Civics 101

Thursday 2

GRANT WRITING BASICS Want a piece of all that free grant money floating around? You'll have to know all the ins and outs, and, wouldn't you know it, the city is here to help you put your best foot forward. 10am. Cultural Arts Division offices, 201 E. Second, 974-7700. Free.

COLONY PARK Meet and rank the candidates for Colony Park Public Engagement Liaison. Refreshments provided. 4-8pm. Overton Elementary, 7201 Colony Loop Dr..

Friday 3

NATIONAL SAME-SEX KISS DAY The organizers of this event want you to grab a partner and head to your nearest Chick-fil-A to protest that company's stance against gay marriage in the most affectionate way possible.

AUSTIN ENVIRONMENTAL DEMOCRATS holds its monthly meeting. Megan Klein (Obama for America) and Andy Brown (Travis County Democrats) will speak on getting more involved in President Obama's re-election campaign. noon-1pm. El Mercado, 1302 S. First, 512/447-7445. www.elmercadorestaurant.com.

NOCHE CULTURAL Welcome the "No Papers, No Fear" riders and hear their stories. Open to the public. 6:30pm. 5604 Manor Rd. www.5604manor.org.

Saturday 4

BUILDING BRIDGES TOWN HALL MEETING Kathleen Christensen speaks on eliminating crime and violence in our city. KAZI's Kenneth Thompson moderates. 1:30-4pm. Simpson United Methodist Church, 1701 E. 12th, 512/472-8818.

WDP TEACH-IN Texas residents and undocumented leaders from the "No Papers, No Fear" tour will talk about their experiences in immigrant detention. 5pm. First Unitarian Universalist Church, 4700 Grover, 512/452-6168.

Tuesday 7

VOLUNTEER DEPUTY REGISTRAR TRAINING Help the county reach its goal of 54,000 new registered voters by Sept. 30 by attending an hour-long training session. 10:30am, 12:30pm, 6:30pm. Travis County Tax Office, 5501 Airport, 854-9473. www.traviscountytax.org.

Thursday 9

STATE OF STATE EMPLOYEES Texas State Employees Union (12,000 strong) meets to discuss the anti-government siege that could claim their pensions. 5:45-7:30pm. AFL-CIO Hall, 1106 Lavaca, 448-4225. Free.

Ongoing

SIGN THE SAVE TEXAS SCHOOLS PETITION Tell state leaders it's time to stop underfunding our schools and overtesting our kids. Add your name and help keep Texas smart!

REFRIGERATOR RECYCLING Recycle your old, working fridge before Sept. 8 for a chance to win $500. Austin Energy provides free pickup and gives a $50 rebate for units of 14-27 cubic feet (limit two). Schedule online, then email a picture of the appliance and your contact info to be entered in the drawing. Winner announced in mid-September. 800/452-8685. www.austinenergy.com. donylle.seals@austinenergy.com.

COMMUNITY CHALLENGE Mayor Lee Leffingwell challenges Austinites to develop creative solutions to challenges in city life. National winner receives a $5 million grant; the rest of the top 5 receive $1 million. Submissions due Aug. 15.

AUSTIN NEW YEAR Wait, it's only August! That gives prospective participants (performing artists, musicians, etc.) plenty of time to email a one-page proposal with project details and a budget. Deadline Sept. 4. kevin.shaw@austintexas.gov.

VOLUNTEER DEPUTY VOTER REGISTRAR TRAINING Help register voters for the Nov. 6 election now by becoming a Volunteer Deputy Registrar. Simply attend a one-hour training session. Volunteers must be 18 years or older. Weekdays through Oct. 8, 10:30am Travis County Tax Office, 5501 Airport, 854-9473. Free. tax_office@co.travis.tx.us, www.traviscountytax.org.

ANTI-BULLYING CAMPAIGN October is National Anti-Bullying Month, and to celebrate, the Travis County Sheriff's Office is inviting K-6 students to color an anti-bullying poster for a contest.

EARLY VOTING Early voting for the Nov. 6 election continues through Friday, Nov. 2. See our endorsements or follow all our election coverage at austinchronicle.com/elections.

BLANKET DRIVE Share the warmth and donate new or gently used blankets, towels, and pillows to five area nonprofits – including Austin Children's Shelter and SafePlace – via city newcomers Sleep Experts. Through Thanksgiving Sleep Experts locations or the Girl Scouts of Central Texas.

SAVE THE DATE TO SAVE TEXAS SCHOOLS Join Diane Ravitch, former TEA Commissioner Robert Scott, and Houston's Kashmere High marching band to stand up for kids and schools on Feb. 23. Say no to brutal budget cuts, a broken testing system, and looming school vouchers. Say yes to a quality education for all kids!

INSIDE BOOKS PROJECT The all-volunteer nonprofit works to get books in the hands of inmates all year round, but it needs extra help during the holiday season. Make a financial donation online, or give your time be helping fill packages in 2013.

CHRISTMAS TREE RECYCLING Oh, tenenbaum. If you're not a curbside customer, don't forget you can recycle your Christmas tree at one of these locations around town before Jan. 12. Through Jan. 12. Monday-Friday, 7am-5pm; Saturday, 7am-noon Austin Community Landfill, 9900 Giles; Williamson County Landfill & Recycling Center, 600 Landfill Rd.

NO DRAMA DEMOCRACY This continuing ed course from ACC seeks to reform political relationships by encouraging tolerance and proving why liberal/conservative labeling is irrelevant. Limited slots available; register now. Austin Community College Continuing Education. $120. www.austin.cc.tx.us.

TRAVIS COUNTY SHERIFF VOLUNTEERS Victim Services Unit is seeking volunteers who are over 21 and have a reliable car and cell phone to work four four-hour shifts per month for a year. The next training session begins March 18. See website for complete details.

FREE TAX PREPARATION Go online for a list of locations, hours of operation, a list of forms to bring, and other helpful tips to prepare your tax returns with the help of a professional. Participants must make less than $50,000 a year. Through Mon., April 15 610-7374. Free.

SLOW MONEY AUSTIN SPRING PITCHFEST DEADLINE Slow Money Austin is looking for local food and sustainably minded business who are trying to raise money to grow. They have been soliciting short, two- to three-minute pitch videos from local entrepreneurs and the deadline is March 18. Go online for more info.

PARKS & REC LIFEGUARD RECRUITMENT The city is looking for a few good lifeguards, pool managers, and swim instructors. Call to find out more. 400 Deep Eddy Ave.

BUDGET IN A BOX How should Austin spend its money? Let city leaders know. Participants will be asked to decide to increase, decrease, or maintain current funding levels for common city services. Accumulated feedback will be taken into consideration as the city develops its proposed 2014 budget this summer. 512/974-2324.