdefense.org.

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SUNDAY 21

FORUM ON FAIR TRADE & LATIN AMERICA features a panel of experts on trade policy as it relates to immigration, the environment, agriculture, food security, human rights, labor, the economy, and access to health care. 1-5pm. Thompson Conference Center, Red River & Dean Keeton, 471-2933. Free. www.texasfairtrade.org.

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MONDAY 22

AUSTIN AREA LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS John Fleming, general counsel of the Texas Saving and Mortgage Lending Department, presents What Is the Role of the State in Protecting Texas Mortgage Borrowers? 6pm. Central Market North, 4001 N. Lamar, 451-6710. www.lwvaustin.org.

DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY RACES: CONGRESS & JUDGES The Central Texas Democratic Forum presents District 10 Democratic candidates Larry Joe Doherty and Dan Grant and 98th District Court candidates Andy Hathcock and Rhonda Hurley. 11:45am-1pm. Austin Bar Association, 816 Congress #700. $20 ($15, members).

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TUESDAY 23

CAN A JEWISH STATE BE A DEMOCRACY? A talk and booksigning from Anna Baltzer, author of Witness in Palestine: A Jewish American Woman in the Occupied Territories. 7pm. Cafe Caffeine, 909 W. Mary, 447-9473. www.annainthemiddleeast.com.

TOPICAL TUESDAY WITH CREATIVE SPIRIT This new South Austin group invites progressives of faith to join them for discussion. 6:30pm. Freddie's Place, 1703 S. First, 527-4455. [email protected].

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WEDNESDAY 24

BUS RIDERS UNION MEETING Wednesdays, 7pm. Victory Grill, 1104 E. 11th, 220-8227. [email protected], www.historicvictorygrill.org.

NATIONAL CAMPUS SUSTAINABILITY DAY Learn about the dozens of environmental initiatives happening at UT. 11am-1pm. UT campus, 471-7639.

THIRD COAST FILM NIGHT Writer and Institute for Public Accuracy founder Norman Solomon hosts a screening of the documentary based on his book War Made Easy. (See Special Screenings) 6:45pm. Alamo Drafthouse South, 1120 S. Lamar, 476-1320. $8.25 ($6, students/seniors). www.thirdcoastactivist.org.

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THURSDAY 25

50 YEARS OF THE WARFARE STATE Join nationally syndicated columnist and author Norman Solomon for a talk on war policy over the last half-century, with comments from Austin Chronicle News Editor Michael King. 7pm. UT campus, Thompson Conference Center, 1.110. www.thirdcoastactivist.org.

CHARTER REVISION COMMITTEE MEETING explores the feasibility of two different districting options for Austin: single-member districts or a combination of single-member and at-large council seats. 5-7:30pm. Austin City Hall, 301 W. Second, 974-7593. Free. [email protected], www.ci.austin.tx.us/charter.

PEACEMAKER AWARDS Join the Dispute Resolution Center in rewarding those who have worked hardest to promote nonviolent resolutions to conflict in Austin. 6:30pm. UT Club, Darrell Royal Memorial Stadium, sixth floor, 2108 E. Robert Dedman, 371-0033. www.austindrc.org.

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ONGOING

PUBLIC FORUM: ACHIEVEMENT GAPS IN EDUCATION The E3 Alliance hosts a series of moderated discussions on improving education in the Austin area, culminating in a regional forum on Nov. 15. Thursdays, Oct. 18-Nov. 1, 6-8:30pm. Reagan High School, 7104 Berkman. www.e3alliance.org/events.html.

DAY OF ACTION ON DARFUR Visit www.kinterainc.com to participate in a White House call-in day or to sign the global petition demanding an end to violence in Darfur, which will be delivered to the White House on Wed., Oct. 24, to coincide with United Nations Day.

EARLY VOTING for the Nov. 6 constitutional amendment and joint special elections begins Mon., Oct. 22. (See Endorsements for details and locations.) Vote by mail through Tue., Oct. 30. Ballots available at www.traviscountyelections.org. Oct. 22-Nov. 2. 854-4996.

EDWARDS AQUIFER & HAZARDOUS MATERIALS The Edwards Aquifer Authority wants feedback on the Hazardous Materials Rules that have been proposed for the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone. See www.edwardsaquifer.org/pages/rulesprop.htm; file written comments by Mon., Oct. 29, 5pm. [email protected].